There is an AMAZING place in Bismarck to look out over the Missouri River and watch the sunset. Have you heard of Chief Lookings' Village? If not, you might want to check it out!
Chief Lookings' Village is a historic archeological site, also known as Ward Earth Lodge Village. It is located at 2023 Burnt Boat Dr, Bismarck. There is an interpretive trail, Sonali's Garden (a memory garden), and a small play area for little children/infants. Hike the trails, learn Native American history, or just relax on one of the park benches and enjoy the scenic overlook. This is definitely one of the most beautiful, scenic places to visit in Bis/Man!
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By Will & Laura Gardner, REALTORS® Century 21 Morrison Realty Are you getting CaBiN FeVeR?! Check out this list of activities to help restore your sanity, take your mind off the weather, and get you out of your house for a bit. Plan Ahead for These: Saturday, March 9 - Tom Papa, Comedian, at the Belle Mehus bismarckeventcenter.com Friday, March 15 - Saturday, March 16 - Bismarck-Mandan Home Show Bismarck Event Center Exhibit Hall, hosted by the Bismarck Mandan Home Builders Association Hundreds of home improvement and landscaping exhibits with product demonstrations, expert advice from pros, and new products. bismarckeventcenter.com Saturday, March 16 - Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra Presents “Time at Home” This concert at Belle Mehus featuring St. Mary’s High School Grad and Bismarck native Hannah Porter Occena, now a professional flutist. bismarckmandansymphony.org Friday, March 22 - Sunday, March 24 - University of Mary Play "Alfred Hitchcock’s 39 Steps" will be held at the Belle Mehus. bismarckeventcenter.com Saturday, March 31 - Breaking Benjamin at Bismarck Event Center bismarckeventcenter.com Thursday, April 4 - "The Sound of Music" at Bismarck Event Center bismarckeventcenter.com Friday, April 5 – Saturday, April 6 - Dakota Garden Expo at Bismarck Event Center Exhibit Hall dakotagardenexpo.com
Bingo! Have you played Bingo lately? Check out Dakota Skies Bingo, 825 8th St S, Bismarck. prairiepublic.org/home/about/dakotaskiesbingo Sky Zone A fun, indoor, way to exercise and burn off some of that energy! Soaring on the trampolines or ripping through the Warrior Course, your legs and lungs will work hard, but so will your smile muscles. “Stay active. Stay healthy. Stay happy!” skyzone.com Indoor Playgrounds If you have small children, check out the Kirkwood Mall indoor play area. The play area features structures that are safe and ideal for children to climb and explore. Turtle Beach Indoor Playground is another indoor play area located in the BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center. shopkirkwoodmall.com or bisparks.org Trapped in Bismarck Trapped in Bismarck is an escape game or a fun, team-building, brain-busting experience! Solve the puzzles to unlock the room before time is up. Reservations are required. trappedinbismarck.com Bismarck Bucks The Bismarck Bucks are a professional indoor football team. They arrived in town in 2017 and call the Bismarck Event Center home. Call the office at 701.595.0771 for more info. bismarckbucks.com Jumped – Up Your kids will LOVE this indoor fun park filled with inflatables! jumped-up.com Enjoy Indoor Golf and Batting Cages at Fore Seasons Center Take a swing inside at the Fore Seasons Center. bisparks.org Dakota Star Gymnastics Public Hour Dakota Star Gymnastics in Mandan hosts Public Hour events for separate age groups every Saturday, unless they are closed to public due to a holiday or another special event. This is another awesome indoor experience during the cold winter months – check them out at their new facility, the Starion Sports Complex. dakotastargymnastics.org Gateway to Science Center Check out this hands-on science center for a fun, educational experience. This is a great place to spend time exploring, playing, and learning during the cold winter months! gatewaytoscience.org Walk the Kirkwood Mall Kirkwood Mall welcomes area residents and visitors interested in walking in a temperature-controlled environment. shopkirkwoodmall.com Thunder Alley Bowling Each Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. Midway Lanes hosts a fun evening of music, lights, glowing pins and bowling balls in a disco atmosphere while music videos play on flat screen TV’s. midwaylanes.com Visit the Heritage Center and Treehouse Play Area Experience the beauty and wonder of the new galleries and exhibit spaces at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum. Thousands of artifacts and specimens, high-tech displays, and interactive exhibits help tell the story of our state. Your children will love the interactive play area, the Treehouse. history.nd.gov Huff Hills Ski Area Go skiing at North Dakota’s largest ski area and enjoy 16 runs and four lifts. There is snow making coverage on over 80 percent of the area and a vertical drop of 450 feet. Ski and snowboard rentals are available in addition to a lodge with food service. Located 16 miles south of Mandan on Highway 1806. huffhills.com Bismarck Bobcats Hockey The Bismarck Bobcats are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League’s Central Division. Check out their schedule and attend a game at the V.F.W. Sports Center. bismarckbobcats.com Story Time and Programs at the Children’s Library The Bismarck Children’s Library offers many activities for children including story time led by Miss Sparkles, book clubs, kids’ club, movie days, lego club and more. bismarcklibrary.org Lego Club at the Morton Mandan Library The second Wednesday of each month from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. a theme is announced, and participants are encouraged to build something based on the theme. No registration is needed, and families are welcome. cityofmandan.com/library
Cross Country Skiing Rent skis at Riverwood Golf Course, 725 Riverwood Drive, Bismarck, and you can enjoy cross country skiing right there at Riverwood Golf Course or take them to General Sibley Park and return them when finished. Hours at General Sibley Park are seven days a week during daylight hours. Hours at Riverwood Golf Course are Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 8 pm. After hours of rentals, the side gate is unlocked and skiers can enter through the gate during off hours. Dogs are allowed on leashes only, and snowshoeing is allowed alongside current trails. bisparks.org Indoor Ice Skating Enjoy an afternoon or evening of indoor ice skating at the Starion Sports Complex in Mandan or V.F.W. Sports Center and Schaumberg Ice Arena in Bismarck. bisparks.org and starionsportscomplex.com Outdoor Ice Skating – Bismarck Jaycee Centennial Park – Manitoba and Century Avenue Lions Park – 17th Street and Avenue F Municipal Ball Park (Hockey Rink Only) – Washington Street and Sweet Avenue North Central Park – North Eighth Street and Capitol Avenue Tatley-Eagles Park – Michigan Avenue and Airport Road VFW Post #1326 Family Recreational Park, Solheim School – 325 Munich Drive bisparks.org Outdoor Ice Skating – Mandan Borden Harbor Park – 3805 Sandpiper Trail KC Park – 801 3rd Ave NE Legion Park – Warming House – 1111 10th Ave SW mandanparks.com by Will and Laura Gardner, REALTORS® Trademark Realty, 905 Tacoma Ave Suite 2, Bismarck, ND 58504 Cell: 701.595.0688 or Office: 701.223.3030 10. City, Town or Rural If you love visiting with the neighbors, spending less time mowing, or don’t want a long commute to work, city or suburban life might be for you. You might even feel lonely and secluded in the country. If you need to see for miles out your windows and you treasure the serenity of birds chirping when you walk out your front door, you might feel a bit claustrophobic in the city and prefer being in the country. 9. Neighborhood A neighborhood can consist of different characteristics that greatly impact the people and lifestyle of a specific area. You will want to find a neighborhood in which you feel comfortable. Some questions to consider include, can you choose the color of your home, are their kids playing outside in the summer, can you put a fence around the backyard? Some people prefer more restrictions in their neighborhood in order to raise the property values, while others prefer fewer covenants or restrictions. 8. Natural Disasters You’ll want to also consider the risk of natural disasters in a specific location. Some areas are known for frequent flooding, and it can be expensive to insure against fires and floods. In Bismarck/Mandan we don’t have to worry about forest fires, but there are areas more prone to flooding from the Missouri River. 7. Schools Whether you have children or not, you should still be aware of the school district in which a home is located, because it may eventually affect the salability of the home. Private schools are always another option if someone loves the home but not the school district, but then take into consideration the extra cost, and maybe the value of the area is lower if the schools are inferior and private schools are deemed necessary. 6. Travel Time Consider how far you are from the grocery store, schools, shopping and work. Do you mind the drive? Will the drive hurt the value of your home when you are ready to sell? You don’t necessarily need to live close to places of work or shopping, but having quick access to streets that will easily take you directly to those places may increase the value of the property. 5. Lot Location Is the home on a busy street? Is the lot next to a commercial property that has a lot of traffic or parked cars? Are there hotels or apartments nearby? Some people look for larger corner lots that have access on two sides. Others enjoy living in a cul-de-sac where their kids can ride bike without the traffic of a normal through-street. The location of the lot is an important factor to consider, because while you can change the value of the home, the lot can’t be changed. 4. Noise Level Another thing you usually can’t change about a location is the noise level. Whether it’s traffic noise, barking dogs or a railroad, there may be little you can do about the noise volume in a location. Some people that live along a busy street put up a fence and plant trees to help block some of the sound. Be sure to visit the home a few times at different times of day. You may even talk to the neighbors and ask them what they think about the noise, or see how they like living there in general. These are important factors to consider at the moment you are touring your potential future home. 3. Other Homes on the Block It’s a good idea to glance down the street at the homes directly around the one you are interested in and compare the curb appeal. Ask yourself, are you thinking about buying the best home on the block? If so, while you might have a beautiful home, if it’s surrounded by homes that have a lower value than yours it would likely decrease the value of the home you’re thinking about purchasing. On the other hand, if you are looking at buying the worst home on the street – for example, a “fixer upper” that looks like a wreck but is surrounded by beautiful homes – it probably has a lot of potential. You may need to put some work in, but the value of the property will be higher if the surrounding homes are well cared for and of a higher value. 2. View Depending on the area, it can be hard to find a lot with a view. Since Bismarck-Mandan has many beautiful rolling hills, there are a number of homes situated on a hilltop with a nice view. There may also be a nice view of a wooded area with wildlife, a water feature such as a bay or river, or the home may be on a golf course. What you see out the windows can certainly affect the value and salability of a home. 1. Safety In any area, the biggest factor to consider is your safety. After all, you don’t need a home on earth if you aren’t here! I’d recommend checking the crime rate and looking at the sex offender registry online. When you are new to a town or city, it can be hard to know which areas are more dangerous than others. Your realtor can help you get to know the different parts of town if you are unsure. Will and Laura Gardner have been lived in North Dakota their entire lives. They’ve been living in Bismarck-Mandan for 10 years and are very active in the community. For help locating the PERFECT place to live, call 701.595.0688.
by Will and Laura Gardner, REALTORS® |
TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE
We know your life is busy. We work around YOUR busy schedule to make sure you always get the personal attention you need the minute you need it! Will & Laura Gardner, REALTORS® [email protected] Cell: 701.595.0688 or Office: 701.223.3030 |
7. 3817 Poseidon Loop, Bismarck
Check out the beautiful grand entrance and the decks overlooking Southbay Lake. Built in 2008 this home has 5,302 square feet and includes a beautiful natural stone shower, fully finished 3-stall garage with half bath, and so many more amazing features. $999,000 - Listed by Ann Andre, EXP Realty.
6. 3325 Gallatin Drive, Bismarck
This 5,447 square foot home nestled amongst the trees in the Fox Island Subdivision has a water channel straight to the Missouri River. It has a very sophisticated look with white cabinets throughout, three fireplaces, and a four-season room. There is also a walk-in pantry that doubles as a storm shelter. This home has handicap features and a mother-in-law suite on the main level. $999,500 - Listed by Shirley Thomas and Amber Sandness, Bianco Realty.
5. 3917 Waterfront Place SE, Mandan
This contemporary home in Lakewood has water frontage along a channel that leads to the Missouri River. Built in 2015 you will love the sleek, modern amenities, the elevator to the upper level, and the beautiful views over the river and Fort Lincoln. There are 3,709 finished square feet, but the lower level has an additional 1,567 just waiting to be finished to your preference. $999,900 - Listed by Shirley Thomas and Amber Sandness, Bianco Realty.
4. 3900 Ridge Way, Bismarck
Located in northwest Bismarck on Hawktree Golf Course, this beautiful home has 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms and over 7,000 square feet. The beautiful home is situated on over 2 acres on one of Bismarck’s most esteemed golf courses. The fireplace in the family room is made of hand-picked petrified wood from southwest North Dakota. $1,200,000 - Listed by Tab Thompson, Century 21 Morrison Realty.
3. 2613 Langer Lane, Bismarck
An amazing contemporary home in Whispering Bay, this new construction - waterfront property has 4,280 stunning square feet. A few prominent features include the fireplace and chimney, custom staircase, open floor plan, and oversized 5+ car garage. $1,279,900 - Listed by Patrick Koski, Trademark Realty.
2. 6557 Misty Waters Drive, Bismarck
Built in 2008 with 6,247 square feet, this home overlooking the bay at Misty Waters is spectacular! A few of its unique features include an amazing custom wine cellar, 24’ ceilings in the Great Room, a theater room, four patios including one on the beach, and peaceful views of the bay. $1,300,000 - Listed by Denise Ziegler and Amy Montgomery, Alliance Real Estate.
TRUSTWORTHY
We are heavily involved in the community and are greatly concerned with your success. Give us a call to work for you! Will & Laura Gardner, REALTORS® [email protected] Cell: 701.595.0688 or Office: 701.223.3030 |
1. 4810 Lakewood Drive SE, Mandan
The most expensive, and most incredible, home for sale in Bismarck/Mandan can be found on the shores of Lakewood in southeast Mandan. With 8,717 square feet, this home has an incredible theater room and an indoor sports court. With a spiral staircase, stone walls, a hot tub deck overlooking the water, and unrivaled character, it is no surprise that this enchanting home is at the top of the market in the Bismarck-Mandan area. $2,295,000 - Listed by Patrick Koski, Trademark Realty.
We helped the Heilman family close on a beautiful new home. They appreciate the inner peace found in a minimalist lifestyle.
How much time do you spend cleaning your home? Are you organized? While modern lifestyles are anything but simple, minimalism is a growing trend, and it might affect you if you are buying a new home! Minimalism is the process of simplifying and clearing away clutter in a person’s life in order to find simplicity and inner peace. It is the process of eliminating anything that is not essential, only keeping those possessions, relationships and activities that bring you joy. It’s about being intentional, and reflecting on the purpose and outcome things bring to your life.
Recently, in a Facebook group about minimalism, someone posted, “We are a family of six, and we just moved into a 3,500 square foot monstrosity of a home. Our former home, only 1,600 square feet, felt too small, but now I wish we would have changed our lifestyle instead of changing our home.”
As realtors, Will and I try to help our clients look for a home that fits all their needs. Sometimes people want a yard with a lot of space and mature trees. Some people have a priority that their large dining room table must fit in the dining room with their whole family around the table. Some people want to be sure to have three bedrooms on the main floor for their children to be close to them at night. After years as a stay-at-home mom, also known as a “homemaker,” taking care of our home has been my full time job for many years! I LOVE the idea of eliminating clutter, paring down to the necessities, and then enjoying life to the fullest without too many unnecessary attachments.
Recently, in a Facebook group about minimalism, someone posted, “We are a family of six, and we just moved into a 3,500 square foot monstrosity of a home. Our former home, only 1,600 square feet, felt too small, but now I wish we would have changed our lifestyle instead of changing our home.”
As realtors, Will and I try to help our clients look for a home that fits all their needs. Sometimes people want a yard with a lot of space and mature trees. Some people have a priority that their large dining room table must fit in the dining room with their whole family around the table. Some people want to be sure to have three bedrooms on the main floor for their children to be close to them at night. After years as a stay-at-home mom, also known as a “homemaker,” taking care of our home has been my full time job for many years! I LOVE the idea of eliminating clutter, paring down to the necessities, and then enjoying life to the fullest without too many unnecessary attachments.
Each member of the family has one winter coat and one spring jacket.
Recently, our good friends, Kim and Shawn Heilman, asked us to help them through the process of selling their home and buying a new one. They have seven children, homeschool, and are AMAZINGLY organized and efficient in the way they live. I asked Kim to give me some tips on what it means to her to be a minimalist and how she has accomplished this lifestyle in her family and in her home.
Kim said a couple years ago she took the initiative to really de-clutter and simplify after reading “Happy Are You Poor, The Simple Life and Spiritual Freedom,” by Fr. Thomas Dubay. This led her to the conviction that it’s a disorder to have too much “stuff” and not be able to part with it. She said she would recommend starting slow, and begin with the area you find to be most annoying or overwhelming. Once you decide where to start, pile up your belongings and pick through them. Make sure to look at each item and ask yourself whether you have used it in the last year, and consider how many of that item you really need – for example, keep only a limited number of shirts, only one towel per person, only two dolls for your child.
Kim said a couple years ago she took the initiative to really de-clutter and simplify after reading “Happy Are You Poor, The Simple Life and Spiritual Freedom,” by Fr. Thomas Dubay. This led her to the conviction that it’s a disorder to have too much “stuff” and not be able to part with it. She said she would recommend starting slow, and begin with the area you find to be most annoying or overwhelming. Once you decide where to start, pile up your belongings and pick through them. Make sure to look at each item and ask yourself whether you have used it in the last year, and consider how many of that item you really need – for example, keep only a limited number of shirts, only one towel per person, only two dolls for your child.
In the Heilman home, each child has one towel, and a hook in the bathroom to hang it on.
Kim also suggested that whenever something comes into the house, make sure something goes out. If your child gets a new doll for a Christmas gift, ask her which one she wants to get rid of…because she is only allowed to have two. She can choose to get rid of the new one if she wants, but she has to make a choice. Or, if you buy a new shirt, get rid of a shirt. Only keep a certain number (depending on your needs), and be sure not to acquire more than you need.
The next key to living a minimalist life is to make sure the items that you decide to keep each have a place in your home. Make sure the place you store the item is convenient for that item. Everything has a place, and there is room for it in that place. If it doesn’t have a spot, it doesn’t belong. Then you will spend much less time cleaning! Kim suggested that many times, your exterior life reflects your interior soul, and when you simplify your “stuff” you find an inner peace and become a happier person.
The next key to living a minimalist life is to make sure the items that you decide to keep each have a place in your home. Make sure the place you store the item is convenient for that item. Everything has a place, and there is room for it in that place. If it doesn’t have a spot, it doesn’t belong. Then you will spend much less time cleaning! Kim suggested that many times, your exterior life reflects your interior soul, and when you simplify your “stuff” you find an inner peace and become a happier person.
At the Heilman home, each child has one pair of pajamas for winter, one for summer, and a hook on which to hang them.
Sometimes with a bigger house, people acquire more “stuff” and it’s even harder to simplify and live a minimalist lifestyle. If you are going to be moving soon, it’s a good time to reflect on what you want to keep and what you want to throw away or donate. As Kim says, “Minimalism is about learning to want less! It’s about being intentional and making sure that what you have brings you joy. If it doesn’t bring joy, get rid of it.” Saying no is a skill that can be acquired through practice, and it can be empowering.
Kim and Shawn successfully sold their home and moved into a beautiful new construction home last fall. They are very happy with their beautiful new home! If you would like to read more about their lifestyle, you may want to follow Kim’s blog at musingsfromthehome.com.
Will and I would LOVE to help you find a home that meets YOUR needs! Call/text us at 595-0688 or 663-5450 or email [email protected].
Kim and Shawn successfully sold their home and moved into a beautiful new construction home last fall. They are very happy with their beautiful new home! If you would like to read more about their lifestyle, you may want to follow Kim’s blog at musingsfromthehome.com.
Will and I would LOVE to help you find a home that meets YOUR needs! Call/text us at 595-0688 or 663-5450 or email [email protected].
Take a walk downtown Mandan sometime and you will notice the many architecturally appealing homes. These homes, some of which are part of the Heritage Homes collection (look for the sign in the front yard), have impressive character and unique design. But, the stories behind them are equally enchanting!
Take, for example, the Dunlap-Harris home, a colossal Queen Anne style home situated on the lot at 201 7th Ave NW in Mandan. According to the Mandan Historical Society website, the current home at this site was built in 1904 and was purchased by Stuart Dunlap, a conductor for the Northern Pacific Railway. Originally built with a rectangular porch, Dunlap later installed a sweeping rounded corner porch after seeing a similar one at the 1904 World’s Fair. In 1923 Hoy and Cora Walton Russell, founders of Cloverdale Creamery and Produce Company (now Cloverdale Foods), lived in this home. Mary Broderick-Harris purchased the home in 1988. The house was put on the National Registry in 1955.
Another example of a prominent Heritage Home is the current Weigel Funeral Home. It was built in 1899 by Hiram R. Lyon, a president of First National Bank, founder of the Mandan Mercantile Company, and an investor in the Mandan Roller Mill and the ND Milling Association. He also established a milling company, an electric company, a telephone company, and a grocery in Mandan. According to the Mandan Historical Society website, the home is one of the largest Greek Revival homes in North Dakota, carefully designed after a Greek temple and built on a foundation of about 2-1/2 feet of field rock, with tongue-and-groove subsiding in a diagonal pattern on the outside walls to strengthen the structure. The Lyons’ didn’t live there for long before it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. George Bingenheimer, who opened the first drug store in Mandan, built the Mandan Library and Mandan Hospital, and served as county treasurer and sheriff. After several different owners throughout the years, the building was then updated in the 1980’s by Tom and Kathy Weigel, who took care to copy archeologists’ reports of the home’s original design of the columns, balcony rail, trim pieces, and “port-cochere” or carriage driveway.
Take, for example, the Dunlap-Harris home, a colossal Queen Anne style home situated on the lot at 201 7th Ave NW in Mandan. According to the Mandan Historical Society website, the current home at this site was built in 1904 and was purchased by Stuart Dunlap, a conductor for the Northern Pacific Railway. Originally built with a rectangular porch, Dunlap later installed a sweeping rounded corner porch after seeing a similar one at the 1904 World’s Fair. In 1923 Hoy and Cora Walton Russell, founders of Cloverdale Creamery and Produce Company (now Cloverdale Foods), lived in this home. Mary Broderick-Harris purchased the home in 1988. The house was put on the National Registry in 1955.
Another example of a prominent Heritage Home is the current Weigel Funeral Home. It was built in 1899 by Hiram R. Lyon, a president of First National Bank, founder of the Mandan Mercantile Company, and an investor in the Mandan Roller Mill and the ND Milling Association. He also established a milling company, an electric company, a telephone company, and a grocery in Mandan. According to the Mandan Historical Society website, the home is one of the largest Greek Revival homes in North Dakota, carefully designed after a Greek temple and built on a foundation of about 2-1/2 feet of field rock, with tongue-and-groove subsiding in a diagonal pattern on the outside walls to strengthen the structure. The Lyons’ didn’t live there for long before it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. George Bingenheimer, who opened the first drug store in Mandan, built the Mandan Library and Mandan Hospital, and served as county treasurer and sheriff. After several different owners throughout the years, the building was then updated in the 1980’s by Tom and Kathy Weigel, who took care to copy archeologists’ reports of the home’s original design of the columns, balcony rail, trim pieces, and “port-cochere” or carriage driveway.
Another home, the Love Home, was built in 1909. Chalmer and Bertha Love moved to Mandan in 1911 from Iowa when he became Superintendent of the Mandan Public School System. Under his direction the school became accredited as a first class school. He also introduced physical education and music into Mandan schools and led the Mandan Municipal Band. Chalmer and Bertha moved to a dairy farm north of Mandan in 1928. After several different owners, the Scarborough family purchased the home in 1993 and undertook renovations to restore the original beauty and distinction.
Heritage Homes is a cooperative undertaking of the Mandan Historical Society, the City of Mandan, and the North Dakota Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation provided funding through a grant, which enabled the Mandan Historical Society to research the history of homes and homeowners with ties to transportation in Mandan, primarily historical involvement with the railroad.
Heritage Homes is a cooperative undertaking of the Mandan Historical Society, the City of Mandan, and the North Dakota Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation provided funding through a grant, which enabled the Mandan Historical Society to research the history of homes and homeowners with ties to transportation in Mandan, primarily historical involvement with the railroad.
The North Dakota Railroad Museum in north Mandan, and Fort Lincoln State Park just south of Mandan are both important tourist destinations in Mandan. The Heritage Homes Walking Tour was created to provide a destination downtown for these tourists to learn more about the history of the city. The “Heritage Homes” distinction also recognizes those who have invested in restoration and preservation of Mandan’s heritage.
The history behind the Heritage Homes can be found at mandanhistory.org/heritagehomes, the website of the Mandan Historical Society. Since the purpose of Heritage Homes was to provide a walking tour, the best way to enjoy the full experience is to download the route map from the historical society’s website and take the walking tour and read the signs in front of each of the 14 Heritage Homes. The grant funds received from the NDDOT have been spent, and the historical society has put the development of the walking tour on hold until more funding is received to continue the project. According to Kathye Spilman at the historical society, more prominent Mandan homes may be added if/when funding becomes available.
If you are interested in finding out more about heritage homes that are FOR SALE, or would like to be notified when one comes up for sale, call or text us: Will, 701-595-0688 or Laura, 701-663-5450.
The history behind the Heritage Homes can be found at mandanhistory.org/heritagehomes, the website of the Mandan Historical Society. Since the purpose of Heritage Homes was to provide a walking tour, the best way to enjoy the full experience is to download the route map from the historical society’s website and take the walking tour and read the signs in front of each of the 14 Heritage Homes. The grant funds received from the NDDOT have been spent, and the historical society has put the development of the walking tour on hold until more funding is received to continue the project. According to Kathye Spilman at the historical society, more prominent Mandan homes may be added if/when funding becomes available.
If you are interested in finding out more about heritage homes that are FOR SALE, or would like to be notified when one comes up for sale, call or text us: Will, 701-595-0688 or Laura, 701-663-5450.
I'll often times ask other agents about their perspective on the real estate market to balance out my sometimes glass-half-full attitude on life.
And lately, I have been getting a sense from agents in different brokerages that we are in a buyer's market. If you're a seller, insert your Debbie Downer womp-womp-womp sound effect here.
Technically a buyer's market happens when there is more than 5-7 months of inventory on the market. Well, we have numbers, so let's take a look at what they say.
Scope and Considerations
For this article I will be looking only at single family homes in the city and rural areas of Bismarck/Mandan from January until June. Sorry condo owners in Hebron! I will also compare that same time frame with 2017. I will be using the MLS data from our Bismarck/Mandan REALTOR database as my source.
Calculating the Numbers
To determine a value for demand, 117 houses sold were sold in June. For supply, as of today, there are 484 active single family homes listed. Using supply divided by demand for our formula, that calculates to 4.1 months worth of supply on the market.
And lately, I have been getting a sense from agents in different brokerages that we are in a buyer's market. If you're a seller, insert your Debbie Downer womp-womp-womp sound effect here.
Technically a buyer's market happens when there is more than 5-7 months of inventory on the market. Well, we have numbers, so let's take a look at what they say.
Scope and Considerations
For this article I will be looking only at single family homes in the city and rural areas of Bismarck/Mandan from January until June. Sorry condo owners in Hebron! I will also compare that same time frame with 2017. I will be using the MLS data from our Bismarck/Mandan REALTOR database as my source.
Calculating the Numbers
To determine a value for demand, 117 houses sold were sold in June. For supply, as of today, there are 484 active single family homes listed. Using supply divided by demand for our formula, that calculates to 4.1 months worth of supply on the market.
Conclusion
Since we have 4.1 months of homes in inventory (or maybe a little more) and a buyer's market is defined to be more than 5-7 months, it would seem we are not technically in a buyer's market. However, there certainly are a lot of homes on the market to choose from in the next few months.
Want More Information?
If you're interested in looking at some of the raw stats for yourself, email me: [email protected], or text/call me: 701-388-6171 and I'll send over the stats!
Will and Laura have teamed up to work together as the Gardner Real Estate Team, serving the Bismarck-Mandan and outlying areas. To best serve our clients, we are quick to respond and take action, we use the latest technology to communicate most effectively, and we believe that HOW something is said is as important as WHAT is said.
We hope that you will allow us to work for you! With a Masters in Business Administration (Will), and a degree in Communications (Laura), we have a lot to offer.
Sellers: We will list your house on the Multiple Listing Service, realtor.com, zillow.com, and bismanonline.com to reach the most buyers. We also offer aerial video, list in local real estate magazines, and host open houses in order to reach as many potential buyers as possible!
Buyers: We will set up a search for you in order to keep watch as new houses come on the market. The search can be set up to match your specific criteria so that you are the first to know when your dream home is for sale!
Let's get started! Call, text, or email Will or Laura today.
We hope that you will allow us to work for you! With a Masters in Business Administration (Will), and a degree in Communications (Laura), we have a lot to offer.
Sellers: We will list your house on the Multiple Listing Service, realtor.com, zillow.com, and bismanonline.com to reach the most buyers. We also offer aerial video, list in local real estate magazines, and host open houses in order to reach as many potential buyers as possible!
Buyers: We will set up a search for you in order to keep watch as new houses come on the market. The search can be set up to match your specific criteria so that you are the first to know when your dream home is for sale!
Let's get started! Call, text, or email Will or Laura today.
Almost every time I see a new prospective buyer (or friends and family inquiring about real estate) I am almost always asked if the market has finally adjusted to the Bakken slow down.
Although Bismarck/Mandan is not at the epicenter of the oil decline which started in 2014, economic effects have certainly been felt here.
Although Bismarck/Mandan is not at the epicenter of the oil decline which started in 2014, economic effects have certainly been felt here.
Hitting the Bottom - Are We There Yet?
Instead of a sharp crash in housing prices like areas more dependent on and closer to the oil activity, the average list price in Bismarck/Mandan has actually been quietly falling slowly over the last few years. The same has happened for the average sold price (with the exception of a slight uptick in Fall 2015).
However, although prices continue to drop, they may soon be done dropping. This is because, for the first time in two years, the number of properties sold has actually started to increase. In other words, in terms of simple supply and demand, as inventory starts to decrease from more homes selling, prices will soon be starting to increase,
However, although prices continue to drop, they may soon be done dropping. This is because, for the first time in two years, the number of properties sold has actually started to increase. In other words, in terms of simple supply and demand, as inventory starts to decrease from more homes selling, prices will soon be starting to increase,
Although one can never predict the future, prices are actually starting to drop below the price of new construction.
A case in point is a house currently listed at 8116 White Oak Loop in a great east Bismarck subdivision. Often times buyers worry about the bank appraising the property for the value of their offer. The house did have an accepted offer of $540,000 a few weeks after it was listed, and the bank actually did appraise the value at $540,000. Unfortunately, the couple making the offer couldn't find a buyer for their own home and the White Oak Loop home eventually dropped to $499,900.
A case in point is a house currently listed at 8116 White Oak Loop in a great east Bismarck subdivision. Often times buyers worry about the bank appraising the property for the value of their offer. The house did have an accepted offer of $540,000 a few weeks after it was listed, and the bank actually did appraise the value at $540,000. Unfortunately, the couple making the offer couldn't find a buyer for their own home and the White Oak Loop home eventually dropped to $499,900.
A Buyer's Market
You can find several opportunities like White Oak Loop on the market now, especially as buyers slow down their search over the winter and holidays, giving active buyers even more leverage! Based on the statistics above, it's clear we are now in a buyer's market in Bismarck/Mandan. How long will it last? No one has a crystal ball. But buyers who wait too long might be kicking themselves if they miss the sweet spot of housing prices dropping and sales improving. In 2011, home prices across the country took a hit in places like Florida and Phoenix. Today, the Arizona housing market is back on track. Those who bought during the sweet spot are already reaping the benefits.
If you're ready to buy your first home or next home, contact a REALTOR who can give wise advice on what kind of homes would be a good investment.
If you're ready to buy your first home or next home, contact a REALTOR who can give wise advice on what kind of homes would be a good investment.
BY: Will Gardner
Home ownership isn't for everyone, but real estate is an investment, it's a necessity, and it's enjoyable! Unlike food, cars and other things that are necessary and enjoyable, a home (especially in the long run) almost always goes up in value.
Unfortunately many people have misconceptions that are keeping them from buying. I've collected some of these "bad excuses" I've heard before in a list below. Have any of these bad excuses stopped you from calling a REALTOR® to get started buying a house?
Home ownership isn't for everyone, but real estate is an investment, it's a necessity, and it's enjoyable! Unlike food, cars and other things that are necessary and enjoyable, a home (especially in the long run) almost always goes up in value.
Unfortunately many people have misconceptions that are keeping them from buying. I've collected some of these "bad excuses" I've heard before in a list below. Have any of these bad excuses stopped you from calling a REALTOR® to get started buying a house?
First, ask yourself a few questions:
- Is rent costing you more than ownership?
(You do the math but here's an example)
As of 2015, the average house sale in Bismarck/Mandan was $231,000 ($1,092/mo) (4 bed, 2 bath). Nice starter homes in Bismarck can be found for $150,000 ($709 /mo). The average cost to rent in Bismarck/Mandan is $925 according to Numbeo.com .
- Can you afford not to buy a house?
When you pay rent, every dollar you pay goes directly into someone else's checking account. When you write your mortgage check every month, you are continuously investing in one of the VERY FEW purchases that will actually almost always INCREASE in value, and usually increase substantially. - Are you a first time home buyer or a military veteran?
If this is your first home purchase, you could be eligible for low interest rate loans allowing you to lower your monthly house payments! - Don't have any money for a down payment?
It used to be you would need 20% down-payment in order to purchase a house. Now-a-days you can get into a house with very little down-payment.
Are you a busy professional and concerned about maintaining your house and yard? There are condos and associations in Bismarck / Mandan where owners can enjoy the benefits of being free from home maintenance while still enjoying the benefits of home ownership such as:
- Positive growth (typically) in value of your property
- Privacy - Get away from landlords or property managers entering your home
- Freedom to make your house a home with your own paint and modifications
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Remember that you need a good credit score for an apartment too!
- If you can't be pre-approved at one bank, try several other banks. Sometimes Credit Unions can be more forgiving than other banks.
- Sometimes one couple has a better credit score than another couple.
- Keep trying! Your credit score continues to change!
A few things to consider:
- Interest rates have been at their lowest in the last few years than ever before in the last century. To the right is a graph of the last 30 years.
- Even if you could predict the future and interest rates go a little higher today than you think they might be tomorrow, you can always refinance, if it's even worth it.
- There's sometimes a correlation between interest rates and house prices. As rates go up, houses become less affordable for everyone. That means, when interest rates are high, prices may likely go down in order for sellers to sell their house.
- Better to start investing now in your future than miss your chance to invest altogether!
REALTORS® can sometimes get a bad rap for being a necessary evil in handling lots of legal paperwork. But behind the scenes, after you sign your paperwork, I work with the other party on your behalf and handle the drama, hassle and emotions that can derail negotiations.
Whenever I'm in situations where I know little or nothing about a decision I need to make, I put my trust in a professional that has experience. That's why I encourage you to learn about my personal real estate purchases and see how I've succeeded in real estate and can help you do the same.
Whenever I'm in situations where I know little or nothing about a decision I need to make, I put my trust in a professional that has experience. That's why I encourage you to learn about my personal real estate purchases and see how I've succeeded in real estate and can help you do the same.
If buying or selling is not in your best interest, I will be up front with you. But more often than not, many concerns about buying a home can be answered by knowing the facts. Call me today and we can discuss your concerns and see if buying a home is right for you.
Author
Will and Laura Gardner, REALTORS® at Century 21 Morrison Realty, live with our children in the Bismarck / Mandan area. We hope these articles inspire you to invest in your real estate goals.
Cell: 701-595-0688 Office: 701-223-6654
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