Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor WV Real Estate in Greenbrier County

The Greenbrier’s 2nd Annual Winterfest Weekend was held on January 6-8 and featured nationally recognized ice carvers competing in individual and team carving competitions.

The winner for the individual competition went to Aaron Costic winning the Gold Medal with the ice sculpture "Wild Hare". The prize was $2,000.

The team competition winners were Aaron Costic and Jeff Meyers winning the Gold Medal for the ice sculpture "Apollo's Steed". The winners received $2,000.

The temperature was in the high 40s and low 50s for this 3-day event, as compared to last year's freezing temperature. Below are the photos of the other ice scupltures in the competition:

Even though the two photos below were beginning to melt and break, you can still see the great detail in the sculptures. The below sculpture of a hand had a dragonfly on the forefinger, but with the warm weather, the ice was melting and breaking.

Part of the wing broke off of this beautiful sculpture.

The lifetime of an ice sculpture is determined primarily by the temperature of its environment and thus, an ice sculpture can last from mere minutes to possibly months.

Check out last year's ice sculptures... Ice Sculpting Displays and more at The Greenbrier's First Winterfest Celebration.

Market Report for White Sulphur Springs, WV

White Sulphur Springs is a small southern town located in the southeastern region known as the New River/Greenbrier Valley. Like most of West Virginia, the region is mountainous, with rivers and streams that together embrace towns nestled in the valleys that have witnessed history from the earliest days of the American frontier. As of the 2000 census, the population was 2,315. White Sulphur Springs is home of the world renowned Greenbrier Resort and Spa, Greenbrier Sporting Club, and home of the soon to be Greenbrier Medical Institute.

If you like living in small towns, with a low crime rate, and love to golf you may want to check out White Sulphur Springs, WV.

This all-brick 1819 historical house located in White Sulphur Springs, WV, can be a home, business, or both. At this time it is zoned R2 for James Wylie House B&B, on the National Register of Historic Places. A gracious and comfortable house with seven bedrooms, six baths and eight fireplaces with a total of 3,500 square feet with one acre of land. Having been totally renovated in 1988 and 1989 with new plumbing, electrical, and some mechanical, the house is in excellent condition. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with gardens, grapes/berries.

Also on the property is a one bedroom, 700 sq. fot, log cabin . The cabin was rewired, new plumbing, and bath in 2009. Very cozy cabin with a wood burning fireplace and bedroom/bath located in loft. Cabin would be great rental income. House and log cabin roof replaced with metal roof, copper and seamless gutters in 2010/11. Property is only minutes from the Greenbrier. This gem is priced at $499,000 - - MLS# 11-717.

Market Report for White Sulphur Springs, WV

(This report represents only Residential Listings)

December 2011 compared to December 2010.

There were four Sold Listings for both December 2011 and December 2010 - (No change)

There were also four New Listings for both December 2011 and December 2010 - (No change)

Active listings for December 2011 was 55, compared to 79 active listings in December 2010. (active listings down by 24 in 2011)

The Average Sale Price In December 2011 was $1,653,333 compared to December 2010 average sale price of only $828,250. (average sale price was 50% higher in 2011)

The Average DOM for December 2011 was higher at 586, compared to average DOM of 308 in December 2010 (listings were on the market longer in December 2011 by 278 days more)

Below chart depicts an overview of the White Sulphur Springs Real Estate Market for the year:

Throughout the year, active listings were about the same, but November had the most active listings (52); the lowest months for active listings were in June and July with 41 listings.

July had the most New Listings (8) for 2011, with April having only one new listing for the month.

Most Sold Listings were in May and July, with no sold listings in January.

November shows the largest inventory with 17 months compared to May having the lowest inventory of 8 months.

Despite worldwide turmoil and weak economies, houses are selling in all price ranges. Greenbrier County is still a buyer's market. Give me a call, I am sure we can find a house in your price range!

White Sulphur Springs is within an easy day’s drive from one third of the U.S. population and therefore we see a steady flow of weekenders from several nearby metropolitan areas and surrounding states, including the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C.

Search for Listings for White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County

NOTE: GVBR MLS, Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed.

The Greenbrier County Real Estate Market Report for December 2011.

Greenbrier County is the second largest county in West Virginia, with 1021 square miles and was created in March of 1778 from portions of Montgomery and Botetourt counties (Virginia) and was named for its primary river. Greenbrier County is considered the "mother county" of southern West Virginia.

Please note this report represents only Residential listings.

As noted in the chart below the number of sold and pending listings were the same for December 2011 and 2010.

Although compared to December 2010---

Active listings ⇩ by 25 in 2011

New listings ⇩ by 3 in 2011

In December 2011, 17 houses sold - price range from $16,500 to $2,050,000.

In December 2010, 17 houses sold - price range from $17,900 to $1,500,000

(Note: the higher priced houses in the million dollar range are located in the Greenbrier's Sporting Club)

The average days on the market in December 2011 was 204, compared to 244 in December 2010.

Greenbrier County absorption rate (months of inventory) for December 2011 was 16.14, compared 21.38 in December 2010.

We see that the Greenbrier County real estate market in 2011 is still a buyer's market and with such a wide price range, buyers are sure to find the house that fits their needs! If you are thinking of buying a house, now is a good time to make a decision while prices and interest rates are still low. Don't wait.....home ownership is an investment in your future.

Search for Listings for Greenbrier County

NOTE: GVBR MLS, Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed.

For more information on a particular area, please give me a call, I'll be glad to assist you in your real estate needs.

 Lewisburg WV Market Report | December 2011

New Business Opening Soon

 Lewisburg, West Virginia, is a great place to live, work, raise a family, retire, or start a business.   Named"America's Coolest Small Town", Lewisburg is the largest municipality in Greenbrier County and is also the county seat. New businesses are opening in this small historical town where artists, retirees and shopkeepers live in Colonial and Federal buildings on neat, shady streets.

In mid February, a new restaurant called the Livery Tavern will be opening. For more information, check out my previous post on the  Livery Tavern.

The Livery Tavern
Construction, September 2011

 Lewisburg WV Market Report | December 2011

• Single-family properties closed in December 2011:  5
• Average sales price:  $144,900
• Average list price:  $156,700
• Sales price to list price ratio:  0.92%
• Average days on the market:  190
• Sales currently pending:  5

There are presently 42 residential properties currently active in Lewisburg. The Lewisburg Real Estate market shows that the average sales price for residential homes is around $264K with the average days on the market being 224 days. The price range of the 42 active properties are from $64,000 to $950,000. 

Lewisburg is in a buyers' market as the absorption rate for Lewisburg Real Estate shows over 8 months of inventory.  The Lewisburg Real Estate has been a buyer's market for the last four months (Sept-Dec) as noted in the chart below.  From April to August the stats show it was a seller's market; and back to a buyer's market the first quarter of the year, January through March.

It's the ideal time for buyers to get off the fence and start looking for their Lewisburg home. 

NOTE: The local market type is often characterized by the absorption rate as follows:

Buyer’s Market:  More than 6 months of supply

Balanced/Transitional Market:  6 months of supply

Seller’s Market:  Less than 6 months of supply

Search for Listings for Lewisburg WV, Greenbrier County

  NOTE:  GVBR MLS, Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed.

Come visit our quaint historical town of Lewisburg, in the Greenbrier Valley, a wonderful place to live and work.  Enjoy the great restaurants, tour the town, and shop in the quaint stores and get the feel for this home town. Lewisburg offers unique recreational and cultural attractions…so come visit check out the real estate, and take a historical tour of Lewisburg......you just might want to make Lewisburg your home.