PLEASE HELP! Where to (not) Live in WV??? (Charleston, Parkersburg: mineral rights, new home)

[red.ochre]

Originally Posted by profedwards330

Do you think prices are going to go lower?

Going lower?

Not in West Virginia . . the trends are a continued upward movement in price with small increases in momentum, some in part, that much of West Virginia didn't have the real estate bubble and needs to correct on the upside, coupled with national trends that it will have a continued population influx. Last year, for example, during one quarter, only about a half-dozen major cities had real estate increases; Charleston was one of them.

As for most of the country (and there will be exceptions), expect a continued market collapse which includes land -- and you haven't seen the bad yet that's coming down the pipeline.

West Virginia Home Prices and Home Values - Zillow Local Info

[Threerun]

Go here for info on proposed PATH route(s) http://www.pathtransmission.com/maps...n_Map_3-30.pdf

[Hinton Bound]

Damn it! Will someone rep Red for me???? Seems everytime I try to rep someone, it says I must spread it around. Ughh! Oh, and rep Herd while you're at it, I can't rep him either.

And where the heck has Harbor Lady been?

[GottaHerdOn]

Originally Posted by Threerun

I don't think it really matters much out here. Some areas near corridor H have over appreciated, IMHO. But for the most part, Elkins, Buckhannon and other similar markets have been relatively stable.

If I was going to buy a larger acreage parcel, I would be more concerned about performing due diligence with regards to deed and property rights/location and not feel as concerned about 'missing' the lowest price point.

There seems to be a lot of larger parcels coming up for sale in the location of the proposed PATH powerline. I would be very, very careful about where you choose to live, and take a hard look at the proposed PATH transmission lines before you pull the trigger on something in the Elkins/Buckhannon general direction.

The route they selected will not be in Randolph County or near Elkins at all. Only one or two of the possible routes entered Randolph but they were decided against, probably with the help of some Benjamin Franklins.... One of the proposed paths would have been about 2 miles from my house and about 10 miles outside of Elkins... Thankfully though, it's not happening and even if it is built it will not be in Randolph County at least.

[Threerun]

I think one of the proposed routes still has a potential to pass through the northern tip of Randolph.

But in any event, we've taken south of Buckhannon and other areas off our target list for a cabin site until this thing is determined. My friend used to own several hundred acres in Hampshire County that is bisected by a major transmission line and it's not pretty. It makes for good hunting land, but it really mucks up some of the best view sittes and you can hear it popping and sizzling during damp periods.

Ah, the price we pay to be the east coasts extension cord.

[profedwards330]

I would never in a million years have thought to ask about PATH, etc. THANK YOU!
I would also like to clarify one thing, being that the issue of the Confederate Flag has popped up on and off through these replies.
As a gal who's grown up in Los Angeles, the image of the flag means something different to me based on my personal exposure to it. Here, it's often worn as a patch, as a sticker on a truck or as a tattoo - and often combined with a Nazi swastika. It's associated with skinhead gangs, intentional intimidation of minority groups and a hatred of African Americans. I would imagine that nary one member would be able to cite the historical references that are mentioned here on this post.
I said I had an "irrational fear" because I was certain that there was a greater historical meaning that had very little, if anything, to do with issues of race - and that the reason for the flag's display in WV was most likely quite different than those of the young, angry men I sadly come in contact with regularly. Several of you have clarified that further, and for that I thank you!
We are very excited to live in a place that welcomes GOOD NEIGHBORS, regardless of the color of their skin.
AND, now we're back looking at Washington, WV - near Parkersburg - as the pressure to live near family is great.
I'm finding homes online just outside of the region (say, 10 minutes or so) in Ohio that are lovely and less expensive. BUT - we just have a "soft spot" for WV! We like that WV seems to be a gorgeous little secret; the national underdog that really is better in so many ways than the rest of the country.
UGH! I doubt I'd of rec. as much kind assistance from the Ohio forum .
Thank you, again, for your thoughtful feedback. My family is blessed to have your help!

[bballjunkie]

Property in OH is definately cheaper to purchase. In some areas, if you live long enough, it will be made up in property taxes in comparison to WV.

With the children of the age you have; I highly recommend looking into the Williamstown school district. Also, it puts you close to Marietta and Marietta has a ton of activities in the summer. In Williamstown, we have a brand new $1.7 million city pool and Marietta has a very nice Aquatic Center. Williamstown Park is almost great for kids and is totally safe. The parks in Parkersburg (in my opinion) are near as nice and safe as Williamstown.

The local airport is very nice with no lines for security checks but sometimes it is hard to get where you want to go at the times you desire. Therefore, I always check Charleston, Akron-Canton, Pittsburgh, Columbus and even Cleveland. I can be at the Columbus or Akron-Canton airport in two hours and the Pittsburgh Airport in 2.5 to 3 and Cleveland is three hours. There are many activities in these cities but I think you will be surprised at the number of activities for children here locally. The Actor's Guild and Smoot Theatre both have nice cultural activites and you can also access of Artsbridge activities. Marietta also has a playhouse but the name eludes me right now.

[dreamingc]

Some years ago i was told about Bancroft Wv.... in truth I can't remember who told me or even what they told me about it !!!!

However it has stuck with me ever since, I would be grateful if any of you guys out there could tell me what living there is like.

nb,, I live in Scotland UK

CHEERS

[Rosinante]

Originally Posted by red.ochre

Going lower?

Not in West Virginia . . the trends are a continued upward movement in price with small increases in momentum, some in part, that much of West Virginia didn't have the real estate bubble and needs to correct on the upside, coupled with national trends that it will have a continued population influx. Last year, for example, during one quarter, only about a half-dozen major cities had real estate increases; Charleston was one of them.

As for most of the country (and there will be exceptions), expect a continued market collapse which includes land -- and you haven't seen the bad yet that's coming down the pipeline.

West Virginia Home Prices and Home Values - Zillow Local Info

Thanks for the chart, but it would appear that WV has a long way to go to get to the high prices noted in neighboring states there. What troubles me is that the panhandle seems to be growing to the point of overpopulation. That, alas, should do much to make the area as unattractive as Leesburg, Centreville and Manassas in VA became 40 years ago.

[red.ochre]

Originally Posted by Rosinante

Thanks for the chart, but it would appear that WV has a long way to go to get to the high prices noted in neighboring states there. What troubles me is that the panhandle seems to be growing to the point of overpopulation. That, alas, should do much to make the area as unattractive as Leesburg, Centreville and Manassas in VA became 40 years ago.

Typical negative comment.

Albeit small gains, West Virginia home prices, year after year, continue to increase. Yes, you can look at what West Virginia isn't, but I can also look at home values that have evaporated in the neighboring states, and the country, for example :

Maryland, negative 20% . .
Virginia, negative 18% . .
North Carolina, negative 6% . .
etc.

Arizona, negative 52% . .
Florida, negative 54% . .
California, negative 53% . .
New York, negative 13% . .
etc.

Kentucky, like West Virginia, is one of the few states with appreciating real estate.

When I first moved here, West Virginia real estate was appreciating year-over-year, a little above 2%. It's now appreciating year-over-year, almost 5%, and still has room on the upside to correct -- it will.