Glen's Blog
2-23-10
Today there are currently 667 single-family homes for sale in the Helena MLS.
$100,000 - $199,999: 200 homes
$200,000 - $299,999: 207 homes
$300,000 - $399,999: 84 homes
$400,000 - $499,999: 39 homes
$500,000 - $1,000,000: 67 homes
There are many homes in all price pints for today’s buyers. Many options are available.
We are in a very competitive market and preparing homes for sale are very important. When a home is shown, the seller must roll out the red carpet and let the spot light shine bright to have the home stand alone in comparison to all the others. Our goal at Augustine Properties is for our clients’ homes to show the best in its field.
The focus is our clients – Our goal is to win!
Tax advantages for first time homebuyers are running short. Contracts for sale must be dated and accepted by April 30th 2010.
For existing homeowners that qualify for the $6,500 tax credits have the same time lines.
12-11-09
Today there are over 720 homes currently for sale in the Helena MLS. Average days on the market for sold homes are 133 days.
Today's pricing is so very important! The data available is used for this process. Pricing currently moves your home much quicker and with less stress. Let us at Augustine Properties visit with you and explain just how the pricing process is undertaken. Our goal is to have the best-informed sellers in the market.
8-18-09
Historical Smelter Stacks hit the dirt last Friday. Hundreds of Helena's witnessed this even. What an awesome site watching history moving along.
Today’s rate for 30 year fixed conventional loan is 5.00%. FHA-VA rates are 5.25%. Rural development loans seem to be a great way to go if your income is not more than $75,000 a year. Note rural development loans are for properties outside Helena City limits only. Great rates!
Helena’s real estate market is active with buyers and sellers on every plane. Pricing homes correctly and preparing homes as best as possible along with durable negotiating are getting homes sold within a timely period.
8-12-09
Important: First Time Home Buyers Class starts October 3rd – 17th on Saturdays.
This program for $8,000 tax credit that expires December 1, 2009. First Time Home Buyers Class Certificate can help qualify for additional government and housing grants in Montana. To sign-up or for more information visit: www.montanafirsttimehomebuyers.com. I will see you there.
7-30-09
If you think a house is a good investment, so will someone else. Home ownership is the best way for the average American to build wealth.
This is truly a great time to purchase or build a home close to 90% of buyers and sellers use the Internet for their first search. Great tool! The services that a well-informed real estate broker can provide you are priceless. Predictions are most home buyers will be staying in their home longer, which makes the buyers decisions even important now than ever. Augustine Properties prides itself by providing our clients with the knowledge for them to make the right choices. At Augustine Properties you will always work with the owners directly.
I hope you had the opportunity to enjoy the music folk festival in Butte this last weekend; all had a great time. It will be back next year so mark your calendar!
Moving to Helena? Are you undecided about the issue of renting or buying? I would like to invite you to call me anytime and arrange for me to show you Helena a nd the surrounding areas of Helena. This is a professional service that we provide and has been a huge success; within a few hours you will get to know the Helena real estate market better than most. Providing absolute information to our clients is one of our core values noted in our mission statement.
What a great time to build a new home! There are many building lots at reduced prices and with material cost down you can get a great home built for the money. Helena has many good builders available and some research can bring good results. I can provide you with some builders that will get you to projects they have completed and you will be able to visit the owners.
Happy New Year!
Great News! Montana ranks as #23 in healthy states to live in and Helena, Montana ranks #5 nationally as having the best economic health.
Helena is not currently considered declining housing markets. Housing prices have remained steady and stable. As of today active single-family homes listed on Helena’s MLS is 582, condo’s 107.
Interest rates are great! Thirty year fixed rates have been in the 4.625-4.875 ranges for the past few weeks and our lenders have money to lend out. Contacting a full time realtor in today’s complex housing market should be your fist considerations. I am available at all times for all your needs or questions. Give me a call 406-459-6441 or email me at glenrobbins@windermere.com or through this website glen@glenrobbins.com.
Helena’s mountains are showing the results of a Pine Beatle infestation. I have been told that it would get worse before it gets better. Everyone one is trying to do their best to help. Even with the treatment collars that cost $67, they are only 75% effective. This problem will not be solved easily but the forest will regenerate. Lets all be very cautious this fire season.
Today I’m looking at our area statistics of homes, condos, townhouses, and manufactured homes. Currently for sale in Helena’s Multi Listing Service are total of 870 listings. It is taking longer to sell homes, which means hard times for sellers. Pricing your home for sale is truly an important issue. There have been hundreds of price reductions. So as seller, you need to make smart business decisions. Let me help you in pricing and listing your home.
As I drive into downtown Helena, I was overtaken at the sight of the dark blue sky with sun rays bouncing through the broken white clouds, hitting Carroll College with Mount Helena in the background. What an awesome picture! How lucky we are!
With over 300 price reductions this year it is very important to have real time information. Sellers need to know just how the market is performing as do buyers.
Informed sellers and buyers make the best business partners. Homes priced well in the market will move faster than over priced properties. Sellers need to understand the problems of overpricing and the difficulty it can cause. Buyers also need to understand a home priced right is a good value and the one to consider buying.
If you are selling a home that has a septic system or considering buying a home in an area, you may have concerns regarding recent ads placed in the Independent Record. It is very important to have accurate information about your septic system and the septic permit for your home. Feel free to call me anytime if you have any questions. Homeowners need to maintain their septic systems properly, contact a licensed contractor or the county health department for this information.
Today there are 573 homes currently listed for sale in Helena’s MLS.
Home prices are still holding and increasing at about 5% so far this year. I have been hosting many open houses this year and the turn out has been very heavy, lots of buyers looking, I have had many interesting questions asked of me regarding issues of development ,water quality, zoning and septic systems issue.
Buyers need to know water quality. A simple water test will provide the answer chloroform and Nitrate levels and any other mineral levels you are concerned about. Is your present septic system in compliance? The County has a record of your septic permit and it is very easy to get your copy.
In popular areas of Helena, like South Central, Upper West, and Upper East; there are only 59 homes currently for sale in all these areas.
Clancy, Montana City, South Hills remain a high priority for many home buyers, with only 21 homes are fro sale as of today.
I see many price changes on currently listed homes meaning that sellers need to very diligent with listing there homes for sale. Average days on the market is up 13% from last year. Buyers are very aware that the market has shifted away from the hot sellers market. Always remember that the more informed buyers and sellers are, the better they can make the right choice.
With over 800 homes in the Helena area sold in 2007 our housing market remains very active.
Although there are many issues facing home buyers, this is a great time for sellers and buyers... There are many subdivisions approved and some very good opportunities for acquiring a building lot at affordable prices in the right area. Careful planning will return many benefits for future value and quality of living.
An example, Treasurer States subdivision has over the years has remained a very popular subdivision. Property values have increased steadily over the years and homes sell quite quickly when placed on the market.
Homes on the market are taking longer to sell today.
Some of the reasons being the lending institutions changing there lending requirements for buyers, such as larger down payments proof of solid employment and higher credit scores. The sub-prime issue has not been a factor in Montana most of that problem has been in other areas not Montana.
But has caused a ripple effect through out the industry.
Sup-Prime loans are loans to buyers that have unacceptable credit ratings and are charged a higher loan rate because the risk is greater. 100% financing with interest only payments for a time period and a call due on the note are reasons so many buyers are in trouble. The problem is buyers gambled that the home prices would continue to clime and the refinancing would be easy. Declining prices and unable to qualify for conventional financing this situation caused many foreclosures.
Helena has a very solid economy and home values should continue to increase.
Last year an average increase was about 3% in value for existing homes.
One thing to remember is that the statistics used for values include newly constructed homes. New construction is starting around $125.00 a foot compared in 1998 at around $55.00 a foot
Buying your next home will be a great experience for you, contact a knowledgeable Real Estate Agent and you will be very happy you did.
Take on Helena's Real Estate Market
The Helena Real Estate market remains very strong with 807 homes sold to date compared with 789 in 2006. Financing used most often is conventional with 612 loans complete, 67 cash sales, FHA,VA and other financing making up the remainder.
Our lenders have done a great job arranging financing for our customers. Interest rates have held up very well in the troubled times with secondary financing. Interest rates have been moving around somewhat the past few weeks from 6.5% to 6.125% buyers need to keep a close watch and listen to there loan officers as to when is the best time to lock in a fixed rate, this is a personnel decision you must make. Some of the lending requirements have changed and you need to contact your loan officer to see if your situation has changed.
This is a great time to buy! Home prices have leveled off somewhat and there is a large inventory of homes to choose from in all price ranges.
Days on the Market have gone up from last year with the average around 100 days compared with 60 days in 2006, Real Estate signs are staying on properties longer and people think the market is bad and that is not at all accurate.
Disclaimer
All information and square footage are deemed reliable, but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) nor Glen Robbins shall be responsible or liable for any typographical errors, mapping errors, misinformation or misprints