Cary's Blog

Kalispell Montana Spartan Race

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:58:23 -0700

Wow, what an event! Last Saturday approximately 4300 people participated in this amazing obstacle race. 4.9 miles, 2200 ft elevation gain, and 15+ obstacles. I volunteered to help out. Arriving at 6:30am last Saturday, my husband and myself learned we were at a water station at the 4 mile mark. We thought, how hard can that be? On the very bumpy pickup ride through the course to our station, the driver told us this was the hardest job. We road in the back of the pickup, holding on for dear life through ruts, mud and over the terrain to our station. There were 5 of us assigned to water and 2 others to the 8' wall climb across from the aid/water station. We also had a medic. We were told we would get slammed, so at 7:30 am with a start 4 miles away and the Elites starting at 8am, we started pumping water from 5 gallon jugs into plastic cups. We filled our 2 tables with 400 cups and stood around waiting for the crowds. It took about 2 hours and then instead of a trickle of participants we were slammed. There were only 2 water stations so we were very much appreciated by the runners. I knew many people signed up for the race but when we got slammed, all I could do was fill cups and attempt to keep up. The medic handed out salt packets for cramps. I did see some people I knew and among those, fellow crossfitters from Flathead Crossfit. By 1pm we had gone through 3000 cups! We were relieved by other volunteers then and we were exhausted!

It was an amazing race and watching people scale the 8' wall and then slog through a muddy pond was entertaining at times. There were those covered in mud and those who were exhausted. All were happy to hear me repeat for 7 hours "good job, you are at mile 4". None of them knew how much of the course they had already accomplished.

http://www.spartanrace.com/spartan-race-results-2013.php#raceid=284507&gender=A&page=1&courseid=406167

Flathead Valley Update: April 27, 2013

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 08:50:14 -0700

Many choices of things to do this weekend.

Alpine Theater Project http://atpwhitefish.org/ is opening Les Miserables School Edition this weekend in Whitefish. Taking students from area schools and having them act in a well known play. We went to a school edition play a couple of years ago and were very impressed!

http://www.conradmansion.com/DeathByChocolate.html Conrad Mansion is a historical home in Kalispell. This fund raiser is great fun. A mystery play performed throughout the mansion with the guests participating.

I just signed up to volunteer at the Spartan Race which will take place overlooking Flathead Lake on May 11. http://www.spartanrace.com/ I have many crossfit friends signed up to participate. It is supposed to be the most vertical course ever done and is a great event to have in the Flathead Valley.

I participated in a cow working horse riding clinic yesterday. Dave Gamble has worked with Buck Branaman for many years, so his techniques are very similar. I learned a LOT and found some holes in my mare's training that I am going to work on with Dave next week. It was a 71 degree, sunny day, to herd cows and try to cut one from the herd. I found it much harder than it looked since neither me nor my horse had ever done it.

Out to work in the yard on this very warm last weekend in April.

Flathead Valley Update: April 11, 2013

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 04:56:02 -0700

Fund raising activity for this weekend: http://www.fvcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/April-in-Paris-invite-web.pdf?e4675f

An Evening in Paris to generate funds for scholarships to Flathead Valley Community College. The "black tie or period wear" is a little troublesome in this valley where even just a tie is a rare thing. Going to dig through hubby's clothes this morning to come up with something. The culinary arts program at FVCC is amazing and we are very much looking forward to what they come up with for an evening in Paris.

A new horse has joined my herd all the way from Kathleen Lindley in GA: Jack's Grace. A very sweet quarter horse mare. After being trucked across country, Grace walked into the roundpen, met the goats, and started to eat. A nice quiet, but curious mind. Kathleen Lindley started Grace and I am looking forward to taking her training to the finish line. Kathleen does clinics around the country and I have learned a tremendous amount from her. KathleenLindley.com for clinic times and locations. You can also spend time on her ranch in GA for one on one training. That experience took me to a whole new level of horse knowledge and added many tools to my tool box.

My rescue AQHA is doing very well. He is an entirely different horse from 9 mos. ago. He still wonders if this might be the last meal he ever sees but he is healthy and settled. So glad I took the risk and acquired him. Very rewarding experience.

On the real estate front: have a couple of new listings coming up. Actually raised the price on an existing listing since the inventory is so low. Wow, what a difference from the last 4 years! 3 listings under contract, with one of them being a lot. Finally lots and land are selling again.

Flathead Valley Update: March 28, 2013

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:00:11 -0700

Lots going on in the valley for future road changes and developments. A developer got a closer to final approval for a 27 acre water ski lake development with surrounding home sites. The developer was given some changes but the Flathead County Planning Board to his original plan. This sort of subdivision is done in other areas and frankly, I don't see the point here in our valley. We have an abundance of lakes for water skiing on, unlike E. Montana or Arizona. Also, the season for water skiing is short. We will see how this concept flies.

The north end of the Kalispell Bypass is being talked about again. The south end has been open for a couple of years now. The north end would connect with W. Reserve. That would leave the middle section seemingly non-existent and waiting for some time in the future. Apparently there are some funds available and the MT DOT has informed the valley to have plans ready to go just in case the dollars do come to fruition.

Flathead Community College announced a vision for the future in today's Daily Interlake newspaper. Fun to watch the college grow into a regional educational location. Plans for housing will really help the college since students come from various states as well as all over Montana.

Fresh Life Church will be having Easter at the Majestic Arena for the 3rd year. Skull Church will be the evening of Good Friday with Thousand Foot Krutch as the featured band. Phil Wickham will be the featured musician on Easter. Get there VERY early if you have hopes of getting through the doors. Super packed from year 1. http://www.freshlifechurch.org/easter/ for locations around the state.

15 Sure-Fire Ways to Get Your Offer Rejected!

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:10:23 -0700

Read and remember when making offers. This was said so well, I had to pass it on. The market is changing, make your best effort in the first offer if you really want the property.

Via Fred Griffin, Tallahassee Florida Real Estate Broker (Fred Griffin Real Estate, LLC):

You found your Dream House! After weeks of looking at houses, this is it! Your Agent prepares an offer; you sign it. But wait - oh, No! Your Offer has been Rejected!

15 Ways to Get Your Offer Rejected

1.   Offer Price is Low!

     This is the first thing that a Seller looks at when in an Offer comes in! If you believe that a Lower Price is justified, have your Agent present some comparables or an appraisal to back up your offer.

2. Fail to understand your Local Market

     Is it a Buyer's Market, a Seller's Market, or just a Market? Look at actual sales data, including time on market, inventory (number of houses for sale), and sales price to list price ratios.

3. Fail to understand the Seller

     Moving out of town, moving up, investor unloading an asset, bank owned, short sale, Court-ordered sale... does your Agent know the motivation or reason of the Seller?

4. No Pre-Approval Letter or Proof of Funds Letter

      Is the Seller supposed to wait a week or two to see if you can afford it?

5. Ask Seller to Pay All Closing Costs

     Asking the Seller to pay $$$ Thousands of Dollars in Costs is effectively lowering the Price!

6.   Low or No Deposit

     In some States (including Florida) there is no monetary deposit required. Your "promise" is considered valuable consideration. But how do you think those Goose Eggs on the Deposit Line look to a Seller?

     Or maybe you presented a whopping $500 or $1000 deposit. The strength of your Offer is reflected in your Deposit! Even with a 100% USDA Rural or 100% VA Loan, you should still offer a significant deposit.

7.   Contingencies

     Financing and Inspection contingencies are common and expected. But for how long? Five days looks better than 14 days or 21 days!

     Other Contingencies can be detrimental to an offer. For example, "Buyer's Home Must Sell First".

8.   Asking for Personal Property

     The Seller has volunteered to leave the light fixtures, window treatments, and the appliances. You decide to ask for the Pool Table, the Flat Screen TV, and the Furniture.

8.   Closing Date

     The Seller has already moved out. Your Offer shows a Closing Date several months from now.

9.   Asking for Repairs

     Especially before Inspections have been done! Or, when the MLS Listing reads, "As Is, Subject to Inspections".

10. Trying to Get a Deal on a Foreclosure

     Forget it! The hucksters on those "Get Rich Quick in Real Estate" Infomercials are either in prison or under indictment.

11. Asking for Early Possession

     There is a lot of risk and potential liability for a Seller who allows Occupancy Prior to Closing.

12. "Creative Financing"

     Asking a Seller (who has not volunteered) to carry Owner Financing, or asking a Seller to do a Lease Option or Lease Purchase, or a Contract for Deed, or other "Creative Financing".

13. Ignoring Seller Requests

     Seller has made specific requests in the MLS Listing (preferred Title Closer, length of Closing, days for Acceptance, etc.) and your Offer blatantly disregards those requests.

14. Not Understanding "Multiple Offers" if you are in a Hot Market

     If you are in a Market where Multiple Offers are typical, you MUST come in with your Best at the very beginning! A low-priced, contingency-filled offer will not warrant a second look!

15. Your Offer is Never Presented (yes, it happens)

     It may be illegal and/or unethical, but sometimes Agents do not present Offers!

    Your Agent may be "embarassed" over your Low-Ball Offer, so he pretends it was rejected.

    An unethical Listing Agent has multiple Offers; she only presents the Offers that will net her both sides of the commission!

      It is up to you to verify that your Offer was presented!

     Every Real Estate Market is different, every Seller and every Property will be unique. But the same general principles apply. A Buyer must present an Offer that is attractive to the Seller.

     Don't do any of the 15 Things that will get Your Offer Rejected!

___________________

Disclaimer:   The author of this blog article is not an attorney; the author of this blog article is not a certified public accountant. Nothing in this blog article is to be construed as legal advice, tax advice, or financial advice. For legal advice see an attorney.   For tax advice or financial advice see a tax attorney, certified public accountant, or other qualified professional.

Frederick Griffin, Licensed Real Estate Broker       Tallahassee, Florida       850-339-4861

Hire an Experienced Professional

     Buying or Selling a Home in Tallahassee, Florida? You need the services of a serious, dedicated Real Estate Broker when making the biggest financial transaction of your life. Call Fred today! 850-339-4861



www.FredGriff.in

Frederick Griffin, Licensed Real Estate Broker       Tallahassee, Florida       850-339-4861

Results of Record Low Home Inventory

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:14:16 -0800

I had a listing appointment on Monday and preparing the CMA for the sellers was eye opening. The same thing happened when I was showing homes this past weekend to an out of state buyer. There are very few homes listed currently. Buyers are losing out on homes they like if they hesitate to act. Prices are not yet rising, but they will simply because of supply and demand. Pre-sale homes to be built are selling quickly since there are no already built options.

USA Today had an article about the scarcity of home sellers in today's edition. Nationwide the supply of existing homes for sale has fallen for seven straight months. The absorption rate, months to absorb the homes currently on the market, has fallen dramatically.

I receive weekly, the current foreclosure report. There are very few additions to that any more. I tell my sellers and buyers that those who had to sell their homes have either sold or lost their home already. Many sellers do not have equity so are sitting tight until the prices start to rise.

So, while the real estate market has picked up a great deal, this presents other challenges. If I have a buyer, it is going to be darn hard to find them what they want, there will be compromises or they will not buy. If I have a seller, it is a challenge to get them the highest price possible while not pricing too high and missing out on a buyer.

Snow Alert!

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 05:50:07 -0800

Big Mountain has received 2 FEET of snow in the last 2 days, wow! The sky is clear and the moon is out early this morning, should be a good ski day. Heading to church and then to get an offer signed, hopefully still sunny for skiing this afternoon.

skiwhitefish.com for the web cams and snow report

Conditions	Open Runs	Night Skiing	Terrain Parks
Powder, Powder	98	Friday and Saturday Nights	Great Jumps, Wall Rides, and New Jib Lines

Today's Deep Thoughts:

6:00am Since Friday we have received two feet of new snow!! We have now officially reached the settled-base century mark!

Over 100" settled base at the Summit! And the skiing has been unreal!

With over 200" of snowfall this season so far, everything is in perfect shape, filled in and ready to be skied!

Saturday found us reveling in lots of deep snow in every direction! Powder flying about, high-fives being slung, and smiles growing like weeds! And if you listened closely, you could hear distant, and not so distant hoots and hollars!

Heck, I hooted a few times myself!

Today will be the day to look just a bit further to your right or left, and you will still find plenty of un-tracked snow. Despite all of the skiers here yesterday, there is plenty of opportunity to get your face white! It snowed for a majority of the day, and another new inch last night, so there is great coverage everywhere!

The grooming team was out over-night, mixing in and smoothing out all the new snow on the runs, so there will be lots of soft, smooth corduroy to to carve up this morning as well! And of course all of the fine grooming is perfect for getting to and from your favorite pow stashes!

It looks as though we are in for some more snow, starting perhaps later tonight, and into tomorrow! Can you say refills?!

Yee-haw for powder skiing!!

The lift lines should be a touch shorter today, and the snow just as deep!

Glacier High School Basketball

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 06:43:39 -0800

What fun! We went to one of the playoff games last night. When did high schoolers start looking like they were 12 years old?? :) Kalispell has 2 high schools and this is the one in our district, also the best basketball team, dare I say. The game was very fun and the cheering section of students even more fun. Some of the guys were in shorts and fur coats leading the gang. Spinning a large beach ball when there were free throws from the Missoula team. The cheerleaders were tiny girls who did a number of acrobatic lifts and throws, impressive.

All in all, a fun way to spend a Friday night in the Flathead Valley for $5 a piece.

Flathead Valley Update: February 22, 2013

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 06:12:47 -0800

Some snow has finally fallen this week on the Big Mountain in Whitefish. The valley still has the remnants of the USA and Canadian holiday weekend. I was surprised how many families on vacation were on the mountain yesterday when I was skiing. Like skiwhitefish.com said this week, "2 weeks of lines and 15 weeks of no lines". Christmas week and Presidents weekend week are the busy 2. It is all relative though. Compared to other areas, our lines are nothing.

High school basketball playoffs are picking up steam. We may go watch the Glacier High Wolfpack play Helena tonight. Always exciting.

For the second Saturday in a row, I will be showing houses this weekend. 1 couple was local and the one this weekend is from out of state. Amazing how few homes under $250k there are left to choose from in Kalispell. The buyer wants under 1700 sq ft and I had to raise that to come up with 6 possibilities. I don't know if it is official, but feels like it is turning to a seller's market. When sellers hold to their price, and when it makes sense to, buyers go elsewhere. Expecting that will start changing as buyers miss out on homes in their price range.

Almost talked myself out of going to Crossfit Libertas today, the dreaded Fran workout that I have heard epic tails about. I will give it a shot, even though I am still very sore from the other workouts this week!

Flathead Valley Update: February 16, 2013

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 05:50:05 -0800

Interesting "winter". The other day the weatherman said that Kalispell has had no below 0 temperature days this entire winter. The average is 11. Bozeman on the other hand has had 17 below 0 days. We went skiing 2x this week. The second time was so spring like. The lifties didn't have coats on, I got very warm with minimal layers. The snow was soft, visibility great. Hoping for some more snow this weekend! Tuesday we stayed on chair 2 and had some excellent runs. It was snowing and the clouds made for lack of visibility higher up.

In the valley it is the season of thaw and mud. My gravel road is frozen in the morning and sloppy in the afternoon. I might actually have to wash my car before showing houses this morning. Most days it hardly seems worth it with all the mud around.

An offer came in this week on another listing, still in negotiations. It is crazy with setting up showings, buyer calls, feels good to be busy again.

Horse riding is around the corner and I can hardly wait to start working with the horses again! My garden seeds arrived this week, soon to be started in preparation of a great garden.

Last weekend was a children's ministry training at Fresh Life Church. I will be substituting in the nursery and have my first scheduled time this weekend. I am very impressed with the training and application process involved with helping in that area. So good to know that precautions are in place for the safety of our children. I workout at Crossfit Libertas with the head of Whitefish security for the church. Lots of former military young men doing that job.

Flathead Valley Update: February 8, 2013

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:11:08 -0800

2 interesting business updates that just came out in the Daily Interlake newspaper. The old hospital building in Whitefish which had been bank owned after a previous buyer defaulted, has been sold to a firm planning on using the building for a 4 year college. We have Flathead Valley Community college in the valley that serves a wide population and some 4 year degrees are possible through that school. In fact FVCC has nearly completed a medical building for nursing students and surgical techs.

Depratu Ford and Volkswagen in Whitefish will be building a new Volkswagen dealership at the south end of Kalispell. Their VW sales were up 34% last year so they want to have a VW sales office set apart from their Ford dealership.

It is so encouraging that after 4-5 years of businesses surviving through the recession that there is now opportunities for growth again in the valley.

A friend owns a guest ranch in the valley. She remarked yesterday that her bookings are way up after the Bachelor show was aired Monday night. Filming was in Whitefish and Glacier National Park. Not a fan of the show, but good for the valley!

Flathead Valley Market Update: February 7, 2013

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 05:45:48 -0800

Wow are things picking up! Showings, offers, phone calls. Good to have so much to do again. I have a house listed priced at $185k. I did a competing search of MLS yesterday and there are only 14 like homes on the market and 4 of those have accepted offers. Another seller has had a contingent offer on a home and their house just went under contract over the weekend. Buyers will soon learn that the market has shifted and they may not be able to be so picky or hesitant or there won't be anything for them to buy.

I am a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). In reading the latest magazine this morning, some interesting market projections for 2013. Real estate is local so these are generalized national projections:

1) NAR (National Association of Realtors) projects a 6% increase in national median existing-home prices and another 5.1% in 2013 to $185,000

2) Existing home sales were forecast to rise 9% in 2012 to 4.64 million followed by a 8.7% increase to 5.05 million in 2013

3) Distressed sales were expected to decline from a 25% market share in 2012 to 8% in 2014

4) Housing starts were forecast to rise up to 776,000 in 2012 from 612,000 in 2011 and reach 1.13 million in 2013

5) New-home sales were expected to increase to 368,000 in 2012 from a record low of 301,000 in 2011, then grow to 575,000 in 2013

So, if you are a buyer, don't hesitate when you find a great house to buy, if you are a seller, things are finally looking up!

Price Reduction on 4 bed Home with Basement, Kalispell, MT

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 06:15:26 -0800

Wonderfully warm and inviting home. Walk to County park and Edgerton school. Quiet street. Large, landscaped yard with garden area, shed and deck (trex decking). Back yard fenced and private. Mountain views. Ranch style with living area on main level. Custom built pantry in the kitchen. 4 bedrooms (basement bedroom does not have legal egress window). 3 baths with new granite counter tops

in upstairs baths. Full basement with family room, office space, music room and storage room. Air conditioning. Gas range, dryer, fireplace and furnace. Roof, gutters and exterior paint new in 2010. Evergreen water and county taxes. $220,000 mls#316603 Listing Broker: Cary Jo Hofstad, Blue Sky Realty

Flathead Valley Update: January 30, 2013

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:14:36 -0800

The weather man said tonight that we are past the date when we could get very cold weather. It has been a very mild winter actually. Little valley snow, no big storms are real cold weather. Supposed to be in the 40's again in a couple of days. I enjoyed x-country skiing in my fields a few days ago. Sun, good snow, great view. Whitefish Mountain Resort has received 29 INCHES in the last 7 days! Wow. It was time. Some great powder in the sun yesterday.

Coming back from Crossfit Libertas at 8am this morning, there was a lot of construction activity happening in the former Borders book store. Natural Grocers is hiring and will be soon opening. I personally love Mountain Valley Foods for produce, great service and everything I purchase to cook good, clean meals and stay healthy. Easy to get to and you don't have to hike through a huge parking lot and store. Never thought I would see myself writing such a thing. When we moved to the Flathead Valley in 1995, there was no such thing as box stores or big parking lots. Not so any more.

Lots of hiring going on and for good jobs. Things seem a lot perkier in the economic areas going into this new year. A lot of activity in real estate. Good news for those of us who have stuck it out through 5 very challenging years. The ND oil fields and Canadian tourists have kept the Flathead Valley alive and for that we are thankful!

Flathead Valley Update: January 27, 2013

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 06:49:50 -0800

It is the beginning of the yearly Whitefish Carnival season. Yesterday, was the first day of skijoring a competition where a rider on horseback pulls a skier or snowboarder around a course with curves and jumps. Sometimes a little unnerving to watch but also fun! http://www.whitefishskijoring.com/schedule.php

In addition to listing and selling real estate, I am a food coach for genesistransformation.com. 4 years ago I totally changed how I ate. Increasing calories in the fueling stage with my coach, pulling out gluten, dairy, and processed food. I ended up losing 35 lbs and becoming fit and healthy. As a result, I went through training so I could be a food coach and help others achieve healthy fat loss by eating good, clean food. 6 years ago I had a test done that showed my adrenals were totally burned out. It was at the height of the crazy real estate market. That test started me on the journey to change. This week I had the same test done and my adrenals have fully healed! A testament to eating clean and taking care of myself. There is a lot of "head" work in this process of change. I consciously reduced my stress by opening my own company and working from home. I take fun breaks and working out is on my calendar most days of the week.

I still take great care of my clients in real estate, but also know when to cut a seller or buyer loose if we just aren't going to accomplish their goals. I have turned down listings if the seller will not deal with what is going on in the current market. I make sure buyers are pre-qualified before showing property to them and inconveincing the seller. Yes, I have lost a couple of buyers who were insulted when I asked if they were pre-qualified, or they just wanted to check out the market in case they wanted to move to Montana in 5-10 years, but that is okay. Taking care of myself first has paid off in having more to give to my clients, I urge you to do the same!

Flathead Valley Update: January 20, 2013

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:37:16 -0800

Sun, and more sun!! While the valley has had a smattering of fog and clouds, Big Mountain has been in the sun. It is great to head up to ski and watch the car thermometer rise as we drive up higher in elevation. The valley can be 10 degrees and the summit of Whitefish Resort will be 23 degrees. Nice to sit on a high speed chair and get warmer instead of colder as you climb the hill.

See the video below of the happenings from today on the mountain. Those telemark skiers skinning up the mountain are incredible athletes in the Whitefish Whiteout.

Went to the Montana Coffee Traders cupping event this morning. Went through an extensive lesson in smelling and tasting coffee. First as the grounds, then with the water in the cups, then lightly stirring and smelling after 4 min., then slurping to taste. Pretty interesting and informative from one of the owners and the coffee buyer for the company. When we moved to the Flathead Valley in 1995 from the Seattle area, Montana Coffee Traders was IT for coffee in the valley. There were no espresso stands or anywhere else to buy espresso. They are the best.

Flathead Valley Update: January 13, 2013

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 07:24:24 -0800

Some of you may know that I am a food coach as well as a personal trainer in addition to my real estate profession. I decided this month to mix it up in my workout by joining a crossfit gym. http://www.crossfitlibertas.com/ is the closest "box" to where I live so I started there on Jan. 4 for the on ramp classes. These are 5 personal training sessions to introduce the moves involved in Olympic weight lifting as well as box jumps and other necessary skills in order to participate in the WOD (work out of the day). I finished on ramp Friday night. So, yesterday was my first official WOD. I joined 10 other members (all at least 2 decades younger than myself) in doing:

106 mountain climbers

152 situps (my tailbone still hurts)

77 dumbbell squats then overhead press

48 double unders (I cannot yet do these with the jump rope and had already done 150 single jumps in the warm up, so skipped this)

Whew, it was exhausting! I was happy to be done with it. I was too busy to watch anyone else but some of the guys were doing 35lb (heaviest in the gym) dumbbell motions. I am somewhat sore today but mostly in my legs. This was a timed workout and quite aerobic!

We had dinner last night at the Blue Canyon at the Hilton Hotel south end of Kalispell. Cozy log interior, fireplace and good food.

Lonely Planet has rated Glacier National Park in the top 10 places to see in the USA in 2013, don't miss out. I checked last week on reservations at the Sperry Chalet in the park, fully booked for next summer! This is a hard hike in and very popular place to over night. Have to shoot for the next year.

Had a grandson's first birthday in WA last weekend so didn't get any skiing in. Turned very cold yesterday so waiting for a warm up. The weather positive is the snow/sun/blue skies we have had the last few days. Snows a little then clears up for a beautiful day!

Flathead Valley Real Estate Update January 3, 2013

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:10:59 -0800

It is all about skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort on a day like today. The photos below say it all. Music playing when we loaded on the first lift was "I can see for miles and miles and miles" - so appropriate. The visibility sign at the chair said "awesome". We rode up with a guy from New Zealand and who was taking photos the whole way. He moved to the Flathead Valley 6 years ago after searching all over the Northwest for a place to call home. He said where else can you find a ski hill, a national park, an international airport, and a huge lake? I remarked that he moved here just when economic times were tough. He said "even in the toughest times, things are good in the Flathead Valley".

We are very blessed indeed to live in NW Montana!

Looking into Canada

Snow ghost "angel" watching the slopes

Mandatory stop after skiing: Montana Coffee Traders on Hwy 93

Celebration of Life for a 5 year old Continues

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 05:02:42 -0800

http://shayla.bandcamp.com/track/loved This song was sung at the memorial for Lenya Lusko this week. Lenya died last week at 5 years old of a severe asthma attack.

Lenya's family is an awesome example of faith in crisis. The full service can be seen on freshlifechurch.com

A Fresh Life Christmas from the Flathead Valley, MT

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 07:27:44 -0800

Our Pastor's 5 year old daughter died in his arms 4 days prior to this Christmas Message. He preached through his grief as his daughter who died from a severe asthma attack would have wanted him to. Watch Levi Lusko preach and hear what Christmas is really about.

Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort: 100" as of Dec. 22, 2012

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 14:03:58 -0800

Flathead Valley Real Estate Update December 20, 2012

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 06:36:54 -0800

All righty then, I will NOT be skiing today. Had planned on it as the weather was supposed to be awesome, but there is now a winter weather advisory and the skiwhitefish.com site that sends me auto emails on ski reports, just said the wind is howling at the summit 20-30 mph, no thanks! We went up yesterday morning and stayed on Chair 2 which is finally open. Fast runs, no people, good snow. Stayed there as the summit still looked fogged in. From the valley in the afternoon, the mountain was clearly visible so the clouds had passed. Had peekaboo views of sunshine while skiing down low though. Still trying out the new knee and must say, it was worth skipping last season to have a new and improved knee.

Had lunch at the new Casey's Bar last week in Whitefish after skiing. What a cool building! Tore down the dismal old building and spent a year constructing a very "city" type venue right down town Whitefish. Great roof top bar with a firepit.

Today's Daily Interlake has many listings for "end of the world" parties tomorrow night in Kalispell and Whitefish. Any excuse works for a pary I guess.

Getting lots of showings on listings in the last week. Like I have told my sellers, anyone looking this close to Christmas must be serious. Buyers are still picky but that may be changing soon as the pickings are slim. Any showings in the Flathead Valley between Christmas and New Year's however could be people on holiday with the "I want to live in Montana" urge, therefore, not necessarily real buyers, but you never know!

Whitefish Ski Report - What an Awesome Way to Celebrate a 12/12/12

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 06:27:05 -0800

Good morning! This is your Whitefish Mountain Resort Snow Alert for 12-12-2012

Whitefish Mountain Resort has received 6"/16cm of snow in the last 24hrs. Here is the latest Snow Report information:

SUMMIT:
Overnight Snow: 6"/16cm
24hr Snow: 6"/16cm
7 Day Snow: 35"/89cm
Total to Date: 73"/186cm
Settled Base: 62"/158cm
Temp: 23F/-5C
Current Conditions: Snowing-4 Chairs

VILLAGE:
Overnight Snow: 5"/13cm
24hr Snow: 6"/16cm
7 Day Snow: 20"/51cm
Total to Date: 22"/56cm
Settled Base: 15"/39cm
Temp: 28F/-2C
Current Conditions: Snowing-Good

Our Snow Reporter Big Dave* said in this report:

6:00am The snow has been coming down steady all night long and it is still falling as we speak. The 6" that fell overnight on top of all the soft snow around the Resort will leave us with some fantastic turns today. We got to ski blower powder all weekend and today we get to surf a nice light Big Mountain Cream.

Ullr has been smiling on Whitefish so far this winter with measurable snow for the last 6 days. Even though early season conditions exist the coverage off groomed has been great. We are skiing lines that usually don't come in till after Christmas. Go get your favorite run right away today because it is going to be good.

Every night we seem to get snow for our groomers to manicure into beautiful corduroy for you to enjoy. Since it is still coming down out there expect the groomers to be covered with a smooth layer of fresh POW.

Not an experienced POW ripper? Take a powder specific lesson from our Ski School here at the Resort and rent some Fat Skis as well.

Another POW Day, Huzzah-Big Dave

Flathead Valley Real Estate Update December 2, 2012

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 10:50:07 -0800

Is it REALLY December already? Can hardly believe that November just sped past me.

Raining in the valley today and snowing in the mountains. I can see snow in the foot hills fairly close to the valley floor. Big Mountain is getting dumped on at the summit but need more snow in the village. Opening day: Dec. 8. I am ready with pass in hand! http://skiwhitefish.com/webcams.php for the live view. My poor horses are wading through mud. Reminds me of the years I lived in the Seattle area. I much prefer the ground to be frozen and covered with white.

Was a busy week in my house last week. Seattle son/daughter-in-law/10 mo grandson flew over for Thanksgiving and my husband's birthday, it was a big one, not saying which decade he entered. So, had 2 grandsons under a year crawling, climbing and getting into all the drawers. What a blessing these little boys are. So different in personalities and only 5 weeks apart. Exhausting, but great. We all tried out Brannigan's Pub in Kalispell Sunday night. Very Irish in a quaint brick building. Great atmosphere. Most of us have spent time in Ireland and agree it is very authentic. Hard to get a table, very popular already after only a month of business.

Found out that http://www.naturalgrocers.com/ is the grocery store taking over the old Borders retail space at Hutton Ranch. Was hoping for a Good Foods Store that is in Missoula, but Natural Grocers will be great to have at the north end of Kalispell.

Glacier Symphony will be performing Handel's Messiah next weekend at 3 valley locations; Kalispell, Whitefish, Bigfork. We plan on attending.

Spent our anniversary at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake this week. Nice dinner, incredible atmosphere. We own a condo in the Lodge so spent the night. View of Whitefish Lake, fireplace, big soaking tub, peace and quiet after a busy week with family. Give the lodge a try, it is a superior lodging facility right on the lake.

Showed homes to 2 different buyers last weekend. Both listings ended up in multiple offer situations. One of my buyers in the backup offer on a great listing. Keeping our fingers crossed that they get it.

Flathead Valley Update: November 21, 2012

Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Owner, Blue Sky Realty (Blue Sky Realty, LLC) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 05:04:45 -0800

On this day before Thanksgiving, we step back and count our blessings for living in such an amazing corner of the country. While it rained yesterday, promises for a LOT of snow are in the forecast starting tonight. Ski season is a mere 2 weeks away and we are praying for lots of big dumps at Whitefish Mountain Resort!

There is a feeling of economic resurgence in the Flathead Valley. We stopped in at Brennigan's Irish Pub Friday and it was packed at 5:30pm. Obviously we weren't going to get a table for dinner, so headed down the street to Split Rock at the historic KM Building. It too was very busy for so early. We had a wonderful meal and were treated to fiddle music while we enjoyed the great old building's atmosphere. We had coffee at the new Forge restaurant. Very cool place in an actual historic forge building, complete with horseshoes hanging on the rafters and the forge fire pit.

Heard yesterday that a building permit has been applied for to remodel the vacant Borders store north of Kalispell. A "natural or specialty" food store will be the new use. Very exciting! Might not be Whole Foods or Trader Joes, but possibly Good Foods who has a similar store in Missoula?? We will have to wait for the final word.

Canadians are already in town. Motels are reporting great occupancy as shoppers wait for Black Friday. Many groups of Canadians make a shopping trip to the Flathead an annual event.

Genesis Kitchen has opened in Whitefish with some unique and amazing infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars. I have tried the blueberry balsamic and lemon olive oil, very tasty and different.

Christmas parade scheduled for Friday at 6pm in Kalispell. The season begins!