The Charlottesville region’s commercial real estate market has slowed significantly in recent months, leading to an increase in office and retail vacancies and an overall softening of prices.

The number of people appealing Charlottesville’s 2009 real-estate assessments has blown past the 300 mark.

Real estate values have declined nationally, but for Albemarle County residents that doesn’t necessarily mean lower tax bills.

Home sales are down 21.7 percent across the Charlottes-ville region, according to a new market analysis by the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors.

Real estate and personal property taxes are due in Charlottesville and Albemarle County by the close of business today.

A growing majority say they won’t buy a home anytime soon, the latest sign of increasing pessimism.