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

DATE: TUESDAY, August 3, 1993                   TAG: 9308030062
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ROANOKE VALLEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS

After a slow June, home sales in the Roanoke Valley rebounded strongly in July. The Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors said 403 homes were sold, up 11.6 percent from 361 in July 1992 and 21 percent from the 333 homes sold in June.

Anne Lee Stevens, association president, said real estate agents usually see a drop in July, but this year it's the third-highest month so far.

During the first seven months of the year, she said, agents have written 15 percent more contracts than in the corresponding period of last year.

Stevens attributed the strong market to low interest rates and a variety of financing programs attractive to first-time buyers.

The median price of houses sold in July was $88,950. Homes were on the market an average of 90 days before selling.

by CNB