Community News

I have always been a strong advocate that real estate is and always will be, a viable long-term investment.  The days of pure speculation in the market for short-term gain appear to be gone with good reason.  Real estate has attributes that cannot be replicated in other investments, such as providing comfort and shelter, pride of ownership, a place for families to gather, and a legacy to hand down to future generations.  

The physical amenities that have made Bozeman and the surrounding area such a remarkable place to live are undeniable.  However, the good news is that current market conditions now offer outstanding opportunities to consider making the purchase of a lifetime.  Interest rates remain attractively low, and area prices have receded in some market segments to near 2004 values, creating favorable conditions for investors.  

To give a snapshot of our current market conditions, as of March 31st, there were 792 homes (both over and under 1 acre) available for sale according to Southwest Montana Multiple Listing Service.  This data encompasses Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, and the surrounding area.  The average list price for these homes is $594,807.  Year-to-date, there have been 138 sales of homes in this same geographical area at an average sales price of $304,978.  As for the condo/ townhouse market, there were 309 units for sale at an average price of $220,599.  There have been 37 sales thus far in 2010 at an average sales price of $173,410.  Vacant land is readily available with 1597 parcels on the market at an average asking price of $245,726.  There have been 52 closings this year with an average sales price of $79,153.  

The good news, which has continued for the past 6 months, is that sales are up year over year.  From October 1, 2009, through March 31, 2010, home sales are up 48%, condos sales are up 53%, and vacant land sales have increased 85% from the previous year.  Inventory levels continue to decline, in some market segments to a 4-year low.  We are seeing lots of new housing starts at affordable entry-level price points.    

In the Big Sky area, there were 156 homes available for sale at an average asking price of $1,606,087.  There have been 8 sales in 2010 at an average closing price of $1,060,975.  Likewise, there are 262 condo/ townhouse units on the market at an average price of $575,185.  The 22 multi-family homes that have sold this year did so at an average price of $384,259.  As for vacant land, there are 248 available parcels averaging $932,532 and 6 sales year-to-date at an average sales price of $353,666.

Again Big Sky’s trend lines mirror Bozeman’s, with home sales up 82% (October 2009-March 2010) over the previous year.  Condo sales have increased by 176% and vacant land by 7%.  There is also good sales activity being reported from the Yellowstone Club, which is not included in our MLS numbers.  

One particularly strong factor in the region’s vitality is that the second home buyer appears to be returning to the marketplace.  Baby Boomers, who are equipped with cash and understand good value when they see it, will continue to regard Bozeman, Big Sky, and Livingston/Paradise Valley as viable places to purchase a home for investment and vacation purposes.  Our local real estate market currently has competitively priced properties that should be very attractive to savvy buyers.  With a desire to return to the small-town values many were raised with, our area gives the perfect combination of a strong sense of community with access to recreational and cultural amenities.

I am reminded of the book Life 2.0 by Rich Karlgaard, where the author discusses “ how people across America are transforming their lives by finding the Where of Their Happiness.”  Chapter 10 has several references to Bozeman, and they are as relevant today as when first published in 2004.  Even with a 27 percent increase in population since 2000, Bozeman retains its “small-town appeal” and local flavor.  In our current challenged national economy, many people are now considering a wider range of re-employment or entrepreneurial options. For those whose employment situation has changed, the opportunity to leave corporate positions and the “big city life” offers a wealth of opportunity for communities such as ours.  The potential of placing “quality of life” over the “rat race” has much appeal.  While deciding where to settle, it’s no wonder Bozeman has been given its fair share of national attention.  

The reasons why so many of Bozeman’s inhabitants choose to live in this area are often not directly related to career advancement or extremely high earning potential.  And much to our benefit, they include choosing to live where you love to be.  For those of us who have lived in the region for most or all of our lives, we truly tend to take for granted the fact that we live in a place where many people save all year to spend a week of vacation.  In fact, many people who move away from the area to “see the world” often find themselves immediately starting to plan on how to come back.  We have the opportunity to live in the midst of clean air, and open space, near Yellowstone Park, all the while enjoying mountain splendor and views that go on for miles.  

This all suggests that proximity to a wide variety of recreational opportunities is a prime factor that draws tourists and new residents to our community.  I remain convinced that all of the ingredients that make our “special place on earth” so desirable will cause us to weather the current economic challenges and emerge not only as a sought-after destination tourist location but as a premiere second home market.  Wherever I travel, I hear the same song, “If I could live anywhere, I would live in Bozeman.”  I wholeheartedly agree.