By Thomas Harding
This month I intend to overwhelm you with data . . . so strap on your seatbelts and let’s go for it.
First, let me introduce a new statistic to my loyal readers: the ratio between homes sold (“solds”) and homes on the market (“inventory”). Let’s call this ratio the sold/inventory ratio.
This ratio is [...]

By Thomas Harding 
Another year, another round of political battles in West Virginia. The filing period for the 2010 political races is now closed, and there are many interesting matchups. Here are a few of them.
 
West Virginia Supreme Court
Just over a year into his first term, Circuit Judge John Yoder is running for West Virginia Supreme Court. [...]

By Thomas Harding    
Each New Year the Jefferson County Assessor sends notices to local property owners informing them of any increase in their real estate assessments. This year’s letters have been mailed, and they bring with them good news for most homeowners. Of the 30,000 parcels in the county, only 800 will see an assessment increase [...]

By Thomas Harding
For the past six years I have called local real estate profession-als to ask for their predictions for the next year. Here are their fore-casts for 2010.
Jackie Lewis, broker, Green-tree Real Estate. The real estate market hasn’t been that bad for the past three months. I just hope that continues. Some high-end properties [...]

By Thomas Harding
By now you have heard the good news I’m sure. The $8,000 tax credit for first time homebuyers has been extended and the government has created a new tax credit for people who already own a home (for at least five years) for $6,500. Hallelujah! As a homeowner, lender, realtor, banker or contractor, [...]

According to unofficial results posted on County Clerk’s website, the results of the Zoning Referendum are as follows:
Total No       3,249
Total Yes:    1,953
The canvass will take place on Friday 13th November.
For full results go here

By Thomas Harding
A Halloween dummy strung from a tree on Route 480 outside of Shepherdstown has caused outrage in the community. The five feet high dummy is visible from the road and hangs from a tree by a house alongside Morgans Grove Park.
The dummy comprises of blue jean work pants, orange, a green Thai-dye shirt, grey-black gloves and a [...]

Early voting on the zoning referendum concluded today in Jefferson County.   According to Nikki Painter, Deputy County Clerk, 1,422 residents took advantage of early voting at the courthouse in Charles Town, West Virginia. There are approximately 22,000 eligible to vote in the special election.
County officials have turned away some residents, saying that they are not allowed to [...]

 
ByThomas Harding
Always a man for statistics, I give you two pertinent facts. First, the number of residential homes that have sold in Jefferson County was up to 69 in September 2009. This is a big step forward from the depressing early months of the year (see figure 1) when monthly sales dipped to 21 in [...]

By Thomas Harding
On November 7 a referendum will be held on the new zoning ordinance and map for Jefferson County. Most people haven’t read it; many haven’t even heard about it. The ordinance contains 278 pages, including 46 pages on permitted uses, 33 pages on environmental protection, 16 pages on landscaping, 20 pages on administrative [...]