GreaterMontanaGMAC’s Weblog

Market in the Bitterroot Valley didn’t improve much in the month of January.  There was was only 24 closing for the month in Ravalli County.  Listing taken is about the same from a year ago with 197 new listings.   What do you expect there was 182 expired listings in the multiple listing service for the Bitterroot Valley on January 1, 2008.   Of course some of those are going to relist.  We are starting to see more of the Foreclosures in our market place, but you are not going to see that as heavy as in other parts of the country.  I would love to hear how you think the market is going to be in Montana for the coming year!!  At the moment we are being cousiously optomistic!!  We are seeing more inquiries on properties, and more of the buyers we are working with are seeing offers on their current homes.  We are not saying that is going to be a banner year but we are seeing more opportunities for the rest of the year.

What a day around here today!!  Got up this morning and it was snowing and blowing and it  proceeded to do it all day.   It wasn’t really cold, (30ish) just piling up the snow. The bad part is we still have some ice from the last storm, so you really have to watch it so  you don’t fall on your …….   Those that love the outdoor sports I am sure are extremely happy, and it is defintely beautiful!! 

We haven’t had a storm like this in years!!  The moisture this spring is going to be great.   You can see live weather cams by going to www.kpax.com  They now have one on top of the First Security Bank looking down on main street of Hamilton. 

Hope you are staying dry and warm.

Greater Montana GMAC Real Estate announced today that it has achieved a 97% percent customer satisfaction rating for 2007, according to an independent national research firm.    

Through its Premier Service program, buyers and sellers are asked to complete a survey evaluating the service they received following the transaction.  Once completed, the surveys are tabulated by an independent research firm and the results provide an overall ranking for the office.  Nationally, GMAC Real Estate has a 94 percent customer satisfaction rating, well above the industry average. “We have built our reputation on providing the highest level of customer service for home buyers and sellers in Bitterroot & Missoula area,” said Sheri Jones, broker/owner of Greater Montana GMAC Real Estate.          

As Broker Owner of Greater Montana GMAC Real Estate, I am very proud of our team of Sales Partners for the outstanding service they are providing to their clients.   Don’t you deserve to have the “best of the best” when it comes to selling or buying your home.

 Greater Montana GMAC Real Estate would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Western Montana and all that it has to offer to your clients. Our seasons have spectacular beauty, regardless of which one you choose…….. Spring time in the valley awakens with new life. Fragrant apple blossoms abound in the foothills and the Bitterroot River swells with melted snow and gentle rain. Wildlife abounds in the valley and everywhere you look, you can see newborns frolic in the green-carpeted meadows.Summer brings up to 16.5 hours of sunlight, and the days are long and warm. Evenings are always cool and make for good sleeping ….. Explore, enjoy and experience the many parks, rivers and lakes here in the valley.  Bears amble through huckleberry patches and deer browse the bushes. Some of the activities include hiking, swimming, fishing, camping, and horseback riding. For the more adventurous try our guided wilderness tours or rock climbing, if not, just kick back, relax and enjoy our many summer theater presentations.Fall stirs in cooler temperatures and ushers in the leaves of red and gold. Frosty mornings and snow-capped mountains, v-shaped formations of Canada Goose honking their way south. Tamaracks, aspen and cottonwoods splash golden patches amid the dark green pines and firs. Harvest time explodes with vivid reds and oranges, and apple trees are heavy with fruit. Deer, elk, and moose are in full antler, and are a sight to see.Winter wonderland is the best way to describe the valley this time of year. Bitterroot winters are usually mild, earning the valley the nickname ‘Banana Belt of Montana’. While snow seldom accumulates more than 6 inches on the valley floor, the annual average at Lost Trail Ski Resort is 300 inches of pristine powder, making this a paradise for skiers. Billions of stars, meteor showers and rare displays of Northern Lights, adorn the deep, black night skies. 

Well we have finally finished with the holiday’s and can now go back to work.  I thought that you might be interested in an update on the Bitterroot Real Estate market. 

The market was off 22% in closed sales from 2006.  In Ravalli County there where a total of 746 sales with an Average Days on Market being 177 Days.

Residential – 586 Sales w/Average DOM 165

Land – 130 Sales w/ Average DOM 224

Commercial – 18 Sales w/Average DOM 224

Multi-Family – 12 Sales w/Average DOM 167

When you compare that to some of the other markets across the country I don’t think we are doing to bad.   Of course we are going to be off when half of our buyers come from those markets that are of 50% to 60%.    I am extremely pleased that Greater Montana GMAC Real Estate was only off 15% in sales from 2006.   Way to go GMAC  Team!!

It is hard to believe the holiday season is here and in full swing.  In getting ready to go out of town for the holidays I want to make sure that I wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.  We plan on spending a few days in Las Vegas with my grandparents, playing bingo with them and enjoying the sunshine. Then we will come home and get the granddaughters for a few days so we can spoil them rotten.  Sounds like a great holiday to me.  

Stat’s are provided by the Missoula Organization of Realtors.  Things are off a small percentage, espically when you compare it what is going on in other markets across the country. 

Here is the link to the report:

http://www.missoularealestate.com/index.php/fuseaction/market.main/ID/0d95f240

Missoula Urban Area–includes greater Missoula area and Lolo Residential 

Month of  November				Year to Date
# of        Median       # of      Median Year               Sales          Price        Sales      Price
2007		97		$224,900		1301		$219,900
2006		126		$199,175		1505		$208,000
2005		113		$186,500		1456		$191,500
2004		93		$187,000		1220		$178,500

 Meet our company mascot!!

Montana G “Mac”  Super Agent

It is time to start a blog for Greater Montana GMAC Real Estate.  As we get started we will figure out what direction and what we will talk about.   My goal is to make this blog informational, talk about our local market and along the way maybe get to know us.