The Blacksburg Housing Crunch
The boundary around the Town of Blacksburg is a set size, but with a quickly growing population, it's getting more crowded in town and the problem is spreading to the neighboring communities in the NRV. Many of those who work in Blacksburg are forced to commute from Christiansburg, Radford, Pulaski, and Giles because closer housing isn't affordable or available. At the same time, Virginia Tech is growing in the number of students, Currently, 65% of the 36,383 students live off-campus - in the town and surrounding areas. Blacksburg also won a $1.1 million grant for creating HUD housing, because people of all incomes are a part of the community. This means that the Blacksburg Town Council, which in years past has been reticent to approve new residential projects inside town borders, is now keen to solicit developers who can meet the needs of the students, the broader community, and the workforce while keeping the "Blacksburg Feel" intact.
Here are a few of the latest developments that are in the works. Contact Bill Aden, Realtor at waden@daa.com if you'd like to learn more about any of the opportunities.
The Homes at Berry Ridge
Based on median incomes, the average cost of a house for "workforce housing" ie, people who work in Blacksburg is $450,000 to $650,000. That's the target price for the homes in this development. The development is in the planning stage, but it includes 17 lots near Margaret Beeks Elementary School and the homes will include "luxury-grade" features throughout: no vinyl siding or builder-grade cabinets. Send an email to Bill Aden, Realtor if you'd like to be kept in the loop about the development plans. The location is in the heart of Blacksburg. It's walk/bike-able to Kroger, B&B Theater at First and Main, restaurants, and schools, these homes will go fast.
This development is more than just residential - it will include new retail spaces, community gathering places, and even a new police office and much needed parking. According to MidtownBlacksburg.org,
"Midtown’s residential district will include high-quality housing options from two-car garage townhomes to apartments, condominiums, and flats. Housing will include various sizes, types, and prices, both for rent and sale." The building will be completed in phases, so sign up here to be alerted when residential spaces become available to purchase or rent. Built by Eagle Builders, this will be a green community and include features that enhance the neighborhood feel in the middle of downtown.
As a development for workforce housing, this development has a neighborhood feel. Homes range
from $465,000 to $600,000 and up, depending on customization. The home will appeal to families with floorplans with 2-5 bedrooms and 2+baths. You can tour and purchase pre-built homes for quick move-in or choose a lot to build with Eagle Builders. It's a green community and all homes are Pearl Certified, a third party to certify the safety, comfort, energy, and water efficiency. See the example of the type of report that is possible on the home you purchase at Givens Farm.
Stateson Homes has created "Kinloch, a unique enclave of 21 single-family homes tucked off North Main Street, about a mile from downtown Blacksburg." There's a model home in Christiansburg to give you an idea of the quality of Stateson Homes craftsmanship. It's located in the North End with easy access to 460 BUS and BYP.
This builder community starts from the low $300s and promises a pastoral setting away from "rowdy college kids". Built by R Fralin Homes, it's located off of Givens Lane in the North End. There's easy access to 460 BYP from the neighborhood. The floor plans tend to be smaller than the ones offered by Stateson, but for the price, it's a great value to get into the Blacksburg school district for those with children or to be near downtown for fans of the local community offerings.
R Fralin Homes has multiple developments going in around Blacksburg. The Villas on North Main boast a great location 5 minutes from downtown. These homes also start in the low $300s and "is located on a quiet cul-de-sac off North Main."
While the lack of availability of homes on the market in Blacksburg has been a crunch homebuyers are feeling keenly, there are new residences being built in the town and you may be able to find what you're looking for if you commit to one of these new developments.
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