Canaan Realty celebrated its grand opening under new ownership recently. Jenni Ray assumed ownership of the business in August 2017. Joining in the celebration were Tucker County Chamber of Commerce members, Andy Snyder and Sarah Fletcher; Tucker County Commissioner, Lowell Moore; WV Senator Randy Smith; and several friends and family members.
Jenni Ray, a Tucker County native, returned to West Virginia after spending 10 years in Washington state working in real estate. She worked as an associate broker at Canaan Realty in sales when she first returned to Canaan Valley in 2010. From 2012-2017, she served as the designated broker and manager of Black Bear Resort where she built and maintained a profitable rental and sales program. “I always wanted to open my own brokerage and when this opportunity presented itself, I couldn’t pass it up”, said Ray.
Canaan Realty was established by the Reed family in 1970 and is Canaan Valley’s oldest real estate company. “I want to stay active in real estate, but I have been ready to sell the business for some time, said Cary Reed, founder of Canaan Realty. “I spent nearly 50 years building the business and it is not an easy task to find the right person to pass your life’s work onto, but I think I think I am leaving it in good hands. Jenni has so many innovative ideas. She has been running the business since August and has already developed a stunning new website, improved our online presence, and boosted both our sales and rental programs. I am excited to watch the business grow, says Reed.” Mr. Reed plans to continue working at Canaan Realty as an associate broker in the sales department.
The Canaan Realty office sits on the shore of Mirror Lake, just off route 32. Guests at Canaan Realty can enjoy fishing, canoeing, and swimming at the lake, with complimentary access to canoes, pedal boat, and life jackets. “I want guests to have a good time when they visit our area”, said Ray. “This means working with other local businesses to ensure that visitors don’t miss out on all we have to offer. It is important that we complement each other rather than compete. A customer-friendly approach is the best way to ensure that guests return year after year, helping boost our local economy”, stated Ray.
Canaan Realty also boasts a strong real estate sales department. “Many of our listing and sales are in Canaan Valley, but we also work in surrounding communities”, said Ray. Canaan Realty recently hired a new sales agent, Vickie Riggs, who plans to focus on Thomas, northern Tucker County and Preston County. “We have a strong online presence and a proven marketing plan to help you sell your property. If you are curious about how much your home is worth, we can provide a free estimate. If you are interested in house shopping, we would be happy to show you what is available. These services are all free, so don’t hesitate to contact us.”
To learn more about Canaan Realty, you can visit their website at www.canaanrealty.com or call 304.866.4400.
