Montana

Atlanta Company Finds GOLD In Montana!

Well needless to say, this story touches me on TWO fronts....Atlanta and Montana!

Dutch Gold Resources, Inc. announced in press release yesterday that they have found a large, open-ended gold and silver system in western Montana. Here is a map to give you an idea of the location.

For a bit more of today's geography lesson, the state capital, Helena is just to the right of the "A" marking the location of the potential mine. To the right and South, follow I-90 to Livingston...and that is the home town of yours truly!

The story in the AJC goes on to say the mine could be worth up to $3 Billion!

The thought of mining brings up the song from the Beverly Hillbillies, "The kin folk said Jed move away from there...."

Not sure who owns the land where this find was made, but if they have the mineral rights, they have to be pretty happy!

I've not looked into what's involved in mining gold versus other minerals and the dangers and enviornmental impact the mine could have, but I'm hopeful it will move forward and provide much needed jobs!

Gold is no stranger to Montana. In 1863, gold was discovered in Alder Gulch near Virginia City and created quite a gold rush. Virginia City became the capital of the Territory.

Virginia City is now a well preserved ghost town, just 20 miles west of Yellowstone National Park (90 miles by highway,)

This area was also the site of a 7.5 earthquake in 1959. I was not yet born, but my parents said they could feel it in Livingston.

Let's hope this new discovery will bring the benefits of another Gold Rush to Montana!

Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation Launches Inaugural Guitar Festival and Workshop Featuring Pat Metheny, Alex De Grassi, and Scott Tennant

Play with and Learn from world renowned guitarists in spectacular Northwest Montana during the Glacier National Park Centennial

Bigfork, Montana (February 5, 2010) - The Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation (CCGF) announced today its first annual guitar festival and workshop which will be held at The Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork, Montana August 29 - September 5, 2010. The event will occur during the centennial celebration of nearby Glacier National Park

The CCGF Festival and Workshop will be a rare opportunity to study with renowned guitar artists, including Pat Metheny, Alex DeGrassi and Scott Tennant and jam with other musicians in one of the most exquisite landscapes in the world. It is open to any and all with a passion for playing the guitar.

Proceeds from the Festival will benefit numerous Montana charities and civic organizations, including: The Glacier Park Fund, Montana Public Radio and Public Broadcasting, North Valley Music School and Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center.

"This will be a unique guitar event, offering up close and personal time with leading artists and teachers. Participants will improve their guitar playing while enjoying one of the most beautiful places in the world," said David Feffer, Chairman and Founder of The Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation. He added, "Through our charitable partners, we will be helping to preserve the things that make Northwest Montana so unique and special."

The event includes:

•· The opportunity to play with and learn from great teachers including Pat Metheny, Alex De Grassi and Scott Tennant, all of whom will be in residence for the week

•· Six days of intimate workshops, master classes, and jam sessions for both the serious and casual student in jazz, rock, blues, acoustic, classical

•· Exclusive evening performances every night

•· Public performances in the Flathead Valley

•· 4 star accommodations at the Flathead Lake Lodge

•· Access to Flathead Lake, Glacier National Park, the Swan Mountain Range and other pristine natural amenities

Registration for the CCGF will be taken on a first come first served basis by calling 800-234-6479 or visiting to www.cocguitarfoundation.org . There is a discount for individuals who register prior to March 15, 2010.

About Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation

Founded in 2009, the Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation is a non-profit organization established to celebrate the artistry of the guitar across all genres, inspired by the unique ecosystem and beauty of the Crown of the Continent region of the Northern Rocky Mountains. The organization's mission is to collaborate with other organizations in Northwest Montana to establish the area as a nationally respected center for guitar study, performance and composition. In addition to the annual week-long event, the Foundation will hold weekend guitar workshops, performances and other related activities throughout the year. Proceeds from the Foundation's activities will support other Montana non-profit organizations including: The Glacier Park Fund, Montana Public Radio and Public Broadcasting, North Valley Music School and Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center. For more information please visit: www.cocguitarfoundation.org

Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation Launches Inaugural Guitar Festival and Workshop Featuring Pat Metheny, Alex De Grassi, and Scott Tennant

Play with and Learn from world renowned guitarists in spectacular Northwest Montana during the Glacier National Park Centennial

Bigfork, Montana (February 5, 2010) - The Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation (CCGF) announced today its first annual guitar festival and workshop which will be held at The Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork, Montana August 29 - September 5, 2010. The event will occur during the centennial celebration of nearby Glacier National Park

The CCGF Festival and Workshop will be a rare opportunity to study with renowned guitar artists, including Pat Metheny, Alex DeGrassi and Scott Tennant and jam with other musicians in one of the most exquisite landscapes in the world. It is open to any and all with a passion for playing the guitar.

Proceeds from the Festival will benefit numerous Montana charities and civic organizations, including: The Glacier Park Fund, Montana Public Radio and Public Broadcasting, North Valley Music School and Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center.

"This will be a unique guitar event, offering up close and personal time with leading artists and teachers. Participants will improve their guitar playing while enjoying one of the most beautiful places in the world," said David Feffer, Chairman and Founder of The Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation. He added, "Through our charitable partners, we will be helping to preserve the things that make Northwest Montana so unique and special."

The event includes:

•· The opportunity to play with and learn from great teachers including Pat Metheny, Alex De Grassi and Scott Tennant, all of whom will be in residence for the week

•· Six days of intimate workshops, master classes, and jam sessions for both the serious and casual student in jazz, rock, blues, acoustic, classical

•· Exclusive evening performances every night

•· Public performances in the Flathead Valley

•· 4 star accommodations at the Flathead Lake Lodge

•· Access to Flathead Lake, Glacier National Park, the Swan Mountain Range and other pristine natural amenities

Registration for the CCGF will be taken on a first come first served basis by calling 800-234-6479 or visiting to www.cocguitarfoundation.org . There is a discount for individuals who register prior to March 15, 2010.

About Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation

Founded in 2009, the Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation is a non-profit organization established to celebrate the artistry of the guitar across all genres, inspired by the unique ecosystem and beauty of the Crown of the Continent region of the Northern Rocky Mountains. The organization's mission is to collaborate with other organizations in Northwest Montana to establish the area as a nationally respected center for guitar study, performance and composition. In addition to the annual week-long event, the Foundation will hold weekend guitar workshops, performances and other related activities throughout the year. Proceeds from the Foundation's activities will support other Montana non-profit organizations including: The Glacier Park Fund, Montana Public Radio and Public Broadcasting, North Valley Music School and Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center. For more information please visit: www.cocguitarfoundation.org

I'll be honest, its not my call to tell you when to buy or when to wait, why? Its your choice! Think very carefully before you make a choice. Buy now or wait! I know how overwhelming it can be. You'll know personally, when its a good time to buy or when it's a good time to wait. Personally, for me its timing.

1^st question I would ask is, are you working with a lender? That need to come first to see, what do you quality for? For me personally, I would like to know "what do I quality for first before I go house hunting. And at last the "price range" that works best for you. Then the location that works in your best interest for you and your family. And then the fun part, what "styles" of home work best for you and your family. Then at last, house hunting.

Or you can wait for the recession to end. You may be wondering, what would I do? Personally for me, its depending on the timing. And deciding by other factors too, is it a good time to buy? No one can really tell you, if it a good time to buy, only you know that answer, if it a good time to buy.

You may be thinking, she not saying, let me put it in another way. My husband and I are looking to trade our truck in for another truck. Its time for us to do it. Regardless of what happening with the recession. We already know what we quality for, so now we are looking at different kinds of truck. We have a 5^th wheel, so we need a good truck to pull our 5^th wheel. So we are taking our time to shop around for the right one not just as a truck but to pull our 5^th wheel. We enjoy the outdoors and we enjoy camping.

So the bottom line is this, do it for all the right reasons. Not by what I say! But by what you know is best for you and your family. Who is better to know that answer? Regardless of the recession.

Cheryl Frei - Realtor®
Elite Realty
Montana Homes For Sale
P.O. Box 308
Absarokee, Montana 59001
Office: (406) 245-1364 Ext. 117
Fax: (406) 328-4154
Cell: (406) 598-8037
MailTo:cherylfrei@nemont.net

Rent To Own! 50% rent credit! 5 bedroom 3 bath 2200 square foot home located in beautiful Kalispell, MT!! Home is located near Glacier High School, all the shopping, colleges, ball fields etc. You cannot beat the location. There is a 2 car garage, great deck, fenced in backyard, and 2 levels with lots of space for storage! There i...s natural gas heat but there is also a wood burning stove! Rent is $1350/mo and first months rent and money down required to move in. Please contact us at 406-250-9553 with any questions! Until next time.....

Pete Olsen

Rent To Own Homes, LLC

www.50statesrent2own.com

www.activerain.com/peteolsen01

Mortgage rates in the United States have dropped to their lowest levels since the 1940s, and homebuyers in Seeley Lake should be taking advantage. Historically, it is highly unusual for mortgage money to be available below 5 percent. In the 1940s, average rates fell as low as 4.7 percent, as the government held down interest rates to finance World War II. They stayed just below 5 percent until the early 1950s, then rose above that mark in 1952 - and stayed there. Until recently.

The Federal Reserve program has driven rates to historically low levels. This has involved buying $1.25 trillion in mortgage-backed securities, and is scheduled to expire in March - Fed leaders have said that it would not be renewed. As a result, some analysts believe rates could jump as high as 6 percent in the spring.

I also believe that interest rates may be rising soon and urge you to consider the difference between an interest rate increase vs. a drop in property price. For example, in Seeley Lake, let’s assume the average sale is $250,000. With a 5% down payment at 5% interest on a 30 year fixed loan, your monthly principal and interest (P & I) payment would be $1275. If rates rise to 7%, your payment increases to $1580 a month.

As a buyer, you may be on the fence because you think that prices may drop further and you can secure a lower monthly mortgage payment. I do expect our market to drop again this spring as sales pick up, however, a rise in interest rates demands our consideration. Think about this - if there is a 10% decrease in price so that the $250,000 home falls to $225,000, but you wait to purchase and the interest rate rises to 7%, your payment will be $1422 a month. You then end up spending more money per month, and at a higher interest rate, thereby spending more money over the life of the loan.

Real estate appreciation is always a cycle, and as the economy stabilizes, values will level out. Making a home purchase is a decision that should be weighed carefully and has different considerations for each individual homebuyer, but right now is definitely a great time to buy a vacation property or second home in Seeley Lake. Not only will you gain a retreat for family and friends, you’ll be making a great investment!

If you’re ready to take advantage of some great deals and find a house in the Seeley Swan Valley? Contact me, Kim Koppen, and let me assist you with all of your real estate needs. I’d love to be your local real estate expert!