Bozeman, MT (Grassroots Newswire) September 28, 2009- People considering the purchase of their first home may be missing a valuable opportunity if they delay much longer, according to Robyn Erlenbush, local ERA® representative. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included an enhanced First-Time Homebuyer Federal Tax Credit, a housing stimulus that provides a maximum tax credit of $8,000 for first-time home purchases. "The credit is due to expire November 30, and given the time it takes to find a home, secure financing and close on a property, potential buyers should act without delay," Robyn Erlenbush said. However,Robyn Erlenbush points out that to be eligible for the tax credit, qualified first-time buyers must purchase and reside in the principal residence before Decem... 10/02/2009

Wondering what is happening with the First-time Homebuyers $8,000 Tax Credit that is set to expire November 30, 2009?  Congress is looking at some modifications of the existing program to change payback provisions for military personnel, including an extension of the 3 year limit for resale.  Could this be an indication of a tendency to consider extension of the tax credit program?  What do you think?   Read this article written by Kenneth R. Harney for RealtyTimes.com about the $8,000 tax credit changes.   "The first major change to the $8,000 home buyers tax credit began moving through Congress last week, giving hope to real estate and building groups pushing for extension of the entire program before it expires Nov. 30." ... http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20090921_washingtonreport.ht... 10/01/2009

The City of Bozeman, Montana requires that if a person or entity plans to erect, enlarge, repair, move, alter, raze, improve, or convert a building or structure within the Bozeman city limits the person or entity apply for one of the many Bozeman building permits granted each year. The Bozeman Real Estate Report contains information on the Bozeman building permit history since 2001. Information on the site includes Belgrade, Three Forks and unincorporated towns in Gallatin County Montana. Apply for a Bozeman building permit. Taunya Fagan Prudential Real Estate in Bozeman giving you the advantage...® 09/30/2009

Good news for the local real estate market! Residential inventory in the Bozeman/Belgrade area is down! Fewer available homes on the market is the first step towards home price stabilization. The Belgrade area shows the most promise as the August 2009 inventory level is lower than it was in August 2006.This is a good sign that the local real estate market is headed towards recovery.Stay tuned with www.eralandmark.com/marketwatch to see what September’s statistics reveal! Click imag to view larger pdf version If you are interested in more Gallatin Valley Real Estate Market Graphs and Stats, simply contact us and we'd be happy to share our wealth of knowledge with you! 09/30/2009

Entrepreneur Magazine Montana State University and Bozeman, MontanaCity population: 37,981MSU student population: 12,369University employees: 2,992Metro area small businesses: 4,357Nearest major airport: Salt Lake City International (340 miles) For many, moving west means facing the Montana Compromise: You can live in one of the most beautiful areas of the country, but you'll have to write off any thoughts of a livable income. Bozeman and MSU are working to overcome that. The university, through its Center for Entrepreneurship for the New West, is tapping into the state's independent streak: Montana has one of the largest shares of small businesses and self-employed people in the nation. Since it was founded in 2001, the facility's students have provided 10,000 hours of consulting advic... 09/28/2009

National Geographic Adventure magazine has named Bozeman one of the three best cities in the United States for an adventurer to start a family. In its October issue, which hit newsstands this week, the magazine cites Bozeman's hiking and biking trails, its proximity to ski resorts and Yellowstone National Park, highly ranked public school system and university culture as reasons why it makes a good backyard for kids and parents."Almost any neighborhood you live in, you can access a trail that can take you into state or public lands," Swithin McGrath said Thursday as she dropped her 11-year-old son Nick off for climbing lessons at Spire Climbing Center. "It's not like you have to get in your car and drive."Despite a 27 percent increase in population since 2000, the National Geographic ar... 09/28/2009

Now more than ever, the old adage "you only get one chance to make a good first impression" rings especially true for real estate. With a larger than normal inventory available for buyers to chose from, sellers need to present their homes in the best possible light at all times. Of course the selling process begins with pricing the home properly based on its location, size, and condition. The next phase is to critically assess and evaluate a home's "showability" to get it into showing condition and ready for potential buyers.  Research has shown that 78% of a buyer's assessment of a home to purchase will take place before they even see it due to the location of the property and whether the home's size meets their needs. After that, the rest of the decision making takes place in the firs... 09/24/2009

Denise Andres is ranked #1 in Montana for real estate sales based on Total Closed Production Volume through August 2009 by global residential real estate leader ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. Andres' outstanding effort to provide the best service possible also ranks her as 23rd in the nation for among over 33,000 ERA Associates.  As a Sales Associate with ERA Landmark for over 12 years, Denise has earned many distinguished awards including the ERA National Leaders' Circle each consecutive year since 1999, "1st in Customer Satisfaction" national awards from ERA Franchise System, and Gallatin Association of REALTORS® Salesperson of the Year 2001. Andres also holds the ABR, CRS, GRI and GREEN designations, which provide her with the best sales tools in the industry. Denise AndresMBA, CRS, GRI... 09/21/2009

National Geographic Adventure Magazine ...says the Montana mountain town Bozeman is a best city in the US for the adventurer to start a family: National Geographic rates Bozeman, Montana in the top three of its United States Adventurer Cities. In the October 2009 National Geographic issue, which came out the week of September 13, 2009, the magazine mentions Bozeman's biking and hiking trail system; its proximity to Bridger Bowl and Big Sky snowboard and ski resorts; the Bridger, Gallatin, Beartooth, and Madison Ranges; and Yellowstone Park, the 2.2-million-acre National Park Ulysses S. Grant created in 1872. Bozeman Outdoors National Geographic's reasons for the accolade also include Bozeman's award-winning public schools and the impact Montana State University has on Bozeman's overall ... 09/18/2009

Lunch and Learn with ERA Landmark and Bank of AmericaJoin us for these Brown Bag Sessions! Bring your lunch and learn with us!Wednesdays at 12 NoonERA Landmark's Downtown Office8 East Main Street, Bozeman406.556.5001September 16th - First Time Home Buyer's $8000 Tax CreditSeptember 23rd - Low Down/No Down Financing Options"A quick glimpse of the current mortgage opportunity for first time & 'asset challenged' buyers.  Also a great opportunity for sellers who may not realize the funds they were hoping for to get into their next home."September 30th - Navigating This Market"Looking for a new home?  Thinking about buying a place in the near/distant future?  This quick session will cover the process from start to finish."October 7th - How To Pick The Right PropertyOctober 14th - What costs ... 09/17/2009

The top ten US real estate markets for 2009 are not large metropolitan areas, but rather small communities with strong prospects for growth. The following list of high potential housing markets may not appreciate in the short term, but have the highest likelihood of long term appreciation. See the top ten list put together by Housing Predictor for what may be the best real estate markets to invest in for 2009.   The hottest buyers housing markets are places you may find comfort in the worst housing crash since at least the Great Depression. The top 10 buyers markets listed by Housing Predictor at mid-year are markets that aren't necessarily big arts and entertainment centers, mostly found in smaller communities....   Top 10 Hottest Buyers Markets: Amarillo, TX Sioux Falls, SD Biloxi, MS... 09/17/2009

Fewer housing markets are forecast to appreciate making the Housing Predictor Top 25 market list for the year as job layoffs and business failures throw the national economy into a deepening recession. There are now eight markets forecast to experience housing inflation in 2009. North Dakota and Montana were the last two states to produce signs of a downturn in their real estate markets. At the beginning of the year, Montana placed all five of its markets on the list with forecast housing inflation, but since that time economic conditions have deteriorated and show a powerful likelihood of worsening through the remainder of 2009. Read more from Housing Predictor 1.    Amarillo, TX        2.1%     2.    Rapid City, SD        1.9%     3.    Davenport, IA        1.7%     4.    Morgantown, ... 09/17/2009

Bozeman, Montana's Morning Star Elementary School, the Bozeman School District's largest elementary school, is one of the 2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Morning Star Elementary, named for Cheyenne Indian Chief, Morning Star, who would often awaken early in the morning to view the planet Venus, was chosen as one of the top elementary schools in the United States because it helps Bozeman students close the "achievement gap," "the difference in academic performance between different ethnic groups," according to the U.S. Department of Education's definition. Arne Duncan, U.S. Education Secretary, announced 314 schools have won the Blue Ribbon award, which includes 50 private schools and 264 public schools. Central School in Roundup, MT also was chosen. On Novemebr 3, 2009, all winners w... 09/16/2009

DRINKING HORSE MOUNTAIN The Drinking Horse Mountain Trail is a new Bozeman hiking gem not just because it makes for a short, vigorous 1.6 mile (3.2 mile rt) early-morning or after-work hike but also because of the spectacular views along the way and from its summit. Walk along the excellent, recently carved and compacted limestone hiking trail from about 4902 ft to the 5,522 ft Drinking Horse Mountain Summit for views of the Absarokas and many of the Gallatin Valley's mountain ranges. The Drinking Horse Mountain Trail, north of Bozeman, MT, is great for kids because they can make the hike short by stopping to splash in Bridger Creek under the shade of mature Cottonwoods, or they can head for the top, stopping along the way to rest on one of the many memorial benches manufactored from r... 09/07/2009

The top ten US real estate markets for 2009 are not large metropolitan areas, but rather small communities with strong prospects for growth. The following list of high potential housing markets may not appreciate in the short term, but have the highest likelihood of long term appreciation. See the top ten list put together by Housing Predictor for what may be the best real estate markets to invest in for 2009.   The hottest buyers housing markets are places you may find comfort in the worst housing crash since at least the Great Depression. The top 10 buyers markets listed by Housing Predictor at mid-year are markets that aren't necessarily big arts and entertainment centers, mostly found in smaller communities....   Top 10 Hottest Buyers Markets: Amarillo, TX Sioux Falls, SD Biloxi, MS... 08/27/2009

As we constantly monitor and follow trends in the real estate industry, an interesting movement is emerging. There has been increased consideration given to smaller homes nationwide for a number of reasons. Not to say that "bigger is better" is a thing of the past. But for many, consideration is being given to the simple concept that "smaller is preferred".  First, there are the Baby Boomers who are finding that their empty nest may be larger than what they now want or need in terms of space and upkeep. Many homeowners of this generation are in the position to move to new locations they have always wanted to try out or to just spend more time pursuing hobbies and leisure activities versus upkeep of large lawns and seldom used rooms. The minimized stress can be worth clearing out some cl... 08/25/2009

Robyn Erlenbush, Broker/Owner of NAI Landmark is pleased to announce that sales associate Jason Leep has joined NAI Landmark. For the past 12 years, Leep has been associated with Potter Clinton Development and has produced many successful and well-accepted real estate projects. While still involved with existing Potter Clinton Development projects, Leep's new affiliation with NAI Landmark will allow him to provide sales and consulting services for area property owners. His unique history lends itself well to developing long term strategies for real estate investments. Leep specializes in consulting services, sales and acquisitions, landlord and tenant representation, development, build to suit analysis, and sale leasebacks.   NAI Landmark is a full-service commercial real estate brokera... 08/19/2009

Robyn Erlenbush, Broker/Owner of ERA Landmark Real Estate was recently recognized as one of the Top Fifty ERA® brokers by global real estate company, ERA Franchise Systems LLC. As a top broker, Erlenbush was invited to attend the annual ERA President's Circle Business Conference held July 26-28 in Florham Park, N.J. The President's Circle Business Conference is an exclusive event for the Top 200 brokers in the ERA network. Erlenbush represented ERA Landmark at the ERA President's Circle Business Conference, a meeting of some of the country's most successful real estate brokers. This year's conference focused on getting back to business basics and ways to increase success in any market. Throughout the two-day event, brokers shared strategies about new marketing initiatives and more effic... 08/19/2009

IT MAKES SENSE TO BUY VS. RENT Nearly a full third of households are still renting. If you’re one of them, you could be paying a hefty price. Before talking about purchasing a house, it’s important to note two things. First—and this is extremely important—the housing market is actually localized. So the outlook in your hometown may be different than another city across the state or on the other side of the country. Second, home prices are tied to employment. For example, if someone feels like their job is in jeopardy, it might be enough to stop them from making a move. So, if your local job market is feeling a pinch, the home prices in your area may be down as well. But with all those factors under consideration, it still makes sense to buy instead of rent. In fact, renting may be costi... 08/19/2009

Obama Coming to Bozeman...Again. A City Commissioner for the City of Bozeman, MT confirmed on August 4, 2009 that President Barack Obama again will be visiting Bozeman, Montana; this time Obama will visit on Friday, August 14, 2009. President Obama is purported to be planning on holding a town hall meeting at one of Bozeman's Gallatin Field Airport hangers. Obama will discuss the plight of people dropped from their health insurance plans because of an illness. It is purported that First Lady, Michelle Obama, and President Obama may also visit Big Sky, Montana after the August 14, 2009 Bozeman town meeting. The First Couple is staying at Big Sky's Summit Hotel. According to Bozeman's Daily Chronicle, Mayor, Kaaren Jacobson, stated, "He's definitely coming, that much is clear." Avis Car R... 08/05/2009