I got this email from a friend - a great story we can all learn from By Harvey MacKay A Duck or An Eagle? > > > No one can make you serve customers well.> > That's because great service is a choice.> > > Harvey Mackay, tells a wonderful story about a cab driver> > that proved this point.> > > He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a> > cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the> > taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a> > white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks,> > the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the> > back passenger door for Harvey .> > > He handed my friend a laminated card and said: 'I'm> > Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the> > trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement... 02/27/2009

House and Senate conferees completed work on final elements of the stimulus legislation early this morning. I want to provide a synopsis to provide an overview of what is in the final legislative package, specifically as it relates to the housing community. I hope this is beneficial information for potential new homeowners, Realtors and other Mortgage Lenders. House and Senate conferees have agreed upon a compromise stimulus package at a total cost of $789 billion. The House is scheduled to vote on the package today (Friday, Feb 13th)  and the Senate will follow suit shortly thereafter, with expectations that the legislation will reach the President's desk by Monday, Feb. 16.  There are several provisions in the overall stimulus package that will be beneficial for many of us, and help s... 02/13/2009

Take A Look!  This Home Has it All! View a virtual tour at http://richardives.point2agent.com/Rapid_City_South_Dakota/South_Dakota/Homes/West_Boulevard/Woodridge/Agent/Listing_613336.html  For Sale  $249,900  Hurry, Hurry, Hurry This great home will not last long! Rapid City South Dakota  RICHARD IVES REALTORS, INC. 605-391-1503 http://richardives.point2agent.com/     Large two-story home located just above the heart of Rapid City in a quiet cul-de-sac.  Built in 2001, with a one of a kind view from the large covered front porch.  A peaceful backyard setting in the pines with a perfect spot for your hot tub, barbecue grill or both.  The master suite with a large on-suite bath and a HUGE walk-in closet.  This home has a nearly 3000 finished square feet, a home office, a three car garage,... 01/17/2009

I am so glad, that at this time of year, I have seen so many express their Thanks, for what they have, for who they have, for who they are. Thanksgiving, a time to reflect, look inside ourselves.  The spirit of this season naturally brings an intraspect to life.  Perhaps one positive result to tougher economic times is that people take the time to reflect what is important in their lives.  Happy Thanksgiving to all. Peace, Happiness, and Laughter be yours. 11/26/2008

Sioux falls continues to be a stable and strong market compared to many other parts of the country. Foreclosure rates remain relatively low, and we continue to maintian a strong economy including a low unemployment rate. I would like to share with you some recent monthly statistics according to the REALTOR'S Association of the Sioux Empire (RASE). New listings have increased -19.9% since the same time last year.  But are only down -8% year to date from the same point last year. The average sales price for the month of August has decreased 1.4% to $173,453.  But down 6.6% over the last year averaging $160,384. August was a great month for the average time that homes were on the market prior to selling.  Averaging 78 days for those that closed this month.  This is down 15.3% percent from ... 09/19/2008

Rolling with the changes in Home Financing   Our world is much different than it was 20 to 50 years ago when our parents were busy blazing a trail to the American Dream, and Home Financing is no exception to the changes. With swings in the Economy and Real Estate market in America, the Information Highway coming of age, and the shift in the Socio Economic makeup of our Consumer, Banks and Finance Companies are on a fast paced road to stay abreast of the demands of Home Buyers and competition in the industry.   Remember when our parents had one job, one car, a savings account, Mom stayed home, and one of their biggest financial goals was to pay off the mortgage?   They knew Social Security was going to provide some retirement as well as the employer they had been working for the last 30-... 08/27/2008

Sioux falls continues to be a stable and strong market compared to many other parts of the country. Foreclosure rates remain relatively low, and we continue to maintian a strong economy including a low unemployment rate. I would like to share with you some mid year statistics according to the REALTOR'S Association of the Sioux Empire (RASE). New listings have increased 6.8% since the same time last year.  But are still down 4.8% year to date from the same point last year. The average sales price for the month of July has increased 7.1% to $178,272.  But down 8.5% over the last year averaging $159,055. July was a great month for the average time that homes were on the market prior to selling.  Averaging 61 days for those that closed this month.  This is down 22.2% percent from last year ... 08/18/2008

March weather has a saying.  In like a lamb, out like a lion, or vice versa.  We tend to think of the weather in South Dakota as somewhat extreme.  We have cold winters, and we have hot summers.  In fact the coldest temp we had was a couple of weeks ago.  The thermometer said minus 20 when I got in my van.  At first, I thought that the van had some sort of malfunction.  Then as I drove, the temp climbed to -19.  At that point I knew we had a very cold day ahead of us.  That doesn't even count the wind chill.You'd think that I'm trying to discourage people to move to South Dakota with this opening paragraph.  But I have a point to this topic.  Even though our weather and temperatures seem eratic, our housing market seems to keep pretty even and positive.  NPR (National Public Radio) repo... 03/02/2008

As many parts of the nation continue to see a downturn in home values, high foreclosure rates, and poor economic trends, Sioux Falls and the surrounding area appear to be the the exception to the rule.  In 2007 the median home values increased 4.9% according to the REALTOR'S Association of the Sioux Empire (RASE).  While new construction homes are on a slight decline from 2006 (approx 6.35%), pre-existing home sales which constitute about 80% of the market, are remaining steady.  In a recent Press Release by RASE CEO, Barton Hacker stated, "Interest rates continue to be extremely low and inventory levels throughout the region are such that we are seeing neither a traditional buyers nor sellers market." "These are strong leading indicators that we have a stable real estate market.  Despi... 02/01/2008

 GREAT NEWS FOR SIOUX FALLS!!!  The Realtors Association of the Sioux Empire reported this week that 2007 was a record setting year.  For the past 5 years, Sioux Falls has seen a marked increase in new construction and existing home sales.  Despite the trends facing much of the nation, there doesn't appear to be a downside in Sioux Falls or South Dakota.  Affordable Housing, Dropping Unemployment Rates, Favorable Business Climate - All are contributing factors making Sioux Falls a GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!Single Family home sales remain steady in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  As of December 31, 2007 there were 1090 Active and Pending single family home listings in the city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  The median price of active listings was $154,900 and have been on the market an average of ... 01/04/2008

Even in the depression we did not feel what the rest of the nation went through. Even today our housing market did not feel what the rest of the nation went through. Here in 2007 we had appreciation on our homes. What a great place to live!! 12/01/2007

The news tells us every day about how market values on homes are falling drastically across the country and foreclosures are at an all-time high.  I am asked all the time when this is trend is going to hit Sioux Falls.  I hear of people who are holding out on buying or selling until the prices correct.  Well, they may be waiting in vain.We hear all the bad news coming from major metro areas where prices inflated beyond what the economy could handle.  However, in Sioux Falls, we are not seing that trend.  We have a stable economic base, low unemployment, and an inevitable population boom.  We have seen an increase in manufacturing and financial businesses move and/or expand here as well as the expansion of both Sanford and Avera medical facilities.  This growth will bring a population in... 11/26/2007