Yep. It's that time of the year again. When the Black Hills are filled not just with the sound of the trees swaying with the wind and the occasional honk from a local driver aggrivated at the tourist that cut in front because he had no clue where he was going, but the sound of Harleys. (Boy was that a long sentence. My grammarian sister would have a thing or 2 to say about that.)
It's the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Each year thousands of bikers come to the Black Hills to tour, camp, party and all around have a great time. Sturgis becomes a whole different world with tented vendors at every corner and bikes lining the sides and center of Main Street, Sturgis. We had a food booth up there for a couple years. What an experience!
With the addtion of some big name performances at the Buffalo Chip campground, this week turns out crowds from all over - bikers and more. This year, Aerosmith, Toby Keith, Cheech and Chong are some of the main performances. They go on all week long!
Check out the Sturgis webcam at http://www.sturgisrallydaily.com/interactive/sturgis_street_camera.php
I took the picture along Highway 385 - the highway that runs north and south through the Hills, connecting Deadwood with Custer. According to many sources, the Sugar Shack has one of the best burgers in the Hills. Sorry - I can't give personal proof to that, but I've heard it more than once.
A couple years ago I had some clients that wanted to find a second home for their week in Sturgis. It was quite the adventure running around Sturgis on 4 wheels showing houses! The traffic is unbelievable (for us South Dakotans, anyway!)
There's more to the Black Hills than just the Hills.
Hearing the roar on the interstate from my deck,
- Tristan
Tristan Emond
Prudential Kahler REALTORS
www.rapidhomesonline.com
The Black Hills has plenty of attractions for everyone - from hiking and biking trails, rock climbing and beautiful mountain lakes, to Reptile Gardens and Bear Country. Oh, yeah. There's Mount Rushmore, too. :) You're never far from some sort of entertainment or get away.
There is one nugget in the Black Hills that is a great experience. It's fun and entertaining. 
It's the Black Hills Playhouse. Nestled among the trees in Custer State Park is a Playhouse where a variety of plays and musicals are performed all summer long. It's not right off the beaten path - the drive through the Hills justs adds to the experience! If you're staying in Rapid City - no fair taking the highways back. You have to take the back route!
My wife and I went to a play this past month and really enjoyed the trip. This past year they added air conditioning...which means you aren't sweating the whole time while watching the performance as in prior years. The play we watched was a musical (so they said a few lines and then burst out into song). We were impressed with the live band and the singing. The 4 main performers sang all the songs and sang the backup voices as well - nicely amplified by personal microphones. Although the plot of the play needed some help, the actors sang their socks off and it was very enjoyable.
So if you are in the Hills vacationing, take some time off for your artsy side and hit a performance at the Black Hills Playhouse. Check out their website at www.blackhillsplayhouse.com.
It's good stuff. Enjoy the trip.
- Tristan
Tristan Emond
Prudential Kahler REALTORS
www.rapidhomesonline.com
As you can see from the graphs below, we continue to see fewer sales than this time last year, but notice that the number of homes under contract remains the same. We are also seeing our average selling price working out to higher than last year, so taking into consideration the fewer sales, I consider things to be holding steady.
Here's a look at the number of homes at the different price points sold during June of 2009: We are starting to see the homes over $300,000 move more, which is great to see.
| $ - | $100,000.00 | 12 | |
| $ 101,000.00 | $125,000.00 | 15 | |
| $ 126,000.00 | $150,000.00 | 26 | |
| $ 151,000.00 | $175,000.00 | 18 | |
| $ 176,000.00 | $200,000.00 | 16 | |
| $ 201,000.00 | $225,000.00 | 7 | |
| $ 226,000.00 | $250,000.00 | 7 | |
| $ 251,000.00 | $275,000.00 | 2 | |
| $ 276,000.00 | $300,000.00 | 5 | |
| $ 300,000.00 | and above | 13 |
And now the charts:
Areas used : Rapid City, Box Elder, Piedmont Valley, Rapid Valley, Elk Creek, Nemo Road,
Pine Grove, and Sheridan Lake Road
Date range for active stats: as of 6/1/08 and 6/1/09
Date range for sold stats: 1/1/08 to 6/1/08 and 1/1/09 to 6/1/09
This representation is based in part or in whole by data supplied by the Black Hills Association of REALTORS® or its MLS for the periods shown. Neither the Association nor its MLS guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity on the market.
Have a great summer - it's going by fast!!
-Tristan
Prudential Kahler REALTORS
www.rapidhomesonline.com
Activity has been rebounding here in Rapid City. We see the average price of homes are catching up to last years' numbers. Days on market remain a bit longer, but homes are selling and buyers are out looking. The first time homebuyers are definitely influencing the market - as 308 out of 506 homes sold this year (as of June 15) were under the $200,000 mark.
Here are the stats from as of June 1, 2009:
This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Black Hills Association of REALTORS or its Multiple Listing Service. Neither the Association not its MLS guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.
Not a bad time to buy or sell!
Have a great day!
-Tristan
Prudential Kahler REALTORS
www.rapidhomesonline.com
More incentives to buy!
Have you got a good job, good credit, but just short on some pocket cash to cover your down payment or closing costs? If you are a first time homebuyer, South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) has come up with a plan to help!
It's called the Advance Tax Credit (ATC) Loan Program. Basically, they are making a portion of the $8,000 tax credit available for you to use on your home purchase at the closing table. It is basically a loan that they charge 0% interest on until it is due in June 1, 2010. If you don't pay it off by then, monthly payments will begin on July 1, 2010 at 6% interest for 5 years.
You can take 6% of purchase price up to $6,000 for down payment and closing costs assistance. The same income and purchase price limits apply that exist for the SD First-Time Homebuyers program. (see details at www.sdhda.org)
So here's what you do:
Buy a home.
Use up to $6,000 to help pay for your closing costs and downpayment.
Move in to your new home.
Apply for your $8,000 tax credit in the Spring of 2010 when you file your taxes.
Pay back your $6,000.
Still receive a tax credit of $2,000.
Smile and enjoy your home.
Give me a call or email if you have questions!
- Tristan
Tristan Emond
Prudential Kahler REALTORS
www.rapidhomesonline.com
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