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

DATE: SUNDAY, June 27, 1993                   TAG: 9306250041
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

REAL ESTATE MARKET STRONGER

Home real estate activity in the New River Valley this spring was brisk compared with a year ago, according to figures from the New River Valley Association of Realtors.

"All indicators appear strong [for April], an indication of a steadily strengthening real estate market in the New River Valley," said John T. Mentzer, Virginia real estate professor of marketing at Virginia Tech.

Home sales were down slightly compared to a year ago, but higher than the previous month. Homes new to the market and homes under contract also were up over the previous month, and higher than a year ago.

The average sales price of $85,019 also was up significantly since April 1992, an increase of nearly $5,000.

"In all, these are very strong indicators of a healthy market," said Mentzer, who compiles and analyzes statistics for the Realtors' association.

by CNB