We see lots of kitchen trends, and unless you're going for "Montana rustic", it’s easy to get swept along with what’s in vogue, only to get bummed out by your faddish design choices a few years later. Thank you — Pinterest.

But chances are you’re only going to remodel your current kitchen once. After all, a complete kitchen renovation has a national median cost of $60,000, according to the “2015 Remodeling Impact Report” from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. With that much on the line, you want to make all the right moves. If you do, you could recover about 67% of your investment if you decide to sell.

So we’re here to future-proof you from angst by naming the seven definitive kitchen features that will retain their beauty, marketability, and…

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Montana 406 Real Estate and the firm’s agents have been successfully brokering high-end, luxury real estate since 1999.  If you are considering an offering of a luxury property or searching for a high-end property to purchase, read what one of our latest clients has to say below.  We are discerning, professional, and have a tailored plan for you.

Brokered in July of 2016:

  Thank You, Montana 406!

  It has been a genuine pleasure working with Montana 406 and PollyAnna Snyder on the sale and purchase of my property.

 By chance, I happened upon her after seeing a Montana406 sign on a property I was interested in.  From there, she has helped me sell my former property and has advised and guided me in finding a lovely new home with great…

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The epitome of a luxurious home is not just a well-appointed home. Rather, a luxurious home is one whose amenities allow for the owner to feel lavished upon or spoiled. Think royalty; Think opulence; Think extreme extravagance.  The amenities and offerings within should rival the magnificence of our beautiful Montana location.

The word luxury brings to mind plenty of conveniences such as, pools, saunas, in-home gyms, game rooms, and fully-stocked kitchens, but what are the items that luxury home buyers want the most?  What is a luxury homebuyer looking for when shopping for their new abode?

Here are 10 ideas listed in order of popularity that we think may intrigue even the wealthiest of home shoppers (or if you’re not among the jet-set, then here…

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For the hip home seeker who longs to be near great food and culture, neighborhoods in Bozeman’s downtown area hold a nearly irresistible attraction. The "urban core" of many downtown areas across the country are undergoing a revitalization of sorts, as cities invest in projects and amenities to attract new residents, and Bozeman is no exception. As more people look for alternatives to long commutes and urban sprawl, homebuyers interested in being part of the action are flocking to Bozeman Urban Living.

The common notion that people use to justify living in the suburbs is that you “get more for your money.” When looking at easily quantifiable factors such as square footage, parking, a garage, and a backyard this may be true. What you pay for downtown is…

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Does the outdoor space of your Bozeman home contradict the idea of “Big Sky Country”?  Love the wide open space available at your fingertips, but want the same feeling when you walk out your back door?  Don’t think of your microscopic yard as a curse. So what if it’s technically a small concrete slab that baaarely accommodates a half-sized Weber grill? Or if your flagstone patio is just big enough for you, a lounge chair, and a good book? Your tiny outdoor spot is actually an opportunity to get creative.

To live large with a small footprint, try these functional tweaks to make your minuscule outdoor space feel like it belongs in the Montana outdoors.

1. Divide the Space

Wait, what? That’s right. Even if your square footage is relatively small,…

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Life in Montana has its own “feel”.  For many, it’s the reason we choose to be here.  Quite often obtaining this feeling within your home means furnishings that are appropriate to “rustic” or complement what it means to be “Montanan”.  If this means wood furnishings or components in your home, these tips are for you.

Quality wood furniture can last a lifetime and is often a treasured heirloom, passed down through multiple generations. Still, even the highest quality wood is susceptible to scratches and abrasions if not properly cared for.

When purchasing furniture, it’s always a good idea to ask for specific cleaning and care instructions. For furnishings already in your home, here are 10 tips to keep the wood looking its best for many generations…

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Montana 406 can get you top dollar for your cherished home, but any improvements made will assist in the process. Springtime in Bozeman is not only the best time of year to give your home a good cleaning, it’s also the best time of year to take on several home improvement projects. Spring projects like these can improve your home’s looks and performance, and rarely cost more than $1,000, so you can easily take care of these issues before they have a chance to lead to bigger problems down the road.


Siding Repair

 Montana weather can really do a number on your siding. Painted wood siding frequently needs to have sections replaced that have been subjected to moisture over the cold, wet months. In most cases, repairing a section of siding can help…

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Think 10 Steps Ahead

When one of our clients updated a tiny kitchen in one of his Bozeman rentals, he installed a brand-new, expensive refrigerator — and then built a peninsula countertop extension.

Sounds like the greatest idea, right?  But adding the peninsula narrowed the space in front of the refrigerator, making it impossible to remove the refrigerator without lifting it entirely up and over the extension. (Ever tried to lift a fridge?)

DIY Lesson: Measure once, measure twice, measure again, and think through every possible scenario before changing a room’s layout.

Don’t Go with the Least Expensive Option

Speaking of kitchen appliances: our client above was looking for an island range hood, which can be extra-expensive because it needs to be…

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Homeowner tax Breaks

From mortgage interest to property tax deductions, here are the tax tips you need to get a jump on your returns.

Owning a home in Montana can pay off at tax time.  

Take advantage of these home ownership-related tax deductions and strategies to lower your tax bill:

 

Mortgage Interest Deduction 

One of the neatest deductions itemizing homeowners can take advantage of is the mortgage interest deduction, which you claim on Schedule A. To get the mortgage interest deduction, your mortgage must be secured by your home — and your home can be a house, trailer, or boat, as long as you can sleep in it, cook in it, and it has a toilet.

Interest you pay on a mortgage of up to $1 million — or $500,000 if you’re married filing separately — is…

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Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates fell for the fifth straight week.  This is great news if you are searching for a new home in Bozeman or the southwest Montana area.

 The average rate fell to 3.72 percent on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, The Associated Press reports. 

 The average rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages fell to 3.01 percent, according to the AP. 

 Mortgage rates continue to fall despite the Federal Reserve raising the short-term rate for the first time since 2006, the AP says.

Remember, if you need any assistance or have any questions regarding brokering your real property and/or finding a new home for sale in the Bozeman, Livingston, or Manhattan areas, give us a call or send us an email – 406.404.1960 or…

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