Major Considerations
- It has been a seller’s market for quite some time. Bozeman has an average of 5 people moving here per DAY! So, while home prices are not anything like they are in major coastal cities, they are higher than many expect for close to downtown or view properties.
- There are fixers and homes that could use some updating available for lower prices. For many people, these are great opportunities to gain equity quickly once the update work is complete. The real caveat here is that Bozeman has an unemployment rate of less than 3% and there are simply not enough skilled tradespeople to do all the work in this booming economy and housing market. A great remodel can be done but research, planning and patience are a must and maybe a few extra dollars than expected.
- Montana is a non-disclosure state. There are only a few of these in the nation, but basically, what that means is that home selling prices are not made public. So all the Zillow algorithms do not work well here, which may impact the accuracy of the Zestimate. Real estate agents have very strict rules governing their disclosure of home selling prices and a buyer can only get the accurate selling prices of comparative homes they are shopping for by a licensed real estate agent. Believe it or not, this has less to do with the real estate lobby than it does with the Montana sense of privacy and avoidance of governmental interference.
- Moving to Bozeman Montana is a great decision. I do not know anybody who has moved here and after a bit of adjustment, including if it had to do with the surprise of remodel cost or difficulty in finding a home, who hasn’t been happy with their decision.
These are the realities of reaching for your dream of moving to a place that has a vibrant community, downtown, culture, and outdoor scene. Good news is that this can be navigated with a knowledgeable real estate agent.
As a local and invested real estate professional, I can help you find potential neighborhoods, advise you on pricing but also help you with referrals if you choose the build/remodel road. I am also thrilled to share my family’s experience in moving here, networking, meeting people and loving Bozeman and Montana.
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