What Makes West Virginia a Hotspot for Real Estate Buyers

Harpers Ferry

America offers home buyers many unique lifestyles, with each state providing a different setting and culture. West Virginia is one of the more beautiful states in the country, famed for its Appalachian landscape with mountainous terrain and thick forests. It is a historical area with a unique culture that is known for its endless outdoor fun. There is a reason the state has been dubbed Almost Heaven.

West Virginia is an enticing option for buyers seeking a new home. This state offers pleasant towns and diverse geography, offering an option for buyers of every interest. Let’s explore some aspects of West Virginia that make it an enticing location for real estate buyers.

Affordability

In recent years, America has had a housing crisis as home affordability has declined. However, West Virginia is one of the few states that remains at a modest price point; one at which the average person can own a home without derailing their financial future. According to Redfin, at the end of 2022, the median sales price of a home in West Virginia was around $267,000, making it one of the more affordable states in the country.

West Virginia’s combination of small towns and big cities doesn’t affect the state’s affordability. The small towns have affordable real estate options, and even the state’s biggest city, Charleston, has a median listing price of approximately $158,000, according to Realtor.com in 2022.

Harpers Ferry

Natural Beauty

West Virginia’s unparalleled beauty particularly adds to its appeal. This state has stunning landscapes that make it popular for nature lovers, with the flowing waters of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, mountainous topography of the Appalachian Mountains, and more than 12 million acres of thickly forested terrain, which equates to 78% of West Virginia’s landscape. 

Several natural areas offer stunning places to explore in West Virginia. Dolly Sods Wilderness Area contains thousands of acres of untouched terrain filled with abundant wildlife and trails. Blackwater Falls State Park is a scenic area with rushing rapids and waterfalls. 

Blackwater Falls

Outdoor Recreation

The gorgeous terrain of West Virginia makes it a hub for outdoor recreation. There are boundless ways to explore the state’s natural sites and enjoy its unique location. In the summer, West Virginia is a hiking hotspot, consisting of trails that wind through forests and waterfront areas. It is famed for its whitewater rafting, fishing, hunting, and boating areas, and camping in the state’s forests is a popular activity as well. There are also many rock walls and ziplining canopies for adrenaline-seekers.

In the winter, the mountainous terrain of West Virginia makes it popular among skiers and snowboarders. It is widely considered the best destination in the Southeast for skiing, housing famous resorts, including Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Winterplace Ski Resort, and White Grass Ski Touring Center. 

Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Pleasant Towns and Cities

Those seeking major metropolises may not be called to West Virginia. Its population of 1.7 million is very spread out, and the biggest city in the state has less than 50,000 residents. While there may not be many massive cities here, many appealing mid-sized cities and small towns offer excellent lifestyles for residents.

Charleston, West Virginia’s capital, is a historic city on the Elk and Kanawha rivers with a thriving art and food scene that make it a cultural hub. Harpers Ferry is a picturesque small town along the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers and boasts historical areas that were important Civil War sites. Morgantown is the location of West Virginia University. It has excellent museums and public parks, as well as laid-back beaches and trails along Cheat Lake. Fairmont is a small town home to 18,000, with an excellent food scene. It is known for its lively downtown with coffee shops and eateries. Bruceton Mills is a small community near Morgantown with a small population and plenty of natural sites. It is known as one of the best places in the state for white water rafting.

Cheat Lake
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