Anson growth tracks with state trends

WADESBORO — The State of North Carolina once again cracks the top 10 of growing states in the country and here in Anson County, the benefits are shown through local real estate.

Every year the truck moving company U-Haul analyzes migration patterns by tracking the number of one-way U-Haul trucks entering a state, compared to the ones leaving the state. These numbers are then ranked to determine the states with the largest amount of growth.

North Carolina has made it on the top 10 of growing states in America four of the last six years. This past year the state came in at No. 9 and just one year ago, it was No. 3.

Residents moving into North Carolina increased more than 11% during 2020, according to a U-Haul press release. The company believes this growth is due to the freedom of movement the state has allowed during the pandemic months. There are some restrictions, but people are still able to work, eat in limited capacity and travel.

The state’s leading growth cities are Asheville, Winterville, Clayton, Mooresville, Wilmington and Chapel Hill.

Although Anson is not on the top of the list, there is evidence of county growth in 2020.

Plank Road Realty believes the real estate market in Anson over the last three to six months is the best it has ever been.

“Sales and sale prices are moving higher than they ever have,” said Caty Edwards, real estate broker for Plank Road Reality. “Days on the market are pretty drastically lower than they were even a year ago.”

The average home brought in five more dollars per square foot in 2020 compared to 2019 and homes lasted on the market an average of 22 days less than it did in 2019, according to Plank Road Realty. These numbers do not account for any private transactions.

COVID-19 may have impacted a portion of this growth with people moving out of congested city life. Plus, interest rates are at an all-time low and market price in Anson is lower, giving those who want to buy a better opportunity.

These low interest rates are leading a larger demand, but with limited houses available, buyers have to act quickly.

“There are less houses available than there are people looking to buy,” Edwards said. “Things are just moving faster there is less inventory and more competition.”

The demand is especially large in Mecklenburg and Union counties, which is forcing people to look even further out like Anson County.

“Charlotte is No. 3 on Realtor.com’s top housing markets,” Chuck Watson, U-Haul Company of Raleigh President, said in a press release. “Builders can’t keep up with the demand. Homes for sale are only on the market for 5-13 days.”

Edwards explained because of the demand pent up in Union and Mecklenburg counties, Ansonville, Peachland and Polkton are growing due to the proximity to the two counties.

“The western part of the county has been really desirable,” Edwards said. “It’s in Anson County so it is a little cheaper in terms of cost of living, but it also super easy access to Union and even Charlotte by the Monroe Expressway…That’s a desirable area but I feel like we are seeing (real estate growth) in all parts of the county.”

Plank Road Realty is seeing buyers who are from Anson already, but also a few who are coming from out of state. There was a total of 137 home sales in 2020.

A growing real estate market in Anson brings along better prices for sellers in the area and a stronger local economy. There could be more sales tax and more business at local restaurants and shops.

The average sale in Anson County for a two-bedroom home was $98,548, three bedroom $147,812 and four bedroom $174,191.

“What really has been impressive to us in the last few months is really the value of prices we’ve been able to get for some of the properties,” Edwards said. “Just home value has increased a lot just recently. Folks have been appraising for value that has kind of shocked people here in the office.”

If the trend continues and North Carolinians keep pushing out of the city, Anson may continue to see a rise in real estate and housing prices.