Cary Jo Hofstad

The last 2 weeks have been very Spring like. Upper 40's to even over 50 degrees. Major snow melting happining even though at my house there is still snow in piles. Sunshine and sweater weather cannot be beat!

The City of Whitefish has a "donut" planning area that effects residents within a 2 mile area of city limits. The Flathead County Commissioners are threatening to do away with this situation. The effected residents have no vote in city matters and no representation. City Council members must live within the city limits.

A subdivision of gigantic proportions received final plat approval last week. Silverbrook is between Whitefish and Kalispell and was annexed into Kalispell last year. The subdivision benefited by receiving all city services. Work started last week on the former farm land adjacent to Hwy 93 and continues this spring. There are some Stillwater River front lots in this master planned community.

Buyer activity is definitely up! Offers coming in slowly but showing activity is increasing weekly. Buyers are realizing that they better get buying before everyone else wakes up to the reality that rates are down, inventory up - so let's buy.

According to a recent article in the Daily Interlake, Kalispell is listed as one of eight "Terrific Low-Tax Towns" in the Where to Retire Magazine. We who live and work in this valley have been aware of this trend for awhile now. With first class medical facilities, outdoor recreation from boating on the largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi (Flathead Lake), snow sports, Glacier National Park in our back yard, great weather and scenery that can't be beat - what else could someone be looking for! Oh, forgot about the 9 golf courses in the valley!

Our housing costs are below many parts of the country. There is no sales tax in Montana, a resort tax in Whitefish does exist but it is minor. Not many Rocky Mountain Valleys boast 4 very individual towns that have a unique flavor. We have wonderful restaurants in all of the towns. The valley is "small" from the aspect that you run into someone who knows someone else you know all the time. Small towns with a lot to offer for getting involved and meeting new friends.

So the media doesn't know anything we haven't already discovered living here in the Last Best Place - don't wait for it to be your last best place too!

1. Conservation Easements: 2 long time families in the valley have generously tied up large parcels along the Flathead River with Conservation easements. Conservation Easements eliminate the possibility of subdividing the land, in some ways impacting the owner from making the most money from this property if and when they should ever want to sell it. The public benefits greatly with guaranteed access to fishing and recreation. I applaud these actions.

2. Both Whitefish and Kalispell are working on proposals for parking garages. As in any growing area, there is a great need for the added parking space so locals and tourists and shop and eat in downtown areas.

3. Our snowpack is great this year which is a good thing for the whole area. We have seen more "normal" amounts of snow in the valley as well for the first time in a few years. Whitefish Mountain Resort has received 189" of snow to date! You can access current mountain reports at www.bigmtn.com.

4. FEMA has recently updated their flood plain maps impacting some developments at the mouth of the Flathead River leading into Flathead Lake. Those homeowners effected must obtain flood insurance if their homes are mortgaged.

It is the time of year Cary Jo's Team works to get listings online before the spring rush. We do this because there is less competition on the market and there are still buyers out there. Below are 2 new listings we have just added:

20 Acre Horse Property: 3 bed 1.5 bath home, barn with 9 stalls and a training area, outdoor riding arena, huge pole barn for storing hay, 2 large run in sheds. 2 septic systems. A wonderful set-up! $579,000

Rogers lake cabin on leased state land which will appear on our web site the end of this week for $129,000

All properties can be viewed at www.kalispellcary.com