Tag: Real Estate

Business, South Dakota, UncategorizedLeave a comment
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Trouble in ‘prepper’ paradise: Bunker residents raise financial, safety concerns at Igloo, SD site

Gary Dickson

The Vivos xPoint community in South Dakota, previously a military munitions depot, now faces significant issues, including multiple lawsuits, complaints to authorities, and a FBI inquiry. Many residents report unmet contractual obligations regarding amenities and security, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among those seeking a self-sustainable lifestyle. Continue reading Trouble in ‘prepper’ paradise: Bunker residents raise financial, safety concerns at Igloo, SD site

EconomyLeave a comment

U.S. home prices hit a record high as sales fell. Here’s how housing experts explain the trends

Gary Dickson

U.S. median home prices hit record highs for the second consecutive month, while existing home sales fell 5.4% in June. The high prices and mortgage rates have deterred buyers, leading to slow sales. Housing experts attribute this trend to high demand, low inventory, and aging population. Government proposals aim to address housing affordability, while some states have implemented their own policies. Continue reading U.S. home prices hit a record high as sales fell. Here’s how housing experts explain the trends

Economy, Government, South DakotaLeave a comment

Public forum highlights potential property tax political storm

Gary Dickson

Some attendees at a public forum in South Dakota advocate for raising the sales tax to replace property taxes. Concerns surround the increasing property tax burden on homeowners and commercial property owners, as well as potential negative economic consequences for the state. Various ideas for property tax relief were proposed, including reevaluating property valuations and reconsidering sales tax exemptions. Continue reading Public forum highlights potential property tax political storm

Government, South DakotaLeave a comment

State Senate shoots down property tax valuation cap

Gary Dickson

The South Dakota Senate shot down an effort Thursday to cap property tax valuation increases at 3% a year for homeowners and rental properties.

Senate Bill 167 would have capped increases in response to the heavy hikes in property valuations that followed the COVID-19 pandemic’s start in 2020.

Sen. Jack Kolbeck, R-Sioux Falls, said his goal was to offer some relief to long-term homeowners whose new neighbors from other states helped push home values beyond what local incomes can absorb. Continue reading State Senate shoots down property tax valuation cap

Crime, History, Iowa, People, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Siouxland, Small towns, South DakotaLeave a comment

So, a few years ago this week . . .

Gary Dickson

Welcome to a new feature of The Siouxland Observer. It’s sort of like your hometown newspaper’s “Peeking in the Past” column — only different.

Here we present for your inspection, actual news items that appeared during the week of Dec. 10 – 16 1900 from area newspapers clipped from Newspapers.com. We thought you’d enjoy them. Of course, since they’ve been clipped just as they were printed, none have been edited to spare you the mirth or fear of what it was like back then. These may or may not be in any particular order. Higgledy-Piggledy, if you will. Sort of like the editor’s brain. Continue reading So, a few years ago this week . . .

Business, Community, Pondering and Wandering, Siouxland, TelecommunicationsLeave a comment

Does fiber broadband increase your home’s value?

Gary Dickson

There are always a lot of lofty claims associated with new products and services and this new FTTH has not been afraid to use them. One claim in particular is that the service will increase the value of one’s home. The claim is based on a single study done in 2015 and was sponsored by the Fiber Broadband Association, a national trade organization. Continue reading Does fiber broadband increase your home’s value?