About Berkeley County, WV

A great new program established the beginning of 2008 has made home buying in Berkeley County WV easier. Below are the some of the details of the program.

Eastern Panhandle HOME Consortium of West Virginia

HOMEBUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

WHAT IS IT? A homebuyer assistance program (HAP) for first time homebuyers in Berkeley County and the City of Martinsburg. HAP provides income-eligible first time homebuyers with a deferred no-interest loan for downpayment and closing costs. The loan is forgiven if the buyer remains in the home for the term of the loan. The amount of the loan depends on the buyer's need for assistance.

WHO CAN USE HAP?

• FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS

• INCOME ELIGIBLE*

• HOUSE MUST BE IN BERKELEY COUNTY

• HOUSE MUST PASS CODE INSPECTION

HOW DOES HAP WORK?

• BE PRE-QUALIFIED BY A MORTGAGE LENDER

• COMPLETE A HAP PRE-APPLICATION

• COMPLETE HOMEBUYER EDUCATION

• BORROW UP TO $20,000 FOR DOWNPAYMENT AND CLOSING COSTS

• HAP LOAN AMOUNT DEPENDS ON HOMEBUYER'S ABILITY TO AFFORD THE FIRST MORTGAGE

• TERMS ARE 5 YEARS FOR LOANS LESS THAN $15,000; 10 YEARS FOR LOAN OF $15,000 OR MORE.

• HAP LOAN DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPAID IF YOU REMAIN IN THE HOME FOR THE TERM OF THE LOAN (5 OR 10 YEARS)

* HOUSEHOLD INCOME LIMITS SHOWN FOR EACH HOUSEHOLD SIZE

1 Person-$37,050

2 Persons-$42,350

3 Persons-$47,650

4 Persons-$52,650

5 Persons-$57,200

6 Persons-$61,400

7 Persons-$65,650

8 Persons-$69,900

For more details contact me. I will also put you in touch with a qualified lender to get you on your way to a new home.

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"On the Go" for October

10 - Identity Theft Seminar at the Martinsburg Library - for more info: call (304) 267-8933

11 & 12 - Berkeley Springs Apple Butter Festival

11 - Hedgesville Heritage Days in downtown Hedgesville

16 through 19 - Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival

17 - Feast for The Arts "A Taste of France" call 304-263-0224

18 - Maryland Symphony Orchestra MasterWorks season featuring violinist Rachel Barton Pine

24, 25, 26, 31 - Old Opera House Night Watch

25 - Adam Stephen House pumpkin carving contest 6-9pm - for more info: call (304) 267-4434

25 - Taste of Transylvania "Dinner with Dracula" fundraiser for WV Filmmaker's Guild

27 - Maryland Theatre Tribute to Benny Goodman and Peggy Lee

In spite of hurricane Hanna's threat, spirits weren't dampened for the West Virginia State BBQ and Bluegrass Festival, "Pickin' in the Panhandle", held this weekend at the Lazy-A Campground. Attendance may have been light for the Saturday kickoff due to rain, but folks rolled in Sunday taking advantage of the perfect weather and festivities.

The highlight of the weekend was the great music preformed by nationally renowned bluegrass bands on the main stage. Musicians were also performing at the popular Pickin' Porch concession and beer garden area. Senator Robert Byrd sent a representative onstage offering his sentiments that he could not attend. God bless him, he loves his fiddle and did it justice in the day.

Fierce cook-off competitions always arise at such events and this weekend was no exception as the ribs, chicken, and brisket rolled off the grill for the judges to decide the contest winners. There was something for everyone to enjoy throughout the weekend of festivities including craft vendors and the kids' korner. It was evident that there was not age barrier for fun this weekend.

Welcome to DeFluri's Fine Chocolates, the sweetest place in town where truffles just melt in your mouth. Brenda and Charlie Casabona are veteran chocolatiers and wizards of the finest confections you've never even dreamed of. There is a basket filled with over the top chocolate "Twinkies" that are a big hit and yet they offer the old favorite standby English lemon drops.

If you crave it, they have it!

The Casabona's chocolate factory is located in the heart of Martinsburg's historic district in the 50's era building that once housed the McCroy's Five & Dime Store. They have lovingly restored the premises preserving the quant conveyed features within including the soda-fountain lunch counter, tin ceiling tiles, and are currently expanding the store front facade. Every piece of chocolate is produced onsite using pure natural ingredients in their 12,000 square-foot factory preserving freshness for your taste buds.

DeFluri's Fine Chocolates began their business in Vienna Virginia and moved their factory and showroom to Martinsburg in 1998 and has since become an icon in the downtown area. Stop by their establishment and treat yourself to the finest confections imaginable.

May 2008 Eastern Panhandle Market Summary
Berkeley County
	2008	2007	% Change
Total Sold Dollar Volume:	$22,280,248	$23,362,025	-4.63%
Average Sold Price:	$193,741	$210,469	-7.95%
Median Sold Price:	$185,000	$205,000	-9.76%
Total Units Sold:	115	111	+3.60%
Average Days on Market:	121	107	+13.08%
Average List Price for Solds:	$213,678	$226,073	-5.48%
Avg Sale Price (% List Price):	90.67%	93.10%	-2.43%
Active Listings:	1497	1637	-8.55%
New Listings:	275	379	-27.44%
Contracts:	90	97	-7.22%
Jefferson County
	2008	2007	% Change
Total Sold Dollar Volume:	$12,578,017	$17,124,640	-26.55%
Average Sold Price:	$251,560	$295,252	-14.80%
Median Sold Price:	$217,950	$280,450	-22.29%
Total Units Sold:	50	58	-13.79%
Average Days on Market:	131	132	-0.76%
Average List Price for Solds:	$286,732	$316,096	-9.29%
Avg Sale Price (% List Price):	87.73%	93.41%	-5.68%
Active Listings:	702	743	-5.52%
New Listings:	134	157	-14.65%
Contracts:	39	33	+18.18%
Morgan County
	2008	2007	% Change
Total Sold Dollar Volume:	$2,419,210	$4,250,050	-43.08%
Average Sold Price:	$151,201	$202,383	-25.29%
Median Sold Price:	$144,455	$199,000	-27.41%
Total Units Sold:	16	21	-23.81%
Average Days on Market:	155	143	+8.39%
Average List Price for Solds:	$175,613	$222,276	-20.99%
Avg Sale Price (% List Price):	86.10%	91.05%	-4.95%
Active Listings:	323	318	+1.57%
New Listings:	70	58	+20.69%
Contracts:	17	11	+54.55%

Source: Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. - MLS Resale Data