Casey Carr - Engel & Völkers - Black Hills

07/12/2026

NEW TO MARKET
141 N 5th St, Hot Springs
Listed By: Casey Carr 402-540-9830

If you are looking for an updated, move-in-ready home, this is it. Pride of ownership shines through every corner of this beautifully maintained property. The interior features stylish, low maintenance luxury vinyl tile flooring throughout, while practical upgrades include a newer water heater and a durable metal roof. Outside, the spacious detached garage provides plenty of extra room for a vehicle, workshop, or storage. Location is a major plus here, as a short walk lands you right in the heart of historic downtown Hot Springs. Schedule your showing today to see this wonderful home in person.
https://www.evrealestate.com/en/shops/blackhills/properties/our-listings/141-5th-Hot%20Springs-SD-57747-BlackHills-179948

06/23/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19BzhsHBvW/

NEW TO MARKET
1501 Albany Ave, Hot Springs
Listed By: Casey Carr

Perfectly positioned on a prime corner lot, this charming 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath Tudor cottage offers an unbeatable location close to everyday conveniences and local attractions. Ideally situated just 0.2 miles from the elementary school, high school, and Butler Park, and only a half-mile from historic downtown Hot Springs, you'll enjoy convenient access to schools, recreation, dining, and shopping. The main level showcases timeless character with hardwood floors throughout the bedrooms, family room, and dining area. Spacious living and dining areas create an inviting atmosphere, while a dedicated study and cozy breakfast nook off the kitchen add flexibility and charm. Upstairs, nearly 400 sq. ft. of versatile space provides endless possibilities as a bedroom, playroom, media room, home office, or hobby area. The basement includes laundry space and offers a blank slate with excellent potential for future expansion, creating an ideal opportunity to build equity with additional bedrooms or living space. Classic Tudor charm, a highly desirable location, and exceptional upside potential make this property a must see.

https://blackhills.evrealestate.com/en/properties/our-listings/1501-Albany-Hot%20Springs-SD-57747-BlackHills-179623

06/21/2026

There is nothing quite like summertime in the Black Hills, especially when the community comes together for Summer Nights. Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to volunteer at one of the b**r tents with the Engel and Völkers Black Hills crew.

The energy downtown was incredible. Local band Flannel played an amazing set, and the crowd was loving it. If you have never been to Summer Nights, I highly recommend checking it out. It is easily one of the best ways to experience the local culture here in Rapid City.

Heading to the next one? Here is what you need to know:

The event takes place on the 500-600 block of Kansas City Street.

The fun runs all summer long from May 28 through August 20.

You can expect plenty of food trucks, craft brews, b**r tents, and fantastic live music.

You can find the upcoming band lineup at rapidcitysummernights.com.

05/13/2026

04/10/2026

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/111-N-1st-Ave-W-Faith-SD-57626/234436872_zpid/?utm_campaign=androidappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

New Listing in Faith - 111 N 1st Ave W

If you have been looking for a newer build with plenty of space, this home at 111 N 1st Ave W is worth a look. It was built in 2013 and has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, so there is plenty of room for a family or anyone needing extra office space.

Property Details:

2,280 square feet

Open concept living area

Master bath with a separate shower and soaking tub

0.32-acre lot

Priced at $250,000

At $110 per square foot, this is one of the better values you will find in the area for a home this size. It is clean, modern, and ready for a new owner.

03/16/2026

From Lemon Drops to Atomic Clocks: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Last night, Ryan asked me: “Want to watch a movie?” Of course, the answer was yes!

In the Carr family, we’ve always gravitated toward the "classics," which in our house means the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. We’ve seen them all: Back to the Future, Harry and the Hendersons, The Breakfast Club, and ET. We even do the deep cuts like Beethoven and The Land Before Time...if Diana Ross’s “If We Hold on Together” doesn’t give you the warm and fuzzies, nothing will!

But last night, something else jumped out at me: Jailhouse Rock (1957). I’d recently heard a podcast with Mr. Malcolm Gladwell and Jack White of The White Stripes discussing their love for Elvis, and suddenly that iconic poster seemed to jump off the screen.

Watching Elvis “The Pelvis” or "Ol' Tupelo" as Chelsea’s Grandma Doris would say play Vince Everett was a trip. But what really caught my eye wasn't just the music; it was the furniture. It reminded me of my love for Mid-Century Modern design.

As any collector knows, finding original pieces by Drexel, Broyhill, or Baughman has become nearly impossible lately. I still feel lucky I found my John Van Koert highboy a few years back. Stripping it down to reveal the original ash wood was pretty satisfying!

That love for MCM started in the home of my Great Uncle Bud and Aunt Dee. I used to stop by their house on my walk home from school to eat marshmallows and lemon drops. While Uncle Bud told stories of his Navy days in WWII and Aunt Dee asked about my school day, I’d stare at their awesome atomic clock and the furniture I now realize was priceless.

It made me wonder... how do you choose the pieces that fill your home? Is it a childhood memory? Your specific personality? Or do you just grab what looks good in a magazine?

03/13/2026

40 is the New First Home 🏠⏳

I recently read that the average first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old. Think about that: many people won’t own a home until they are closer to retirement than their high school graduation. It’s easy to see why this generation feels so disconnected from the "American Dream." It isn’t a lack of ambition; it’s a lack of math that works. 📉

While home prices and rents have skyrocketed, wages have remained stagnant for decades. When you factor in the inflation of everyday goods, saving for a 20% down payment feels less like a goal and more like a fantasy.

Gen Z is entering a workforce already burdened by massive student debt. When you’re paying several hundred dollars a month for a degree you were told was necessary for success, there’s no room left for a mortgage. It’s next to impossible to build a future when you’re forced to start your adult life deep in the red.

Lately, I’ve seen the phrase "financial nihilism" popping up. It describes a generation that has watched the traditional American Dream vanish in real-time. They’ve lived through multiple economic downturns, a global pandemic, and a deadlocked political system.

Gen Z isn't "giving up" because they’re lazy; they’re adapting to a system that feels designed to keep them out.

Gen Z: How do you feel about homeownership? Does it still feel like an attainable goal, or have you given up to focus entirely on the present?

Older Generations: Did you find it easier to get your foot in the door when you started? Looking at today's landscape, what advice do you have for those trying to navigate this market?

03/11/2026

This setup is the BOMB (Unc Slang)... literally.

I’ve been sharing some "alternative" housing ideas lately from Barndominiums to Quonset huts and modern manufactured homes, but today we’re going big.

In the near future, I’m planning a trip to the Southern Hills to check out one of the most unique real estate setups on the planet: Igloo, South Dakota.

From Mu*****ns to Modern Living
If you aren't familiar with the history, this place was built in 1942 as the Black Hills Ordnance Depot. At its peak in 1945, it was a bustling city of over 4,200 people. It got the nickname "Igloo" because of the hundreds of earth-covered concrete mu*****ns bunkers that dot the landscape.

The base was decommissioned in 1967 and sat as a ghost town until a company called Vivos stepped in. Their vision? To transform 575 bunkers across 18 square miles into the world’s largest survival community: Vivos xPoint.

The "Extreme" Pros
Imagine a home that is practically invincible:

Military-Grade Engineering: These aren't your typical basements. They were built to military specs and can withstand a 500,000-pound internal blast. Tornadoes, wildfires, and extreme winds? Not a problem here.

EMP Protection: The 12-inch thick concrete walls are outfitted with steel mesh, acting as a natural Faraday cage to protect your electronics from an electromagnetic pulse.

Thermal Mass: The earth-covering provides natural insulation, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

The "Safe Zone": Located 3,800 feet above sea level, it’s "high and dry" with no flood risks or earthquake faults. Plus, it’s roughly 100 miles from the nearest known nuclear target.

Noah’s Ark Community: This is my favorite part. Applicants are chosen based on their skills (doctors, mechanics, etc.) to create a self-sufficient community of like-minded people.

The Real Estate Reality Check
As a real estate advisor, this is an intriguing case study. But, with anything "extreme," there are some red flags:

Ownership: You aren’t buying the land. You’re paying an upfront fee for a 99-year lease, plus annual ground rent and monthly fees.

Financing & Resale: Since it’s not traditional real estate, standard mortgages are off the table. It’s a niche market that functions more like a high-priced rental in a gated "prepper" compound.

Stay Tuned!
Is it a revolutionary way to live off-grid, or just a cool piece of Black Hills history? I'm ready to get down there, talk to some residents, and see it for myself.

I'll be posting a video highlighting my visit in the near future, so stay tuned!

03/11/2026

Looking for a new home but want to skip the 12-month wait and the massive price tag? Following up on my posts about Barndominiums and Quonset huts, I’ve been diving deep into another option: Manufactured Homes.

Now, I'll be honest, when we moved from Hot Springs to Rapid City, I pitched the idea of putting a double-wide on some acreage while we saved up to build a "traditional" home.

The boss (Chelsea) wasn't having it. Her exact words? “Casey, I’m not living in a trailer.”

Fair point! But was she right? After touring Liechty Homes yesterday and doing "hundreds" of hours of research, I found out that the industry has changed a lot. Manufactured homes are not the same as when I grew up, the "1900s," as my kids like to say.

Here is the breakdown of what I discovered:

The "New" Manufactured Home
Forget the wood paneling of the 80s. The models I toured were indistinguishable from a standard interior. We’re talking:

Full drywall throughout (no more strips!)

High-end finishes: Granite countertops and massive tiled showers.

Luxury features: Oversized tubs and modern vanities.

Efficiency: Energy-efficiency that keep utility bills lower than many older stick-built homes.

The Pros
Affordability: At $60–$100 per sq. ft., they are 30-50% cheaper than traditional builds.

Speed: You can move in within 2 to 4 months, compared to the 7 to 12 months a traditional build takes.

Quality Control: Built in climate-controlled factories (no rain/snow delays) and strictly regulated by federal HUD codes.

The Cons
Financing: If it's not on a permanent foundation on land YOU own, you’re looking at a chattel loan (higher rates, shorter terms).

Depreciation: If you’re paying lot rent in a park, it depreciates like a car. If it’s on your own land with a foundation? It appreciates like real estate.

Resale: The pool of buyers can be smaller because financing can be trickier for the next person.

So, what's the verdict for the Carr family?
Are we going with a Quonset, a Barndo, a Modular, or will I make Chelsea the Queen of my double wide trailer? The research continues!

What do you think? Would you consider a modern manufactured home to save 50% on costs, or is the "trailer" stigma too much to overcome?

03/06/2026

I have a confession:

I can’t just "go for a drive" anymore. While everyone else is looking at the scenery, I’m mentally gutting old buildings, measuring the clearance on roadside sheds, and wondering if that shipping container would look better with floor-to-ceiling glass.
My obsession with alternative housing really spiraled back in 2021. My wife and I were looking for a home for Salon 402. We needed a high-traffic, recognizable spot in Hot Springs, which narrowed the field significantly. We eventually landed on a medical clinic right across from the high school.
We didn’t just move in; we tore it down to the studs. We built out an 1,800-square-foot salon on one side and two 900-square-foot apartments on the other. I even tucked a full bathroom and shower into the back of the salon. Just in case we ever wanted to flip that space into a residential suite down the road. That project changed how I see real estate. Now, when I scan the MLS, I’m not looking for "finished", I’m looking for "potential."
Lately, two specific styles have been occupying my headspace:
The "Barndo" (Barndominium)
Most of you have probably heard of these. They use a post-frame or steel "pole barn" structure but finish it out as a high-end luxury home.
• The South Dakota Factor: They cost about 35% less to build than a traditional stick-built home, and they laugh at our 70 mph winds and heavy snow loads.
• The Perk: Because the exterior shell carries the weight, the interior is a 100% blank canvas. No load-bearing walls to ruin your open-concept dreams.
The Quonset (My current "fangirl" moment)
If the Barndo is the reliable older brother, the Quonset is the edgy, industrial-chic cousin. These are the arched steel huts born from military surplus, and I am currently obsessed with them.
• The Price Point: Quonsets are arguably the most affordable entry point for a steel-shelled home.
• DIY or Die: Unlike a Barndo, which usually requires a crane and a crew to erect, a Quonset is essentially a giant "erector set." It’s a series of bolted panels. If you have a small, dedicated crew and a few weekends, you can save $5–$10 per square foot just by assembling the shell yourselves.
• The Vibe: No heavy internal framing or rafters. Just a self-supporting arch that looks incredibly cool when you pair it with modern finishes.
Honestly, I’m looking into building a Quonset home myself in the near future. The mix of the price point and that unique aesthetic is just too good to ignore.
Have you ever considered ditching the "standard" 2x4 house for something a bit more alternative? A Barndo? A container? An old clinic conversion?