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

DATE: TUESDAY, July 6, 1993                   TAG: 9307030084
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ROANOKE VALLEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Sales of new homes fell sharply in June, but the second quarter still came in a winner.

The Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors reported that 333 houses were sold here last month, off 9.5 percent from the 368 homes sold in the same month a year ago. And it was down 31.2 percent from April's good record of 484 homes changing hands.

"June finishes out a fantastic second quarter of home sales," according to Anne Lee Stevens, president of the association.

"Second quarter sales were 28 percent higher than for the second quarter of 1992," she said. "Year-to-date we've written over 200 more contracts than for the same period last year."

Stevens said low interest rates and the stable local economy are keeping the economy moving. In some cases, she said, a buyer can move up to a larger house with a larger loan without any increase in the monthly mortgage payment.

by CNB