About Somerset County, PA

In support of the Laurel Mountain Volunteer Group's (LMVG) first of three 2010 trail care days, PTAG (Pittsburgh Trails Advocacy Group) will be hosting a "Laurel Mountain Work and Roll Weekend", June 19-20th, 2010.

This is a great opportunity for everyone who enjoys the beautiful trails at Laurel Mountain to kick something back, break a sweat and make the trails even better and more enjoyable!

After a hard day's work, PTAG will be providing cold, tasty, FREE Penn Brewery Craft beer!

The DCNR will be providing FREE camping on Laurel Mountain Saturday night!

On Sunday we FREE-ride and enjoy the fruits of our labor!

Details:
* When: Saturday, June 19th - Sunday, June 20th

* Work: Saturday, 9:30am - 2:30pm. Meet at the Warming Hut parking lot on Summit Road near the entrance to the Laurel Mt. Ski Resort.

* Camp: The DCNR has generously granted us permission to camp over for free Saturday night. PTAG will be providing free beer after Saturday's work session at the camp area. BYO Everything. Bring telescopes too as this site offers a tremendous skyline view. Camping will be located at "Motorized Site #1. Directions: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/camping/forbes.aspx

* Ride: Sunday, 10am. Both brisk and casual-paced rides will be offered with multiple bail points. Everyone rides!

For additional information contact: Frank@dirtragmag.com, 724 433 4486

What a shame! This once to be, multi-million dollar property will be up for Sheriff Sale Friday May 21, 2010. The sale will be held in the main lobby of the Somerset County Courthouse, 300 North Center Avenue, Somerset, PA 15501 at 1:30 PM.

This 5.95 acre parcel was purchased in 2004 for $255,000. It's lot #5 known as 154 Ptarmagin Way. The building process began quickly and according to the sellers disclosure the roof was installed in 2005. However, the house itself has never been completed and has weathered several winters without heat.

This two story dwelling has 5 bedrooms, 6 baths, 5 fireplaces, and a 3 car integral garage. The deed book number is 1788 page 14. We see someone with their own construction company being the successful bidder of this one!

According to the sheriff's department all interested parties should do a lien search PRIOR to bidding to see who is in the first lien position. If you are the successful bidder you will need to have 10% down (cash or certified funds) and the remaining balance paid before the following Friday.

This is a rare occurrence at Seven Springs! One reason for that is that since real estate development began at Seven Springs there has NEVER been a case of overbuilding! It's all about supply and demand.

Pheasant Run is a gated community with 31 parcels ranging from 3 to 12 acres. There are still 8 parcels offered for sale according to the Seven Springs web site.

Seven Springs had a booth at the 2010 Home and Garden Show in Pittsburgh last month. They had a sign promoting a new community. Locally we haven't heard any new marketing concerning the newest offerings across the street from the Villages.

But when a home owner shared that there is to be a model open by this Thanksgiving we dug out the original materials. This community was first pitched back in 2008 and tagged "The next Premier Property at Seven Springs Mountain Resort." It's in Middlecreek Township, Somerset County.

According to the Feb 19, 2008 article by Kirk Swauger in the Somerset Tribune Democrat the "The townhomes and cottages were designed by renowned resort architect Jack Johnson Co. of Park City Utah. They will have 9-foot ceiling with vaulted family rooms, private patios, and decks."

Prices then were to range from the high $400,000s into the half million dollar arena. Two to four bedroom properties were in the plans, many with garages. With only a few Southwind properties undelivered the process of another community appears to be underway. The hand out we have has the following disclosure, "The material presented herein is conceptual only, for general information and does not constitute an offer to sell real estate. All details are subject to change at any time. Any decision to proceed with this or any other real estate project is subject to regulatory requirements, including but not limited to a Public Offering Statement and required municipal and State approvals."

Hidden Valley Resort will present the annual Spring Carnival March 6 - 7, 2010. More than 220 inches of snow this winter have provided awesome snow conditions this March, and the time has come to celebrate the fact that spring is just around the corner! Guests will enjoy a full schedule of games, activities, and entertainment at the third annual Spring Carnival.

Spring Carnival kicks off on Saturday morning with the opening of the Hidden Valley boardwalk. The Ski Lodge plaza level will be converted into a boardwalk scene. Vendors will be selling barbecued goodies, funnel cakes, chocolate delicacies and other treats. The entire family will enjoy contests and carnival games, free caricatures, face painting, and a strolling magician.

There will be a wide variety of events for everyone to participate in during the carnival. The events are all about having fun with the entire family. With seasonal temperatures in the 40s or warmer and hopefully plenty of sunshine, Spring Carnival will be the perfect time to get out and enjoy the incredible snow conditions.

A few events like the Family Obstacle Course and The Captains Awesome Pirate Adventure Race will require people to have skis or a snowboard and navigate various challenges as they descend the beginner area. Other amusing activities include a tug-o-war, snow volleyball, a hula hoop contest, snow rafting and a snow golf - closest to the pin contest. For the more competitive types, the resort offers a Giant Slalom race. The third and final event of the HV Park Series will take place on Sunday, March 7. This event will be a boarder/skier cross competition. There will be a registration fee for the HV Park Series event and the Giant Slalom race. Events that take place on the slopes do require a valid ski ticket.

The kids will also find plenty of fun beyond the boardwalk scene. Youngsters will have an opportunity to play on the Snowcano near the ski lodge or compete in the Kids Crazy Hat and Helmet Race. Hidden Valley is working with the Family Life Fund of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh's Foundation to present the Family Fun Zone and Sweet & Treat Bar. This area will feature children's crafts, cookie decorating, smoothies and candy. There will be a nominal fee to the Family Fun Zone activities with proceeds benefiting the Family Life Fund.

Make plans to spend the entire weekend at Hidden Valley with our attractively priced lodging packages which start at just $118 per person and includes lodging and ski tickets. Call 814.443.8000 to make reservations.

For more information on the Spring Carnival and everything Hidden Valley has to offer visit our web site at www.hiddenvalleyresort.com.

We had hoped that the increased sales that we saw after the Buncher group purchased the resort in 2007 would begin a new trend. Unfortunately the economy, increased inventory, and declining prices at Seven Springs have derailed our expectations.

In 2008 there were 80 recorded resale transfers. In 2009 there were only 48. Reviewing the chart below you can see what a tough year this was and how much further up it can go!!

The average sales price here has also declined. In 2008 it went from $225,266 to $210,700 in 2009. When you look around the US at other resort areas and the hits they have taken on prices both of our Pennsylvania Resorts are holding their own!

Only one of the new South Ridge Place condos has transferred. Active listings total 98 with several properties headed into their second year on the market. Our advice is the same on this side of the mountain; make sure you are working with a designated agent!

The Pittsburgh market has come around and that should mean the resort markets will be following. With the stats we watch we believe that this year may very well be the upturn SELLERS have been awaiting. In other words if you are a buyer, NOW is the time to get into your mountain home!

Buyers have great selection with 98 active listings at Hidden Valley and 87 at Seven Springs. Many floor plans offer at least two properties to select from with interior merchandising and location being key factors in the buyers' decision making process.

If 2010 is our turn around then buyers will begin to see falling inventory which means fewer choices! Know that once inflation kicks in the interest rates will start to climb! We share much more in depth statistical information with our clients. We know it gives them a strong competitive edge as 53% of our 30 listed residential properties from 2009 were either SOLD OR PLACED INTO AN AGREEMENT THAT'S WAITING TO SETTLE!!!

We know for a fact that that more and more people are finding what we already know that the Laurel Highlands offers incredible YEAR ROUND ACTIVITIES!!