missoula: 7500 Tax Credit Info for First Time Home buyers in Missoula Montana - 03/08/09 10:52 AM
If you were a first time homebuyer in Missoula or Western Montana between April 2008 and December 2008, make sure you check into the 7500 Tax Credit that is available before you file your taxes.
If you will be a first time homebuyer in 2009, there is an $8,000 tax credit available for you also.
For information on buying a home in Missoula or Western Montana, contact Kevin and Monica Ray of Access Realty at 406-207-1185.

For those of you who were are FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS and puchased a home after April 9th, 2008... You may get a $7500 tax … (1 comments)

missoula: Missoula Real Estate - Rosy Compared to the Rest of the Country - 03/08/09 07:49 AM
Last week, the Missoula Organization of Realtor's (MOR) released their 2009 Missoula Housing Report, and the results are, well not so bad, especially when compared to the rest of the country.
According to a story that aired on Missoula's KPAX,
"There is no doubt that Missoula is experiencing a slowdown in the housing market as from 2006 to 2008 there has been a 40% decrease in total home sales. Meanwhile, foreclosure rates reached all time highs in 2007 and they increased in 2008, but still numbers remain too low according to experts.
But, experts say that when compared to the rest … (1 comments)

missoula: Lake Missoula Cellars - Missoula's Hidden Masterpiece - 03/05/09 02:21 PM
Missoula Montana - Wineries
Just off I-90 near Big Sky Brewery is a charming winery - Lake Missoula Cellars.
Lake Missoula Cellars offers free wine tasting Thu/Fri  -4 PM to 7 PM and Saturday from 12-5:00 pm.
One of our favorites is their Recession Red - a hearty wine and priced for the recession, it can't be beat.
Lake Missoula Cellars also has a stage and features entertainment on Friday nights as well as other special concerts and events.
We attended a concert by local Blues Artist, Mike Bader and had a great time.
For more information on the winery, visit their … (3 comments)

missoula: Feng Shui and Real Estate: What about FORECLOSURES? - 03/05/09 02:02 PM
Feng Shui is fascinating to me and I have wanted to include information in our blog for our readers. Here is a post that was written by Carole Provenzale of Feng Shui Long Island & New York. She is one of my favorite Bloggers and is an expert in Feng Shui. This article is of interest with the increase in foreclosures and because we purchased a foreclosed home ourselves a few years ago. Thanks Carole and for our readers - enjoy!

New York Feng Shui and Real Estate:  What about Foreclosures?
I received this email the other day from a person and thought … (2 comments)

missoula: Keeping Your Rentals Profitable - 10 Tips for Montana Real Estate Investors - 03/05/09 04:42 AM
Montana Real Estate Investors
Do you own investment rental properties in Montana? If so, here are some tips to help you keep your rental property profitable:
1.) Make Sure Your Rents Reflect the Current Market Value of the Property: Do your research - you may need to increase your rents to reflect currrent market value. No one likes to raise rent but even a small annual increase will help you maintain the property. It will also benefit you when you sell the property since rental income is a factor buyers will look at when valuing your property.
2.) Be Familiar With … (6 comments)

missoula: Missoula Real Estate - Missoula's Miller Creek Neighborhood - 03/05/09 02:37 AM
Missoula Real Estate - Missoula's Miller Creek Neighborhood
The Miller Creek Neighborhood is a popular area among homebuyers. Located on the Southwest corner of the city, this neighborhood features good-sized homes on larger lots and rests on Missoula's low-lying hils.
The area also still maintains much of its natural beauty with Miller Creek flowing down the hill into the Bitterroot River. Wildlife is still seen wondering through the area - deer, elk, and even an occasional black bear!
Miller Creek is near several large open parks, including Marilyn Park that has large animals that spray water and provide a great place … (0 comments)

missoula: The Biggest Land Deal in Montana History - 03/03/09 10:17 AM
In possibly one of the biggest land deals in Montana history, this week more than 111,000 acres of Plum Creek's prime Montana real estate will transfer from the timber company to two private land advocacy groups -the Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Lands. This transfer was made possible by the Montana Legacy Project.
According to the Missoulian, "The deal remains a challenging work in progress for the conservation groups. They've already financed the first 130,000-acre phase with $150 million that's mostly made of loans against the Nature Conservancy's and Trust for Public Lands' own assets.
While the second phase … (2 comments)

missoula: University of Montana - The Most Beautiful Campus in America - 02/25/09 02:47 AM
Missoula's University of Montana was cited as "The most beautiful campus in America," by Rolling Stone Magazine.
This sentiment was also expressed in Kaplan's "Unofficial, Unbiased Guide to the 328 Most Interesting Colleges." where it states that UM is among the top "schools with the most beautiful campus in an urban setting."
And it's located in Missoula Montana that has been called the  "Rocky Mountain Berkeley ... the kind of place many people hate to leave." -by Martin Nemko, "How to Get an Ivy League Education at a State University"
Kevin and I have both attended the University of Montana and loved … (6 comments)

missoula: Twittering In Missoula Montana - What Is That Anyway? - 02/22/09 02:31 AM
I read somewhere that with Twitter, people either love it or they don't get it. There are a few brave souls in Missoula on Twitter but we haven't reached the numbers you see in other areas yet.
So what is Twitter and Why do you Care?
Simply put, Twitter is a Social Networking and a Microblogging tool. It allows you to send status updates - similar to Facebook, and read others status updates - called "Tweets". Tweets can be up to 140 characters and are more "real time" than what you find on Facebook or other Social Networking sites.
According to … (9 comments)

missoula: Coffee is Serious Business in Missoula and Western Montana - 02/17/09 12:58 AM
Coffee is serious business in Missoula and Western Montana as evidenced by our coffee stands on virtually every street.
A few years ago we received an article from our family in Colorado by a nationally syndicated journalist from the East Coast traveling through the state. He was amazed by the shear number of coffee stands in Missoula and the surrounding area, and the different styles.
"Tiny Missoula teems with proudly independent java joints, all of them at least very good, some serving locally roasted coffee." --The Washington Post
Living in Montana, I just took for granted the mini coffee stands scattered across the … (6 comments)

missoula: Free Missoula Montana MT MLS Search of Active Real Estate Listings - Homes, Land, Commercial, Multi-Family - 02/17/09 12:31 AM

Free Missoula Montana MLS Search
We offer a Free Missoula Montana MLS Search on our website www.YourMT.com.
Includes active listings in Missoula and surrounding communities: East Missoula, Clinton, Turah, Lolo, Florence, Stevensville, Hamilton, Frenchtown, Tarkio, Superior, Alberton, St. Regis, Deborgia, Saltese, Evaro, Arlee, St. Ignatius, Ronan, Polson, Dixon, Plains, Paradise, Thompson Falls, and more.
 
… (4 comments)

missoula: Superior Montana Real Estate - 629 Fourth Ave. East - 3 Bedrooms, Hardwood Floors - 02/08/09 11:14 AM
… (5 comments)

missoula: A Breath of Fresh Air - A Positive Outlook for Montana's Economy - 02/04/09 03:29 AM
With the onslaught of national news stories about the poor state of the economy, job losses, and the housing market, it is easy to lose sight of what's going on locally. Larry Swanson, a well-known Montana economist and the Director for the Center for the Rocky Mountain West was quoted in the Billings Gazette recently as saying:
"The steady drumbeat of bad news produces a psychology of consumers hunkering down, we need to stay grounded in the fact that we had a lot going when we came into this," Swanson said. "The magnitude of impact in Montana will be lower. We've been … (8 comments)

missoula: Eating & Buying Locally Grown Food in Missoula Montana - 02/01/09 01:26 PM
Did you know that if you buy just 25% of your groceries from local farmers, in one year you would reduce your carbon footprint by 225 pounds? That's even more than recycling glass, plastics and cans!*
Buying locally grown in Missoula Montana has never been easier. With Missoula's Good Food Store, located at 1600 South Third St. West, you can find organic and locally grown produce, grains, beef and more. They even offer cooking classes to help you learn how to cook and eat healthy.
The Missoula community has a publication that will assist you with buying, cooking, and finding locally … (5 comments)

missoula: Missoula Predicted to Be in the Top 25 for Housing Real Estate Markets in 2009! - 01/27/09 02:45 PM
I have remained optimistic about the Missoula real estate market for 2009, and have found that others are optimistic too!
In a recent release by Housing Predictor, a national online real estate research firm, 5 Montana cities ranked in the top 25 Housing Markets for 2009:
#2 Billings
#8 Bozeman
#12 Great Falls
#13 Livingston
#15 Missoula
According to Housing Predictor, in regards to Montana and North Dakota:
"They've dodged the bullet in the nation's housing depression in North Dakota and Montana. During the boom mortgage companies didn't offer creative new loan programs in either state much, which has acted to … (3 comments)

missoula: Enjoy a Stroll on Missoula Montana's Riverfront Walking Tour & Recreational Area - 01/18/09 10:35 AM
One of my favorite things to do on a warm day is to take a walk on Missoula's Riverfront Trail.
The trail runs along the Clark Fork River through the heart of downtown and goes East to the University and West to Orange Street.
From this trail, you can see Missoula's amazing scenery, historic buildings, and enjoy the lifestyle that bring people to Montana.
The trail is wide enough for both walking your dog or bicycling. It is marked along the way with ten plaques on stone pillars to help you identify some of Missoula's important historical & geological features, including:
… (2 comments)

missoula: Superior Montana Real Estate - One-of-a-Kind Montana Dream Home - A New Model Home at RiverRidge - Trout Ponds, Nature Trail ++ - 01/18/09 08:38 AM

We recently posted some information on the Model Home that just broke ground in RiverRidge in Superior.
Model Home Breaks Ground in RiverRidge
This will be the first model home of its kind in Mineral County and this will be a true show home featuring:
2100+ square feet, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Bonus Room, Large Master Suite with 10 foot ceilings, Covered back patio, Large front porch, Stone accents 2 Car Garage with Carriage Doors, Corian Countertops, Walnut Hardwood Floors, Cherry Cabinets, Stainless Steel Appliances, and Custom finishes throughout. With construction by LR Signature Homes, you will see the difference in … (0 comments)

missoula: Model Home Breaks Ground in RiverRidge - 01/10/09 09:12 AM
Last week, The freezing weather gave way long enough for construction to begin on the model home at RiverRidge in beautiful Superior, Montana!
The model home is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom sprawling executive-style home with high-end finishes.
At the same time, ground also broke for an affordable spec home on the adjoining lot.
The Model Home and the spec home are both being built by a local builder LR Signature Homes and will be complete before the County's Tour of Homes which is scheduled for May 15-16, 2009.
About RiverRidge
Nestled above the Clark Fork River you will find RiverRidge, a … (3 comments)

missoula: Montana is Made For Skiing with More than 16 Ski Areas in the State! - 01/06/09 02:11 PM
With 16 ski areas in Montana, you could spend the entire winter tackling new downhill runs. My boss at my last company had this goal and actually made it to all 16 ski areas in one winter and had a great time. Here's a list of the ski areas and their websites in case you would like to try one or all.
Montana Ski Resorts
Bear Paw Ski Bowl - 29 miles south of Havre http://www.skibearpaw.com/. Whitefish Mountain - Formerly known as Big Mountain, in Whitefish, http://www.skiwhitefish.com/ Big Sky Resort - Above the town of Big Sky, http://www.bigskyresort.com/ Blacktail Mountain - … (2 comments)

missoula: Baby It's Cold Outside...Unless You're Soaking in a Hot Spring! Visit Montana's Hot Spring Destinations! - 01/06/09 02:08 PM
Baby It's Cold Outside...Unless You're Soaking in a Hot Spring! While temperatures have been dipping into the 20's and 30's, a great way to warm up is by visiting a natural hot spring. Montana has more than two dozen developed "hot spring" destinations and another 30 natural sites all fed from natural geothermal features. Rooms, fine dining, therapeutic massage, Olympic sized pools, soaking tubs, and steam rooms are available at many of the developed sites. Resorts are located near some of the finest outdoor recreation areas in the state. Mountain ranges, streams and national forests adjoin Montana "Hot Springs." Some of … (1 comments)