Real Estate Information Archive

This is starting to look like a ski report, but the conditions were awesome this morning. Sun, packed powder, a little icy at the bottom and no crowds until we left at lunch. Ah the luxury of a season's pass at Whitefish Mountain resort!

    Last night was the Gallery Opening in Whitefish for artist Sunti. Sunti is from Thailand and lives in Bigfork. He does amazing resin and bronze statues. Google him and check out his work.

    Monday night was the yearly Alpine Theater Project's Christmas show. Broadway stars fly in for a week or so and perform. Always entertaining and fun.

    The weather is turning colder which is good for the snow conditions. Sun is also in the Christmas forecast. Planning on snowshoeing in Glacier National Park tomorrow with the family. Should be beautiful. Will post a photo of our adventures next week.

    A blessed Christmas to all from Kalispell Montana and Cary Jo!

    Skiing: Went up yesterday, NO ONE else was up on the slopes. It was fun to read the lifties name tags to see where in the world they were from. Saw one from London, England all the way to Whitefish Montana! Conditions were a littlesprink like but went up and down chair 2 the most. Fog drifted in and out but had a great view of the valley and Whitefish Lake. Had our grown kids with us and had the traditional lunch at Hell Roaring - always great. Sat by the giant fire place in the day lodge on the leather sofas andvisted. A stop at Montana Coffee Traders on the way home topped off the day. Feeling the quad muscles this morning!

     Looking forward to Alpine Theater Project's annual holiday play on Monday night. It has been sold out for weeks. We go every year and it is always outstanding. Broadway actors and musicians are brought in with a huge variety of talents for our enjoyment.

     Christmas week talks of snowshoeing in Glacier National Park, ice skating and other winter fun.

     I have 2 new listings on my web site; www.kalispellcary.com - check them out!

It is snowing finally! Not a lot, but this weekend expect a quite a bit more. Big Mtn opened last weekend but opted not to ski since only a few runs were open and it was bitterly cold. This last week we had some frigid days but boy were the Rocky Mountains our shining against the clear blue skies. I overheard someone say yesterday those mountains are "food for the soul".

Whitefish Christimas Stroll is tonight, Friday. Always fun. Galleries and shops open and a Christmas parade. Snow will be falling, very Christmas like.

Bigfork is open late on the Saturdays before Christmas. Another charming village at Christmas in our valley.

Having dinner tomorrow night at Kandahar at the Whitefish Mountain Resort - favorite restaurant in the valley!

Get those skis ready - it is going to be a great season.

   For the last 5+ years, I have watched the former hospital, then Flathead County building on the eastside of Kalispell be transformed. The building is now called Eastside Brick. The owners have done a fabulous job turning this unique building into residential condos as well as work/live studios. There are business located on the main level and residents own condos above. The basement is where the studios or work/live condos are located. There are still some of these available for sale at what I see as a real opportunity to own a property in the desireable east side of Kalispell. Maple trees line the streets, plenty of parking in the lot, walking distance to downtown and Woodland Park.

   NOW, The Boiler Room has opened in the parking lot where the former heating plant was for the hospital. I just returned to my office from checking it out. Very urban and cool. Lots of metal, wood and style. 2 moms came in while I was there with their wee ones all bundled from walking to the coffee shop. The Boiler Room offers breakfast and even some staple items in the form of groceries for those who live nearby. The fire place is the coolest - if a fire place can be cool :) It has the metal that looks like an old boiler with what looks like the old boiler hatch on the front.

http://www.boilerroombrew.com/ here is the web site for the Boiler Room

http://www.eastsidebrick.com/ here is the web site for the building.

Now, back to work sending out my monthly seller reports!!

      I saw an interesting commercial on t.v. yesterday; "Bigfork, Open All Year". Bigfork is one of 4 towns in our valley. Situated on the NE corner of Flathead Lake, it is a hopping place in the summer. Very picturesque sitting on the canal leading to the lake. The "elves" decorate Bigfork for the holidays. I most like Bigfork in the winter when it is quiet and not crowded. Galleries, great restaurants, and just wandering through town is relaxing and scenic. In the summer you can drive your boat to the public dock and then walk around from there. Summer also offers Bigfork Playhouse's musical productions utilizing actors and college students from around the country.

     Woke up to rain - a rather rare occurrence in this valley which only gets on average 16" a year. Hopefully this translates to snow in the mountains. Snow is forecast in the valley tomorrow.

     Headlines in this morning's Daily Interlake indicate that Tele Tech will be adding 100 new jobs this spring. There is the feeling in the Flathead Valley that spring will bring a pick up in everything from construction to real estate creating a come back in the economy. While it is still a buyer's market, I feel this might slowly start to change in the spring.

  What's new in the valley? The biggest news this week is the selling of Semi-Tool, one of the valley's largest employers. Semi-tool was started in California and moved to Kalispell by a local man. The company makes the equipment to manufacture wafers for semi-condutors. The deal is set to close before the end of the year. No word yet if the local plant and employees will be effected.

   The Kalispell truck alternate route (aka bypass) contract has been awarded. Construction to start depending on weather.

    Waiting for......... SNOW! The slopes on Big Mountain - Whitefish Moutain Resort - open in early December. Snow is forecast for this weekend, let's hope it starts piling up on the mountain. It was downright balmy a couple of days this week, I would have riden a horse if I didn't have to be in the office working. Got the shoes pulled for the winter. Don't miss my favorite coffee spot in Kalispell, Colter Coffee on Main Street. Great place to visit, wifi, and the best coffee in town.

   Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week!!

Everyone is gearing up for Thanksgiving next week and looking forward to good food and good times spent with family and friends. In this time of thanks we are lucky to have some great Thanksgiving events in the Flathead Valley where we can not only have fun but give back.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

 Thanksgiving Cornucopia

Montana Coffee Tradersis sponsoring "Thanksgiving Cornucopia," a local farm and bakery market on Tuesday, November 24th.  This indoor sale will take place from 3p.m.-6p.m. in their downtown Whitefish location at 110 Central Avenue.  Local and organic produce ranging from apples, onions, root vegetables and much more will be offered for sale to help make your Thanksgiving cooking complete.  To help with baking for the holiday feast, local artisan bakers and a chocolatier will be on hand to sell pies, breads and dinner rolls, desserts, and other specialties.  For more information, please contact Barb Brant at 249-3484 or Terri Feury at 871-6791.

Thanksgiving Animal Food Drive

Our animal friends need help this time of year as well! Help our local Eagle Scouts, Humane Society of NW MT and the Flathead Food Bank with this wonderful food drive project. Stop by Sat., Nov. 21st & Sun., Nov. 22nd from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, there will be three drop off locations for your convenience:
CHS Country Store - 150 1st Ave. WN, Kalispell (Saturday Only)
CHS/Cenex Convenience Store & Gas station-120 W. Idaho, Kalispell (Sunday Only)

Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply
2330 Hwy 93 So., Kalispell (Both Saturday & Sunday)

Cash donations also welcome, checks can be made payable to the
Humane Society of NW MT for tax deductible donation. Please help the animals in our community as they are also feeling the effects of the economy.

2nd Annual Turkey Trot-- 5K walk/run

Come out for the 2nd Annual Turkey Trot-- 5K walk/run on Thursday, November 26 ... 9:30 AM (Registration opens @ 8:30) at the Century 21 Big Sky Building
All proceeds will be given to the Mission Valley Food Banks.

Annual Ronan Community Thanksgiving Dinner

The Ronan Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held Thanksgiving day from 11:00am to 3:00pm at the Ronan Community Center, 300 3rd Ave NW, Ronan. This traditional dinner began many years ago by Marie Cowan.  Over the years it grew too large for her café and it was moved to the Ronan Community Center and is now sponsored by the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Ronan Community Volunteers. Over 280 were served in 2008 with the help of local volunteers. The Lake County Commissioners donate the Ronan Community Center for this annual event.

If you are interested in volunteering, entertaining, donating turkeys, pies or rolls please call Adina Fox at 676-9228 or 207-2973 or e-mail at adinaf@ronan.net.

Financial donations are welcomed and appreciated. They may be sent to: Ronan Community Volunteers at PO Box 751, Pablo, MT 59855

It is a buyers market right now but that doesn't mean that you cannot sell your home or that you have to sell it for an amount that is not acceptable. Sellers have many reasons for selling and life doesn’t always wait for the “right” market conditions. You have to evaluate the pros and cons of selling in today’s market in light of your own financial and personal goals.

And yes, you can sell your home in a buyer’s market!

FrontDoor.com, HGTV’s companion information site, lists the Top 10 Ways to Beat the Sluggish Housing Market  Here are my takes on my favorites:

•  “Hire an aggressive, well-connected real estate agent.”  A qualified real estate professional is your MVP in the selling game. I’ve spent years building a base of satisfied clients and responsive contacts. I know my market, and I know how to sell your house in my market area.

• Have a focused selling plan right from the start. You want to aim, then shoot--and not the other way around. Today’s market is tough. Your tactics should be, too--and they need to be part of an organized game plan that gets the job done. The right real estate agent can set up a marketing plan that gets your home sold.

• Get your home in shape. If you know you need to make repairs, don’t wait: Get them done before your home goes on the market. And if you’re worried there may be less-obvious problems that might affect a sale, call in a professional home inspector. Bottom line: If you suspect, inspect!

• Consider doing some remodeling. If your home could use some updating with amenities that buyers really want--and are willing to pay for--take the plunge. For some great ideas, check out FrontDoor.com’s 10 Things that Make Buyers Bite.

• Entice buyers with incentives. Throw in some bonuses you can afford, like help with closing costs or flexibility with the closing date. Think about it: It’s a buyer’s market. Can you afford not to offer an incentive or two?

So should you sell your home now? In the end, only you can answer that question. But do your research and take some time to explore the possibilities. Your real estate agent can help with targeted information and professional expertise. Just ask!

Breaking News: Homebuyer Tax Credit Set to be Extended and Expanded!

 Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed an extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit. This morning, the House of Representatives approved the agreement reached in the Senate by a vote of 403-12. The bill has now passed both chambers and is awaiting the President’s signature, which could be as early as tomorrow!

Below is a summary of the new modifications in the extension and expansion of the tax credit:

1)  The $8,000 tax credit will be extended and available for first-time purchases before May 1, 2010.

2)  A new $6,500 tax credit will be available for repeat buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009, and May 1, 2010. To qualify for this provision, buyers must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years.

3)  Prospective purchasers with binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete the transaction.

4)  Income limits are expanded to $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return.

If you know anyone looking to buy their first home at a time when prices and interest rates are still down, or if you are thinking of buying another home and getting the new $6,500 credit please contact me today.

   Election results are in: changing of the guard in both Kalispell and Whitefish. Kalispell has a new mayor, 33 yr old Tammi Fisher, a local attorney. Some change in the personnel on Kalispell City Councel as well. Whitefish put in new council members. It will be interesting once everyone is in office if these are changes for the better or not.

   School elections in Kalispell had differing results for restoring the building funds. Elementary passed and high school failed. The way the schools are in the valley is a bit different. Elementary in the city of Kalispell would have those voters voting. For the high schools, enrollment covers quite a wide area with voting coming from voters not necessarily in town and in the town elementary districts. Is this a push back on high schools from the new construction of Glacier High and major remodel on Flathead High? District is considering going back for another vote on this later on. My take was that the taxes would not increase, just stay the same to build up the reserve.

   Weather had been mild but now is getting colder. Need to start getting the snow pack built up on Big Mountain in time for an early December opening day.