Virginia Home Sales Take Off as Interest Rates Drop.

Byline: Donna W. Rogers

Jan. 22--November existing-home sales rose in Virginia -- by double digits -- and in Richmond as low interest rates pushed buyers into homes, Realtor associations report.

"Virginia continues to mirror and even exceed what's been happening on the national level, " said VAR President Ann Palmateer of Virginia Beach. "It's very possible that we will set yet another record year in 2001. All the factors are in place for a strong housing market, including relatively low unemployment, low interest rates, and a good supply of homes on the market."

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, …