Missoula Real Estate By Kevin & Monica Ray

Missoula Offers a High Quality of Life - And Missoulians Like It!

A study was just released by Missoula ADAPT, Area Development And Preservation Team, showing 94% of Missoulians are satisfied with the overall high quality of life in Missoula.

Some of the study's other findings:

• 88% are happy with Missoula's public parks and open spaces
• 81% are happy with Missoula's city government

Respondents were also asked about their areas of concern, for respondents growth and development, schools and education, affordable housing, and traffic congestion were the top four.

Results come from telephone interviews with 253 voters in Missoula County with approximately 60 percent from the city and 40 percent from outside the city limits. The survey notes a sample error of plus or minus 6 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

Missoula ADAPT is a nonprofit and loose coalition of professionals and residents interested in housing.

For more information about Living in Missoula, contact Kevin and Monica Ray of Access Realty at 406-207-1185 or visit us online at www.YourMT.com.

Western Montana's Bitterroot Valley is Hit Hard By Foreclosures

According to a recent article in The Ravalli Republic, property foreclosures in the Bitterroot Valley have skyrocketed over the past year.

The county recorded 339 trustee sales notices between October 2008 and October 2009 - an 83% increase from the previous year and a shocking 260% increase from the year before that.

The article goes on to state that the total number of trustee sales won't be known until next spring but it is estimated to be exceed 400.

The report is consistent with reports of declining sales in rural housing markets across the country. The Bitterroot Valley also experienced higher gains and rapid construction during the good times.

We are experienced in working with bank-owned and pre-foreclosure properties in the Bitterroot Valley. If you are looking to buy or sell in the Bitterroot, contact Kevin and Monica Ray of Access Realty at 406-207-1185.

Speechless Sunday: The Montana Winter Is On Its Way

Kevin hiked back to the State Line Trail near Superior last week where Winter is starting to set in. We've had a little bit of snow in the valley but it hasn't lasted. Just a friendly reminder from Mother Nature that the Montana Winter is on its way.

Here's Photos of this same area just a few weeks ago.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent in Missoula Montana?

According to a study from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) that was published by the Missoulian this summer, a rental in Missoula typically runs between $520 per month for a studio apartment to $1400 per month for a 4+ bedroom house on average. The table below shows a breakdown:

There are many factors to consider when you are looking to rent such as:

• Does the rent include utilities? If not, how much do those run per month?
• Do you need or want a yard?
• How much is the deposit?
• Do they allow pets? Is there an additional deposit?
• Where is the property located? Will it be convenient to work or school?
• What other amenities are included?
• How long are you planning to rent?
• Would there be advantages to buying rather than renting?

For more information on Living in Missoula, contact Kevin and Monica Ray of Access Realty at 406-822-7653 (SOLD) or visit us online at www.YourMT.com.

Visit the Dinosaurs at Bozeman Montana's Museum of the Rockies!

This summer we stayed in Bozeman for a few days to attend a training class for TopProducer. While we were in Bozeman, we took my 7-year old nephew to the Museum of the Rockies.

The museum features exhibits on Native American culture and artifacts, a Western history collection, outdoor exhibits, and is best known for its Paleontology exhibits. The museum's dinosaur complex is impressive and is a major stop on Montana's Dinosaur Trail - a tour of Montana's rich paleontological findings.

Home to one of the largest collections of dinosaur fossils in the world, the Museum of the Rockies houses the world's largest T. rex skull and one of the first identified female dinosaurs in the world - an ovulating T. rex.

The Museum of the Rockies also has a Planetarium with several shows daily. For more information on the Museum of the Rockies, visit their website.

For More Information on Montana's Dinosaurs, read: Follow the Montana Dinosaur Trail