Shepherdstown.... what are the pros and cons? (Jefferson: real estate, to rent) - West Virginia (WV) - City-Data Forum

emotiioo · 07-23-2019, 09:06 AM

We have been offered an opportunity to invest in some property in Shepherdstown WVA. This is a commercial venture. We have properties in 6 states including Virginia and Maryland. W st Virginia has always seemed risky but I understand that Jefferson county is more economically healthy than other parts of the state.

We have visited Shepherdstown a few times now and it seems nice enough....lots of college kids and friendly locals. From an investment perspective we are not sure if we will attract enough of a market to have this pay off.

Tell me about Shepherdstown....the good, the bad, etc.

304eer · 07-23-2019, 09:51 AM

You seem to be familiar with Shepherdstown so I don't know how much that I can tell you that you wouldn't already know. Not to mention I don't know anything about the investment. But it's a trendy little town with a college. So prices are inflated on properties because of the limited options. It's an quickly growing county and region but Shepherdstown is a bit more remote, so it isn't as grown up as some of the surrounding towns...yet at least. To me, it seems as though you might be buying high on a property right now, but that's just my opinion. But also because it is a college town, you're not going to see as drastic of downturns in real estate as you would elsewhere, so that's the good news.

emotiioo · 07-23-2019, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 304eer

You seem to be familiar with Shepherdstown so I don't know how much that I can tell you that you wouldn't already know. Not to mention I don't know anything about the investment. But it's a trendy little town with a college. So prices are inflated on properties because of the limited options. It's an quickly growing county and region but Shepherdstown is a bit more remote, so it isn't as grown up as some of the surrounding towns...yet at least. To me, it seems as though you might be buying high on a property right now, but that's just my opinion. But also because it is a college town, you're not going to see as drastic of downturns in real estate as you would elsewhere, so that's the good news.

Thanks! I am thick in the middle of doing market research on comps /property. It does seem Shepherdstown is a wee bit inflated but also that things sit for awhile.

Would you say that the area is a bit less conservative politically than other parts of the state? We were surprised by the number of "smoke shops" but chalked that up to being a college town.

304eer · 07-23-2019, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emotiioo

Thanks! I am thick in the middle of doing market research on comps /property. It does seem Shepherdstown is a wee bit inflated but also that things sit for awhile.

Would you say that the area is a bit less conservative politically than other parts of the state? We were surprised by the number of "smoke shops" but chalked that up to being a college town.

Shepherdstown is an extremely liberal enclave. It has a large "old hippie" population as well as the younger "hipster" generation. Add in the college and I'd take a guess that the town itself is probably about 80% left leaning. The type of demographics found in Shepherdstown are closer to somewhere like Burlington, VT than WV.

Katie1 · 07-23-2019, 03:55 PM

DEAD in Summer ...Over Crowed Fall, Winter & Spring.

IF you plan to rent to College Crowed then Don't count on Tenants in Summer.

LLAllen1963 · 02-26-2020, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 304eer

Shepherdstown is an extremely liberal enclave. It has a large "old hippie" population as well as the younger "hipster" generation. Add in the college and I'd take a guess that the town itself is probably about 80% left leaning. The type of demographics found in Shepherdstown are closer to somewhere like Burlington, VT than WV.

Great news, Thank you!