CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Charleston is one of the top five cities in the nation where people should invest in real estate, a national television commentator said Monday.

On NBC's "Today" show, real estate commentator Barbara Corcoran ranked Charleston third, behind Binghamton, N.Y. and Amarillo, Texas. The other two cities making the list were Corpus Christi, Texas, and Des Moines, Iowa.

Dean Dawson, president of the board of directors of the Kanawha Valley Board of Realtors, was pleased with the mention.

"It's nice to finally see recognition of what's been going on here for awhile," he said.

Corcoran cited several reasons why Charleston is a good place for buying real estate. She noted the three major interstates that converge in the city, which bring commerce with them, she said.

Dawson said Charleston is a focal point particular for the state. "Everything funnels to Charleston," he said, also noting the city's proximity to major metropolitan markets.

The rising median home price in Charleston - up 7.1 percent from this year's first quarter, according to the National Association of Realtors - also is a reason to invest in Charleston, Corcoran said.

Dawson said Charleston's housing market has always been particularly stable. Without a major boom, there can't be a major bust, he said.

Corcoran pointed to Charleston's riverfront development goals, although she did not mention any project in particular.

On NBC's "Today" show, real estate commentator Barbara Corcoran ranked Charleston third, behind Binghamton, N.Y. and Amarillo, Texas. The other two cities making the list were Corpus Christi, Texas, and Des Moines, Iowa.

Dean Dawson, president of the board of directors of the Kanawha Valley Board of Realtors, was pleased with the mention.

"It's nice to finally see recognition of what's been going on here for awhile," he said.

Corcoran cited several reasons why Charleston is a good place for buying real estate. She noted the three major interstates that converge in the city, which bring commerce with them, she said.

Dawson said Charleston is a focal point particular for the state. "Everything funnels to Charleston," he said, also noting the city's proximity to major metropolitan markets.

The rising median home price in Charleston - up 7.1 percent from this year's first quarter, according to the National Association of Realtors - also is a reason to invest in Charleston, Corcoran said.

Dawson said Charleston's housing market has always been particularly stable. Without a major boom, there can't be a major bust, he said.

Corcoran pointed to Charleston's riverfront development goals, although she did not mention any project in particular.

"[That is] a note of optimism at a time when every other city is laying low and waiting to see what is going on with real-estate prices," she said.

Dawson theorized that she was referring to the 2005 plan to narrow Kanawha Boulevard and increase green space along the river.

Also, two major condo projects - one by the University of Charleston and the other by the Howard family called "the boulevard @ 2412" - are in the works.

"Our biggest asset that we have in the whole valley is the river," Dawson said. "It's something most cities would die to have."

Finally, Corcoran pointed to the fact that Charleston has more women than men, saying that that is good for home prices. Charleston's population is 53.4 percent female, according to the 2000 census.

Whatever the reasons, Dawson is confident that Charleston will continue to have an attractive housing market.

"We live in our own bubble here," he said. "We don't pay attention to what's going on nationally."

Reach Sarah K. Winn at sarahkw...@wvgazette.com or 348-5156.