Comments Off on Eastern Panhandle counties represent the most growth in West Virginia
MARTINSBURG – West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle gave a strong showing in newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau, with Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties claiming the top three spots for growth in the state, out of only eight counties that grew in population.
The data shows the percent change in population between every county in the United States between July 1, 2022 and July 1, 2023.
According to the Census Bureau’s data, Berkeley County’s population grew 2.37%, while Jefferson’s grew 1.33% and Morgan’s grew 1.23%. Hampshire and Hardy counties, also a part of the Eastern Panhandle, grew 0.82% and 0.59% respectively, while the only other counties in West Virginia to see growth were Marion, Monongalia and Monroe.
In total, Berkeley County’s population gained 3,061 people, while Jefferson gained 786 and Morgan gained 214.
The population growth in Berkeley County is no surprise, considering its proximity to metropolitan areas like Washington D.C. Between 2010 and 2020, the county’s population grew by more than 21,000 people, an increase of 21%.
Jefferson and Morgan counties growth rates have increased significantly from the previous years, almost doubling from 0.7% and 0.8 % from 2021 to 2022, to 1.33% and 1.23%.
Between 2010 and 2020, Jefferson County’s population added 5,600 people, or about 4.6%, ranking it fourth in the state. At the same time, Morgan County’s population actually declined losing just over 300 people, about 2% of its population.
Counties surrounding the Eastern Panhandle in states like Maryland and Pennsylvania saw similar rates of growth between 2022 and 2023.
Nationwide, about 60% of counties experienced growth, an increase from the 52% that the Census Bureau released last year. Much of that growth took place in in the South, with 67% (950) of the counties growing between 2022 and 2023.
Other areas, like the Northeast and Midwest, lost more in population than they gained.
“Domestic migration patterns are changing, and the impact on counties is especially evident,” said Lauren Bowers, chief of the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Branch. “Areas which experienced high levels of domestic out-migration during the pandemic, such as in the Midwest and Northeast, are now seeing more counties with population growth. Meanwhile, county population growth is slowing down out west, such as in Arizona and Idaho.”
Comments Off on Reflecting and Projecting 2023 – 2024
As humans, it is natural for us to take things for granted. Our children will stay young forever. A business will continue on its current growth trajectory. 2023’s rapidly changing interest rate environment served as a reminder that things can change quickly. On March 17, 2022, the federal government set out to slow down an economy that was growing at an unsustainable rate. The federal funds rate rose from 0.25% to 0.50% in March 2022 to 5.25 to 5.50% on July 26, 2023 which represents the last rate hike (https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/fed-funds-rate-history/). That’s 500 basis points in 16 months! Rapidly increasing the federal funds rate achieved the government’s goal of slowing inflation. The speed of change was rapid, being the fastest in multiple decades, and sent shock waves throughout the commercial real estate world. Some of Black Diamond Realty’s observations are captured in the bullet points below.
Buyers were forced to adjust their internal underwriting to account for higher borrowing costs, due to higher interest rates, which ultimately led to rising cap rates.
Sellers are also forced to adjust value expectations when evaluating their assets and pricing to meet required DSC for Buyers of their assets (making it a bankable deal). Sellers are slow to adjust to a changing economy. Human nature protects our psyche resulting in most sellers reluctancy to accept the fact that asset valuations from mid-2022 are no longer an accurate representation of today’s market value.
The buyer-seller gap was wide at the beginning of early 2023 but slowly shrunk. Like many things in life, time heals wounds or, in this case, narrows the buyer-seller value expectation gap.
Banks are quick to adjust pricing and risk tolerance guidance and adjust required DSC levels and reprice assets.
Banks struggle with nonperforming assets and collections.
Metro markets often rise faster than tertiary markets and, therefore, tend to fall faster when economic conditions adjust. The markets Black Diamond Realty services experienced a slowdown in activity but it was much less profound than many metro markets consuming national media.
Greater increase in creative deal structures including seller financing.
Higher interest rates make leasing a more attractive option for some businesses. In comparison to sale volume, leasing activity has experienced increased transactions across most sectors of commercial real estate.
High borrowing costs, combined with increased labor and material costs, have resulted in a significant slowdown in new construction starts. This is a national trend in most markets.
Land sales have slowed. Higher interest rates and increased construction costs make it more difficult to “pencil” returns that meet developer hurdle (internal return) rates.
Less individuals can afford to buy their “dream home” because of rising home prices and rapidly changing interest rates which has resulted in many potential buyers sitting on the sidelines and renting longer. Market rents have continued to tick up in most markets helping to create greater demand in CRE’s multifamily sector . Market inventory continues to be the key struggle leading to lower transaction volume this sector.
2023’s theme was rapid change. What will 2024 look and feel like? Predicting the future is impossible, but national trends and experience allow us to make educated guesses. Please bear in mind you should always complete your own due diligence before making an investment decision. Black Diamond Realty’s 2024 predictions are as follows:
The Federal government is anticipated to lower interest rates three to six times throughout the year. BDR anticipates four lowering events with a final result between 100 to 150 basis points.
Election years usually create uncertainty and fear which causes many investors and businesses to adopt a holding pattern. Declining interest rates should create a market buzz but uncertain political outcomes will soften 2024’s activity. In comparison to 2023, greater CRE deal volume is anticipated.
Combined with high bank CD and money market rates, 2023’s slowdown in CRE activity has led to pent up demand with a lot of “powder” sitting on the sidelines. Cash is, once again, king/queen. “One person’s demise is another’s potential treasure.” Many adjustable and/or maturing loans will present buying opportunities over the next 12-24 months.
Banks will be quick to move nonperforming/uncollectable assets off their books. This will create opportunities for buyers to pick up properties at a discount…timing and connections will be key to buying up these assets.
Office assets, overleveraged real estate and properties financed with short-term debt all face headwinds in 2024. Distress, leading to buying opportunities, is anticipated across these categories.
User demand for industrial/logistics, retail and residential is anticipated to remain strong.
Cash buyers and international investors are anticipated to be more prevalent.
Banks will continue to tighten their lending belts and stress properties at higher interest rates (8-9%). Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) levels will continue to be higher than pre-COVID levels. Most banks will require a 1.25 DSCR
We often joke Black Diamond Realty is not a group of magicians. We are skilled CRE professionals whose job is to maximize exposure, navigate complicated processes and provide sound consultative investment and decision-making guidance based upon experience. We are in the commercial real estate trenches every day. We do not sell homes.
Diversifying investments, pursuit of passive income, filling a void in your portfolio’s performance (leasing) and liquidating an asset to meet long-term goals are all reasons to contact our Black Diamond Realty team. Call our team of experts today to set up a consultation. We look forward to serving you in 2024 and beyond.
Article by:
David Lorenze, CCIMPrincipal, and team.
Comments Off on Martinsburg, WV – BLACK DIAMOND REALTY OPENS EASTERN PANHANDLE OFFICE
When: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Where: 1209 N. Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV
About: Black Diamond Realty is pleased to announce the opening and ribbon cutting for its Eastern Panhandle office at 1209 N Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV. Our team’s expertise serves all real estate sectors across West Virginia and Southwestern PA. The Eastern Panhandle office is spearheaded by David Lorenze (Principal), Kim Licciardi (Sr. Associate), Mark J. Nesselroad (Broker), and Andrea Icenhower (Graphic Designer/Office Manager). The firm is actively recruiting new commercial associates to join the Eastern Panhandle expansion.
Since purchasing the property in September 2022, this office has been transformed for Black Diamond’s use, while the adjacent building was successfully leased by our brokerage and is under renovation for a martial arts studio. You are invited to join the ribbon cutting, visit our office, enjoy light refreshments, and talk with some of our real estate experts.
Andrea Icenhower states, “We are excited to open our doors, welcome guests, and contribute to the community and economic growth of the Eastern Panhandle.”
For more information, call 304-901-7788 or visit www.blackdiamondrealty.net.
Comments Off on Exceptional Development Opportunity within the Eastern Panhandle of WV
Black Diamond Realty is pleased to present this exceptional development opportunity within the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. This property offers 54 (+/-) acres of undeveloped flat land and is conveniently located to both I-81 and U.S. Highway 11. The subject property is highly visible from I-81 and is situated less than 0.3 mile away from Exit 5. The undeveloped land is in a great location. It is ideal for commercial users looking for a development opportunity while being surrounded by a plethora of residential communities. Within this article you will learn more information about the Eastern Panhandle, specifically Berkeley County, the top employers in the area and demographics for the subject property. Please also invest a few minutes to review Black Diamond Realty’s detailed marketing flyer and video.
Since moving into the Eastern Panhandle, our graphic designer / office manager for the Martinsburg office, Andrea Icenhower, has attended several events for both the Berkeley Co. and Jefferson Co. She has had the opportunity to tour spaces like the Macy’s fulfillment center, Quad Graphics Facility, the Clorox Campus, the Rockwool Facility and so much more. Andrea was also able to attend the Annual Eastern Panhandle Economic Outlook Luncheon led by John Deskins and his team to learn more about the economic growth in the Eastern Panhandle. The research in this article is supported by those educational meetings and tours.
Located at the gateway to the Shenandoah Valley in the heart of the Eastern Panhandle, Berkeley County is known for its unique history, beautiful scenery, robust industry, and more. Major population centers and business markets within a five-hundred-mile radius of Berkeley County include Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Richmond, Virginia, and New York City, New York. All these major markets are readily accessible from this County via Interstate 81. Berkeley County’s geographic location makes it unique for business and leisure while enriching quality of life with its “small town” character and sense of community. Berkeley County has a total population of 126,534 and a median household income of $65,826. Total number of businesses is 2,635.
Berkeley County is regarded as the Eastern Panhandle’s economic center. In addition, Berkeley County has established itself as the leading county in the state in terms of absolute job growth. Over the past decade, employment has increased by 8,300. Most of the county’s job growth can be linked to major new openings such as the Macy’s fulfillment center and Procter & Gamble. In the last year, the employment rate in West Virginia has increased by 3.8%, giving businesses 26,000 new employees. With an unemployment rate of 2.7%, Berkeley County’s workforce continues to stay well above the national and state averages, providing businesses an excellent opportunity to acquire and retain qualified talent. Even more skilled workers will be able to serve businesses across the county as more people locate to Berkeley County.
The top 10 Employers in Berkeley County
The top 10 Employers in Berkeley County include; Berkeley County Board of Education, Macy’s, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Quad Graphics, Procter & Gamble, Walmart, Or-gill, Berkeley County Commission, FedEx, Aker Solutions. Procter & Gamble’s manufacturing plant added nearly 1,400 jobs and fostered the co-location of several hundred new jobs in packaging, logistics and other supporting businesses at the Tabler Station campus. More recently, the region received an additional boost in payrolls following the mid-2021 and fall-2022 openings of Rockwool and Clorox manufacturing facilities in Jefferson and Berkeley counties, respectively. Procter & Gamble’s production facility has represented a major transformative shift in the Eastern Panhandle’s industrial base. The $500 million facility along the 1-81 corridor in Berkeley County produces a range of consumer cleaning and personal products, including Swiffer, Tide, and various soaps and deodorants. Overall, the facility now employs more than 1,600 workers and has spawned the addition of several hundred jobs at packaging and logistics operations in the area.
The infographics below contain data provided by Esri, Esri and Bureau of Labor Statistics Esri and Data Axle. The vintage of the data is 2022, 2027. Spending facts are average annual dollar per household. The statistics provided, which includes a 3-5-10 mile radius, are based upon our 54 (+/-) acres at the Inwood exit.
The Eastern Panhandle has consistently ranked as West Virginia’s fastest-growing region for the past two decades. Between 2001 and 2021, Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties combined to add nearly 64,000 residents. It is expected for employment to grow at an average annual rate of between 0.7 to 0.8 percent per year in the EPH through 2027.
The Eastern Panhandle has been and projects to remain an economic bright spot for West Virginia. West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle is a premier location for a new business or a development project. Our Inwood offering has public infrastructure (new roundabouts), all public utilities, no zoning restrictions, easy accessibility, and is close to many amenities.
Don’t miss this prime piece of commercial real estate!
Call our Eastern Panhandle office today at 304.901.7788.
Comments Off on Reflecting and Projecting 2022 – 2023
Congratulations! You just rode one of the wildest rollercoasters the modern economy has ever experienced. Roughly one year ago, experts predicted interest rates would begin ticking up twenty-five to fifty basis points, with a target of 4.5 to 5% interest rates. The goal was, and still is, to fight record high inflation (9.1% in June 2022; a 40-year high). Many projections were far off, including ours. In today’s market, a 4.5 to 5.0% interest rate on a deal is unheard of and would make investors drool. As we enter a new year, we are looking at the prime rate hovering in the mid sevens; that’s 7.5%! This marks a 400-basis point increase in the past nine months.[i] Last year experienced the most aggressive economic tightening campaign in over three decades. So, how does that affect commercial real estate?
Rising interest rates put downward pressure on valuations. Financial institutions, including regional and national banks, typically want to achieve a 1.20 to 1.25 debt-service coverage ratio (DSCR), meaning 20%-25% of a project’s cash flow is available to pay current debt obligations. When the cost of borrowing funds increases, meeting required DSCR ratios is more difficult, and a buyer cannot afford to pay as much value to a seller while still maximizing leverage (borrowing power). A buyer either has to come up with more capital to lower the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio or lower the offer price. Here is an example:
ABC Investment LLC has renovated an asset and wants to cash out to redeploy capital into the next project. You like the asset a lot. You offer full asking price – $1,250,000. A bank that requires an 80% LTV ratio (some banks will offer lower, say – 70-75% LTV) will result in you needing to borrow $1,000,000. Nine months ago (Q2 2022), you could have hypothetically achieved an interest rate of 3.65% (Black Diamond often saw rates between 3.25% to 4.00%). Amortizing $1,000,000 over 20 years at 3.65% interest results in a monthly payment of $5,876.97. Fast forward nine months (Q1 2023), and that same loan structure has changed drastically.[1]
As of December 15, 2022, the current prime rate is 7.5% in the U.S., according to The Wall Street Journal’s Money Rates table, which lists the most common prime rates charged throughout the U.S. and in other countries by averaging out the prime rate from the ten largest banks in each country. The federal funds rate is currently 4.25% to 4.50%. With that in mind, you can see how the “fed funds plus 3.00” rule of thumb plays out: 3.00% + 4.50% = 7.50%.[ii] At Black Diamond Realty, we would argue this rate is very conservative, as our experience has resulted in many regional banks willing to entertain deals at lower interest rates – with a 250 to 300 basis point spread in play.
Getting back to our example, your investment company’s new interest rate (7.25%; 275 basis point higher than federal rate) results in a monthly expense of $7,903.76. The difference between a 3.65% interest rate and a 7.25% interest rate is $2,026.79/month. The yearly difference is $24,321.48. In today’s market, let’s assume a regional multi-family asset comps out and sells at a 7% capitalization rate. Utilizing a 7% capitalization rate, the $24,321.48 yearly interest rate difference results in a downward value adjustment of $347,449.71 ($24,321.48 / 0.07). This ~$350K difference results in a seller/buyer “value gap.” Buyers are forced to react quickly because the capital markets respond within weeks, often days. Some buyers are struggling to find deals while sellers reassess their motivations to liquidate. Sellers are realizing they missed the market peak. Buyers are coming to the table with greater liquidity to meet DSCR (healthy, “bankable” deal) and bridge the seller gap.
The current market reflects the seller-buyer gap. On its own, this would be bad news for sellers everywhere. Fortunately for the market, supply and demand also comes into play. Like many things in our economy, construction materials (think Lowe’s, Menards, Home Depot) have experienced significant inflation in 2022. Construction expenses rose 13.7% since September 2021.[iii] Higher construction expenses, including excavation work, have resulted in lower nationwide new housing construction starts. Privately-owned housing starts in November were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,427,000. This is a 0.5 percent below the revised October estimate of 1,434,000 housing starts and is 16.4 percent below the November 2021 rate of 1,706,000.[iv]
The same trend is true across most sectors of commercial real estate. Higher material costs combined with higher costs of borrowing funds (interest rates) has resulted in a slowdown of new construction activity. We anticipate this trend to continue. Sticking with the multifamily sector, lower housing starts have resulted in increased rents and corresponding increased valuations. The same data shows a downward trend in construction costs during Q4, 2022 which is something to watch in 2023. So, what else can we expect in 2023?
Deals happen in all cycles of commercial real estate. Rising interest rates create downward pressure but, on the flip side, rising rents/income result in higher valuation. Do these two opposite effects counterbalance each other? The answer is specific to each commercial real estate sector (supply/demand) and the specific market. Depending upon the market, rising income is outpacing inflation which continues to push rents higher. The risk lies in the job market. Job loss and higher unemployment will eventually reduce consumer purchasing power and result in less demand for materials, goods and real estate. When unemployment rises, rent growth will be at risk for most sectors of commercial real estate. Our team is keeping a close eye on unemployment in 2023.
The ‘R’ word has been tossed around many dinner tables and watering holes across America. An economic recession occurs when GDP, which measures trade and industrial activity, declines in two successive quarters. Are we amid a recession? US Government courses reported that Quarter 3 of 2022 saw a 3.2% increase in GDP over the previous quarter.[v] This increase is welcoming news after two quarters of declining GDP. Some fear the data is artificially inflated due to the government’s easing of energy costs. The biggest challenge in reviewing federal government data is the lag. Most data lags at least three months, sometimes six, which means the Fed is making decisions based upon outdated information. What does the real estate market cycle forecast look like knowing this? Keep reading.
Real estate market cycles vary by sector and location, amongst other factors. Mueller’s[vi] forecasting model breaks down the real estate market cycle into four phases:
There are 16 total points along the horizontal axis. Points 1-11 are in phases 1 and 2 which represent a period of growth. Points 12-16 are in phases 3 and 4 which represent a period of decline. The four market cycle quadrants have varying characteristics. Phase 1, Recovery, is characterized by declining vacancy with little to no new construction. Negative rental growth to below inflation rental growth is expected during this part of the cycle. Phase 2, Expansion, is characterized by declining vacancy with greater new construction. High rent growth is common. Phase 3, Hypersupply, is characterized by increasing construction with continued and/or increasing construction. Rent growth remains positive but begins to decline. Phase 4, Recession, experiences increasing vacancy with more completions. Below inflation and negative rent growth is experienced during this part of the cycle. The Mueller report’s primary objective is to enhance investment decision analysis – to make investors aware of national trends.[vii]
Sector breakdowns are provided in the bullet points below with quick comments about the regional market. Keep in mind what is happening in New York City, NY is not necessarily a direct correlation to what is happening in Bridgeport, WV; hence several anecdotal comments from Black Diamond Realty’s perspective which are focused on the two core areas we serve: North Central WV and WV’s Eastern Panhandle. We recommend referencing the chart as you review the points below. Mueller’s data is the black bullet points. Black Diamond’s points are white sub-bullet points. In addition to this distinction (national trend – Mueller vs. Black Diamond), bear in mind Mueller’s chart lags by two quarters. The cycle has progressed along the bell curve over the past three to six months.
Point 11: Peak of Phase 2 – Expansion Cycle
Industrial – Warehouse
Remains strong throughout north central WV and WV’s Eastern Panhandle. For north central WV, keep an eye on oil and gas volatility/strength in 2023. For WV’s Eastern Panhandle, we are watching consumer confidence and retail strength.
Apartment
Remains strong in both markets due, in part, to the ability to push rental rates to counteract rising interest rates.
Retail – Neighborhood/Community
Still demand albeit at a slowing pace in both markets. Headwinds are forming which we believe will negatively affect all subsectors of retail.
Point 12: Beginning of Phase 3 – Hypersupply
Industrial – R&D Flex
Flex space has remained strong in both markets. North central WV has an undersupply of quality, newer flex space with docking capability. The Eastern Panhandle has consistently filled any new supply but it appears some headwinds could be forming (Hypersupply phase) where new product is taking longer to secure tenancy.
Office – Suburban
Demand still exists albeit at a slower clip compared to pre-Covid.
Retail – Factory Outlet
Point 13: Middle of Phase 3 – Hypersupply
Office – Downtown
Major metro markets have struggled post-Covid. In smaller/tertiary markets, he jury is still out on whether long-term leases will restructure plans as
Predicting future trends is nearly impossible. Market dynamics are complex and can shift quickly. Our team of experts has made some observations and anticipations for 2023. In no way, shape or form are we suggesting these “educated guesses” to be fact. Mere predictions are not indicative of actual future results. Please consult with your professional legal and financial advisors, complete your own due diligence and draw your own conclusions pertaining to the best financial moves for you.
Black Diamond Realty Predictions:
Real estate is considered by many as a great hedge against high inflation and a strong diversification play. Income producing assets are still warm, not hot, as an investment diversification play. Activity has cooled due to higher interest rates putting downward pressure on valuations. Ranking the sectors is difficult because there are so many factors (location, age, tenant, traffic patterns, surrounding amenities, etc.) but anticipated trends can be projected. In addition, there are several macroeconomic and microeconomic items we anticipate playing out in 2023.
Multifamily and industrial are anticipated to remain strong in the markets we serve. However, look for headwinds beginning to form within 12 to 24 months. Office is the weakest sector as evidenced by higher-than-average historical vacancy rates caused by lower demand created, in part, by work-from-home trends.
Tertiary markets with a core employment base of eds, meds and government jobs (considered recession resistant) will become more attractive to outside investors who are seeking a “safe place” to park capital. West Virginia has significant positive momentum as evidenced by the numerous basic employment announcements throughout 2022. Tertiary markets, similar to several growing areas in West Virginia (North Central, Eastern Panhandle), offer higher cap rates which are attractive to investors. Review Black Diamond Realty’s October newsletter article which compiles numerous statewide job announcements. Click Here.
One to two additional rate hikes in the first half of 2023. We anticipate a reversal, declining rates, starting as early as Q3 or Q4, 2023.
Can the government continue to service its debt at high interest rates? An economist who follows monetary policy, politics and global business much closer than our team will need to answer that question. What we know about monetary policy and our government’s current debt obligations is concerning, at best – downright frightening to others.
Black Diamond Realty anticipates seeing debt options with lower LTV ratios in 2023. Banks will adjust from offering 75-85% LTV to a range of 70-80% LTV.
Construction starts will continue to slow in most sectors. Multifamily and industrial may continue to expand in 2023 but high interest rates are putting downward pressure on construction starts.
Consumer confidence will slip. Challenging retail financial reports will follow. There will be heightened volatility in the stock market.
Our belief is that we are in the midst of a recession. It is either already here or quickly approaching. Government data lags by several months. Consumer confidence has declined during 2022.[viii]Inflation reached record highs in 2022 although it has been declining in recent months. Some believe the inflation decline is, in part, artificially enhanced by the government’s proactive action in releasing 1 million barrels per day of oil reserves. Energy prices will remain volatile especially if/when this strategy is lifted.
Black Diamond Realty is keeping a close eye on unemployment. When unemployment rates increase, consumer purchasing power will decline which will have a trickle up effect to GDP, negatively influencing most sectors in commercial real estate (most notably, retail).
For Black Diamond Realty, sales volume is forecasted to decrease while leasing volume will increase which should lead to leasing price increases in the high demand sectors (industrial and multifamily).
We recommend each party consults with its professional accountant, tax, and legal advisors to better understand the effects of market conditions and real estate transactions. Primary keys to successful investments are knowing the market, the numbers and market trends. Our professional team at Black Diamond Realty is an industry leader. Our company mission is to add value to the communities we serve. We look forward to consulting with you in 2023. Make it a successful investment year.
[1] It should be noted that interest rates can change drastically depending upon many factors, including the deal’s strength, the borrower’s financial strength (including investment and business experience), debt-to-liquidity ratios, and LTV.
Comments Off on Our Second Location is Finally Official!
Our Second Location is Finally Official!
Black Diamond Realty is proud to announce that we have officially closed on an office building along N Queen St in Martinsburg WV. Our talented Graphic Designer/Office Manager, Andrea Icenhower is permanently servicing this office along with David Lorenze and Kim Licciardi who travel from our headquarters in Morgantown WV. We are excited about the expansion of our business and will continue to uphold our commitment of ensuring the success of our clients and community. Stay tuned for more updates on the renovations of our office space and official address.
In the meantime, our Black Diamond Realty team is available and ready to help serve you. Please call Black Diamond Realty’s Martinsburg (304.901.7788) office to speak to Andrea and set up a consultation to discuss your commercial real estate needs.
Why the Eastern Panhandle?
Our team sees a growing need in the Eastern Panhandle for a specialized commercial brokerage firm. The Eastern Panhandle community is rich in history. Serviced by I-81, WV’s Berkeley and Jefferson Counties represent an abundance of growth, serving as the main connection between the Washington, DC / northern Virginia area and the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. We are excited to expand our team and our approach to the area.
Andrea’s Big Move to Jefferson County
In the beginning of August, our Graphic Designed/Office Manager Andrea and her husband Michael Icenhower packed up a Uhaul and moved to the eastern panhandle where Andrea will head the new office. Andrea recently joined the Leadership Jefferson program which is sponsored by theJeffersonCounty Chamber ofCommerce –Jefferson Co Chamber Facebook – The Primary goal of Leadership Jefferson program is to educate current and future community leaders about JeffersonCounty’s assets, opportunities, and hurdles, to strengthen the sense of community and ensure a prosperous future.
Andrea and her other classmates will continue to meet through June 2023 to learn more about the community and to meet businesses in the area! The class of 16 will continue to work together on a class service project! We can’t wait to see what they come up with!
