Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 4, 1993                   TAG: 9305040019
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ROANOKE VALLEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS

The Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors said Monday that 490 homes were placed under contract, compared to 340 last April. Transactions were up 32 percent from 370 in March.

Association President Anne Lee Stevens said the number of contracts so far this year exceeds last year's by more than 100. She attributed the strong market to low interest rates and a good mix of housing styles in all price ranges.

"We're seeing a lot of buyers who have just sold their home and are ready to move up to a larger house," she added.

The median price of a house sold in April was $84,950, up from $83,500 in March and $79,950 in April 1992.

Also new to the Roanoke Valley economic index this week are reports for regional stock prices, new business licenses, sales of natural gas, Valley Metro bus ridership, coal loadings, bank clearinghouse exchanges and employment.