Real Estate info sought for Tri-Cities area (Bristol: for sale, real estate market)

[In the Pines]

Hi all -

Okay - I'm hoping someone can enlighten me a bit. I've been searching the internet for Abingdon/Bristol area real estate for sale, foreclosures, and house trades but I haven't had much luck. I find homes for sale on certain sites - no problem there - but when it comes to Washington County foreclosures or house trades, I find nothing.

I've tried the major house trading sites and am wondering if there is a more local service I should try. I've also noticed low inventory levels in the area. There seem to be the same houses on the market now that were there 2 years ago when I started looking. Is there some "underground" real estate market I don't know about?

Where do locals find the foreclosure listings? Do you know anyone in the area that has traded a home?

I live near the coast in SC and am trying to get to Washington County. Any advice on the best ways to get the insider real estate scoop? I do have a great buyer's agent who shows us houses each time we come to town but I hate to bother her with too many questions (until my house in SC sells).

Thanks, in advance, for any enlightenment!

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by In the Pines

Hi all -

Okay - I'm hoping someone can enlighten me a bit. I've been searching the internet for Abingdon/Bristol area real estate for sale, foreclosures, and house trades but I haven't had much luck. I find homes for sale on certain sites - no problem there - but when it comes to Washington County foreclosures or house trades, I find nothing.

I've tried the major house trading sites and am wondering if there is a more local service I should try. I've also noticed low inventory levels in the area. There seem to be the same houses on the market now that were there 2 years ago when I started looking. Is there some "underground" real estate market I don't know about?

Where do locals find the foreclosure listings? Do you know anyone in the area that has traded a home?

I live near the coast in SC and am trying to get to Washington County. Any advice on the best ways to get the insider real estate scoop? I do have a great buyer's agent who shows us houses each time we come to town but I hate to bother her with too many questions (until my house in SC sells).

Thanks, in advance, for any enlightenment!

If I were you I would run these questions by my buyer's agent. The real estate market here is very strong and not as badly affected by the economic woes that other areas are experiencing.

Unfortunately, we cannot name real estate sites beyond the normal ones (craigslist, realtor.com, etc.). The only place to advertise on here in the Classified Ads section.

I personally do not know of anyone that truly traded a home (stranger to stranger).

[TNGal78]

That may have been my personal experience , but I worked with 2 realtors while looking for a house 4 years ago and was only shown 2 foreclosures. I haven't seen many while searching online, either. Hope you find some, though!

[ljay42]

This market will probably turn downward a bit and you will see an increase in foreclosures. It generally takes a bit for job losses to impact the housing market but eventually this will happen...my best guess would be towards the end of this year or 1st quarter of next year.

I watch housing prices from greeneville to bristol every day and have noticed some softening lately.

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by ljay42

This market will probably turn downward a bit and you will see an increase in foreclosures. It generally takes a bit for job losses to impact the housing market but eventually this will happen...my best guess would be towards the end of this year or 1st quarter of next year.

I watch housing prices from greeneville to bristol every day and have noticed some softening lately.

I hope you are right ljay. I am currently searching for a second home to purchase in the Tri Cities and the housing prices seem pretty firm and high. My realtor said that there was a recent article that talks about how the Tri Cities prices have held; I believe it! Let the softening begin until I complete my purchase! lol

[Tri-Cities Native]

Relative to Foreclosures:

Per our local MLS (which includes Abington as well as others in VA) there are 4,286 single family homes for sale. Of those only 152 are foreclosures which relates to ~3.5%. When I searched Abington and Bristol VA (city and county both) only 4 showed up, none of which were in Abington! That's likely why you're having trouble finding many of them.