Bozeman Real Estate News and Tips

Price Reduction! This is a MUST SEE

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:32:01 PST

3 BD 2 BA MLS: 180946

65 Red Shoulder

Three Forks, MT

This is a very charming home with a great floor plan. It lives much larger than its square footage. They have added decks and the garage. The foundation is insulated concrete forms, helping the R value for the entire home. They already have a radon mitigation system in place. Another quality Ebbighausen home! The propane tank is leased, all appliances convey along with a water treatment system (a must for this area).

MORE DETAILS

Bozeman Montana Is (Finally) Receiving Snow

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:02:08 PST

SNOW IS FINALLY HERE! Bridger Bowl has received 30 inches of snow to make it look like it may just be winter here in Montana. “It’s very nice to get some snow for the locals who purchased passes and the tourists here on vacations,” Michael Gill, assistant marketing director for the ski hill, said Wednesday. The long President’s weekend drew in skiers from Canada, North Dakota, Minnesota, and of course, from Montana out to the slopes.

Snow is expected to continue throughout the end of the week!

Source: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/article_43c1b33e-5ddc-11e1-8332-001871e3ce6c.html

Maximizing your home for YOU

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:30:28 PST

Home Storage

Make efficient use of the space you have within your home. Closets are getting creative with space maximizing techniques that range from simple closet organizers and storage rods to vacuum shrinking bulky clothing for the out of season apparel that takes up so much of the space. If the easy things are done to make the most of the current storage spaces your home offers, think of the ways to expand! Kitchens may just not fit all dishes, food, and appliances. Take another look at your cabinets to see if there are open spaces within them that can store more! If inserting a new shelf does not mend your spatial needs, look for complementary self-installing cabinets that can open the kitchen space up a little more.

Moving Material

Move stuff in. Move stuff around. Move stuff out: three easy tips to make your space more functional and freshen it up. Buy yourself a new coffee table that is hollow inside to add a new feature piece to your room and hide the undesirable clutter. Move stuff around. Reorganize so that the highest used items are easiest to reach and see and the things that are only used for specialty occasions are more tucked away. If you have done everything you can to move things and your home is still over burdened with clutter, think about moving things OUT. Minimalist living differs for everyone, but it is minimalist living that keeps a space fresh, trendy, adaptable, and most of all—comfortable.

Savings for Montana First Time Home Buyers

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:56:39 PST

As a Montana Resident, a special savings account is available for the purchase of your first home. You can save on Montana income taxes due to this First-time Home Buyer Act. The first-time home buyer savings account can be established at a state or federally chartered bank, saving/loan, credit union, trust company, mutual fund company, or with any brokerage firm. The options are very open. Commonly asked questions and answers regarding the accounts and affiliated tax benefits are seen here.

------------------What are some of the requirements of the new law?

The first-time home buyer savings account must be opened after December 31st, 1997. Unfortunately if you bought your first home prior to January 1st 1998 you do not qualify. Your home must be established prior to the purchase of your home and the money in the account must be used for eligible home buyer expenses.

----------------------------------How much will I save on state income taxes?

Simple answer: up to $3,000 for those filing singly and up to $6,000 for joint filers. It is based on your adjusted gross income and therefore is dependent upon your individual tax bracket.

------What is the minimum/maximum time period a first-time home buyer savings account must be in existence before I can use it?

The first-time home buyer savings account must be established prior to the
purchase of a qualifying home, and as long as the account is opened prior to the closing papers being signed, you are qualified for the Montana state income tax reduction.

On the other end of the spectrum, the account must be used 10 years from the date the account was established.

----------Are there any forms that have to be filed with the Department of Revenue when I file my Montana income tax returns?

The account holder must file an annual report found at www.mt.gov/revenue. Account holders must also keep records of any withdrawals from the account used for paying expenses for a first-time purchase of a home.

For More Information, Follow this Link!

Bozeman Biking

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:57:22 PST

Spring is just around the corner! Biking is one of the most popular ways of celebrating the warmer weather (although I have seen some bikes out there no matter the temperature or amount of snow…). So great news for all you bikers out there! The already comprehensive trail system throughout the city is looking to get upgraded.

If getting out of Bozeman is your ideal form of escapism on a bike, Hyalite Canyon has trails for both road and mountain biking. Check out the Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club website at www.gallatinvalleybicycleclub.org for additional information.

Free CPR Training!

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:42:16 PST

According to the American Heart Association, 70% of people feel helpless in the event of a cardiac emergency. It is at home where 80% of cardiac arrests occur. These events oftentimes have no warning signs and can happen to anyone. The danger is real.

To confront these very real statistics, four saved lives here in the Gallatin Valley have joined forces to initiate the Gallatin Heart Rescue Project. A partnership between Bozeman Deaconess Cardiovascular Training Center, Absarokee Emergency Physicians, and all Gallatin County law enforcement/fire agencies has brought together the community in order to offer hands-only CPR classes open for all those interested in learning CPR. The first class is Monday, February 20^th at the Gallatin Valley Baptist Fellowship in Manhattan, MT.

Gallatin Heart Rescue Project’s goal is to educate 5,000 residents of the Gallatin Valley to ultimately increase the valley’s cardiac arrest survival rate.

Source: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/health/article_b8e03d76-5791-11e1-91af-001871e3ce6c.html

Men and Women Will Fall In Love… WITH YOUR HOME!

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:29:45 PST

American houses most admired features:

Men: Master bathrooms top this category for men. The next three places are neck in neck with 55% of men wanting walk-in closets, 51% wanting a gourmet kitchen, and another 51 % wanting an outdoor deck. The stereotype is broken with only 42% of men wanting pre-wired entertainment throughout the house. On the other hand….

Women: 75% of women want master bathrooms with a close second of 72% wanting walk-in closets. 62% want a gourmet kitchen and the statistics fall from there. Only 28% want pre-wiring for home theaters and surround sound systems.

As a home owner, your listing may not have all these highly sought for amenities; you can highlight your listing’s features knowing that these are the assets buyers are looking for. For example, if three rooms share a single bathroom, make it luxurious enough to feel like a master. Clear away storage spaces to show off the ample space there is that can serve the role of a walk in. Work with what you have, but in order to make men and women fall in love, know what they are looking for!

Sources: http://pro.truliablog.com/grow-business/5-ways-to-make-buyers-fall-in-love-with-your-listing/?ecampaign=anews&eurl=pro.truliablog.com%2Fgrow-business%2F5-ways-to-make-buyers-fall-in-love-with-your-listing

The Siding Dilemma Broken Down

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:37:36 PST

A traditional and extremely popular Montana choice, wood is one of the primary standbys for homeowners when they decide how to side their home. Varieties include clapboard, rectangular planks, plywood, shingles/shakes, solid wood, and hardboard. Each has its own specific look and feel to it to render a unique style to a home. Notable benefits of wood siding consist of an aesthetically pleasing visual appearance that may increase the overall value of a home. The varieties of wood listed above in addition to the versatility of paint/stain colors allow for wood to be adaptable to any environment. The maintenance often deters homeowners. Repainting/resealing must be done ever few years. If not, wood may rot, be colonized by termites, or blister under the sun which leads to peeling, cracking, and fading.

A nontraditional durable, affordable (in the long term), and low maintenance siding option, steel is bridging the market of commercial building into residential. Exposure to elements can still lead to rusting, but as with each of these options, staying on top of the upkeep with easily prevents this. Wind-proof, hail-proof, and severe weather-proof, steel is a great alternative for us here in Bozeman, Montana. One of the great accolades affiliated with steel is the ease of cleaning to restore it to its top condition. All the owner has to do is spray down the siding and DONE!

Vinyl is the most common housing siding in the United States. It is famous for its supreme low maintenance, durability, and relatively low cost. No paint is required, and very little cleaning is associated with vinyl. Similar to steel/metal siding, all a homeowner needs is a hose to keep their home in tip-top condition. VSi-certified vinyl retains its color and can be cut/placed in a wide variety of options to maximize customization. Contemporary or vintage visages can be obtained through proper manipulation of the styles.

Hardie Boards are the standout in the concrete category with their extreme resiliance to exterior wear and tear, long standing reputation for having a long life, and its adaptibility of appearance. In this same concrete category, there is also perhaps the most nontraditional option making waves in the siding debate is the concrete options, specifically concrete logs. This siding gives homeowners the feel and look of a traditional wood/log home without ever needing to worry about fires, insects, mold, extremely low maintenance, and operating cost within the home are greatly reduced (heat, ac, ect). This option is ideal of Montana to fend off fires and heavy snow damage, for Mid US against tornadoes, Eastern US against hurricanes and around the world for maximum protection against natural elements.

The debate comes down to a personal homeowner’s aspirations for their home. Personality exists in each option, you just need to find the one that fits you (and your budget) accordingly.

Sources: http://www.thectrealtyblog.com/journal/2011/12/18/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-clapboard-siding-for-your-ct.html, http://www.abcseamless.com/index.php/media/article/benefits_of_steel_siding_in_selling_real_estate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/advantages-vinyl-exterior-house-8693.html, http://everlogs.com/benefits_siding.php

Foreclosure and Short Sale Weekly Listing for Gallatin Valley, Montana: Week 2/10/2012

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:14:59 PST

Active Foreclosures in Bozeman,
                                        Belgrade,
                                            Manhattan,
                                                Three Forks, &
                                                    Big Sky!

Week of February 10, 2012

The following links are for the current FORECLOSED HOMES in the Gallatin Valley. They are usually priced well and most do not stay on the market for long. Take a look, find your favorite, then call to schedule your appointment to see them!

Bozeman Montana Foreclosures

Belgrade Montana Foreclosures

Manhattan Montana Foreclosures

Three Forks Montana Foreclosures

Big Sky Montana Foreclosures

These links are the SHORT SALE homes that are available presently. If you do not know the details for purchasing a short sale home, please email, call or text and we can explain those for you! We would love to be your guide in finding a great home at an outstanding price.

Bozeman Short Sale Homes

Belgrade Short Sale Homes

Three Forks Short Sale Homes

Big Sky Short Sale Homes

Bozeman Montana Ranks Top 25 Ski Cities in the WORLD

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:22:56 PST

Bozeman gets to boast one more accolade. As dubbed by National Geographic, Bozeman Montana is one of the top 25 Ski Towns in the WORLD!

“Just what makes a classic ski town? It starts, naturally, with skiing and snowboarding so good they attract people like youth-bestowing fountains. Then add an inviting mountain burg steeped in ski heritage, amenities, and culture. These are the 25 best. For insider tips, we asked local luminaries where to stay, play, and party, whether you're on a budget or indulging.” —Aaron Teasdale

The article portrays Bozeman as “an old Montana university town of cowboys and ski bums, pickups and unleashed dogs, and two of the premier ski hills in America.” I cannot find much wrong in that interpretation. We are a place where fine dining meets blue jeans attire, a place where fresh snow means depleted classroom attendance for all the students hitting the slopes, and a place I can HOME.

Two of our three ski resorts are praised. World class Bridger Bowl, Big Sky, and (I will throw in) Moonlight Basin are all within an hour’s drive from Bozeman.

To Read More about Bozeman’s Skiing Opportunities: http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/trips/best-ski-towns-photos/#/bozeman-montana-ski_47301_600x450.jpg

Bozeman Indoor Ice Arena Breaking Ground Soon!

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:51:03 PST

Year-Round Fun!

Coming to Gallatin County Fairgrounds is a 35,000 sqft, $4.5 million indoor ice arena to be used all year long. Valley Ice Garden, the only other indoor rink in the area, closed its door in 2006 and ever since volunteers have been raising money to construct the rink. Hockey, figure, and public staking are all on the rise, but when the idea came about, “It wasn’t ‘if you build it, they will come,’ Pertzborn, member of the Bozeman Amateur Hockey Association, said. “They were already here. But everybody adapted and the programs continued to grow. The [current Haynes Pavilion] enclosure worked better than we expected. Now we’re maxed out.” But the lack of a year-round place to practice greatly reduced opportunity. Since 2006, memberships in local clubs have reduced dramatically.

“The new arena will house a regulation rink and 1,000 seats with capacity for 1,600 spectators.”

We cannot wait to see it open. Good work Bozeman Community.

Source: http://www.rinktime.com/skating_rinks/mt/haynes_pavilion_skating_rink_arena_bozeman_mt.cfm

Distressed Properties in 2012

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:31:57 PST

State of Distressed Properties in 2012

Predictions are always hard to make and distressed sales are no different. Factors like home values, employment, and consumer confidence will all be determinants of the rising or falling housing market. That is the only thing that is certain.

“Foreclosures aren’t going away right now,” says Andy Firoved, CEO of CounselorDirect, a technology company that specializes in automating processes for various government foreclosure-prevention programs. “We’re going to have a certain level. The question is, how many?”

These are the predictions made by Firoved:

#1-Government home ownership assistance programs will get more effective.

The goal of helping home owners has hit every road block from job losses to overly bureaucratic processes. In contrast, newer initiatives such as the “Hardest Hit” mortgage assistance programs and the revamped Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), will be able to dig in more due to the plans of better promotions and administration.

“The word is getting out, and people are starting to get assistance,” Fivored says. “These programs are starting to find higher-level efficiencies as well.”

#2-The amount of evictions will stay the same or go down.

Banks are hesitant to push foreclosures and in turn evictions due to the robo-signing issue which still has not been settled. Evictions are labor-intensive, painstakingly tedious legally, and banks just don’t have the resources to evict all their borrowers. “The problem is that there are a lot of people out there who haven’t paid their mortgage in a while, and they have gotten used to it,” he says. Although “the party’s got to stop at some point,” Fivored is guessing it’ll keep going, for the most part, through 2012.

#3-Banks will get creative with REOs and delinquent home owners.

Special deals are on the horizon. Leasing foreclosed and bank owned home to former owners or allowing foreclosed-on and delinquent borrowers to continue living in homes without making payments for a short term are the type of scenarios on the table because banks want properties to be maintained in order to hold their resale value high.

What are the predictions you see in your area for this year!?

Please share and comment.

Source: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2012/01/05/3-predictions-for-distressed-properties-in-2012

Kansas Performing in Bozeman Montana

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:38:31 PST

Kansas performing in Bozeman!

The band Kansas will be in Bozeman to perform with the Montana State University Symphony on March 24, 2012 in the Shroyer Gymnasium . In 1998 this band released an orchestral album called “Always Never The Same” and has been on tour with symphonies since. We are lucky to have them in our small community and looking forward to having them here.

You may purchase your tickets at the Bobcat Ticket Office or call 800-808-5940, visit Tickets West online.

Preparing Your Child for a Move

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:30:29 PST

Sooner or later, many families face the prospect of moving. Disruptive as moving can be for parents, the experience can be even more traumatic for kids, who may not be a part of the decision to move and might not understand it.

Some children may need some extra time and maybe even some special attention during the transition. Here are some tips to try and make the process less stressful for everyone.

The Decision to Move

Many children learn to depend on familiarity and routine. Change can be difficult for them especially if it comes with other big changes such as divorce or death. If possible give kids time to adjust and keep a positive attitude about the move even if you aren’t happy about it yourself.

Talking About the Move With Your Kids

No matter what the circumstances, the most important way to prepare kids for a move is to talk to them about it.

Give children as much information as possible. Answer their questions completely and truthfully. Respect the childs reactions to your answers. Change can be frightening especially if they don’t understand it.

Involve children in the planning as much as possible. This will make them feel like they are participating in the process and less like it’s being forced on them.

If possible, try to take the kids to visit the new house and explore the neighborhood. If it’s not possible, show them on a map, through photos or use a program that they can see it through the internet.

Provide as much information as you can about the new home, city and state. Learn about the community together and find activities the kids can participate in.

After the Move

Try to get your childs room unpacked and in order before the rest of the house.

Try to stay on any schedules you had prior to the move like meal times and bedtime. This will help give the kids a sense of familiarity.

When your child is ready to start school it may help to go along to meet and introduce to your child his/her teachers or principal.

Have some realistic expectations about the transition. Generally, teachers expect new kids to begin feeling comfortable in about 6 weeks.

A move can be challenging as well as rewarding. The moving process can help families grow closer, build stronger relationships and provide family members with a chance to learn more about each other. Moving can give anyone, especially children, the opportunity for personal growth if approached with understanding and love.

For more information, age specific tips or additional resources visit: kidshealth.org

New Emergency Room in Bozeman Montana

Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:13:01 PST

New Emergency Room for Bozeman

For the past year Bozeman has been pursuing the lofty goal of raising $9 million of the $15 million dollar budget to build the new emergency room for the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital. As of mid January, we are within $400,000 of meeting this goal.

Construction began last March as a majority of the money had been raised, the building is scheduled to be complete early next year. The new ER will double the number of patients that can be seen in a year, and should provide new jobs for our area.

For more information on the hospital, the new emergency room and the potential for job opportunity for you, visit Bozeman Deaconess.

For more information on the local real estate market, or to search homes for sale in the area, visit Bozeman Montana Real Estate. You can also reach us by phone, text, or email for any of your local questions, we are here to help.