Greetings,
With the changing seasons, we find real estate has actually been a little ahead of time this year. Lots of sales, and inventories down from a year ago (see below).
We really do need listings (our personal inventory is getting sold!!) So, if you’re even considering selling your home, get started by calling us to find out what it is worth in this market. We’d love to help you in one of the most important transactions in your life.
Kind regards,
Sharon and Brian
HOW IS OUR REAL ESTATE YEAR BEGINNING 2016?
MLS Statistics as of February 2016
• Single Family Inventory is down throughout our market area. Area 1 (Bozeman) -11%, 2 (surrounding Bozeman) -11%, 3 (Belgrade)-16%, and 4 (Manhattan) -29% from February 2015. Other areas (Big Sky, Livingston and Ennis) are down from 1% to 25%.
• Number of Sales comparing February 2015 – February 2016 – year to date: Sales numbers are either up just a bit or down significantly.
Bozeman – up 2%, Area 2 – up 2%, Area 3 – up 8%, Area 4 down 43%, Area 5 (Big Sky) down 25%, Area 6 (Livingston) down 15%, Area 7 (Ennis) down 60%
• Median Price changes in 12 months
Bozeman – up 8% to $330,000, Area 2 – up 3% to $364,700, Belgrade – up 1% to $235,250, Manhattan – up 44% to $273,000.
• Condo Inventory in Bozeman was up in February 24% to 77 units. Sales were up 2% in Bozeman. Median price was up 16% to $220,000 compared to February 2015.
Please contact us if you’d like more information on these or sales statistics in other areas or for your property. We’re happy to discuss how statistics can affect the market.
Ideas on Making Your Retirement More Comfortable Financially
A Reverse Mortgage might be an option. Maybe you are interested in financial security during retirement while staying in your current home. Or maybe you are ready to “right size.” Whether you plan to move to a larger home, a smaller home or a home that just better suits your needs, a Reverse Mortgage Purchase may be the answer. It’s a way to put your equity to work for you. We are proud to be associated with Debbi Royer/a Reverse Mortgage professional. Contact us to help you to determine if this might be the product for you.
Thoughtful Quotes:
“You learn something out of everything, and you come to realize more than ever that we’re all here for a certain space of time, and then it’s going to be over, and you better make this count.” ~ Nancy Regan
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains un-awakened.” ~ Anatole France
“In life and in photography, a closer look at the familiar can often reveal truth and beauty.” —Jim Brandenburg
SOME THOUGHTS ON TODAY’S REAL ESTATE MARKET, OWNING VS. RENTING FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION
The short answer is that owning is “forced savings.” If you rent, you’re buying the property for the landlord. And – real estate, through the years, has historically been a really good investment. Even with down years, people didn’t lose money unless they had to sell in that market. If you’re living in your home, the value is immaterial. You have to live someplace and it’s nice to own, building equity and being able to customize to your tastes.
So – as soon as you can, see a lender and find how much down payment you will need, don’t get too much in debt (pay off high interest loans as quickly as possible) and save every dollar you can until you can buy your first home.
ON-LINE SEARCHING FOR HOMES
Although 89 percent of people use the Internet to find a home, only 33 percent choose a home that they found online. And consumers are still using an agent, more than ever, to find the right house once they’ve become familiar with the market. Your own Buyer Agent (at no cost to you), can listen to your wants and needs and zoom in to find just what you want. Our website – www.BozemanPropertySearch.com – has the best search system we’ve seen. You can sign in to receive the updates you want. And then feel confident that we’ll be there with you, listening to your wants and needs, using our years of expertise in helping with negotiations, and through the daunting process toward finding your new home.
BY THE WAY —–
One thing is sure – what you believe at 25 is not the same as when you are 35, 45, 55 and older, no matter what generation you are born into. As people get married and start families, ideas change. Then, as kids grow up, another way of looking at housing may change.
For certain, you’re going to be paying for real estate your whole life – whether it’s building a landlord’s portfolio or your own portfolio. Most people find, as they grow older, that it’s a comfort to have equity in a home and for most, it’s the largest portion of their wealth as well as some of their retirement.
Suggestion: Just never say never!
“I have been involved in all phases of real estate for the past 45 years, and I can say I have the highest regard for Sharon. Her professionalism, ethics and knowledge of real estate are outstanding, and provide her the tools necessary to accomplish what is always needed: successful sales and closings.
My experience with her can be summed up this way, “List with Sharon and Start Packing! You won’t be disappointed!” Guy C.
“Brian and Sharon gave us good advice on the sale of our land. They persevered and gave us reports of on-line hits. We would recommend them to a colleague or friend and would use again.” Bill and Deanna
“You two covered all the points and made the transaction of selling our home easy. We’d definitely recommend Sharon and Brian to friends.” Pat and Jim