West Virginia Realtors Report Good Housing Market Statewide
by Blanche Evans
West Virginia Realtors in Wood, Berkeley, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, and Grant Counties say real estate sales are consistently good. Wood County "Wood County borders the Ohio River," says Realtor Kay Munchmeyer. "It's an area that is low in crime, great in cultural opportunities, as well as having a consistently good educational system. A great place to live, work, and raise a family! Our market is very consistent. We have sold seven percent more houses this year than last. The largest increase over 2003 is Belpre, Ohio, which is up 26 percent over 2003. Boaz, Williamstown, and South Parkersburg showed a decrease in sales. Most areas show a slight increase, North Hills remains consistent with ten sales each year." Berkeley County "Berkeley County is one of the fastest growing counties in West Virginia," says Realtor Teksin Duman. "A highly-developed transportation network links Berkeley County to the entire nation. Two major interstate highways -- I-81 which runs north/south and I-70, which runs east/west -- are the cornerstones of our highway system and trucking routes. It's a place where small-town communities thrive in harmony alongside a vibrant economy. The housing market in Berkeley County, West Virginia, was very strong in 2004. Total dollar residential unit sales volume increased 43.66 percent compared to previous year 2003. Average price for houses sold in 2004 was $172K -- much higher than the 2003 average, $148K. The number of housing units sold gained a healthy 23.54 percent compared to last year." Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, and Grant Counties Duman reports that she can only get statistics that cover the northern part of Potomac Highlands, a region with four counties (Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, and Grant) within a 160-mile circle of the Washington DC/Baltimore metropolitan area. "These counties are all very beautiful, which the Department of Tourism describes as: 'Here in the Great Forest, mountains and national forest provide the backdrop for summer outdoor fun and winter skiing. Escape is easy, whether on scenic drives or excursion trains, or in cozy cabins in remote villages.'" Duman explains, "The northern part of Potomac Highlands of West Virginia, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, and Mineral Counties became a very popular recreation and getaway destination for metropolitan area residents. The demand for a weekend place boosted the prices, especially in Hardy and Hampshire Counties which border the Frederick and Shenandoah Counties of Virginia. A total 632 residential transactions in 2004 added up to $77 million in sales averaging $121K per unit sold. The sales volume was up 83 percent compared to 2003. These numbers include only residential sales; land was another hot item in Potomac Highlands last year." |
