Housing Markets In Charleston, WV and Huntington, WV Are Predicted to Head For Appreciation In 2012

Positive news in the housing market is forecasted for Charleston, WV and Huntington, WV this year according to Housing Predictor. Various cities around the country are predicted to see appreciation in 2012.

There are three cities in West Virginia that are in the top 25 list for the year. Charleston, WV leads the state on the list at #3 with 4.5 percent appreciation. Then Huntington, WV is at #8 with 4 percent appreciation. Wheeling rounds out the top 25 list for cities in West Virginia at #9 and with 3.9 percent.

Here are the top cities expected to have housing appreciation in 2012 and by how much, according to HousingPredictor’s latest report:

1. Kansas City, Kan.: 5.8%

2. Topeka, Kan.: 4.7%

3. Charleston, W.V.: 4.5%

4. Oklahoma City, Okla.: 4.3%

5. Minot, N.D.: 4.2%

6. Overland Park, Kan.: 4.2%

7. Wichita, Kan.: 4.1%

8. Huntington, W.V.: 4%

9. Wheeling, W.V.: 3.9%

10. Bismarck, N.D.: 3.6%

11. Casper, Wyo.: 3.5%

12. Lake Charles, La.: 3.4%

13. Rapid City, S.D.: 3.2%

14. El Paso, Texas: 3.2%

15. Cheyenne, Wyo.: 3.2%

Source: “Best Housing Markets 2012,” HousingPredictor (January 2012)

Making A House Your Home

2011 has came and gone and now we find ourselves beginning a new year. How long have you lived in your house? Has it been months? Years? When was the last time you walked through each room of your house and seen what projects that you wanted to complete since moving there have been finished?

We often times get so busy in our day to day living that we forget about how important the place we reside in gets neglected. How can you make a house your home? Below are some possible ideas to help improve your home and possibly create a better atmosphere for you and/or your family in the new year.

1. How organized are you? Are there boxes setting around? Clothes everywhere? Closets deemed disaster areas?

You can improve the appearance of your home by taking about a half hour a day for the next two weeks putting away boxes in the attic, the basement, or some other storage area. Buy some extra laundry baskets for each family member to put dirty clothing into. You can go through the closet and remove any unwanted items to donate or to have a yard sale when the weather improves. This would allow more room to go through your clothing and to become more organized. After doing some organizing of the residence, there should be more room in the house and possible decrease in stress for those living there constantly seeing the messes piling up around them.

2. Are all of the rooms in your house white?



Consider adding some color to your home. Earth tones are popular and colors such as sand and beige can provide contrast to the bright white walls that you might have now.


3. Do you have any family portraits hanging up or artwork made by a family member?




Hanging the family portrait over the fireplace and placing pictures of family in different areas of your home will help in reminding you of one of the most important parts of your life. The memories you make with your family will last a lifetime. Capturing those moments in pictures and then placing them throughout your home will help in providing a more customized look to each room. It will also help make your house become more of a home for you.

4. Have you planted any flowers or did any landscaping recently?



Consider planting some shrubs, perennial flowers, and spread mulch around the new plantings. This will definitely make your house stand out from the exterior. This will also assist in making the house into your home.

5. Have you had a dinner party or cookout recently?



Invite some friends and family over to the house and have a great time creating lasting memories. This event might provide some pictures that could be placed in certain rooms as well.

Making a house your home can be achieved in part by implementing some of the ideas listed above. A home is more than just a place to sleep at night. Make some lasting memories in 2012!