ROANOKE, Va Despite the pandemic, home sales across the Roanoke Valley have been increasing by the day. The real estate industry has a major across the economic footprint across the Roanoke Valley as well as the United States, Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors President Walter Grewe said. Grewe says because historically low interest rates are causing an increase in demand, the average price of homes in Roanoke is rising by the day. In July we saw an 18% increase in average sale price, our average sale price was somewhere in the 270s so that equates to roughly $40,000 Grewe said. Other factors contributing to the increase include the recent need for accommodations to work and learn from home during the pandemic.