As dedicated Big Sky agents with decades of experience, we have seen quiet times and crazy periods. We have not always had solid numbers to compare inventory levels, absorption rates, and days on the market. 2006 saw more companies participating in the Southwest Montana MLS and more consistent sales data. Based on this information, we can better analyze the current market.

Residential and land inventory levels continue to be high while second-home and investment buyer numbers have fallen.
Single-family homes sold dropped from a high in 2007 of 57 to 30 homes sold in 2009. Median home prices fell 51% when comparing 2009 to 2007.
Condominium sales peaked in 2006 with 91 units reported sold and a median sales price of $400,000. Year-to-date 2009 condo sales…

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Continuing the ERA Landmark Christmas Fund tradition, we gave over $4000 to charitable organizations in Bozeman and Big Sky this year. Recipients of this year's funding include Thrive, Ophir School, Bozeman Optimist Coat Project, and Family Promise. The ERA Landmark Christmas Fund was established in 1984 when we originally cut Montana Christmas trees and sold them at our office parking lot. We also collected new and used toys to distribute. After a few years of heavy lifting and the desire not to compete with local tree lots, we decided to dedicate a portion of each real estate closing to create the funding.

We have joyfully provided support for over 25 years to support children in need throughout the area.

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The happiest states:

  1. Louisiana
  2. Hawaii
  3. Florida
  4. Tennessee
  5. Arizona
  6. Mississippi
  7. Montana
  8. South Carolina
  9. Alabama
  10. Maine

Happiness measures

Their results come from a comparison of two data sets of happiness levels in each state, one that relied on participants' self-reported well-being and the other an objective measure that took into account a state's weather, home prices, and other factors that are known reasons to frown (or smile).

The self-reported information came from 1.3 million U.S. citizens who took part in a survey between 2005 and 2008.

"We wanted to study whether people's feelings of satisfaction with their own lives are reliable, that is, whether they match up to reality - of sunshine hours, congestion, air quality,…

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After waiting with bated breath for what seemed like a considerable amount of time, the Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension/ Expansion was recently passed overwhelmingly by Congress and signed into law by President Obama.  So what does that mean to our local market and the economy overall?  Ideally, the plan will transform the dream of homeownership into reality for many more credit-worthy homebuyers and will increase consumer confidence nationwide.

The basics of the legislation are two-fold.  First is that the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 has been extended until April 30, 2010.   The property needs to be under contract by this deadline, but the purchaser has until July 1, 2010, to close the transaction.  To be considered a “first-time…

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