Community News - May, 2012

The Ripple Effect of Residential Construction

The prospect of building or occupying a brand new home is always a very exciting and occasionally stressful time for potential owners. There is the anticipation of choosing a floor plan, picking out colors and finishes, and knowing you are the first one to reside in the home. Aside from the personal joy, along with a few expected tense moments, the process of new construction plays an integral part in a local economy. The economic benefits are much broader than is first expected. Housing construction is essentially its own economic powerhouse which provides a roof over heads, jobs for many industries, and the ability to attract new businesses to an area.

Though the builder or general contractor is often thought to be the most important role in new home…

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Congratulations to the 2012 ERA Landmark Western Land Scholarship Winner

ERA Landmark Western Land would like to congratulate Park High School senior Jacob Perry.  Jacob was recently awarded the office’s 2012 scholarship to be used during the 2012/2013 academic year.  Jacob was awarded the 2012 scholarship from the Livingston office by associate Julie Kennedy (pictured left). Good luck next fall at Montana State University, Jacob!

The agents at ERA Landmark Western Land in Livingston contribute to the scholarship fund from their sales commissions throughout the year.  The intent is to provide assistance to a Park County student who has shown scholastic improvement and personal growth while attending high school and plans to further their education.  This is the 4th year the scholarship has been awarded.

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Bozeman Named in Businessweek.com's "The Best Places to Raise Your Kids 2012"

Businessweek.com recently released its 6th annual ranking of the best places to raise kids. A top location was selected for each state and the best place in Montana is Bozeman!

“Bozeman once again earns top honors for Montana—and it’s easy to see why. There is no better playground than the great outdoors, something Bozeman features in spades. From nearby Yellowstone National Park to the Bridger Range and Spanish Peaks are endless opportunities for skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and swimming. The city also offers cultural opportunities, a historic downtown area with cute shops, and museums such as the Montana Museum of the Rockies.”

Businessweek.com teamed with Bloomberg Rankings to evaluate areas based to evaluate 4,169 places with a crime index…

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ERA Landmark Features Jim R Harris Photography at June 2012 Art Walk

ERA Landmark is pleased to announce that photography by Jim Harris will be on display at ERA’s Downtown office to kick off the summer Art Walk season. The Art Walk will be Friday, June 8th, from 6 to 8 pm. Jim is Montana’s premier professional aerial and architectural photographer.

Jim has been taking photos for as long as he can remember. His passion for photography, travel, and the outdoors has taken him around the globe to exotic places like Africa, Belize, Chile, Nepal, Peru, and of course Montana. Aerial and Architectural photography are Jim's specialties. The next time you see a helicopter flying over, look for Jim hanging out the door with his camera in hand!

Jim’s photography will be on display at the ERA Landmark Real Estate Gallery, 8 East…

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7 Reasons Why Owning A Home Is A Good Thing

With all the economic and real estate turmoil of the last few years, some homeowners and some possible first-time home buyers are wondering why they should own a home. They look at all the responsibility of upkeep, see their friends and acquaintances lose their homes, and watch the falling market nipping at their heels for the last few years. Some renters are thinking that it's much safer to just keep renting, rather than buying their first home.

 I submit that there are many good reasons for buying your first home, for moving up or down to a more fitting size or location, or to "bloom where you are planted."

 1. Interest rates are at the lowest rates on record at around 4%. They're probably not going much lower. And if inflation sets in, as it's…

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Katie Haley Grimm Receives Resort & Second Home Designation

Robyn Erlenbush, Broker/Owner of ERA Landmark Big Sky is pleased to announce that Broker Katie Haley Grimm has earned the Resort & Second Home Property Specialist (RSPS) certification from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Grimm received this designation while attending the NAR Resort and Second Home Symposium at Kiawah Island, South Carolina in March.

“The Resort & Second Home Property Specialist Certification is the flagship educational program for Realtors who either focus on the second home, vacation home, or income property market or would like to become an expert in these fields,” said Brett Brown of Naples, FL, the 2011 chair of the NAR Resort and Second Home Committee. As of February 14, 2012, there are 1,421 RSPS designation holders.

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ERA Landmark Associates Receive National "Beyond Excellence" Recognition

Robyn Erlenbush, Broker/Owner of ERA Landmark Real Estate, is pleased to announce that several sales associates have achieved national recognition from global real estate leader ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. for attaining Beyond Excellence status for 2011 production. Big Sky associate Katie Haley Grimm, Bozeman associates Ray Atteberry, Sharon Tudor Isler, Kim Spain and Walter “Gator” Rivers, and Livingston associates Jon Ellen Snyder and Gillian Swanson all achieved Beyond Excellence. These associates exceeded the threshold for total closed gross commissions to qualify for these honors and rank amongst the top ERA associates nationwide.

ERA Landmark Real Estate, with offices in Bozeman, Big Sky, Livingston and Clyde Park has 44 full-time real estate…

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