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west: Tired of High Taxes? Move to Montana! Land of No Sales Tax & Low State Income Tax! - 02/22/08 07:11 AM
There is NO General Sales Tax in Montana! It's hard for visitors to get used to but when you purchase something for $2.99 in Montana - you only pay $2.99 at the register, not $3.10 or $3.21.
Montana does not charge tax on business purchases and there is no state or local excise tax on long distance telephone costs. Montana primarily uses property & income taxes to support public services.
The lack of sales tax means that many people come to Montana to make large purchases - on cars, motorhomes, and even appliances & home electronics. One Montana retailer does a huge … (14 comments)

west: The West Is a Complex Real Estate Market - Evidence in the Foreclosure Stats - 02/05/08 11:14 AM

There was recently an article in New West Magazine by Robert Struckman that discussed the national foreclosure rates. He provides a national map from RealtyTrac of foreclosure rates.
You'll notice that the RealtyTrac map includes county-by-county shading. The color shows the foreclosure rate - the number of foreclosed homes as a portion of the total number of homes. You can also go to the RealtyTrac website for a list of foreclosure rates by state.
That means that in low population counties with relatively small numbers of homes and foreclosures, small increases can seem dramatic. If you go to RealtyTrac's state foreclosure … (2 comments)

west: Missoula Lake - A Hidden Getaway in the Lolo National Forest above Superior Montana - 10/02/07 10:26 PM
          
We spent this past weekend at Missoula Lake above Superior with my parents. Missoula Lake is a beautiful alpine lake full of cutthroat and rainbow trout, although they are difficult to catch. It's only a short walk from the road and there are great camping spots above. When we were there, the first winter snows had already hit and there was about 1/2" of snow on the ground and a dusting on the trees. The drive to the lake was beautiful as well with the trees just changing color and seeing bright bursts of yellow and small red bushes on the … (4 comments)

west: Missoula Montana Real Estate Market Remains Strong - The Local Reality - 09/28/07 09:28 PM
There has been a lot of negative press about the real estate market recently. To understand the whole story, you should also consider local markets.
In Missoula, Montana for instance, the market remains solid. We have a strong economy and Missoula is a desirable place to live. We also have growth/development restraints due to our location and the geography of our mountain ranges and government land ownership. Demand continues to increase for land.
Missoula did not see the same extent of short-term investment activity as other areas. Those "short-term" investors have been hit the hardest nationally.
While some states are seeing an increase in foreclosures, Montana's … (1 comments)

west: Colorful History - Superior, Montana & Cedar Creek - 09/15/07 09:01 PM
Superior has a colorful Wild West history with a Gold Rush and Boomtowns that sprang up around the area. We have a local museum and historical society that was able to provide me with some great information on the history of the area.
Cedar Creek Gold Rush
The discovery of gold and the ensuing stampede into Mineral County's Cedar Creek gulch took place more than 100 years ago. Time has dimmed much of the story, but it is known that Cedar had all the elements of greed, violence and rowdiness found in gold mining camps.
French-Canadian Louis Barrette, disgusted with his luck … (0 comments)

west: Mineral County - Montana's Undiscovered Gem, Come & Visit Today! - 09/15/07 08:07 PM
 
Mineral County is the gem of Montana and is still mostly undiscovered. If you are looking for a wonderful place to live and if you enjoy outdoor recreation, then Mineral County is for you. The primary towns in the county are Superior (county seat), St. Regis, Alberton, Deborgia, & Saltese.
Mineral County is located in Western Montana near Idaho between Missoula, Montana and Spokane Washington. With a population of 3600, Mineral County consists of 1,223 sq. miles. It's land is 82% federal-owned, 3% state-owned and 15% privately-owned. The majority of the land surface is contained within the Lolo National Forest and … (1 comments)

west: Mineral County - Life....Montana Style! Take a Look! - 03/23/07 10:54 PM
I help buyers in sellers in Missoula, Mineral, Sanders, and Lake Counties. I make my home in Mineral County. Here's Why: 
Mineral County is located in Western Montana near Idaho between Missoula, Montana and Spokane Washington. Mineral County is full of opportunity. The people are friendly and the climate is inviting. There are several separate, but intertwined communities within the county: The West End (Haugan, Saltese, DeBorgia), St. Regis, Superior and Alberton. The county contains 1,223 square miles and a population of ~3,600. The majority of the land surface is contained within the Lolo National Forest and located through a narrow valley … (0 comments)