Tips, best practices, and guides people looking to buy a home or other real estate. We specialize in the beautiful Bozeman, Mt. region.

The U.S. Median home listing price recently hit a historic high of $300,000 according to realtor.com’s March housing data. That’s up 7 % from last March. Despite a slowing housing market, prices in a number of metros are still increasing, many at lower rates than a year ago. “This is the first time we’ve seen that number hit the $300,000 point nationally,” explained Danielle Hale, chief economist at realtor.com. With the spring buying season kick-off, Hale expects “steady price growth to continue in 2019, with the exception of areas like San Jose.”

This happened despite that inventories kept increasing, though at a slower pace. Realtor.com saw national inventory grow 4 % this March compared to March 2018. That number jumped to a 9% increase when you…

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We have moved into our third week of the government shutdown

Because we always want to be YOUR source of updated information- Please see below the highlighted areas with the most recent updates as of 01/09/2019 (subject to change).

Update 01/09/2019- First the History- In US Politics, a government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass or the President refuses to sign appropriations legislations funding federal government operations and agencies. In this case, the current interpretation of the Antideficiency Act requires that the federal government begin a "shutdown" of the affected activities involving the furlough of non-essential personnel and curtailment of agency activities and services, however essential employees are still required to…

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Slower economic growth will mean more static interest rates and increasing affordability, a new study from Fannie Mae says...BY PATRICK KEARNS

Economic growth is expected to slow in 2019 leading to stabilized home sales and mortgage rates, according to Fannie Mae‘s economic and strategic research group. 

A widening trade deficit and moderation of business investment growth have Fannie Mae’s team predicting that full-year gross domestic product growth (GDP) will slow to a 2.3 percent increase — down from this year’s projected 3.1 percent increase.

Consumer spending will continue to be the largest driver of growth, but in the third quarter of 2018 business investment growth slowed significantly. It could be even further impacted by higher tariffs,…

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FHFA Announces Maximum Conforming Loan Limits for 2019

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Baseline Limit Will Increase to $484,350

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/27/2018

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced the maximum conforming loan limits for mortgages to be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2019.  In most of the U.S., the 2019 maximum conforming loan limit for one-unit properties will be $484,350, an increase from $453,100 in 2018. 

Baseline limit

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) requires that the baseline conforming loan limit be adjusted each year for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to reflect the change in the average U.S. home price.  Earlier today, FHFA published its third…

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MAY - 2018

  M O N T A N A   L I V I N G      
                                                                                                          

Spring in Bozeman and Livingston

In early May, as temperatures warm, the ice melts off and the garage gets switched out. Skis are maintained and stored, and out come the clubs, bikes, canoes and kayaks, and all the footwear to accompany these activities. The mountain bikes stay dormant until later in May or even early June, as environmentally correct locals wait for the miles and miles of trails in the valley to properly dry out. Hiking is the best way to enjoy the trails and get the calves ready for mountain…

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Luxury Real Estate, Engel & Völkers, Bozeman Montana  

 
What's Happening in Bozeman, Livingston and Big Sky
 
 

Spring will soon be here, finally!

With Spring technically here – it is that time of year when more homes and land come on the market. For the latest in real estate available, click here -Bozeman, Big Sky, Livingston and the Paradise Valley.

We have a few prime and exclusive offerings for you to look at this month:

  • Norton Ranch condominium with main floor master
  • Would you like to fish, hunt, and escape to your own 3+ miles of water and over 660 acres on the Big Hole River in southwest Montana? – then take a look here
  • One level condo in Four Corners with HUGE 3-car garage and spacious fenced backyard...Sage Bloom and, since…

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“I think the condo market will remain strong because it’s the only market younger people can afford; it’s the first step to getting into the real estate market,” said Engel & Völkers Toronto Central’s Owner and Broker of Record, Anita Springate-Renaud. “Investors will buy them to rent them because there’s a shortage of rentals.”  To read the full article, click here.

We are seeing a steady growth across the country, actually across the continent per the sited article.  There are multiple reasons for that including consumer confidence, high levels of cash buyers, low unemployment which translates to more people working regularly and low inventory.  We have a an extra low inventory here due to less future development while our water and sewer districts…

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For more information on how this will affect each loan type, click the loan that you are interested in below:

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced the maximum conforming loan limits for mortgages to be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2018. In most of the U.S., the 2018 maximum conforming loan limit for one-unit properties will be $453,100, an increase from $424,100 in 2017. 

FHA has updated its list of the maximum mortgage limits for FHA-insured forward mortgages, effective for case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018. FHA loan limits will increase in 3,011 counties and stay the same in 233 counties. 

VA Loans will also have new limits; however, for pricing…

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