Come and meet all of the Realty Exchange agents at the Home and Garden show this weekend at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. The show will run from Friday, March 13^th until Sunday, March 15^th.  Stop by our booth to enter your chance at winning a free 50" flat screen TV. See you there!

Home and Garden Show hours are as follows:

Friday, 4-9pm

Saturday, 10am-9pm

Sunday, noon- 5pm

Where:  Big Sandy Superstore Arena, 1 Center Plaza, Huntington, WV 25701

When Radcliff started his first big downtown residential project in 2012, folks didn't seem too sure about it, he said.

"They were skeptical, but I've sold all of these without even advertising, just by word of mouth," he said.

Now, all but one of the 10 high-end, custom-built units in the Renaissance Building are sold.

"I sold three of the last four this week," he said on Thursday. The final unit is the largest, with 5,200 square feet, including a sweeping staircase and elevator.

Radcliff is confident the trend of downtown living is a growing one.

"Ask me if I like my house, and I'll say, 'Yeah, I like it,' " he said. "Ask anyone here (in the Renaissance Building) if they like where they live, and they say, 'I love it.' You can see it in their eyes."

Dr. Meghan Elkins, an optometrist at the Huntington VA Medical Center, is one of them. She led the way in moving into Radcliff's Renaissance Building and said it's exciting to be part of the downtown's renaissance.

"I like being really close to all the restaurants and Pullman Square. It's been helpful and easy," she said, adding that she's anxiously awaiting a downtown market or grocery store.

Another resident of the Renaissance Building who is excited about the downtown revitalization

is Sherry Houck, senior vice president of commercial lending at First Sentry Bank. She and her husband are empty-nesters who had lived in northern Wayne County and were tired of mowing and all the upkeep of having more property.

"We wanted something convenient with less maintenance," Houck said. "We absolutely love it down there. Convenience is the biggest thing. I like the fact that there are a lot of things going on in Huntington now. There are a lot of assets there with Pullman and the restaurants, and we like being down there."

While it's convenient to go out to eat, she also loves to cook, especially in the custom kitchen in her new condo. She also likes that they could design it themselves, choosing an industrial look with exposed brick and pipe. And now that they have less driving to do, they have more time to enjoy it, she said.

"We wanted to have more free time to do things we wanted to do," Houck said. "We like to bike ride and go to the Huntington YMCA and run downtown and in the park. I could not be more pleased with our decision to move downtown."

The 12 Angel Building apartments are not as far along as the Renaissance condos, and they will be smaller, rental units, with a price point that is likely to attract professionals, such as physicians and professors at Marshall, Radcliff said.

A lot of the historic character of that building will be restored, he said, including the original flooring and facade. The building was formerly a department store that sold men's clothing, including the brand Hart Schaffner & Marks.

"The front will look exactly the same as it did," said Radcliff, who said he's already had inquiries about the apartments there.

His decision to renovate it came about like many others.

"I just hyper focus on buildings that are in a good spot but have become an eyesore," Radcliff said. "I get tired of looking at it and want to fix it up."

His latest project is newly renovated building in the 600 block of 8th Street, between First Baptist Church and State Farm Insurance.

The new look features a facade of tan stucco and stone, accented with brown awnings. Radcliff said it was inspired by some buildings he saw in Florida.

Before the renovation, the building was a dilapidated structure that at one time housed a flower shop and a CAD drafting office, among other businesses. In recent years, it had been an eyesore, Radcliff said.

"I drove by this for a couple of years and got tired of looking at it," said the 1987 graduate of Huntington East High School.

Already leasing space there are Trendy Tots, a new children's consignment shop in Huntington, and Prestera, which has office space there.

The consignment shop in the center is co-owned by Danielle Frazier and Lauren Banfi, and carries popular brand names such as Carter's, Gymboree, Baby GAP, Juicy Couture Baby and others. It sells clothing for newborns up to size 14, and consignors get 50 percent.

TNP Beauty, a beauty supply store is soon to open. And there are 1,000 square feet of space still available, either for two different businesses or one.

So far, there's been quite a bit of interest in the space, Radcliff said.

"The traffic down through here is unbelievable, with everyone going to the South Side," he said.

The $450,000 shopping center project is among many that Radcliff has undertaken in Huntington to improve the look of his hometown. He also renovated apartments at 824 9th Ave., near Speedway, and most recently has torn down some dilapidated houses at 202 4th Ave. They will become climate-controlled storage units, with heat and air conditioning.

 "I've invested a couple million in Huntington over the past couple years," he said. Huntington is showing signs of improvement, Radcliff said, adding that the city should strive to encourage more development.

"If the city could help developers speed the process so they can start the project sooner, that would generate more money for them," he said.

For more information about leasing property from Radcliff, call 304-634-5993.

     Written by: Lankarge/Nahorney for Top Producer

If you are not familiar with MU, the movie, We Are Marshall, can give you a pretty good history lesson on the hardships and rebuilding the school and community went through after a fatal plane crash in 1970.  The crash took the lives of the entire football team and staff as well as some fans while returning from playing the East Carolina Pirates in Greenville, SC- historically known as the worst tragedy in college athletics.  The movie was filmed in 2006 by Warner Bros., and starred Matthew McConaughey.

Needless to say, the film crew and cast fell in love with Huntington, and generally those who visit do.  I guess you could say our little city has a few bragging rights when it comes to popularity, but that's not what really matters.  The people are what make this town a great place to live- we are friendly people with an added drop of southern charm.  In our community, people get to know one another and remember names.  And over the past five to 10 years, Huntington has attracted many international residents, creating a very eclectic community- making bigger and better things happen.  Small businesses are thriving in our downtown area and more commercial businesses continue to seek out Huntington as a potential place for business.  Amazon and Direct TV are just a couple to mention who have already made Huntington their home for customer service centers.

This city isn't just a great place for commerce, but also a great place to raise a family.  Your friends are your family here; a community that looks out for one another and cares.  The education programs offered through MU alone allows a young adult to achieve a master's degree or specialize in Medicine, Physical Therapy, Engineering, Forensics and more.  And last, but certainly not least, the scenery.  The beauty that surrounds Huntington in all of its four seasons is unbeatable, it is simply breathtaking at times.  Therefore, I end saying that for the many who reside here in Huntington, WV, it is "Almost Heaven" for us, we hope you can come and experience it too.  

Think long-term, what is your ultimate goal with buying this house?  Are you planning on renting it out later? If so, then you will want to ask for the Home Owners Association contract to see if it is even permitted to be rented.  Also, know your neighborhood demographics and school district.  If you are a couple buying a house and planning to have kids in a few years, living in an area consisting of mostly single neighbors might not be what you want.  Location is everything when it comes to being in a good school district, make sure the potential home falls in a district that meets your standards.

Don't buy a house because of the view, unless the house comes with the land that enables the view.  Otherwise, that view could be obstructed or taken away completely by a new property development; be certain it is the house that has really won you over.

Make sure you can afford ALL of the expenses.  When first buying a house it's hard to realize all of the expenses that can come in the future.  Make sure to check what the average costs are for utility bills when viewing a house (good realtors will either have or get this information for you).  It is important to understand your expenses now and in the future.  Knowing how much you are currently paying out in bills on a monthly basis is key in determining whether or not the house will be affordable on your income.  Also, look out for other additional fees that come when purchasing a home, such as a municipal fee when living within city limits.

Create a check list.  Make a list of everything you are looking for in a house.  Take a copy with you when viewing a potential house and check off your must-haves vs. the nice-to-haves.  This will help when the time comes to narrow down choices and determining what you can and cannot live without.         

Realty Exchange will be tailgating for the Marshall Thundering Herd game on Saturday, October 25, 2014.  Come and see us! We enjoy meeting new people and staying in touch with our community. Plus, if you're interested in buying or selling real estate, then you will be tailgating at the right place, my friend. 

Get the scoop on new property listings first hand from the best realty company in Huntington.  Stop by and see us as we cheer on the Thundering Herd!  Tailgate will begin at 12pm, at the City National Bank parking lot, on the corner of 20th Street and 3rd Avenue.