BUCKHANNON — A West Virginia developer hopes a new townhouse project in Buckhannon will be the first of many investments it makes in Upshur County.
C&M Property Development is based in Fairmont, West Virginia. Even though several family members are essential to the functioning of the company, the managing partners are Kenny Cook and Rick A. Milkovich.
“C&M Property Development is actually owned by two families from North Central West Virginia — the Cook brothers, who actually build the properties, and then the Milkovich family, who mainly lease and manage the properties,” Milkovich said.
The new premium townhouses currently under construction on Clarksburg Road – north of Buckhannon, just past Lowe’s – will be ready for renters in August.
“Our first project here in Buckhannon is a 12-unit townhouse complex at 621 Clarksburg Road,” he said. “It is a very modern facility with hardwood vinyl-type floors, which helps accommodate pets – and we do welcome pets. They will have stainless steel appliances and upper-grade kitchen cabinets.”
Each two-story unit is 1,120 square feet and has two bedrooms and 1.5 baths. Rent is $1,250 per month and includes trash removal, but all other utilities are the tenant’s responsibility.
“They are not for HUD or low-income,” Milkovich noted. “They have standard, competitive rental rates, and we charge an extra $25 a month per pet. We allow up to two pets, but that is a little flexible depending on what type of animals that you have.”
On-site, paved parking is provided, and lawn care is handled by the company.
“Every tenant gets two designated parking spots, and there is also guest parking,” Milkovich said. “As a company, we take care of all of the snow and ice removal, as well as the lawn care and landscaping.”
The townhouses have central air, new kitchen appliances and a large washer and dryer on the second floor. The units are also equipped with the latest safety and security features.
“Although Buckhannon is a low-crime area, we have recorded security cameras for the outside of the building,” he said. “From a safety standpoint, our buildings are 100% sprinkler equipped with hardwired smoke detectors and pull station fire alarms on the outside.”
The Buckhannon project is similar to townhouses the company recently built in Preston County.
“If you’re ever in Bruceton Mills, you should take a look,” Milkovich said. “We have been told by numerous local officials and tenants that it’s actually the nicest rental property in all of Preston County, and we have 100% occupancy.”
Unlike some other property management companies, Milkovich said customer service is a priority – one he takes personally.
“If you have an issue – maybe your dishwasher breaks or what have you – when you make a phone call to inquire about that, you’re calling me, Rick Milkovich. We take care of our own properties, and we are on call 24 hours a day.”
Because the townhouses are a new premium construction in a central location, Milkovich said he’s been receiving rental inquiries not just from Upshur County but the surrounding areas as well.
“The complex is literally located within half a mile of Corridor H,” Milkovich said. “We’re within 20 or 25 minutes of Elkins, two or three minutes from downtown Buckhannon, only 10 minutes to Weston and approximately 40 minutes to Bridgeport.”
Milkovich said the company is using entirely local North-Central West Virginia contractors for the project. C&M Property Development has been working closely with the Upshur County Development Authority on not just this project but also other potential investments.
Deposits for the Buckhannon townhouses are now being accepted, with a move-in date of August 15, 2024. To learn more about renting one of the townhouses, call Milkovich at 304-694-1735, Cook at 304-612-3950, or visit the listing on Zillow.
