• City Resources  >>  Roanoke, Virginia

    Roanoke Real Estate - Buying a Home in Roanoke, Virginia

    Roanoke, Virginia at night
    Roanoke at night (enlarge). Image source: Wikimedia Commons. Image license.

    The topic of Roanoke, Virginia real estate has special meaning for me, because I grew up in Roanoke. Though I now live in Texas, I spent the first 22 years of my life in Roanoke. So it is with pleasure that I write this resource page devoted to the Roanoke real estate scene.

    A Brief History of Roanoke, Virginia
    If you're planning to buy a home in Roanoke, it will help to know a little about the city's history and present status. Some people don't care much for the history of a town or city, but I think it's an important consideration when investing in Roanoke, Virginia real estate. After all, when you buy a home in Roanoke, you're also buying into the city itself.

    Present day Roanoke County was first explored by pioneers as far back as 1671. An exploration report from that year made note of the "blue mountains and a snug flat valley beside the upper Roanoke River."

    But in spite of this first official recording, Roanoke went unsettled for decades. It wasn't until the early 1800's that people began to settle in what is now known as Roanoke City.

    In the late 1800's, the Shenandoah Valley Railroad was completed, thus accelerating the growth of Roanoke, Virginia. Anybody who grew up in Roanoke as I did can tell you about the railroad's importance. I even remember taking trips to thte railroad museum when I was a kid — a museum that's still around today.

    Also see: Photographic history of Old Roanoke

    Modern-Day Roanoke, Virginia
    Today, Roanoke is a steadily growing city and an important part of Virginia's economy. Roanoke, Virginia is also known for its many cultural events, including its Chili Cook-Off, Festival in the Park, Henry Street Festival, Strawberry Festival and many other events.



    Buying a Home in Roanoke

    If you're planning to buy a home in Roanoke, Virginia, it will help to understand the Roanoke real estate scene in general. I've gathered some resources to help you learn more about real estate in Roanoke — school info, lists of home builders, average home prices and more.



    Roanoke, Virginia Schools
    You can't invest in Roanoke real estate without first learning about the school system there. Obviously, schools are a quality-of-life issue. But their also important from a real estate perspective, because schools affect property values. Here are links to school-related resources. These resources will help you learn more about Roanoke schools before buying a home in Roanoke, Virginia.



    Home Builders in Roanoke
    If you're planning on building a home in Roanoke, Virginia, you'll need to research the home builders who in and around Roanoke County. Here are some resources to get you started.



    Roanoke Real Estate Agents
    When buying a home in Roanoke, it's a good idea to have some professional help — especially if you're a first-time home buyer, or if you're relocating to Roanoke from elsewhere. Here are some resources to help you find a Roanoke, Virginia real estate agent:



    Good Luck!
    I hope you enjoyed this overview of Roanoke, Virginia real estate, and that it helped you find additional resources where you can learn more about my home town!

    Brandon Cornett
    Publisher, Home Buying Institute

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