missoula: Our Friend Clint and the Fight of His Life - 02/19/11 03:53 AM
It is thanks to ActiveRain that I have my friend Clint Miller. We both live in the Missoula area and started blogging on the site in early 2007. We "met" initially through blog comments on each others blog posts. Then when Twitter became popular, we started communicating via "tweets", Facebook, and blip.fm and became friends.
In April of 2009, we finally met "IRL" or in real life at a Twitter class we gave for our community. I noticed immediately that Clint is "the real deal", his real-life personality is just like he portrays online, a fun-loving guy with a heart of … (51 comments)

missoula: Speechless Sunday: Yaaaawwwwwnnnn! - 01/31/10 06:09 AM
Speechless Sunday: Yaaaawwwwwnnnn!

As many of you know, our daughter Kelsey, or Krayphish as she's known on her blog and on Twitter, is an avid photographer and living in our house, a pet lover. Our pets are among her favorite topics for photographs and our cat Sherman provides plenty of material. Here he is in mid yawn, he must have been really tired!
… (12 comments)

missoula: 40 Ways Business Owners Can Use Twitter To Build Their Business - 01/31/10 05:47 AM
 
As many of your know, we're big fans of Twitter, and here's 40 reasons why from Mickey O'Brien.
 
Posted on 23. Jan, 2010 by Mickey O'Brien in Business Tips
This week on Facebook I asked “Who should I follow on Twitter” and surprisingly only a few people responded, one in which is an amazing photographer that you may want to follow twitter.com/@steffoush By asking for who should I follow I was opening up opportunities for businesses to connect with me and my large network. I have many biz owners say “What can Twitter do for me?” so I’m laying … (0 comments)

missoula: Google Awards Access Realty - Missoula a Favorite Place on Google Maps - 01/30/10 10:11 AM
We recently received a letter and window decal in the mail from Google Maps stating Access Realty Missoula is a Favorite Place due to the number of searches for our business listing and the number of times people requested directions to our office. "Because you're so popular, we're enclosing a window decal that shows customers you're a 'Favorite Place on Google'. The sticker includes a special bar code that potential customers can scan with cameras on their phones. Then they can see your business listings on Google, read and write reviews, and add you as a favorite right there."
Access Realty … (4 comments)

missoula: Get Your ASK In Gear And Get Your House Sold in Missoula Montana - 01/28/10 04:53 AM
 
Some great tips on interview listing agents, it pays to do your research:
 
Putting your house on the market?  One of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the professionals who will help you sell.  Not all Realtors and Home Stagers are created equal. 


Just because they are professional, it doesn't mean they are proficient.
In order to choose the right professionals, you are going to have to invest some time. 
This is not a decision to take lightly. 
You are going to have to ask a lot of questions. 
Get your ASK in gear if you want to … (1 comments)

missoula: Missoula Real Estate Foreclosure Auction - 6 Bedroom House, Starting Bid $50,000 - 01/27/10 11:41 AM
Missoula Real Estate Foreclosure Auction - 6 Bedroom House, Starting Bid $50,000

FORECLOSURE AUCTION

Description6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
5149 finished square feet + 3300 sq. ft. drive-under basement
Built 1997
Approx .314ac lot.
Large deck, atrium, large bedroom
Auction Date:  Monday, February 15, 2010
Starting Bid: $50,000
We will be working as a Buyer's Broker at this event.



Note: A Buyer’s Premium will apply for this property. Please see Terms of Sale for details.

BUYER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SELLER WILL RE-KEY THE EXTERIOR DOORS TO THE PROPERTY PRIOR TO CLOSING AND FUNDING AT THE BUYER'S EXPENSE … (2 comments)

missoula: Real Estate Auction: Beautiful Montana Cabin on 12+ Acres - 1 Hour from Missoula in Hamilton - 01/27/10 03:00 AM
Montana Real Estate Auction
To Be Auctioned: Beautiful Montana Cabin on 12+ Acres - 1 Hour from Missoula in Hamilton
This Very private mountain home is scheduled to be auctioned on February 15, 2010

Starting Bid: $100,000
Located in Hamilton Montana, this home features:
12.15+/- acres Spacious rooms Beautiful, rustic log staircase, and a Stone fireplace Detailed woodwork throughout the home. 5,742+/- sf. Lots of trees with great mountain views and a Detached shop. We will be working as a Buyer's Broker at this event.
Note: A Buyer’s Premium will apply for this property. Please see Terms of Sale … (2 comments)

missoula: My Dream Home Has Radon! Tips for Real Estate Buyers and Sellers - 01/23/10 12:20 AM
We have seen several dream homes with high levels of radon and have worked with both buyers and sellers through this process.
It can be frightening to have your home inspector tell you that your dream home has high levels of radon. Before you put your dream on hold, learn about radon and radon remediation.
According to the EPA, Radon is an invisible radioactive gas that seeps into homes undetected through foundation cracks, and can reach harmful levels if trapped indoors. It travels up from underground sources of uranium in the earth's crust. EPA estimates that one in 15 homes will … (3 comments)

missoula: New Good Faith Estimate of Closing Costs for Missoula Real Estate - 01/19/10 01:41 AM
 
Here's a great explanation about the New Good Faith Estimates you will receive when you apply for a mortgage.
 
New Good Faith Estimate of Closing Costs
Sometimes the hardest part about having new forms is that, well, it's NEW! It's DIFFERENT! We have to create new scripts to EXPLAIN it so that our clients can UNDERSTAND it. But first... WE have to understand it.
So here are just a few points regarding the new Good Faith Estimate that I hope will help with that.
First, we have to recognize the old Good Faith Estimate was really an estimate focused on how much the … (0 comments)

missoula: Missoula Real Estate Market Stats for December 2009, 59808 - 01/18/10 03:15 PM
Missoula Real Estate Market Stats for December 2009 for Zip Code 59808
Missoula’s 59808 zip code continues to struggle.  While it has, by far, the most sales of all areas of Missoula, its numbers for 2009 were significantly below those of 2008.  2009 finished almost 5% below last year in the number of homes sold, well over 12% below last year in total value of homes sold and more than 8% below last year in average sales price.
At the end of December 2009, there were 182 homes for sale in Missoula’s 59808 zip code with an average list price of … (0 comments)

missoula: Missoula Real Estate Market Stats for December 2009 for Zip Code 59804 - 01/18/10 03:12 PM
Missoula Real Estate Market Stats for December 2009 for Zip Code 59804
Missoula’s 59804 zip code was one of the top three best performing areas in Missoula so far as the number of homes sold, the total value of those homes and the average sales price of homes.  So it can be argued that 59804 was Missoula Montana’s best performing zip code.  One of 3 zip code which actually outperformed 2008 in many aspects.
At the end of December 2009, there were 61 homes for sale in Missoula’s 59804 zip code with an average list price of just over $548,000, this … (0 comments)

missoula: Missoula Real Estate Market Stats for December 2009 for Zip Code 59803 - 01/18/10 03:10 PM
Missoula Real Estate Market Stats for December 2009 for Zip Code 59803
Missoula’s 59803 zip code was by far, the best performing zip code in Missoula, with both the total number of homes sold and the total combined value of those homes in 2009 exceeding the numbers for 2008.  2009 saw 168 homes sold as opposed to 148 homes sold in 2008.
At the end of December 2009, there were 99 homes for sale in Missoula’s 59803 zip code with an average list price of just over $397,000. Homes for sale in Missoula

 
View Real Estate Market Reports for … (0 comments)

missoula: Missoula Real Estate Market Stats for December 2009 for Zip Code 59802 - 01/18/10 03:07 PM
Missoula Real Estate Market Stats for December 2009 for Zip Code 59802
Missoula’s 59802 zip code has been one of the best performing areas in Missoula so far as the number of homes sold. With the exception of only a minor slide in May and June of 2009, this area stayed strong and showed sales numbers very close to last year, in fact 2009 met or exceeded 2008 in six of twelve months in sales volume. Believe it or not, 2009 ended with 2 mores homes sold than in 2008!!
At the end of December 2009, there were 152 homes for … (0 comments)

missoula: Missoula Real Estate Market Stats for December 2009 for Zip Code 59801 - 01/18/10 03:05 PM
Missoula Real Estate Market Stats for December 2009 for Zip Code 59801
For three months in a row now, Missoula’s 59801 zip code has either met or exceeded 2008 number of homes sold.  After a rough start this year, 59801 came back pretty strong at the end and finished up about 10.25% under 2008 in number of homes sold and considerably worse, about 15.26% under 2008 in total value of homes sold for the year.
At the end of December 2009, there were 184 homes for sale in Missoula’s 59801 zip code with an average list price of just over $260,000.  … (2 comments)

missoula: Speechless Sunday: It Said Dead End Stupid! - 01/10/10 12:29 AM

This was a real sign on a street we were on recently looking at houses in Missoula's Rattlesnake neighborhood. We just had to stop and take a picture.
I guess they really don't want people driving on their street to turn around! :)
The sign says it all! Happy Sunday!
… (8 comments)

missoula: A Visit to the Old Mission State Park between Missoula MT and Coeur d'Alene ID - 01/09/10 03:59 AM
A Visit to The Old Mission State Park between Missoula MT and Coeur d'Alene ID in Cataldo, Idaho
This summer I visited the Old Mission State Park outside of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, just a short distance from the Montana / Idaho State Line.You can tell from the pictures that it was a beautiful sunny day. The views from the Mission are amazing.
Old Mission State Park features a historic mission that was built between 1850 - 1853 by Native Americans and the Catholic Jesuit Missionaries. It is also Idaho's oldest building. The Old Mission is on top of a hill overlooking … (2 comments)

missoula: The Next Big Marketing Thing -- FourSquare?? - 01/06/10 12:18 AM
 
We've been having fun with Foursquare - Clint wrote a great post about this new social media tool.
 
Being the mega-geek that I am, I'm more than willing to jump onto any technological geek-fest that seems like it might be fun to do or a cool way of connecting with other people. Some of them I like...some of them, not so much. But, one of the more recent ones that I am really enjoying lately is FourSquare.
FourSquare is an internet based location updater in a game-style format.  Basically, it works like this...
You are going to the grocery … (4 comments)

missoula: Missoula FHA Loan Tips & Mortgage Shopping Tips - Don't be caught with your pants down!!! - Part 1 of 2 - 01/04/10 04:16 AM
 
Here is some great information on FHA Loans from our friend Jeff Belonger:
 
 

How many of you feel lost out there or even get help from someone such as a realtor letting you know that they can have their mortgage loan officer help you with your loan, yet you could still be lost. Not all referrals are good ones, just food for thought. I know this, because I have seen it happen more than it should, after a borrower comes to me after they had used someone else that was recommended. No, I am not perfect. But … (3 comments)

missoula: TRADE UP! 5 Reasons why this is the BEST market to upgrade in Missoula MT! - 12/18/09 04:02 AM
 

Have you thought about getting that bigger, better house in a better neighborhood?  


NOW IS THE TIME!
Whether you need more space, want to upgrade your location, or for any other reason, the current real estate market presents a unique opportunity to capitalize by trading up! 
5 reasons why this is the best market to trade up!
1. You will make money NOW on the trade!  

Here's how this works. You currently own a condo that was worth $1,000,000 three years ago, and now it's worth $700,000 (that's right, it's gone down 30%!).  You … (0 comments)

missoula: Highlights from the 2009 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers - 12/16/09 01:33 AM
 
NAR has recently released the 2009 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.  The report compiles the results of 9,138 surveys returned by buyers and sellers who sold or purchased a home between July 2008 and June 2009.  The surveys were sent to buyers and sellers based on deed transfers and other public records.  The complete report is available for purchase at www.realtor.org .  Here are some highlights I found interesting:
•·         47% of all buyers were first time buyers.
•·         62% of first time buyers reported that the primary reason for buying a home was the desire to be a … (3 comments)