We are excited to announce our new Real Estate School - Golden Rule Real Estate Academy!  Realtor Danny Cox will be teaching a hybrid-style class starting in May. This will include 54 hours of remote learning and 62 hours of in-person classroom instruction.  The course will cover everything for both prelicensing education and exam preparation to become a licensed real estate agent in South Dakota. To sign up and pay for the course click below, give Danny a call at 605-484-9699 or shoot him an email. Sign Up ..read more

Winter in the Black Hills can be intimidating. Extreme cold, an abundance of snow, and questionable driving conditions can make the season feel "limiting". However, we believe winter can be just as enjoyable as any other season with some simple planning. Use this blog as your guide to Winter in the Black Hills. Getting Around It takes a lot to shut the area down and it doesn’t happen often. With that in mind be sure to buy items like shovels and ice melt well in advance. Always allow yourself extra time for snow removal and commute. When schools, work, and other amenities are closed visit SD5 ..read more

The Best Summer Events in The Black Hills of South Dakota   The Hills are alive with the sound of … FUN! There is no shortage of things to do in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. Celebrate our amazing nation with firework shows and rodeos, enjoy outdoor concerts weekly in downtown Rapid City or rev you engine at the Sturgis Rally. Rest assured there is something fun for everyone to enjoy in Western South Dakota.   Fourth of July Celebrations   Celebrate the U.S.A. by taking in an amazing firework display. Each community hosts their own celebration each with a uniqu ..read more

Summer in the Black Hills Things are beginning to look and feel a lot like summer here in the Black Hills. If you’re new to the area or a “seasoned local” we hope this guide helps you plan your best summer yet. Get Outdoors The Black Hills of South Dakota offer plenty of open space for you to freely enjoy. Home to two national parks, state parks, recreation areas, several lakes, creeks, and reservoirs.  Popular activities include hiking, biking, fishing, water sports, OHV trail riding, and much more.  The Black Hills National Forest boasts over 450 miles of hiking trails ra ..read more

Reasons Why You Should Work With a REALTOR Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here’s why it pays to work with a REALTOR®. Navigate a complicated process. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multipage settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or ..read more

Take the Stress Out of Homebuying Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there’s no perfect time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer ..read more

Tax Benefits of Home Ownership The tax deductions you’re eligible to take for mortgage interest and property taxes greatly increase the financial benefits of homeownership. Here’s how it works. Assume: $9,877 = Mortgage interest paid (a loan of $150,000 for 30 years, at 7 percent, using year-five interest) $2,700 = Property taxes (at 1.5 percent on $180,000 assessed value) ______ $12,577 = Total deduction Then, multiply your total deduction by your tax rate. For example, at a 28 percent tax rate: 12,577 x 0.28 = $3,521.56 $3,521.56 = Amount you have lowered your federal income tax (at 28 perce ..read more

5 Common First Time Home Buyer Mistakes They don’t ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal. They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house. They don’t find the right agent who’s willing to help them through the homebuying process. They don’t do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller. They don’t think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years ..read more

10 Ways to Prepare for Homeownership Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list. Select where you want to live. Compile a list of three or four neighborhoods you’d like to live in, taking into account items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety. Start saving. Do you have enough money saved to qualify for a mortgage and cover your down payment? Ideally, you should have 20 percent of the purchase price sav ..read more

It’s important to understand what legal responsibilities your real estate broker associate has to you and to other parties in the transaction. Ask what type of agency relationship your agent has with you: Seller’s representative (also known as a listing agent or seller’s agent) A seller’s agent is hired by and represents the seller. All fiduciary duties are owed to the seller. The agency relationship usually is created by a listing contract. Buyer’s representative (also known as a buyer’s agent) A buyer’s agent is hired by prospective buyers to represent them in a real estate transaction. The ..read more