Montana State University, one of the top ranked universities by the Center of World University Rankings, has been breaking enrollment records every year! Students are continually drawn to Bozeman, and it was even ranked no.1 college town in the US by rentcafe.com. MSU keeps growing and providing more opportunities for students - they’ve broken ground on 5 new nursing education buildings. 

While Bozeman's rental market has grown significantly in recent years with new apartments, condos, and townhomes, many parents still choose to invest in a property for their college student to live in while they attend MSU.  Most parents and students choose Bozeman for its close proximity to MSU; however, if your student is open to a slightly longer drive, the surrounding areas of Belgrade and even Manhattan offer great options.

Right now, there's a healthy selection of condos, townhomes, and single-family homes available in Bozeman and Belgrade. You can find over 50 condos and townhomes under $500,000 and over 20 single-family homes under $600,000; and there’s more properties hitting the market everyday.

Some things to consider about buying a property for your student are:

• Potential for Steady Income: Renting the property to your student and future tenants can help offset the mortgage and generate income.

• Factoring in Costs: Consider the down payment, mortgage, property taxes, maintenance, and potential vacancy periods when calculating your investment.
• Long-Term Play: Think beyond your student's MSU years. Bozeman's real estate market is known for appreciation, making this a potentially sound long-term investment.

• Student-Friendly Features: Look for properties with amenities like laundry facilities, off-street parking, and potentially extra bedrooms for roommates.

If you have an up-coming college student and want to talk through the options of buying vs. renting, contact one of our experienced real estate agents!