By Lexi MooreHills residential property values saw a 6 percent increase between Oct. 1, 2003, and Oct. 30, 2004.Tom Houselog and Mark Hovland from the Rock County Auditor’s Office joined Tuesday’s Hills City Council meeting for their annual Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting.According to Houselog, the increase is largely due to the sale of residential new construction land sales within Hills city limits. Land for new construction totaled $217,117 last year.Houselog was excited to report that the housing market in Hills continues to grow in 2005."It is good the market is climbing. There have been a number of sales for 2005," said Houselog. "You have a very strong market, almost like Luverne."Sales in 2005 have already surpassed totals from 2004, which could mean changes to residents’ estimated market values."The sales will necessitate an increase in values in the future," said Houselog.Commercial property values in Hills were down 3.3 percent in 2004. Farm property value increased by 12 percent, which coincides with farmland throughout Rock County.
