Where is everybody in West Virginia ?!?!?

[Anthony Hosea]

I’ve been on this site for about 4 months now. I have yet to find a local West Virginia Forum where they’re actively engaged in conversation. I would love to connect with investors who are interested in West Virginia. Is there a reason why there is no traction here ? Would it be better to look elsewhere ? I’ve lived here all my life and I feel like it has opportunity but when out of state investors run numbers on places here it scares them. Please explain the logic that investors have when it comes to rural places like West Virginia. Things like population , which WV has been on at least a 1% decline every year for the past 7 years I’m sure has something to do with it. Are there any other factors that would effect this ?

[Konstantinos Zaferatos]

@Anthony Hosea    Hey man, I moved from Beckley about 3 years ago to Durham NC.  I have been on and off here for a few years.  There has never been a lot going on with WV activity.  I dont know anywhere else to look.  There is a WV Landlord Association but most stuff they do is offline.   I think they are based out of Charelston.  

The decline in population you mention is a big one.  Also, there are very few property management companies and they charge more.   The Beckley area properties don't really increase in value and neither do rents.   Days on market in the area are 3-6 months with few investors and thats a factor too.  Where I live now most stuff is 30 days or less a so the properties are a lot faster/easier to get out of when the investor is ready to move on.   

The only stuff I see out of state guys doing are things like Condos at Winterplace or maybe a cabin in Fayetteville or other similar type stuff.  These are all, for the most part Air BB rentals.   

With all that said, you can find some great deals in the area.  All of my properties rent for a least 2% of their value.  It took me about 5-6 years to get everything in place to make it work.  JJM is the company that manages everything for me.  John Smith is my account on Kanawha St.  He is also a real estate investor.  Hire him as your accountant and you have at least one good source in the area.   He is a very smart guy.