Hurricane WV October 2012 Home Sales Report October 2012 Real Estate Report Homes Sold: 25  Average Sales Price: $225,636 Homes Currently on the Market: 180 Homes Currently Under Contract: 32 Average Days On the Market: 69 Hurricane, located in Putnam County, continues to be a strong market. Compared to same period last year, 24 homes were sold for an average of $181,952 per home and only 78 days on the market. Putnam County has experienced a huge boon in population the decade and a half. Currently, of the 180 active homes on the market, 46 have been since 2000.   11/11/2012

The Small Business Administration's 504 Loan Program provides small companies in development areas with guarantees for loans for major fixed assets such as land and buildings for economic development. The purpose of 504 loans is to improve the economy of a locality or to assist businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, rural businesses, and other designated types of businesses. The 504 loans are set up to work with Certified Development Companies - nonprofit corporations set up for community development. Generally the project assets are used as collateral. A typical 504 loan structure might look like this, according to the SBA: Typically, a 504 project includes a loan secured with a senior lien from a private-sector lender covering up to 50 percent of the project cost, a loan sec... 10/29/2009

I’ve been trying to think about the “big secret” in Hurricane, West Virginia.  If I had a new client moving in from somewhere else, what would be the most important thing to clue them in about?  I’ve been mulling it over …. While I was thinking about it, I walked down to the bus stop to get my Little One.  I met the usual group of neighborhood parents there.  One neighbor had her hair cut short and I told her I liked it, she looked “sporty” and younger somehow.  She told me she might as well cut it off, the doctors told her it’s chemo time again. Oooh.  She’s so brave, ready to fight.  Again.  It makes her so tired.  I told her I’d get her son in the mornings or afternoons, I can do bus stop duty for her so she can rest.  And then every other parent there jumped in.  They ALL wanted to... 10/07/2007

West Virginia has a great first time home buyers program with great interest rates and 100% financing.  I work with alot of first time home buyers as well as relocations.  Get in touch with me to get more information.  I can even set you up on my automated email which will give you instant updates as soon as a home that meets your criteria hits the market here in WV.  I don't hassle people with sales calls.  I feel that most people prefer to seach from their computers and call me once they are ready.  I use several different internet tools to use to market all of my listings.  If your interested in buying or selling give me a call or email and I can tell you more! 09/01/2007

Yesterday I got a phone call from Scott Edwards, the new mayor of Hurricane.  Apparently I'm not the only person who uses Google Alerts, and Scott’s name popped up on The Putnam Scoop, my new local blog.  I’d written a little reminder about that whole dog limit law issue.  (I’m not a fan.)  Scott mentioned in the city council meeting in June, before he was elected, that he would like to remove the limit of two dogs from the language of the law.  He said he felt, as I do, that our other nuisance laws already cover any issues that may arise, and that it’s not right to use a number itself as a law. Well, I’m very happy to say that Scott does plan on eliminating this language from our law books!!  (YAY!!!)  He invited me to the next city council meeting where he plans to put this before th... 07/15/2007

Last summer, my family took in an exchange student from Japan. She was actually the daughter of one of my penpals, so we had "known" her for years. This was one of the best things we've done as a family. Anna was so much fun, and we did so much more together because we wanted her to have the good memories and experiences. Instead, we're the ones that feel blessed. I found myself learning more just so I could tell her. She asked me questions about why we do certain things that really made me question things myself. (This is a good practice to get into, by the way.) She'd ask questions about English, the subtle differences between adjectives and so on. We have such a rich language -- why don't I realize it more often! She fit into a place in our family that we didn't even know was empty. ... 06/21/2007

Mission West Virginia is trying to help people see how many children we have in foster homes here in West Virginia.  They have made a beautiful visual demonstration in Hurricane City Park.  Please watch the Show below.  Each ribbon represents a child in need of a home.  Many children are available for adoption, others need temporary care.  All of them are real children, with a need for love and a stable home.For the next couple weeks, you can visit Hurricane City Park and view the trees full of ribbons.  Please take a moment to pause and try to imagine so many children in need of homes.  Hold your own children a little closer, and see if there might be room for another.  This Thursday at noon, there will be a gathering at the park.  Butterflies will be released to symbolize the children... 06/12/2007

Hurricane, West Virginia is in for a BIG change tomorrow!  After 40 years Mayor Raymond Peak is retiring.  (Thank you again, Mayor Peak, for your service all these years!)  It's time to elect a new mayor!!With our Walmart set to open within months and the additional businesses that will ride in on it's coattails, managing our city is just going to become more and more complex.  Walmart alone is going to add nearly $1,000,000 to Hurricane's budget next year!  Our current budget is 2.7 million.  Think about THAT.Take a little time to think about what changes you want for Hurricane.  Then do the research and find the candidate who stands for what you want.  The top of my list would contain revocation of the dog limit law and restoring the D.A.R.E. program to our schools.  Did you even know... 06/11/2007

Last night was Hurricane's Town Meeting.  City Council members voted down a city ordinance that would have required dog kennels built to (in my humble opinion) insanely specific standards.  It would have required:Skylights or windows so that there is light during the day.Fenced runs that are enclosed and visually screened from the general public and from the direction of neighboring houses.A roof conforming to residential standards including R-13 insulation and sides must match the residential dwelling.  Must be built within 10 feet of the back of the property owner's residence.  Must have a concrete floor.Must have a drainage ditch leading to a clean area 30 feet away from other homes or the street.Must contain a ridge vent or other ventilation system.  If you have more than one dog, y... 06/04/2007

I went out of town this weekend and returned to e-mails and phone messages about the dog limit law in Hurricane.  Apparently, there has been some sort of question about it -- is it on the books or not?  I have a copy of the city ordinance and it does show a limit law of no more than two dogs per household.  But it is going to be discussed tonight at 7:30 at Hurricane City Hall, so I'm guessing it's not yet set in stone.From the information I've received, what the city council is trying to do is increase fines and make even stricter laws.  For instance, according to rumor they're wanting a separate kennel "to their specifications" for each dog.  This is vague, I hope to find out more about this tonight.  I don't live within Hurricane city limits, so this doesn't apply to me, but what abo... 06/04/2007

What makes my house a home is the memories we've built over the years together.  The snapshots in my mind when I think of "Home" look something like this:Looking impossibly young, shopping with my husband for our first home.  Taking my parents along because we have no idea what we're doing.Walking around inside our 900 square foot brick rancher and wondering what we'll ever do with all that room.  Big yard, time to get my first dog.  Off to the shelter!Finding out I was pregnant.  SICK.  Stretch marks.  Fat.  DELIGHTED.Bringing home our  baby, rocking her to sleep every night in the chair Mom reupholstered for us.  Still so proud, I have a home, a husband, a child.Watching my toddler run back and forth in the hallway, always full of smiles.  Wanting to give her EVERYTHING.  Smeary handp... 05/23/2007

For as long as I've been alive, Mayor Peak has been a constant in my hometown.  He's a fixture of my town, an icon.  And after 44 years as mayor, he's stepping down.Times have changed.  When he first served, our city had about 1,300 people.  We're at nearly 6,000 and growing!  We had one stoplight, now I can think of nine.  (Hey, that's big time!)  You've helped us grow and guided us well.  You not only watched over our city, but also taught our kids at the high school.  We appreciate all you've done for us! Mayor Peak, we were lucky to have you!  You will be missed.  It will be hard to train myself to call anyone else Mayor, but I guess it's about time to give it a whirl.There are three candidates for mayor: Sam Cole, Scott Edwards and Frank Sergent.  With the new Walmart going in at t... 05/23/2007

For over 100 years, Coldwell Banker has been servicing real estate needs.  Our Coldwell Banker Advantage Real Estate office is much newer than that, but we hold the same values and commitment that have kept Coldwell Banker a solid, trustworthy company.I work as a full time REALTOR in partnership with my Dad, Pat Murphy, and our values are at the heart of our business.  Our belief is that the PEOPLE are what really matters.  We want to help you sell your home because that's what you want.  We want to help you find your new home because it's important to you.  As we work together, your goals become our goals, and we are a team working to help you achieve the best possible results.  Real estate is complicated, with lots of paperwork and legal requirements.  We can relieve you of these worr... 05/08/2007

I just got an e-mail from Kelly Holleran at the Charleston Daily Mail.  She's written her article on the local dog limit laws, and as promised shared a link with me.  Here it is, please read: Cities' Dog Limit Law Surprises Residents.Thank you, Kelly, for writing this and sharing it with us.  Kelly saw my blog and called to tell me she enjoyed it.  (Thank you!)  She said she read one of my posts and thought there was a story there.  Before she could even say it, I knew which one she meant.  That's the only post I've ever written when I was angry, something the blogging books will tell you not to do.  I disagree, go on and write angry as long as you're going to stand behind what you say.  I still mean what I said.  I think you can't judge a pet owner by the number of their pets.  It's ab... 04/23/2007

This year's Bark at the Park is scheduled for May 19th at Valley Park in Hurricane, WV.Details are still being worked out and subject to change, but so far we're looking forward to another fun time!Police dogs will be there.  I always enjoy this, as I generally like cops anyway (my brother is one) and I'm a doggie fan.  I met a police drug dog and his trainer at another function once.  I asked the policewoman how she knew if someone had drugs.  She told me her dog would sit.  Just then, an adorable little girl walked up holding a smalled stuffed toy.  The dog sat.  The policewoman and I looked at each other, and after a pause she told me, "He wants the toy."  Aaah!  (Wish my dogs would sit politely when they want something!)  There will be doggie crafts and T-shirts for sale.  There's a... 04/16/2007

    Real Estate Shows, the program I use to really show off my listings, has had some really good updates recently and I wanted to show them off a little.  Last night I walked a beautiful property with some of my favorite clients.  (I feel it's OK to say that, they are a warm loving family and have brought me some good business, besides.)  This property was so beautiful that my camera just would not stay out of my hands.  The farm is being subdivided into large building lots, ranging in size from 1+ to 4+ acres.  It's located about four miles out Cow Creek in Hurricane, WV.  On a windy country road like this, that puts you about 10 minutes from the main road in Teays Valley.  (And from my office, right there at the corner!)If you'd like to see the new features of our shows, please view ... 04/09/2007

I had a post a while back about the dog limit law in Hurricane.  I got a little fired up about the subject and I ranted a bit.  I not only posted to my blog,  I also sent that entry out in the form of a newsletter to my clients, friends and family who were close enough to be affected by the law.   For the first time ever, I had more views on a newsletter than times it was sent out!  In other words, it was forwarded many times.  I realized I wasn't the only one fired up.Last week I got a call from a reporter at one of our local papers.  She said she enjoyed my blog and found one entry she'd like to write about.  I told her I already knew which one, and I was right!  I let her interview me right then on the phone and she told me she'll send me a link to the story so I can share it with yo... 04/08/2007

My 20th high school reunion is this summer.  And no, I don't care about telling you my age, I'm 37 and glad for every year God chooses to bless me with.  I'M STILL HERE.  I have friends that aren't, so I promise to never, ever be ashamed of my age.From what I've heard, Wendy Wandling and Molly Hauldren are planning our reuinion.  They did a great job with the last one, so I am really looking forward to this year!We'll start at the Homecoming football game Friday August 24th between Hurricane and Winfield.  I haven't been to a high school game in ages, and I'm kind of excited about it.  I like that the kids can be involved, too.  Then there will be some kind of dinner/get-together/something on Saturday.  Somebody load me up with details and I'll update this as needed.I'm hoping that a lo... 04/05/2007

This weekend was our 10th annual Civil War Weekend at Hurricane's Valley Park.    This event is an excuse for a day off.  Walking around the fields at Valley Park is suddenly like taking a trip back in time.  You're allowed to walk around camp, where the soldiers camp out like they would have during the Civil War.  It feels like spying on people from another time, and it's fascinating.    Cannons are set up on the battle fields, ready for war.  However, I was surprised by the genteel manners of the men in uniform.  I was quite pleased by the tipped hats and early morning greetings I received as I walked around.  There's nothing quite like having a man in uniform bow slightly and say, "Good morning, ma'am.  And how are you this fine day?"  Yep, I'll admit it, I blushed a little!    There... 03/25/2007

The Museum in the Community started in 1983 with the combined efforts of the Huntington Museum of Art and area high school kids.    This museum got it's start in a strip mall as an art class learned how to run a museum.  Apparently, they took their role VERY seriously.  Today we have a very stylish building for the museum located at Valley Park in Hurricane.    I remember those early days, with the surprisingly professional art by the students gracing the walls.  You'll still find art from local students at this museum, as well an interesting round of exhibits.  There are the expected exhibits of sculpture and paintings, and occasionally something a little different like a collection of snow globes on loan from residents of Putnam County.  I appreciate a museum that has a little fun, an... 03/25/2007