Sunset Creek ~ A Premier Development Within Hill City

Looking for a new Black Hills home with the small-town appeal of Hill City, backed against Forest Service Land, and an easy commute into the larger area of Rapid City? Sunset Creek Development by Black Hills Tradition is your ideal home.

Developer, Jim Peterson, has ensured custom country living while allowing you to bring in your own custom builder; with approval by the developer. Protective covenants have been put into place by Black Hills Traditions to allow orderly management and protect the integrity of the community.

This custom community features lots of 1/3 of an acre up to 7/10 of an acre that are already set with city water & sewer, underground electric, and communication services contained in a mountain meadow setting.

It is located within the city limits of Hill City where you will find shops, boutiques, restaurants, health services, museums and all the conveniences of everyday living.

The Michelson Trail runs right through the development and with an abundance of green space and walking paths, there is ample opportunity to get out and enjoy the land around you. You can also enjoy Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Pactola Reservoir, and Deerfield Lake, all within an easy drive.

For those looking to live within a green development, Sunset Creek definitely meets those standards. Environmentally friendly practices have been put into place to protect the land within the development such as an innovative drainage system to control runoff and protect the soil and the use of no street lights to protect that gorgeous night sky.

Sunset Creek is set for planned unit zoning with single-family residences, townhomes, duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes. If it’s a vacation home you are looking for, this development also allows for vacation home rentals so that rental income is a possibility when you are not here to enjoy.

You will be impressed with the quality of life found in Sunset Creek Development. If you would like to experience the potential of what Sunset Creek has to offer, contact Jim Peterson today!

Jim can be reached at (605) 391-8373 or email him for more information. Jim or June Johnson can also be reached at the office of Integrity Realty Team at (605) 574-4444. We would love the opportunity to discuss the lots still available within Sunset Creek Development. Email us today and we’ll help you with all your real estate needs.

Don’t Let Odors Scare Off Black Hills Home Buyers

That season is upon us – tourist season where people are looking to buy great vacation homes in the Black Hills! If you have a home you’ll be listing this spring or summer, you may have some residual odors in the house from any renters that had been in there previously.

Odors are one of the many things home buyers notice as they walk into a home, especially a vacation home that may have been vacant off and on. As a seller, you need to identify and remediate those odors before prospective buyers even enter the property.

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to identify familiar smells that may be problematic, especially if this is your main home.

Here are some tips to wipe out two common offenders before listing.

Remove Traces of Pet Odor
This is a common source of an offensive odor that is difficult to remove. If it’s from other visitors who have stayed at the house in the past, the pet will obviously be removed leaving you free to take on the task of getting rid of the smell. If you are the main occupier of the home, you may want to board your pet elsewhere for awhile until the home sells.

Cat urine, among the worst of all bad smells, can seep into carpet fibers, carpet padding and wood flooring. It can also be embedded in the furniture cushions, curtains and pillows. If budget allows, it may be of interest to remove the carpet and pad, seal the floor and install new carpet and padding.

A good, deep cleaning of the carpet and furniture by a professional carpet cleaner may remedy the situation based on the severity. Just keep in mind that any humidity will raise the odor from the padding and floor beneath.

Wiping Out Smoke
Cigarette smoke can cling to furnishings, curtains and other window coverings and even work its way inside the walls of your home. There are some good topically applied solutions to help alleviate the stench. However, more effective methods include an ozone generator, hydroxyl generator or air scrubber. All of these have been found to work well in absorbing the odor. When all else fails, replacing carpet and other fabric items after a good cleaning by a professional may be well worth the investment.

Recruit a Virgin Sniffer
One of the best ways to find out whether your home smells decent is to ask someone who doesn’t live there or visit often. A friend, a neighbor or even the agent selling your home are all good choices. Not everyone will be honest, even if they’re willing to offer to be helpful, so recruiting more than one may be useful.

I am a local expert in the Black Hills region and can help you sell your vacation home. Call me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs. Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience in selling your Black Hills Vacation Home. My office is in the heart of Hill City and as a tourist spot, restrooms are hard to find – mine are always open for your convenience!

Cheap Curb Appeal for Your Black Hills Home

They say first impressions are everything and this holds true when selling your Black Hills home as well. However, if you don’t have the budget or a lot of time, we have some great cheap tips for you to really spruce up the curb appeal of your home.

1. Add mulch: layer of mulch is the cheapest way to improve the look of your yard. The darker color the better. Some cities and counties recycle yard waste into free mulch, so check with the agencies in your area.
2. Focus on your front door: Making sure your walk way is accessible, your locks and doorknobs are updated and working correctly, can help make a good first impression. Also check your doorbell, light fixtures, kick plates and clear away cobwebs.
3. Don’t forget your fence: Check your fence for fading and damage. This could be one of the biggest structures of your home. Use a semi-transparent stain on the fence as well as other features in your yard to tie the look together.
4. Use some elbow grease: Stand at the front of your property and look at the house from a buyer’s point of view. Oil spots, dirt or mold may be something you are used to seeing but a good cleaning on the outside will give a fresh appeal.
5. Fill empty places in the yard: Buy some annuals and fill in flower beds and planters with seasonal fresh flowers and plants.
6. Use cool colors: Plants in shades of blue, white, pink and purples have a more soothing effect and make your home appear cooler in the summer.
7. Trim and mow: A well maintained lawn and flower beds give the appearance that the homeowner cares about the home and takes the time to take care of it.
8. Lighting: Use some outdoor lights for your pathways and highlight flower beds for those who are driving by at night.

“Keep it simple” is a good rule of thumb. People are busy these days and a lot of home buyer’s don’t have time to take care of what is considered high maintenance flower beds and landscaping. Keep it simple for yourself as well and try these simple, inexpensive tips that could make your home stand out.

We are local experts in the Black Hills region and can help you buy your first Black Hills home, Call us at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how we can help you with all your real estate needs. Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress free experience selling your Black Hills Home. Our office is in the heart of Hill City and as a tourist spot, restrooms are hard to find – ours are always open for your convenience!

Retire in South Dakota

Have you been thinking about where to retire? We may be partial, but the Black Hills region of South Dakota has so much to offer especially if you are looking for a more laid back way of life.

For 36 million Americans who will be turning 65 in this decade it’s not just about the hot spots but affordability, as the average married baby boomer will be facing a $30,000 retirement savings shortfall.

Reasons to retire here:

Affordability –South Dakota’s cost of living is nearly 11% lower than the national average on everything from Real Estate to food and there is also no state tax. Retirees, many of whom must live on a limited fixed income, will appreciate the reasonable tax policies of the state. Making this one of the more affordable options for retirees. The area is full on beautiful scenery and plenty of opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast such as hiking, fishing and skiing spots.

Retail Services – The larger cities including Rapid City and Sioux Falls provide plenty of places to dine and shop. There are all the national chains as well as many smaller, individual shops and boutiques. Restaurants range from fast food to fine dining.

Health Services – The large cities have a number of very good hospitals. Smaller cities may have clinics and if need be, patients can be transferred to hospitals in the larger cities. There are plenty of doctors and other health professionals available to meet the needs of the residents of South Dakota.

Lifestyle – The pace of life is relaxed, the people are friendly, our crime rate is relatively low and we have a nice, quiet way of life that is hard to beat.

The town of Hill City has a lot to offer art lovers. In August is the Rendevous of the August Moon Art Festival where artists not only display their art, they also demonstrate how they do it. For the film buff the Black Hills Film Festival features 6 days of screenings and seminars.

Hill City’s location in the Black Hill’s area is the reason for the name of “Heart of the Hills” and gives easy access to Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Harney Peak, and the Michelson Trail.

We are local experts in the Black Hills region and can help you buy your first Black Hills home, Call us at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how we can help you with all your real estate needs. Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress free experience selling your Black Hills Home. Our office is in the heart of Hill City and as a tourist spot, restrooms are hard to find – ours are always open for your convenience!