Montana World Trade Center - Connecting Montana to the World I recently had the opportunity to meet with the staff of the Montana World Trade Center which is based in Missoula at the University of Montana. They are participating in Social Media Club Missoula and looking at opportunities to help Montana businesses use social media. The Montana World Trade Center (MWTC) works to increase international trade through public-private partnerships, business networking, and student education. They provide resources to help Montana businesses including: Export/Import readiness assessment Basic International research and guidance Training seminars Access to visiting trade experts and delegations Trade shows and international trade missions. They also provide specialized services on a retainer or ... 07/30/2009

Missoula Montana Named One of the Most Playful Cities in America! In a time when 82 percent of parents believe children don't spend enough time playing outside, KaBOOM! a national non-profit dedicated to bringing play back into children's lives, named them its most Playful City USA communities recently, Missoula Montana made that list! Each of the 2009 Playful City USA communities demonstrated creative commitments to the cause of play in the areas of quantity, quality and access. Making playspaces accessible to all citizens in Missoula is a priority for the Parks and Recreation department. The department will establish new connector sidewalks that will connect low and moderate income housing, schools, the YMCA, and a community park. The department is also developing a new Finder Map for... 07/29/2009

Homes for Sale on the South Hill in Missoula MT - Moose Can Gulley & Wapikaya The South Hill in Missoula Montana has many great housing options - from condos, to starter-homes, to custom homes. Located up Hillview from Russell Street into the hills, the South Hill neighborhood is Moose Can Gulley. At the base of the South Hill is Wapikaya, another popular Missoula neighborhood. Historically marked by ranches and farms, the South Hills neighborhoods still respectfully nod to their rural roots. They just recently approved over 1,000 acres of open space easements provide for peaceful places to explore and enjoy.  Trail systems are underway to connect Hillview Road to Moose Can Gully Park.  The South Hill and Wapikaya neighborhoods are close to grocery shopping, schools, and are only a shor... 07/29/2009

Homes for Sale in The University District - Missoula Montana Real Estate I would venture to say that the University District is the most popular Missoula neighborhood, as reflected by the price of homes in the area. It's beautiful historic homes, tree lined boulevards, and close proximity to Missoula's University of Montana and downtown make it a desirable place to live. From July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009, there were 33 homes sold in the University District ranging from $91,000 to $862,000. The median sales price was $315,000 - the highest in Missoula. Homes in the University District range from condos to one-of-a-kind historic homes and new construction custom homes. Search All Homes for Sale in the University District of Missoula MT University of Montana alum Don Oliver takes a look at... 07/28/2009

Homes for Sale in Grant Creek - Missoula Montana Real Estate Grant Creek is a popular place to live and for real estate in Missoula MT. It has the benefit of being close to town, minutes from North Reserve, but also feeling like it's miles away. The Grant Creek area is unique to the greater Missoula valley. It is highly rural in nature and is split between city and county residents. Grant Creek is home to a large working cattle ranch and the National Wildlife Federation nature wildlife reserve and the headquarters of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. It is bordered to the north by national forest land and by the Rattlesnake Wilderness. It is served by only one roadway which also provides the only access to the Snow Bowl Ski Area. Grant Creek is also home to a herd of elk that frequent ... 07/26/2009

Foreclosures in Missoula Montana - An Update on The Market We were recently interviewed on the local NBC affiliate, KECI regarding the increase in foreclosures in Missoula County after data was released showing an increase in foreclosures in Montana. The County Clerk's office reports that the number of foreclosure notices since January 1, 2009 are 325, compared with the same time last year, at 143. While Missoula has seen an increase in foreclosure activity, the counties that were hardest hit are Flathead, Ravalli, and Mineral Counties. We have also seen a slight decrease in the number of home sales and average sales price in Missoula for the month of June. Overall for the year, sales prices are up slightly however. While the reports show an increase in foreclosures, our opionion is tha... 07/26/2009

Homes for Sale in 44 Ranch Estates - Missoula Montana Real Estate 44 Ranch Estates is one of the newest developments in Missoula, MT and it features many great lots and homes for sale. Located off Mullan Road, approximately 1.5 miles west of Reserve Street, 44 Ranch is ideally located to the North Reserve business and shopping district and is only 1.5 miles from The Ranch Club golf course and community, and one mile from Missoula's Hellgate Elementary - a popular school with local residents. 44 Ranch was developed to be similar to Missoula's traditional neighborhoods. It features tree lined boulevards and a wide variety of homes with different architectural styles. The development has homes from many different local builders and you can also bring your own to create a custom home. 44 Ra... 07/26/2009

Homes for Sale in The Pattee Canyon / Farviews Area of Missoula MT receive a lot of attention in the Missoula Real Estate market. This area is desirable due to it's conveniant location to the University of Montana, Downtown Missoula, and because it's minutes from the Pattee Canyon Recreational Area. Set in a wooded canyon near Missoula at 4,100 feet, the trails of the Pattee Canyon Recreation Area are a local favorite for hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, and picnics.  The Pattee Canyon Recreational Area is an amazing place in the winter with miles of groomed cross-country ski trails that are maintained by the Missoula Nordic Ski Club. This neighborhood also boasts a local golf course, Highlands Golf Course which is located on Ben Hogan Drive. Many of the homes back up to t... 07/22/2009

Missoula MT Homes For Sale in The Rattlesnake Area Real Estate The Rattlesnake area of Missoula is a favorite of many Missoulians due to its close proximity to recreation, the University of Montana, and Missoula's downtown. The neighborhood borders the Rattlesnake National Recreational Area on the north, a 60,000 acre wilderness, ideal for hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and camping. The Rattlesnake neighborhood is broken into two areas - the Lower Rattlesnake and the Upper Rattlesnake. From July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009, there were 31 homes sold in this neighborhood, ranging from $210,000 to $900,000. The Median Home Sales Price in The Rattlesnake was $310,000 for that same time period. Search Homes & Real Estate For Sale in The Rattlesnake Area of Missoula M... 07/21/2009

Missoula MT is an ideal place for a second home or vacation home as evidenced by a new article in USA today where they are quoted as saying: "Home to the University of Montana, and surrounded by mountains, trails, skiing, renowned trout streams and whitewater, Missoula is often described as "cerebral meets outdoorsy." The downtown is dominated by the university and the city's two highly regarded hospitals, full of bistros, brewpubs and espresso bars. But most second-home owners come for the ample outdoor activities, the privacy of vast ranches or the growing number of luxury golf communities." In Missoula, we have the benefit of enjoying the beautiful mountains, rivers, and streams that surround the city, but also enjoy a wide range of cultural and educational events - thus cerebral mee... 07/16/2009

Homes in the the Target Range / Orchard Homes  Neighborhood are very popular due to the larger lot sizes, the country feel to the neighborhood and the great location! Target Range / Orchard Homes properties have that small-town-feel but are only minutes away from North Reserve Street businesses, downtown Missoula culture, and area events. One of my favorite places in the Target Range area is the Equestrian Park. It's a great place to walk and has some of the best views of the Mountains around Missoula. Having been a former Target Range resident, we spent many hours on the equestrian park trails and have great memories of the Foxes that live there, the blue herons that fly overhead, and our chocolate lab swimming in the canal that runs through the park. From July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009... 07/16/2009

Missoula Montana Homes for Sale - Rose Park Area Real Estate The Rose Park neighborhood of Missoula is popular due to its close proximity to downtown, the University of Montana, and local businesses. From July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009, there were 30 sales in the Rose Park neighborhood with an Average Price of $229,936. Search Active Rose Park Neighborhood Listings **************** By TwitterButtons.com 07/14/2009

Missoula Montana Homes For Sale - Miller Creek / Linda Vista Area Real Estate The Miller Creek / Linda Vista area of Missoula is in the southwestern corner of town and is a popular area for homebuyers due to the area schools, number of parks and open space, and the proximity to Brooks Street for easy access to local businesses. The Miller Creek / Linda Vista Neighborhood is bounded on the east by Miller Creek Rd., bounded on the north and the west by the Bitterroot River and U.S. Hwy. 93. From July 1, 2008 - July 1, 2009, there were 53 Sales with an Average Home Price of $347,239 in the Upper Miller Creek and Linda Vista neighborhoods. Search Miller Creek / Linda Vista Active Listings     By TwitterButtons.com 07/14/2009

Lender - You're Doing a Great Job Marketing My Old Home! We had a surprising compliment from one of our clients yesterday, a lender we represent on a couple of bank-owned properties. The bank has stated in the past that they like working with us because we promote their listings so heavily on the Internet - a primary strategy in our marketing plan. They just recently received confirmation that our marketing plan is working and that their properties have high visibility on the internet from an unlikely source - the prior owner of the property! The home had been listed for more than a year prior to the bank taking the property back and the owner had tried very hard to sell the home. When he called the bank to let them know that he was removing the last of his personal effects from the gar... 07/14/2009

Everyone knows the importance of having ‘hyperlocal’ content on your blog, but how many people, I wonder, recognize the importance of being ‘hyperpersonal’?  Last week I was tasked to uncover some hyperlocal blogs in our current clients’ markets.  Most ‘experts’ will say the best way to get on another blogger’s radar would be to lurk around the site until you find a post you feel comfortable commenting on.  But I must say that I am not a fan of waiting, plain and simple.  I found several blogs across the States worth following and here is how I went about garnishing the authors’ interest via ‘hyperpersonal’ means:   There is a real person behind every blog.  This person has a unique childhood, a high school they graduated from and will remember forever.  These people have first loves, f... 07/13/2009

Missoula Montana Real Estate Market Report June 2009 The Missoula MT real estate market was not hit as hard as many parts of the country. Earlier in the year, we were still seeing an increase in our median home price, although there were fewer sales. We are now starting to see a dip in prices, fewer sales and longer days on market. In dealing with other agents in and around Missoula, the sense is still optimistic and many feel like we are starting to see an upswing. Price and condition are always important but become critical in this market. Buyers are looking for the best value in their price range and have many options. Residential Market Activity in the Missoula Urban Area (residential, AND residential with acreage) Missoula Urban Area - Month of June Year # of Sales Median Price Av... 07/11/2009

Missoula had one if its first "Tweetups" in June at The Broadway. The Tweetup was sponsored and organized by Access Realty, Energy 107.5, and Real Estate Client Referrals. The Tweetup was a great opportunity for people who knew each other on Twitter to meet face to face. The event was featured on the evening news at KPAX. Jill Valley, the evening news anchor from KPAX, attended the event has been using Twitter since January when she attended the Obama Inauguration in Washington, DC and tweeted the event highlights to viewers. For Video Highlights of the event, to find out about future events, or for Twitter resources and a presentation about using Twitter for business visit www.MissoulaTweetup.com.                **************** By TwitterButtons.com 07/09/2009

Visit Our New I Love Missoula PhotoBlog - Missoula Montana Living The ILoveMissoula.com Photo Blog features photos from the Missoula area that we have taken, as well as photos from local photographers and friends who have given permission for their photos to be used on the site. We have also compiled a list of local Missoula area links that are available on the site. We post a new photo on the site each week and also accept submissions for review for the site so check back each week, or follow us on Twitter at @ILoveMissoula to receive notifications when new photos are posted.   07/09/2009

Kayak in Downtown Missoula at Brennan's Wave on the Clark Fork River A great place to visit in Missoula is Brennan's Wave which is located downtown, next to Caras Park on the Clark Fork River. We spent some time at Brennan's Wave last weekend, after visiting the local farmer's markets, and had a great time watching the action. Brennan's Wave was developed in 2006 and was named for Brennan Guth, a local kayaking legend. It's level two rapids are great for local kayakers to practice their sport, and are also used to help train search and rescue personnel. Brennan's Wave replaced an abandoned irrigation dam that was a hazard to river goers. It also benefits the Clark Fork River by providing better oxygenation for fish. Use of Brennan's Wave is free, and so is viewing the kayakers from the ... 07/09/2009

Photo by Kelsey Ray 07/07/2009