Here is an interesting Widget I found to help you calculate how your 401(k) might do with the various plans that are out there to improve the US economy.

Being last or near the bottom is not always bad!

According to a Fact Sheet just published by The Wyoming Department of Administration & Information on July 23, 2008, Wyoming ranks at or near the bottom in many categories.  In addition to Total Population and Population per Square Mile (50th and 49th, respectively) the state's lowest point is higher than that found in 48 other states, and it is 2nd in Mean Elevation.  Other items of interest near the bottom include Crimes and Robberies per 100,000 (47th and 50th, respectively); New AIDS Cases per 100,000 (50th); % of Population in Poverty and % of Population Receiving Food Stamps (46th and 50th, respectively); Unemployment Rate (46th); and Gasoline Tax Rate (49th).  Items with which Wyoming is at or near the top include 1st National Park (Yellowstone); 1st National Monument (Devil's Tower); Average Wind Speed (1st); Per Capita State/Local Government Expenditures for Higher Education (3rd); Community Hospitals per 100,000 (5th); Per Capita Personal Income (6th); Coal Production and Natural Gas Production (1st and 2nd, respectively); and % of Households Headed by Married Couples (3rd).

In the last week, Wyoming has had the destinction of being in the news twice for its favorable business climate.  On April 8, 2008, Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc. ranked Wyoming in the Top Ten Pro-Business States.  Polina's study examines twenty-nine factors relative to states’ efforts to be pro-business.  Wyoming has been in the top ten for at least 5 years now, and was Number 5 for 2008.

On April 10, 2008, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) published the "Business Tax Index 2008.  The Index ranks the states according to the costs of their tax systems for small business start up and growth.  Wyoming is Number 3, behind South Dakota and Nevada, respectively.

      Casper, WY – Home Sales are STRONG in the Casper area. Despite negative data regarding the housing market nationally, Casper continues to have one of the strongest markets in the country.

      The Casper housing market has seen steady growth even through this past year when national statistics, higher interest rates and the sub-prime debacle have caused concern and pessimism in the general public. The following information represents the Year to Year growth reported in the MLS Statistical Report:

      As reported in the fall addition of the 9/28/07 Wyoming Business Report written by David A. Robateck, “Wyoming’s rate of appreciation in home values last year more than doubled the national average and ranked second in the nation trailing only Utah.” He also stated in the article that “statistics from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight show that Wyoming house prices increased by 14.29 percent.”

      It’s no secret the strong economy in Wyoming and Casper brought on by a booming energy industry, has a great deal to with our strong Real Estate Market. 2008 LOOKS TO BE A GREAT TIME TO BUY, SELL, OR BUILD A HOME IN CASPER!!! 

      For more information on the Casper Housing Market please contact Casper Board of Realtors, Attn: Angie Evans at 307.237.1670