Bozeman Montana is the heart of the Gallatin Valley, nestled between three mountain ranges and 150 miles north of Yellowstone Park, and is home to Montana State University. It was in the Gallatin Valley, that Lewis and Clark found the source of the Missouri River.
If you are into recreation, and an outdoor person, The Gallatin Valley has it all: camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, whitewater, rock climbing, trout fishing, big game hunting, upland bird hunting, skiing, and snowboarding can all be found in and around Bozeman, Montana. Lewis and Clark found the source of the Missouri River here and now those rivers boast world class trout fishing, boating, kayaking, rafting and stand up paddle boarding.
The Gallatin River, Jefferson River and Madison River make up the Missouri River and come together in Three Forks, which is in driving distance of Bozeman, Montana. Just a short drive away, you will find Big Sky Ski Resort, which has the most vertical feet of any ski resort in the country. Plus, Bozeman, Montana has its own neighborhood ski resort in Bridger Bowl. For leisure sports, Bozeman is home to five golf courses, with numerous golf courses in surrounding areas.
If all those don’t intrigue you to Bozeman, consider our small population, less than 60,000 people in our town. For an Alpine community, we are still quite cultural, and home to advanced technology companies such as Zoot, WealthVest and Oracle. Montana state university is nationally respected for numerous different programs. Bozeman is also home to a symphony, opera and a play house.
SELLER INFO
Keeping the lines of communication open.
From start to finish, you’ll get pristine communication through the entire process.
Signing the paperwork.
We’ll go over your listing agreement and terms to make sure everyone has a clear understanding of all terms and conditions.
Connecting you with the right people.
Sometimes you may need the help of a professional throughout the process of selling your property. Whether it’s an accountant, an investment professional to help with post-sale funds, or a lender for those buying another home—we’ll make sure you get paired up with good people who are ready to help.
Completing the walkthrough.
We’ll do a walkthrough of the home with you to see if any staging, repairs, ect. need to be completed to make the house show ready and primed to sell.
Capturing your home at its best.
We offer professional photography for each and every client.
Marketing your home.
Marketing your listing means investing in a range of outlets to show your home off—from a website, to social media, flyers, newspaper listings, hosting open houses, and any other means important to you.
Securing the deal.
Once you’ve received your offer, we’ll go over it together in full detail. We’ll communicate the ins and outs of the proposal with you and assist you in deciding if the offer should be accepted or negotiated for better terms.
Navigating negotiations.
Once the offer is made, you may have an inspection completed of the property. This is where a second round of negotiations comes in to play. We’ll be there to help you decide what items will be repaired or upgraded depending on terms of your contract.
Getting your place appraised.
In most cases an appraisal will be completed at this point (to be paid for by the buyer). An appraiser will come into the home and evaluate the market value of your property. If an appraisal comes in under the agreed upon price of the home, another round of negotiations may occur!
Signing the dotted line.
Buyers will usually complete one last walkthrough of the home 24-48 hours before closing. Upon their final approval, we’ll meet you at the title company and sign all closing documents.
BUYER INFO
Connecting you with the right people.
You’ll most likely need the assistance of a few different professionals along the way. We’ll help connect you with a lender or any other professional to take care of all your needs.
Zeroing in on the right home.
We work relentlessly to set up showings with homes that match your desires and meet the qualifications of what makes your perfect property.
Drafting the contract.
Once we find you the right property, we’ll help you write up the contract with terms and conditions that best suit you.
Getting the offer accepted.
Once the offer is excepted, we send you a guide listing all important dates and details ensuring we’re all on the same page and the process flows smoothly.
Working with the lender.
We deliver any necessary documents to the lender and work in tandem with them as they set up an appraisal for the property.
Completing the home inspection.
At this point we’ll schedule a 3rd party inspection for you to survey the home and outline any items that need repair. We’ll also deduce whether or not the price needs to be reduced to compensate for items needing repair that are found in the inspection
Checking with the Title company.
We’ll work with Title company to make sure your soon-to-be home is free and clear of all liens and clouds.
Negotiating post-appraisal.
If upon completion the appraiser finds the home to be at a price that is under market value, we will help you to negotiate final terms and price of the home for your benefit.
Doing the final walkthrough.
We do a final walk through of the property with you 24-48 hours prior to closing. This is to make sure all agreed upon inspection items were addressed and are taken care of.
Staying by your side at the signature.
It’s in our nature to be with you every step of the way, even at the very end. We’ll be with you at your closing appointment while you sign all closing documents.
Handing over the keys. This is that glorious moment we live for, handing you the keys to your beloved new home!!!.
MORTGAGE TIPS
Know Your Credit Score
Credit scores and credit activity have a major impact on mortgage approvals. According to the Home Loan Learning Center, a large percentage of lenders require a minimum credit score of 680 (620 for FHA mortgage loans) – and if your score falls below 680, lenders can deny your request for a conventional mortgage loan.
In addition to higher credit score requirements, several missed payments, frequent lateness, and other derogatory credit information can stop mortgage approvals. Pay your bills on time, lower your debts, and stay on top of your credit report. Cleaning up your credit history beforehand and fixing errors on your credit report are key to keeping up a good credit score.
Save Your Cash
Requirements for getting a mortgage loan often change, and if you are considering applying for a home loan in the near future, be ready to cough up the cash. Walking into a lender’s office with zero cash is a quick way to get your home loan application rejected. Mortgage lenders are cautious: Whereas they once approved zero-down mortgage loans, they now require a down payment. On average, you’ll need at least a 3.5% down payment. A 20% down payment not only knocks down your mortgage balance, it also alleviates private mortgage insurance or PMI. Lenders attach this extra insurance to properties without 20% equity, and paying PMI increases the monthly mortgage payment. Get rid of PMI payments and you can enjoy lower, more affordable mortgage payments.
However, down payments aren’t the only expense you must worry about. Getting a mortgage also involves closing costs, home inspections, home appraisals, title searches, credit report fees, application fees, and other expenses. Closing costs are roughly 3% to 5% of the mortgage balance – paid to your lender before you can seal the deal.
Pay Down Debt and Avoid New Debt
You don’t need a zero balance on your credit cards to qualify for a mortgage loan. However, the less you owe your creditors, the better. Your debts determine if you can get a mortgage, as well as how much you can acquire from a lender. Lenders evaluate your debt-to-income ratio before approving the mortgage. If you have a high debt ratio because you’re carrying a lot of credit card debt , the lender can turn down your request or offer a lower mortgage. This is because your entire monthly debt payments — including the mortgage – shouldn’t exceed 36% of your gross monthly income. However, paying down your consumer debt before completing an application lowers your debt-to-income ratio and can help you acquire a better mortgage rate.
Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage loan before looking at houses is emotionally and financially responsible. On one hand, you know what you can spend before bidding on properties. And on the other hand, you avoid falling in love with a house that you can’t afford.
The pre-approval process is fairly simple: Contact a mortgage lender, submit your financial and personal information, and wait for a response. Pre-approvals include everything from how much you can afford, to the interest rate you’ll pay on the loan. The lender prints a pre-approval letter for your records, and funds are available as soon as a seller accepts your bid. Though it’s not always that simple, it can be.
Know What You Can Afford
Don’t let lenders dictate how much you should spend on a mortgage loan. Lenders determine pre-approval amounts based on your income and credit report, and they don’t factor in how much you spend on daycare, insurance, groceries, or fuel. Rather than purchase a more expensive house because the lender says you can, be smart and keep your housing expense within your means.
Final Word
If you don’t meet the qualifications for a mortgage loan, don’t get discouraged. Instead, let it be motivation to improve your credit and finances. Many people have risen above credit problems, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and repossession specifically in order to purchase their first house. Just be sure to implement a realistic plan and stick to it.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
There’s a lot more to consider when it comes to the home you choose than just the brick and mortar. Picking a home also means picking a school district for your family. From kindergarten all the way through high school, Bozeman and its surrounding areas offer great school systems for your children. Check the links below to access a list of Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Livingston and Three Forks school districts.
RECREATION
If you are into recreation, and an outdoor person, The Gallatin Valley has it all: camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, whitewater, rock climbing, trout fishing, big game hunting, upland bird hunting, skiing, and snowboarding can all be found in and around Bozeman, Montana. Lewis and Clark found the source of the Missouri River here and now those rivers boast world class trout fishing, boating, kayaking, rafting and stand up paddle boarding.
Hyalite Canyon
Hyalite Canyon Recreation Area is the most heavily visited recreation area in Montana with three campgrounds and two day use areas. Langohr Campground along Hyalite Creek provides wildlife viewing and fishing midst towering rocky peaks. Hood Creek Campground and Chisholm Campground about Hyalite Reservoir and are starting points for numerous short and long hiking routes into the dense timber up to alpine meadows and lakes on the peaks above. History Rock is a short hike, while mountain bikers thrill with the fast descents along abandoned logging roads into Sourdough Canyon or back down the paved access road. The reservoir’s “no-wake” rule make it a canoeing and fishing pleasure. Located 15 miles south of Bozeman off of South 19th Avenue, this area should not be missed. In winter Hyalite has numerous ice climbing and xc skiing opportunities.
The Bridger Mountains
The Bridger Mountain Range lies to the north of Bozeman. It is home to the Bridger Mountains National Recreation Trails and Bridger Bowl Ski Area. Many recreational opportunities can be found in this scenic mountain range because of its close proximity to Bozeman, yet this area retains it remote look and feel. Bridger bowl ski area has been a local favorite since it first opened in 1951, the ski area lies roughly 15 miles from the heart of downtown Bozeman. There’s also plenty of area for backcountry skiing on peaks such as Sacagawea from early November until late May/early June.
As the seasons change hiking becomes a glorious activity as the Bridger mountain range has an abundance of alpine wildflowers, wildlife, and stunning geographical features. It is also home to some well known hikes such as Fairy Lake Trail, Sacagawea Peak, and Truman Gulch Trail.
Rivers in the area
the Northern Rockies are home to some of the most pristine free-flowing rivers and native trout fisheries left in the lower 48 states, from the Crown of the Continent along the U.S.- Canadian border south to the Greater Yellowstone where the Missouri, Snake and Green rivers are born.
These rivers are defined by their wild, free-flowing character, clean water, abundant fish and wildlife, and world-class recreation opportunities. All of the native fish that were present here two centuries ago can still be found here today, including five subspecies of cutthroat trout, bull trout, rainbow trout, and white sturgeon.
Among the iconic wildlife species that call these rivers home are grizzly bears, gray wolves, wolverine, lynx, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, moose, elk and deer.