South Dakota Residents Will Have Access To More Antelope Hunting Licenses in 2015

Hunters in South Dakota will have access to more antelope hunting licenses this year, compared to the number issued in 2014, according to South Dakota wildlife officials.  The Game, Fish, and Parks Commission will grant a total of 2,495 tags for the 2015 hunting season, which is an increase of 9 percent over 2014.

The number of antelope in South Dakota began declining in 2009, as a result of severe winter weather. Andy Lindbloom, Big Game Biologist, believes that since that time the number of antelope in South Dakota have decreased from 80,000 to 34,000. “Times have changed in terms of pronghorn,” Lindbloom said. “The good news is we have kind of leveled that off.”  Lindbloom is currently working with South Dakota State University researchers to help aide in a better understanding of the antelope population in the state.

Antelope hunters in 2014 were 66 percent successful in their hunting efforts and in 2013 the state saw a 48 percent success rate.

Whether you are looking for a year-around home, land, investment or vacation home, our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience. Contact  me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate  needs. 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!

Ask Your Black Hills Real Estate Agent These Questions before Buying or Selling Your Next Home

If you are buying a new home in the Black Hills area it can be an overwhelming process from those buying their first home, to those who have purchased property in the past. An experienced real estate agent will help relieve some of the stress involved in buying or selling a home in the Black Hills.

When it comes time to purchase real estate in the Black Hills, you will want to start your search by working with a real estate agent that knows the area and has a great deal of experience. Begin looking for a real estate agent by asking family and friends who they have worked with in the past and how their experience was. I personally would like the opportunity to earn your trust and work directly with you in buying or selling your next Black Hills home. Building trust with each other is the most important part of the real estate buying or selling process.

If you are interviewing potential real estate agents whom you may work with during this exciting time of your life, ask them about their experience within the community you desire to live in. Ask the agent how well they know the area and how many transactions they typically do in the region each year.

Customer service is just as important in real estate as it is in every other company you do business with. Ask real estate agents you interview about their availability. An experienced real estate agent who is able to take the time to work with you and be available when you have questions will make your real estate experience a more pleasurable one.

Ask your agent to recommend other professionals you may need to work with during the process.  Who would they recommend as a home inspector or a mortgage broker? An experienced real estate agent has worked with many of these professionals and should be able to connect you with ones that will help you throughout the buying or selling process.

After you have made the decision on which real estate agent is the best fit for you and your family, find out how they plan to communicate with you. How do they plan to keep you updated? Should you expect a call, email or a text? Communication is an integral part of the process and knowing when to expect to hear from your agent and how often will improve communication overall.

For many purchasing a home is one of the biggest decisions you will make. When it comes down to it you want to work with a professional whom you feel comfortable with, and who has your best interest in mind. Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience. Contact me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs. 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!

Disc Golf Grows In Popularity in the Black Hills

The sport of disc golfing is gaining popularity here in the Black Hills and across the nation. More and more recreational facilities in the area are adding Disc golf courses. This sport that is growing in popularity everyday dates back to the 1970s.  This free fun sport is something that any age can enjoy. The pastime is similar to golf and the disc replaces the need to swing a club. The goal is to get the disc into the target with the least amount of tosses. The targets are raised metal baskets, versus holes in the ground in golf. Most courses have 9 tees, similar to what you would play in a game of golf.

The Black Hills has taken the sport to a whole new level with mountain disc golf.  Enjoy playing this family fun sport while exploring the trails into the mountain.  This fun disc course runs through the wooded trail up along Big Rock Park.  Pick up your scorecards and maps at the Custer Visitor Center located at 615 Washington Street.

More affordable than golf, this sport is fun for the whole family. You can purchase a disc at any local sporting goods store for less than $15.  Don’t forget to buy one for each player.

Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience. Contact me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs. 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!

Spearfish SD Named Among Top Small Towns In The Nation

The growing trend in real estate across the nation is that homebuyers are moving away from the big cities and into small towns. The “Top 100 Best Small Towns” list was recently released by Livability.com and Spearfish,S.D. made the list coming in eighth. The report looked at small towns ranging with a population from 1,000 to 20,000. When determining what makes the top town in the United States, the report looked at demographics, real estate and health care to social and civic capital.

“America was built on small towns. Regardless of whether these cities and towns are suburbs of major metros, or hamlets unto themselves, they have great character and are great places to live,” says Matt Carmichael, Livability editor.

Lebanon, N.H. came in number one on the list with a population of 13,367. Its wide variety of affordable housing options, number of high-tech companies, visual appeal, civic engagement, and outdoor entertainment helped it reach the number one spot.

Each one of the towns on the list has its own unique appeal and character that makes it a desirable place to live.

Below are the Top 10 most livable small towns from the recent Livability.com report:

1. Lebanon, N.H.
2. Los Alamos, N.M.
3. Durango, Co.
4. Augustine, Fla.
5. Bar Harbor, Maine
6. Louisville, Co.
7. Hood River, Ore.
8. Spearfish, S.D.
9. Sebastopol, Calif.
10. Port Angeles, Wash.

We are local experts in the Black Hills region and can help you buy or sell your Spearfish 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 when 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!

3 Tips to Help Your Black Hills Home Sell Quickly

If you are looking to sell your Black Hills home this summer your goal is probably similar to that of other sellers – sell it quickly and for top dollar. If you are looking to sell quickly then pricing your Black Hills home accurately is a must.

Here are a few tips to help your home sell quickly.

Pricing

If your first goal is to get your home to sell as quickly as possible, pricing it right for today’s market will move it fast.   A knowledgeable real estate agent, such as myself, can help you determine the best price to list your Black Hills home and get it sold fast without giving it away.

Staging

Your home only gets one chance to make a first impression. A well-priced home that shows well will sell quickly over one that isn’t.  Before listing your home for sale take the time to get it ready with a deep cleaning and staging. If you do not want to hire a professional stager remove large pieces of furniture and personal items from all rooms. A fresh coat of paint and fixing minor repairs should also be done.

Be Prepared

Do not wait until your home goes into escrow to get it inspected. If you wait and the potential buyers discovers problems with the home after it’s in under contract, you could lose the sale.  If you have your home inspected prior to putting it on the market you can price it according to any repairs that may be needed.

If you are looking to buy or sell your Black Hills home this summer we would love to help. Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience. Contact Jim Peterson at (605) 574-4444 or June Johnson at (605) 786-7356 at Integrity Realty Team, or email us to discuss how we can help you with all your real estate needs.

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! Like us on Facebook to stay current on all upcoming events!

67th Anniversary of Crazy Horse Memorial Activities in June

The Crazy Horse Memorial is celebrating its 67^th anniversary this year, and there are a few events planned throughout the month of June.  On Wednesday June 3^rd the celebration kicks off with a dedication of the Crazy Horse Memorial in honor of the first mountain blast at 11:33 a.m. with a blast.

This upcoming weekend June 6 and 7 join the 30^thannual Crazy Horse Volksmarch where visitors will get a rare opportunity to get an up close view of the massive 87-foot carving of Crazy Horse that is carved from Black Hills granite.  The hike is a 10K route that on average takes hikers two to four hours to complete.  The event is organized by the Black Hills Chapter of the American Volksmarch Association (AVA), and on record years 15,000 hikers attend.   This family friendly event is a hike at your own pace. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and will run through 1:00 p.m. The cost is $3 per hike, and a donation of three cans of food per person to the KOTA Care and Share Food Drive would be greatly appreciated.

If you plan on hiking, travel light. There are water stations and bathroom facilities along the trail. There will also be staff along the trail and medical professionals available if needed.

I am a local expert in the Black Hills region and can help you sell your Black Hills 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 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!

What to Know About Living in a Black Hills Community With a HOA

If you are looking to purchase a single-family home, townhome, or condominium in a modern development in the Black Hills, you’re more than likely to find that you are going to be part of a community association. In fact, nearly 20 percent of Americans are living in a community that is governed by some form of an association according to the Community Associations Institute (CAI).

If you choose to purchase a property that is governed by a community association, it is essential that you read the governing document before buying as it could dictate things such as the number of pets you can own to the type of plants you plant in your yard.  These associations are customarily put into place by the developers of the community and are turned over to a volunteer board comprised of homeowners once the development is complete.

A Home Owner Association (HOA) may not be for everyone, but the CAI reported in their 2014 survey that 64 percent of residents are happy with their experience in their HOA, 26 percent are neutral, and 10 percent are dissatisfied.  The survey also noted that the common disagreement homeowners had with their association was in regards to landscaping, parking, finance, and architectural issues.

If you are considering purchasing a property with a homeowners association here are some tips you need to know:

1. The Rules– Before purchasing a home in an association, read and understand all the rules that are put into place and that you are expected to follow. Can you live with a set of rules that dictate how many and what type of pets you can have, where you can park, and other similar things?
2. Communicate– After you have moved in, if there is an issue with a neighbor following the rules and regulations talk to them first before taking the complaint to your governing board.
3. Volunteer– An HOA is run mostly by volunteers, so get involved and be active.
4. Change of Rules- if there is a set of rules that you feel are not right for your community more than likely there are others living there who feel the same. The board should review their rules every few years. Get with your neighbors and petition the board for a change if there is something that needs to be reviewed.
5. Have a plan- It is a good idea for a governing body to plan ahead for repairs that may need to be done in the future such as roads, pools, and roofs. If the funds are not available for these repairs an extra assessment will be necessary.

If you are looking to build a new home consider Sunset Creek. Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience. Contact me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs. 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!

Black Hills Music Festival Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day is right around the corner and for many it is the unofficial start of summer. If you‘re looking for something to do this holiday, consider joining other fellow Black Hills residents by attending the Black Hills Music Festival.

This two-day festival aims to bring the spirit of national music festivals to the Black Hills for the first time. Inspired by other large events such as Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Woodstock, festival organizers were motivated to bring about something similar to the area.

The event will take place at the Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort in Spearfish over Memorial Day weekend.  The two-day event will feature live music from various artists. Attendees will hear a variety of music including Alternative, Country, Folk, Pop, Bluegrass, and Rock. A wide array of vendors will be on site offering food and beverage. There will also be games and activities. There is sure to be something for everyone.

For more information about the upcoming Black Hills Music Festival and to see the lineup for this weekend’s event visit here.

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 when 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!

First-time Homebuyers in the Black Hills Return in 2015

2015 is being known as the year that the first-time homebuyers are reentering the market.  Being pushed out of the real estate market due to strict lending standards after the financial crisis, first-time homebuyers are once again entering the Black Hills housing market. These buyers across the nation are seeing more favorable market conditions than we have seen in many years. Here are 4 reasons why many economists predict that we will continue to see more first-time buyers back in the market this year.

1. Lending– At the end of 2014 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac put in place new lending guidelines that have made home ownership more obtainable for many across the country. The new 3% down payment option has made it easier on first-time homebuyers to obtain a mortgage loan. Not only have lending standards eased, the job market has strengthened opening the door to bring more homebuyers into the market.
2. Availability– The number of available homes on the market has been down in the past year, but that is changing. Home builders in the Black Hills and across the nations are building more homes, and many are targeting entry-level buyers by building smaller homes.
3. Prices– Home prices are slowly rising, but continue to be very affordable. With the improving economy and continued low interest rates, 2015 is the perfect time to purchase a new home.
4. Mortgage Rates– Mortgage rates have continued to remain low throughout the first quarter of 2015, but they are expected to rise at some point this year. With the anticipated rate hike many first-time homebuyers who were on the fence are expected to purchase before the rates increase.

Whether you are looking for a year-around home, land, investment or vacation home, our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience. Contact Jim Peterson at (605) 574-4444 or June Johnson at (605) 786-7356, or email us to discuss how we can help you with all your real estate needs. 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!

Black Hills Film Festival Set To Run May 6-12, 2015

In its sixth year, the Black Hills Film Festival (BHFF) is set to run from May 6-10, 2015. The event will take place in Rapid City and Hill City. The lineup for the BHFF includes more than 30 films of a wide variety such as: documentaries, shorts, and feature films from right here in South Dakota, as well as from around the world.

Popular this year will be a special presentation of the classic film Union Pacific by Cecil B. DeMile. Known for more than 30 years as the go-to man in Hollywood for trains, Jim Clark, will be hosting a session called “Trains in the Movies.”  Also speaking throughout the event are numerous other notable filmmakers. A full list of speakers can be found here. Nearly 20% of films shown during the festival are comprised of films regarding Native Americans and the South Dakota living experience.

Not only will you have the opportunity to watch many great films, you too will be able to meet many filmmakers that are featured this year as they will be available after the film shows to answer questions from the audience. Filmmakers will also be conducting seminars on everything from art of movie-making to after-parties.

Tickets for the 2015 Black Hills Film Festival are on sale now and can be purchased here.

Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience. Contact me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs. 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!