Kelly Parks, ABR, WHS, WCR, ePro Broker/Owner

Well it is that time of year again. The Montana State Fair is back in full swing here in Great Falls, Montana. The funny thing is that for the first time in forever it has rained almost every night. I can't hardly believe it either. It hasn't rained this much in July in decades.

On the bright side Cascade County took over the fair operations from the city and they have reduced the prices of the concerts and show packages. This is a good thing with everyone watching their budgets.

My 5 year old daughter was given a show mini-horse this year and we entered Kate and TJ is the pony and mini horse show. What a great time and great fun. TJ hadn't been shown at the fair for about 8 years and so everyone was excited to see him again. Kate was over the top excited too.

Of course that did not stop us from riding the camel and from rescuing another fair ride pony (yes a real live one) that needed a good retirement home. So now Betsy is at our horse farm too. She is about 20, tiny and sweet.

There are lots of fun rides for kids of all ages. My daughter loves the bungee jumping, slides and cotton candy. We saw the show sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, cows and ducks. There are lots of super entries for baked and canned goods too.

I encourage everyone to take a break and have some fun at our State Fair again this year.

Kelly

Well I have to tell you that I didn't really think it would happen. Spring is here. Yes we got snow again this morning but it warmed up to about 60 degrees F today and most trees are budding out. The three feet of snow we got a week and a half ago made me think that winter was never going to leave.

For those of you who are not familiar with Great Falls, Montana or might consider moving here you should know that for over the past 10 years we have experienced a severe drought. We have had record moisture this "spring" beating records from the turn of the century. We had a hard winter this year too with more snow than any of us can remember.

I do love Great Falls though. Yes it is also windy, but it is a nice dry climate and the townfolk are really very nice. We have a huge number of parks in town and a river walk and a waterpark to enjoy in the spring and summer. The sky is wide and blue most of the time and I really do think this is the last best place.

Don't forget about the Sip n Dip lounge which was featured in GQ Magazine. An indoor tiki hut of sorts with the oldest piano/organ player probably in existence. There is a mermaid who shows up for everyone to watch through the glass sided pool. Just plain good fun for those of us who go out once every 5 years. LOL.

Oh and yes we have good schools, relatively low taxes and crime and a great historic district.

Cheers,

Kelly

Here is a little tidbit about Great Falls Montana that I read yesterday. Forbes has ranked the top 200 "Best Small Places for Business and Careers" for 2009. Believe it or not our city Great Falls was ranked 85th in the nation. Forbes bases the criteria on the cost of doing business, projected job growth and education. Wow!!!

We know we have one of the best real estate markets because we have not suffered any price reductions like other areas in the U.S. I sort of think of it like we are always in the toilet and when the national economy bottoms out it doesn't really affect us here. Our average priced home is about $150,000 I am not sure it can bottom out below that. The other side is that you cannot make huge fortunes here like in other areas either by flipping houses. That excitement has always eluded our market and perhaps now after seeing what is happening to those high appreciation markets it is okay to be a boring market.

Interest rates are so low that I personally think it is a great time to buy real estate to hold. I also think it is a great time to buy a car and a laptop too. Prices nationally are down on those consumer items and perhaps we should take advantage of it. What do you think?

Thanks

Kelly - Broker/Owner Great Falls Realty, Montana

How cool is this? Interest is so low. Wow. I guess we are bucking all the trends with new low rates. Here in Montana we don't have very many foreclosures (like one per 7500 homes) so our prices haven't taken the proverbial dip like in other areas. We are lucky, but this is also not the place to shop for blue light specials on houses either.

Homes that are dated are taking the biggest hit here, but that is the norm when they start out overpriced. If houses are priced right they sell in almost all price ranges. Of course our average home price is $140,000.

Happy house hunting.

Kelly

Hello everyone,

The Holiday Season is fast approaching. Please don't forget that rescued dogs and other animals need help too.

Often animal shelters and rescue organization are overlooked this time of year. There are really great people out there who foster rescued dogs and the rescue organizations work on very limited budgets. In some cases there is hardly a budget at all. Nice people just help these dogs because no one else will.

I beg you all, please help in some way this Holiday Season. Donate to your local shelter or favorite breed animal rescue organization. Most donations are tax deductible.

Please don't forget the animals. I adopted a 4yr old English Mastiff in July. He was starving and looked like he was 100. His name is Moses and he is the sweetest boy. He has gained weight and is on an allergy dog food and is doing really well. We love him dearly and are glad to open our home to him. His family lost their jobsand their home and couldn't afford to feed Moses anymore. Pacific NW Mastiff rescue drove him all the way from Seattle to Missoula, Montana where I loaded him up and took him home.

Not all stories end like Moses. Many, many dogs and especially large breed dogs never get adopted. It is truly sad. If you can open your heart and help in any way it is for a great cause. Rescue organizations and foster families are ever so grateful.

Ti's the season. Let us not forget about the animals and those who help them. I am asking all of you to please help the rescued dogs in some way. Below are links for organizations who rescue large breed English Mastiffs. They are gentle giants. If you can open your home for adoption, please be assured that there is no more gratifying experience.

Many large breed dogs are loosing their homes due to their owners loosing their jobs and homes. It is heartbreaking. Please become an angel for rescued dogs. Please help a rescued a gentle giant.

God Bless,

Kelly

Mastiff Club of America: http://mastiff.org/payments/rescue_found.htm

Pacific Northwest Mastiff Fanciers Club: http://www.pnmf.org/Site/rescue/rescue.html