About Pennington County, SD

July was a great month for me, anyway. I was top sales agent for my company for the month. I was quite surprised at the honor since it takes 2 sales of mine to equal one of some of the more seasoned agents in my office. It's pretty exciting.

The market continues to move right along. Sales are still down from last year, but they are down 17% this month versus 32% last month year to date. (referring to the "total residential" graph) The average sold prices on preowned homes remain stable, and new construction prices are down 8%. All in all, I see things remaining fairly stable, with good signs showing. What will happen when the tax credit no longer is an option will be interesting to see.

The first time homebuyers continue to drive the market forward. Here are the number of homes sold in the month of July:

Date range for active stats: as of 8/1/08 and 8/1/09

Date range for sold stats: 1/1/08 to 8/1/08 and 1/1/08 to 8/1/09

And of course, the disclaimer:

This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplies by the Black Hills Association of REALTORS or its Multiple Listing Service for the periods as shown. Neither the Association not its MLS guarantee or is in anyway responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association of its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

Here's to what's left of the summer!!

- Tristan

Tristan Emond
Prudential Kahler REALTORS(r)
www.rapidhomesonline.com

Interested in purchasing real estate in Grays Harbor county at the Ocean? Call Steven Simmons or Marti Schmidt: Your team of Realtors at 1-360-589-2439 or e-mail us at schmidtsimmons@theoceaniscalling.com for more information regarding available vacant lots and homes in the Ocean Shores, Washington area. Our office at Coldwell Banker is conveniently located at 749 Pt Brown Ave NW, Ocean Shores, WA (main street of city).

Steven Simmons & Marti Schmidt
REALTORS®.

Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties

749 Pt Brown Ave NW Ocean Shores, WA 98569

360-589-2439 phone

theoceaniscalling.com website

schmidtsimmons@theoceaniscalling.com e-mail

http://activerain.com/blogs/gotvette blog

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http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/myseattlepix/photographer.asp?userID=105961 OCEAN SHORES PHOTOS

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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.

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