According to the article in the Somerset Daily American Amtrak is reconsidering train service to Rockwood. Apparently a study done by Amtrak last year indicates that a stop in Rockwood would result in a net increase of $56,000 with projections of 2,100 more passengers.

Rockwood residents have embraced riders of the bike trail and have worked really hard at making their community a memorable stop. We have been sharing the push for our area to become even better known as a great day or overnight get away. This is just one of many ideas that may come to fruition! Here’s a study that was released last February regarding the IMPACT the trail system has on our economy. 

February 26 is the next meeting date. State Representative Carl Walker Metzgar shared that for this to happen there will be a need for fund raising! Stay tuned for more details!

Kettler Brothers is known in the DC area for the Montgomery Village community. It was the FIRST planned community. When they became owners of Hidden Valley they marketed extensively to their home owners in MD. Home owners at Hidden Valley invited friends and family up and you would see license plates galore from out of state.

Kettler Forlines Homes was the exclusive builder developer at Seven Springs from the early 80s until 2007. Abe spent 18 years with them beginning with the Swiss Mountain Community through the Villages.  Bus trips from DC made runs every weekend to the resort exposing many to Seven Springs for the first time.

However, Maryland and or DC are NOT our primary buyer source! A year or so ago we ran the zip codes of the home owners from BOTH resorts and found the following. 81% of the home owners at Hidden Valley had Pennsylvania zips showing as their primary residence. Seven Springs came in at 79%. While we were running the stats for 2009 we took a close look at the newest buyers to become home owners. We wanted to know if there was a shift given the challenging economy. 

Zip Codes for 2009 NEW OWNERS at Both Resorts

You’ll see that the purple bar, which is the combined total of both 2009 resort home owners shows that the Pennsylvania trend continues. Note that our information comes from recorded real estate transfers which are public records. Unfortunately some records show the home owners address as the resort address or the title company and then we do our best on Google!

It doesn’t matter where you are coming from! The point is more and more people are discovering the incredible natural resources, amenities, and facilities available in the Laurel Highlands!

We know that EVERYONE ALWAYS wants to buy BEFORE the market begins to recover! The increase in number of transfers is one indicator of a shift in the market!

We are here to tell you that in the last six weeks of 2009 we personally negotiated 7 agreements! This is the first sign of a pulse for our markets. NEVER HAVE BUYERS HAD THE PRICES, INVENTORY, AND INTEREST RATES THAT ARE NOW AVAILABLE!

Average sales prices have come down from $391,648 in 2008 to $326,534 in 2009. Swiss Mountain carried 41% of the 39 resales with Southwind following with 15%.

Speaking of the Southwind community there were 19 new construction town homes that transferred at an average sales price of $786,738. The average in 2008 was $679,852. Resales totaled 6 with an average sales price of $660,000, the 2008 average was $674,800.

Not all sellers have embraced the fact that the numbers are lower and that is why, once again, we strongly encourage you to work with a designated BUYERS AGENT.  And if selling, consider us as your listing agent for cutting edge market information!!

Always ask your DESIGNATED REALTOR about the other stats you should be considering PRIOR to making an offer! Remember there are great properties available for sale or rent in ALL price ranges in the Laurel Highlands!

 In 2008 there were 80 recorded resale transfers. In 2009 there were only 48. Reviewing the chart below you can see what a tough year this was and how much further up it can go!!

The average sales price here has also declined. In 2008 it went from $225,266 to $210,700 in 2009. When you look around the US at other resort areas and the hits they have taken on prices both of our Pennsylvania Resorts are holding their own! 

Only one of the new South Ridge Place condos has transferred. Active listings total 98 with several properties headed into their second year on the market. Our advice is the same on this side of the mountain; make sure you are working with a designated agent!

The Pittsburgh market has come around and that should mean the resort markets will be following. With the stats we watch we believe that this year may very well be the upturn SELLERS have been awaiting. In other words if you are a buyer, NOW is the time to get into your mountain home!

Buyers have great selection with 98 active listings at Hidden Valley and 87 at Seven Springs.  Many floor plans offer at least two properties to select from with interior merchandising and location being key factors in the buyers’ decision making process.

If 2010 is our turn around then buyers will begin to see falling inventory which means fewer choices! Know that once inflation kicks in the interest rates will start to climb! We share much more in depth statistical information with our clients. We know it gives them a strong competitive edge as 53% of our 30 listed residential properties from 2009 were either SOLD OR PLACED INTO AN AGREEMENT THAT’S WAITING TO SETTLE!!!

We know for a fact that that more and more people are finding what we already know, that the Laurel Highlands offers incredible YEAR ROUND ACTIVITIES!!

Rick Garstka of Munhall waxed enthusiastic while describing the quality and quantity of snow that has fallen in the Laurel Highlands since Dec. 28:

“Bonanza.” “Heaven sent.” “Phenomenal.”

“We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” said Garstka, the president of the Pennsylvania Cross Country Skiers’ Association. “The season has gotten off to a super start, the best in years.”

And downhill and cross-country skiers, snowboarders, snowtubers, snowshoers, sled-, saucer- and tray-sliders and tobogganists are reveling in it.

“We haven’t seen snowfall like this since the 2002-03 season when we received a total of 208 inches,” said Dick Barron, director of ski and snowboard operations at snow-blessed Seven Springs.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the resort had received 57 inches of natural snow since Dec. 28 and more was on the way.

“We’ll have more than 60 inches, perhaps much more, before this system moves on [this] evening,” Barron said.

Seven Springs received the most new snow of any resort in the country — 27 inches — during a 48-hour period this week, according to OnTheSnow.com.

The Web site posts snowfall information it receives from resorts. Top honors for the most new snow in 24, 48 or 72 hours usually goes to the big western resorts.

“We received a total of 78 inches for the season so far,” Barron said. “It’s wonderful.”

Garstka agrees.

“We’ve had smiles on our faces since December,” he said. “We hope to have plenty of snow for our scheduled events in January and February.”

Garstka was referring to the association’s free cross-country lessons for adults and children at Laurel Ridge State Park next weekend and Jan. 23-24, Feb. 6 and Feb. 20. It also has a Nordic Picnic Jan. 23 and the annual Pennsylvania Nordic Championship Races Feb. 7.

The lessons, also offered to those with intermediate skills, will begin at 1 p.m. in front of the rental concession. Although you don’t need to be a member of PACCSA to participate, a trail pass is necessary and can be purchased for $6.

Garstka said beginners will learn double-poling, uphill and downhill techniques and the diagonal stride. The instructors then will take them out on an easy trail to practice what they’ve just learned and will provide individual critiques along the way.

A complete set of equipment — skis, boots and poles — can be rented from the concessionaire at the park (724-455-7303). Rental equipment also is available at Thrifty Ski Rental in Donegal (724-593-6404), Route 31 Board and Ski in Somerset (1-814-443-1282) and Peak Ski and Board near Boyce Park in Plum (412-793-6600).

Be advised: It’s first-come, first-served. Get there early, especially when snow conditions are as great as they are now.

The association has a cross-country ski team — the Yellow Jackets — for children ages 5 to 12. Kids of all abilities, including beginners, are welcome. Garstka said the youngsters learn to ski by using skill sessions and games based on Cross Country Canada’s Bunnyrabbit and Jackrabbit developmental programs.

The team skis Saturdays in January and February at Laurel Ridge State Park and will make occasional trips to Kooser State Park and other locations close to Pittsburgh.

Although registration for this season has closed, parents can learn more about the team by taking their children to the free lesson sessions and/or the Nordic Picnic.

“Cross-country skiing is a great way to stay fit during the winter,” Garstka said. It can be as energetic as you want it to be — from walking pace to race speed.”

A PACCSA membership costs $6 per individual or $9 per family. For more information, go to paccsa.org.

Larry Walsh writes about recreational snowsports for the Post-Gazette.

Read more: click here

 www.ABEandWAGS.com

Here’s another story from the Somerset Daily American, our local paper that was circulated when the bridge was closed.

Fireworks are set to begin tonight at 6 p.m. You may have caught, Little Big Shots, the local company responsible for tonight’s display on Dirty Jobs seen on the Discovery Channel. They are sure to delight everyone! New this year is the karaoke contest.

We always enjoy Crazy Alice’s Catering before checking out the carvings! They serve breakfast and lunch which you can enjoy dinning in or taking out (101 West Main St, Glades Court Mall, Somerset).

Fire and Ice headquarters may be found at 113 East Main Street, (Across from the PNC Bank for those of you who don’t have the GPS gadgets!) Somerset, PA 15501. Warm up there from 10-8 Friday and Saturday and 12- 4 on Sunday. Here’s a schedule for all of the fun filled events!  

Wood Carvings by local and regional carvers are back again this year Saturday has a “Hot Stuff Chili and Soup Cook-OFF” contest in the American Legion basement, 162 West Main. Note that this event and several others require admission by the Fire and Ice Pin. They can be purchased at Headquarters and other local retailers. Here’s the story from our local Somerset Daily American! Enjoy!

It truly has been an incredible start to the winter season in the Laurel Highlands! We were out this Sunday and snapped a few shots of our winter wonderland at Seven Springs. If you have ever wanted to try out any winter activity this is the year to do it!! Skiing, telemarking, snowshoeing, boarding, tubing, cross-country, snowmobiling, and more!

Stay tuned for the 2009 update on year end market stats!