Thank you to the Armed Forces of the USA

Hello Everyone,
I want to thank the men, women and families of Ellsworth Air Force Base and extend it to all branches of the U.S. military. I sleep in peace everynight because of your dedication, loyalty and watchfulness. I can go where I want to go, say what I want to say, live where I want to live and do what I want to do as long as I am not harming anyone.
I did not come from a military family. My Uncles and Aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces are almost all non-military. We are definately not anti-military in the least. Matter of fact, just the opposite, we more than appreciate all that the military do for us.
They stand in harms way to protect our freedoms. They spend sleepless nights so we can dream in the comfort of our beds. They practice discipline and obedience so we can be free spirits. They sometimes have terrible rations and poor quality water so we can enjoy dining and drinking anywhere we want. They take abuse and ridicule sometimes from other countries so that we can travel anywhere in the world we want.
Do I think about the military and what they do for us everyday and everynight? No, but I do try to remember them in my prayers. I forget alot of times. But it doesn't matter if we think about them or not because no matter what........the military is like a big brother, big sister, bodyguard that is always on duty watching over us.
Thank you men and women of the Armed Forces from the bottom of my heart.
Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota www.duanehosek.com duanehosek@hotmail.com

BAH Guide to Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, South Dakota

Here is a guide to how much home you would qualify for based strictly off of known Rapid City, South Dakota BAH. There is also an idea of how much home you could afford if you were to pay just an extra $100/month above your BAH. These figures are based off of a 30 year, 6.5% interest fixed mortgage.
This guide is meant only to provide an idea of what to expect when you relocate to Rapid City, South Dakota and Ellsworth AFB. Of course, you may qualify for a higher or lower interest rate and/or a lower or higher priced home - depending on current interest rates, your personal credit and which loan you decide to choose.
These numbers were compiled for me by Ken Jones of Journey Mortgage. ken@journeymortgage.com 605-341-0133 or his personal cell at 605-484-7530. Ken would be more than happy to visit with you on all of your loan options.

Enlisted Personnel Without Dependents

Rank
BAH
House Price
BAH + $100./mo.

E01-E4
593
74,833
88,281

E05
670
84,959
98,090
E06
720
91,762
104,893

E07
807
103,469
116,917

E08
906
116,759
130,680

E09
924
119,607
133,213


Enlisted Personnel With Dependents
Rank
BAH
House Price
BAH + $100./mo.
E01-E4
801
102,204
116,443
E05
895
115,810
128,941
E06
952
122,613
136,377
E07
1011
131,156
144,446
E08
1075
139,383
152,831
E09
1147
149,667
162,957

Commissioned Officers Without Dependents
Rank
BAH
House Price
BAH + $100./mo.
O01E
895
115,810
128,941
O02E
920
118,816
129,891
O03E
952
122,613
136,377
O01
707
89,705
103,153
O02
863
111,804
125,461
O03
932
120,240
133,213
O04
1017
132,106
145,237
O05
1055
136,219
150,458
O06
1115
145,553
159,001
O07
1137
147,610
161,691

Commissioned Officers With Dependents
Rank
BAH
House Price
BAH + $100./mo.
O01E
1023
133,055
146,186
O02E
1103
143,022
156,312
O03E
1167
152,040
166,121
O01
901
116,284
129,574
O02
951
122,929
136,377
O03
1112
145,079
157,736
O04
1233
160,900
173,715
O05
1316
171,816
184,948
O06
1327
172,924
186,055
O07
1342
175,139
187,796


If you would like to have me send you an e-mail with homes that fall in the price range you are in, just send me an e-mail at duanehosek@hotmail.com or visit my website anytime at www.duanehosek.com and of course you may call me direct at 605-391-8424.
Thanks.............Duane Hosek

A friend in need..........

Hello everyone,
Today I worked 2 hours at the office and 6 hours helping a friend. His trailer home was totalled by softball (not baseball) sized hail a couple of weeks ago. His car was totalled, the trailer was totalled, water was pouring in during the storm through his light fixtures. Everything was wet, moldy, stinky........it was a nightmare.
Five of us met him at his home with our pickup trucks and had all his possessions hauled to a storage unit. He was so thankful and took us out to eat at a great steak house. He couldn't thank us enough for the hard work we had done which he could not have afforded to hire someone else to do.
When I got back to my office at 7:30 PM I had 7 messages on my cell phone, 24 e-mail messages and several papers on my desk that need tending to. But you know what. I felt better today than if I would have sold a dozen homes. You just can't put a price on the feeling you get in helping other people. Do I like my paychecks. Heck yeah! But helping a friend is a blessing and I was glad I could help.
Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota www.duanehosek.com duanehosek@hotmail

Cars and Concerts in Deadwood, South Dakota

Kool Deadwood Nites 2007 is scheduled for August 23-26thregistration forms coming soon!Please call 1-800-344-8826 for room reservations
Kool Deadwood Nites
2007 Summary of Events

Thursday, August 23
Car Registration - 4pm-8pm – Deadwood Gulch Resort Convention Center
Kool Deadwood “Family” Nite - 6pm-10pm – Deadwood Gulch Resort Convention Center featuring great live music.
Friday, August 24
Car Registration - 12pm-7pm – Deadwood Gulch Resort Convention Center
Owners Only BBQ – 12:00pm-6:30pm – Deadwood Gulch Resort Convention Center
FREE CONCERT with DD and the Fayroh’s, and Johnny Rivers - Music starts at 6pm – on Historic Main Street, Deadwood.

Saturday, August 25
Car Registration - 7am-11:30am – Deadwood Gulch Resort Convention Center
Classic Car Competition/Judging - 7am-12pm – Days of ’76 Rodeo Grounds/Ferguson Field across from the First Gold Hotel
Poker Runs - 10am-4pm – throughout the Black Hills. Final party at Tin Lizzie on Deadwood Main Street.
FREE CONCERT featuring DD and the Fayroh’s, Badfinger and The Association - Music starts at 6pm, Main Street

Sunday, August 26
Parade - Line-up begins at 7:00am at the Days of ’76 Rodeo Grounds/Ferguson Field across from the First Gold Hotel
Show and Shine – Main Street, immediately following the parade
Classic Car Auction – Deadwood Gulch Resort - Contact International Classic Auctions at 800-243-1957 to enter or for more information.

Food and Fun at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota

The Ellsworth community gathered together to take a brief break from the grind of day-to-day life during the base picnic Aug. 20. Centrally located at the Bellamy Fitness Center, this annual family-friendly event was sponsored primarily by local businesses as a way to say thank you to active-duty Airmen, retirees, Department of Defense civilians and families for their hard work, dedication and sacrifices. The picnic featured free food, athletic competitions, tournaments and children-specific activities from arts and crafts to jumping castles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Shanda De Anda)

Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota www.duanehosek.com

Thanks a million.....

Hello Everyone,

I have only been involved with blogs during the past few months. Is this the best thing in the world or what? I have heard for a couple of years at least that blogs were the "cat's meow" and now I totally agree.
I have learned more in this blog and hearing from other professionals than I have in all the required courses I take to keep my real estate license up to date. The best thing is the day-to-day applications that these blogs refer to. Real stuff that is happening to real people right now. I look forward to reading and commenting to other's blogs every night, while I am watching some mindless tv show. To me, these blogs are like reading the local newspaper. It isn't about local events in my community where I live, but it is DEFINATELY about local events in my cyberspace real estate community.
So, a huge thank you for everyone that reads my blogs, everyone that writes blogs and to the networks that started these blogs. A thousand blessing on you all.
Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Client Gifts............

All year long we are bombarded by marketing companies wanting us to buy magnets, calendars, pens, key chains, playing cards, breath mints, magazines, and 2,879 other items to give to our clients. Now that the end of the year and the Holidays are fast approaching I am getting hit even harder.
I have ordered pens, key chains, calendars, magnets and a couple of other items in the last 7 years. I am so glad I placed an order 3 years ago with National Pen Company. Not that the order was super cheap or that the merchandise was truly outstanding. BUT, I have received all kinds of free gifts from them including, free calendars, pens with highliter on the other end, pens with laser beam on the other end, pens that light up, pens that clean my house, pens that pick up my dry cleaning..........etc.
The point is, I love getting this free stuff and it works on me, because in order to keep getting these Christmas- Like-Gifts all year long, I am positive I am going to place another order with them this year. I don't want to be cut off for not ordering, though I don't know at what year they would cut me off. I am NOT going to take the chance and will be receiving some calendars from them in a couple of months.
My question to all my fellow Realtors is this: Is there one particular item that has worked best for you over any other that you have ordered in the past? If you are like me, you have probably tried a whole menagerie of items. I have finally decided to put a basket on my desk filled with a variety of about 5 gifts that my customer or client can choose from when they are in my office.
I am sure I am going to get alot of answers that will cover the gamut of a gift magazine, but if something really stands out more than others, I am all for ordering it and giving it a shot. So please let me know your favorite and I will tell you mine right now. A SIMPLE DESK TOP CALENDAR.
Thanks for reading and I look forward to hearing from you. Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Ellsworth AFB, Douglas School Systems Calendar of Events for August 2007

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Aug 2
6 p.m.
DHS Fall Sports Parent Meeting, Theater

Monday, August 6, 2007

Aug 6

6-8 pm Club Soccer Sign Up @ VES

Aug 6

B Golf Practice Begins

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Aug 7

6-8 pm Soccer Club Sign Up @ VES

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Aug 8
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
New Student Registration @ Middle School

Monday, August 13, 2007

Aug 13

DHS CC Practice Begins

Aug 13

DHS FB Practice Begins

Aug 13

DHS VB Practice Begins

Aug 13
9 a.m.
B Golf @ Sturgis Invite

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Aug 14
6 p.m.
DHS Fall Sports Parent Meeting, Theater

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Aug 16
8 a.m.
B Golf @ West River Open, Spearfish

Aug 16
3 p.m.
B Golf, DHS JV Inv.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Aug 17
10 a.m.
B Golf @ West River Open, Meadowbrook

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Aug 18

VB Officials Jamboree @ DHS

Monday, August 20, 2007

Aug 20

Teacher Work Day

Aug 20
1 p.m.
B Golf @ Meadowbrook JV Inv.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Aug 21

District Day

Aug 21

Elementary Open Houses 12:30-1:30 Vandenberg 1:30-2:30 Francis Case 2:30-3:30 Badger Clark

Aug 21
10 a.m.
B Golf @ Pierre Inv.

Aug 21
2:30 p.m.
Badger Clark Open House

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Aug 22

District Day

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Aug 23

Kdg Small Group

Aug 23

First Day of Classes

Friday, August 24, 2007

Aug 24

Kdg Small Group

Aug 24
9 a.m.
DHS CC Invite @ Prairie Ridge GC

Aug 24
6 p.m.
DHS FB, Custer @ DHS

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Aug 25
4 p.m.
DHS VB Pierre @ DHS 9th-10th-JV-V

Monday, August 27, 2007

Aug 27

DHS Knowledge Bowl Practice Begins

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Aug 28
5 p.m.
VB @ Newell 9-JV-V

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Aug 30
3 p.m.
DHS CC @ Spearfish Inv

Aug 30
4:15 p.m.
B Golf STM @ DHS

Aug 30
4:30 p.m.
JV FB, RCC @ DHS

Friday, August 31, 2007

Aug 31
9 a.m.
B Golf BH Inv @ Sturgis

Aug 31
7 p.m.
DHS FB @ Dickinson

All the info. you will ever need about Rapid City and Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota

Rapid City is a city located in the western part of South Dakota and is the second largest city in the state of South Dakota after Sioux Falls. Set against the eastern slope of the Black Hills, Rapid City is in the county of PenningtonGR6 USA. The 2005 census estimated population of Rapid City was 62,167 with a metro area of 138,763[1]. As of 2007, the city is estimated at over 70,000 inhabitants. Rapid City is known as the Gateway to the Black Hills of South Dakota and the primary city in the metro of 138,763. The city is divided by a small mountain range that splits the western and eastern parts of the city into two. Rapid City is named after the Rapid Creek on which the city is established.

Contents[hide]
1 Geography, Climate, and Weather
2 Demographics
3 History
3.1 The 1972 Flood
4 Healthcare
5 Education
6 Sports
7 Art and Culture
8 Sister Cities
9 Industry and Economy
10 Transportation
11 Infrastructure
12 Suburbs
13 Media
13.1 Television
13.2 Radio
13.3 Print
14 Points of interest
15 Famous Residents
16 References
17 External links
Just go to this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_City,_South_Dakota to find all the information listed in the contents box above.
Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Take a Realtor to Lunch..........

Hello Everyone,
Today I did something I wish I would do at least 2 times a week. Unfortunately, so far, I have only done it 2 times this year. I took a Realtor from another real estate company in town, and her husband to supper tonight. Had such a great time, talked about a ton of stuff and 98% of it was NOT real estate.
On my way home I was thinking how great it would be to meet other Realtors in my town of Rapid City, South Dakota. I know all of the 41 Realtors I work with in my company and we meet all the time at meetings, gatherings, X-mas parties, lunches, etc. But here I was with a Realtor I just had a transaction with from another company in town and I feel like we will be good friends. I certainly learned alot about her family, old jobs, vacations she took and on and on.
The thing I really thought would be nice is that I am going to have about 50 transactions this year and if I could meet with the Realtor on the other end of the transaction for lunch, a drink, or supper, I think I will be in the back of their minds when they think of the company I work with which is Coldwell Banker. Now, you may think, what could I benefit from making good friends with several Realtors from other local real estate companies? They certainly won't be sending me any referrals, they certainly aren't going to co-list a property with me and they certainly aren't going to tell their friends or relatives how nice of a guy I am.
But how many times have you been in a multiple offer situation? How about a situation where you want a Realtor to keep you updated on a property you may have an interested buyer for? How many times have you seen a Realtor's sign blown down, or a door left open at a Realtor's house you just showed, or heard a person say, "oh, I have a Realtor, he is such and such from Company XYZ", etc. etc. etc.
I think it is very, VERY important to have excellent relations with every Realtor you may have contact with in your community. You WANT them to say good things about you, you WANT them to keep you informed on certain properties you may have a buyer for. You want to get just that little edge over some other Realtor they have never met, never sat down with, never shared a meal with. Plus, it is just fun and good business.
Thanks for reading. Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota www.duanehosek.com

Show a house.........Save a dog....Just another day in real estate.

Hello Everyone,
Yesterday (Sunday) was a first for me. I showed a young couple 6 homes for sale in the $90,000 to $129,900 price range. My kind of client. They live in an apartment and are very excited to move into their own home. After the 3rd home viewing, we came to this intersection where a lady was standing on the corner and a dog's head was sticking out of a sewer drain. It couldn't squeeze through the opening.
So I stopped and my clients following me in their car stopped and about 2 other cars pulled over as well. We got the steel plate off the sewer opening on the corner. But then the dog disappeared and went to another drain tunnel. We called for him, but he wouldn't come back. Finally, however he did. We got him out of the sewer and water culvert, called the number on his tag and delivered him to his owners.
Then we were once again on our merry way to look at the other three homes. I believe in Karma and felt great doing this good deed. After all of this I went to the Central States Fair here in Rapid City, South Dakota and saw Joe Diffie and Collin Raye perform.
What a GREAT day.
Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota www.duanehosek.com duanehosek@hotmail.com

Moving to Ellsworth AFB in the Black Hills of South Dakota?

Hello Everyone,
I want to send this out to any Air Force Personnel that are being transferred to Ellsworth AFB and to any Realtor who has a client looking for a Realtor in the Black Hills. I would like to offer my services. It doesn't matter when you will be transferred, I can start to help you right now.
The first thing you can do is check out my website at www.duanehosek.com which has a ton of information on Ellsworth AFB, our community, the Black Hills, schools, recreation areas, etc. I think you will find it very useful and informative. While you are on the site, contact me by e-mail at duanehosek@hotmail.com and I can start the next step for you.
I will be happy to e-mail you homes for sale in the Ellsworth AFB area which includes Box Elder, Rapid City, Rapid Valley and others as well. You will receive a link that opens to several home listings. These will include pictures, room sizes, tax info., year built, descriptions, etc. It doesn't matter if you are moving to Ellsworth AFB in one month or 1 year, I would be pleased to keep sending you these updated e-mails.
I look forward to hearing from you if you are in the Air Force and moving to the Black Hills or if you are a Realtor and are selling a home for an Air Force client you know is being transferred to Ellsworth.
Thanks.............Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota 605-391-8424

Ellsworth Air Force Base honors their best in the Black Hills of South Dakota

I am proud to present this information to all the world. I am very proud of these folks and all they do.
8/1/2007 - ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Member, after member strode in front of a room of about 200 base people to receive a handshake from the base commander and a glass-etched award for winning in various categories of recognition during the 28th Bomb Wing Second Quarter Awards Breakfast, July 27. A unit representative stood in for winners who could not attend. The master of ceremonies, Senior Master Sgt. Joey Parks, Airman Leadership School commandant, announced many more names of nominees. Still, despite the stiff competition, only one could be selected in each category. The winners are: Field grade officer (not pictured) Maj. Raymond Besson, 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron assistant director of operations Company grade officer Capt. David Marten, 28th Operations Support Squadron current operation flight Senior non-commissioned officer Master Sgt. Robert Carter, 28th Civil Engineering Squadron superintendent of maintenance engineering Non-commissioned officer Tech. Sgt. Ivan Martinez, 28th Mission Support Squadron personnel readiness flight Civilian volunteer (not present) Bonnie Molinet, 28th Mission Support Group Airman and Family Readiness Center volunteer Non-appropriated Fund Category I (not present) Brenna Van Stone, 28th Services Squadron commercial sponsorship Airman Senior Airman Richard Roberts, 28th Communication Squadron intrusion detection specialist Honor guard officer Capt. Allen Husted, 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron materiel management flight commander Honor guard enlisted (not pictured) Staff Sgt. Aaron Smith, 28th Maintenance Operation Squadron weapons systems controller Civilian Category III Karen Hoffman, 28th Civil Engineering Squadron real property officer Civilian Category II (not present) Rita Dupres, 28th Maintenance Group budget analyst Civilian Category I Jeanette Amos, 28th Operations Support Squadron office automation assistant Non-appropriated Fund Category II Chad Canaan, 28th Services Squadron recreation specialist

Ever have one of those days in the Ellsworth AFB area of South Dakota

Wow.........What a day.
Started off with putting in an offer on a nice home. Several phone calls from buyers and sellers. Water test needed on a log home I sold this week. Review home inspection report from a previous buyer. More phone calls. A quick lunch with a friend at Pizza Hut. Approving ads for 3 real estate magazines. Turn down a lunch with another client because I was meeting my friend. More phone calls. Prepare cash-flow analysis on an 8-plex a client wants to put on the market.......etc. etc. etc.
Thank goodness I have a part time licensed real estate assistant. Seems like more and more Realtors are hiring licensed and unlicensed real estate assistants here in the Black Hills of South Dakota. They are worth every dime once your business reaches that level where you need one. When do you know you need an assistant? When the quality of work and the time you give your present clients starts to suffer. When your budget allows this to happen. When you know you could be making alot more sales if you found someone to handle your prospecting, paperwork, phone calls, appointments, advertising, etc.
Not an easy choice by any means. Best wishes to all who are now in the process of choosing an assistant. I put an ad in the local paper for a real estate assistant, mentioned the pay range and a PO Box number to send their resume to. Never mentioned my name or company. I received at least 40 letters. Only one was a licensed Realtor who was tired of working as a Realtor. That is not the reason I hired her as I did interview many of the applicants. Just happened that Sue turned out to be very friendly, knowledgable and could work with me. Not an easy task. Ha ha.
If I can be of any assistance to you in your search for a real estate assistant please contact me at duanehosek@hotmail.com or through my website at www.duanehosek.com anytime.
Thanks..................duane

Historic Buildings in downtown Rapid City

My thoughts are on Historic Building in the downtown area of Rapid City located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We have a few here and there where the architecture is quite amazing. But the one particular building I want to tell you about is not a marvel of architecture, or stunning to the eyes, but it does have a nice history to it.

Years ago downtown had very wide roads just like in a lot of mid-western towns. Acutally in Custer, South Dakota, just 45 minutes from Rapid City, the Main Street area is still very, very wide. Main Street in Rapid City was the same. I was told the main streets were wide so that a stagecoach can turn around on them, as you can imagine, they would need alot of room to do this.
The building I just sold on Main Street was a saloon. Not far from the Historic Alex Johnson Hotel downtown. It was your typical western saloon, but the picture I saw of it from the past had one unique charactership. It had a sign that came out from the top of the front of the building with a triangular sign. The saloon had 2 names. One painted on each side of the sign. Coming into Rapid City the name of the building was the First Chance Saloon and leaving Rapid City the sign said Last Chance Saloon. I was pretty tickled by this and it was an honor to me to assist the current owner in selling the property. The only thing the new buyers asked for was the old picture of the saloon which the previous owner had hanging on the wall.
I just thought I would share this story to bring to life a simple item of interest to those of us who love westerns, the cowboy way, stories of the West, etc.
Take care and have a great weekend everyone...........Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota
www.duanehosek.com duanehosek@hotmail.com

July Market Statistics for Rapid City, Box Elder, Ellsworth AFB

Here are the July market statistics for single family homes that have sold during the month of July, 2007 in Rapid City, Rapid Valley (suburb of Rapid City) and the Box Elder area, which is where Ellsworth AFB is located.
Statistics for: Class=RE AND Type=RES AND Date Range=7/2007-7/2007 AND Area=BX, CC, NE, NW, NI, RV, SE, SW, WB; As Of: 8/18/2007

Class
Bedrooms
Current Active
Avg List Price
Avg DOM
All
All
599
$195,588
105
RE
All
599
$195,588
105
Class
Bedrooms
Total Listed
Num Sold
Pct Sold
Avg List Price Sold
Avg Sale Price Sold
Sale Price/List Price Ratio
Avg DOM Sold
Avg List Price Unsold
Pct Expired
All
All
170
94
55.29%
$171,346
$168,318
98.23%
69
$219,264
12.94%
RE
All
170
94
55.29%
$171,346
$168,318
98.23%
69
$219,264
12.94%

94 homes sold in July in these areas. Average sold price is $168,318. Sellers got 98.23% of their asking price on average. The average days on market was 69.
A typical 3 bed, 2 bath home near Ellsworth AFB can sell in the range of $140,000 and $175,000. Older homes are lower than that price. These would include homes built in the 1970's and older.
Duane Hosek www.duanehosek.com duanehosek@hotmail.com 605-391-8424 cell