Missoula Real Estate By Kevin & Monica Ray

Has the Missoula Montana Real Estate Market Stabilized?

So What's Up with the Missoula Real Estate Market? National reports show that the real estate market is improving. The National Association of Realtors just reported that home sales rose in 3.6% June, marking five consecutive months of improvement for the first time since 2003. 

While things are heading the right way on a national level, all real estate markets are local. The Missoula Real Estate Market is no different.

It is important to keep in mind that the Missoula real estate market has not seen the same type of declines that have been highly publicized in other parts of the country. The median home price in Missoula County-$217,000 as of June 30, 2009 has fallen less than 1 percent since its peak in 2006, according to the Missoula Organization of Realtors.

And, we are already starting to see improvement. The first quarter 2009 remained fairly steady, numbers for the second quarter appear to be seeing increased sales activity in some price ranges. 

For example:

• Sales under $150,000 are fairly flat; however there isn't a lot of inventory in that price range. 
• On the other end of the spectrum, sales in the $350,000 and higher price range are also fairly flat. 
• We have seen an increase in activity over the last two quarters in the $150,000 to $275,000 price range. 

So to answer the question, has the Missoula Market Stabilized? The signs are good. We are not seeing significant decreases in the median home price, and home sales in the mid-price range are actually improving. We are seeing increased buyer activity at our real estate office and are optimistic about the future of the market.

Home ownership is still the goal for most Americans with over two thirds of households in our country prefering to own their home, and with incentives to buy like low interest rates and the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax credit, now really is a good time to buy in Missoula.

For more information about the Missoula Real Estate Market, homes for sale in Missoula, or the area in general, contact Kevin and Monica Ray of Access Realty at 406-207-1185 or visit us online at www.YourMT.com.

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Kevin and Monica Ray are Missoula Real Estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. We provide services in, but not limited to: Missoula, Superior, Alberton, Saint Regis, Lolo, Clinton, Turah, Potomac, Florence, Corvallis, and Hamilton.

For more information on Missoula Real Estate or surrounding areas, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.AccessRealty.net.

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Quinn's Hot Springs Resort - One of Montana's Natural Hot Springs Resorts - Near Missoula MT

Quinn's Hot Springs Resort was established in 1885 around one of Montana's best natural hot mineral springs.

Quinn's Hot Springs Resort is located in Paradise, Montana, just over an hour from Missoula MT - on the banks of the Clark Fork River.

The resort is now a full service vacation destination with:

• Multiple Natural Hot Spring Pools with Varying Temperatures
• Hot Tubs
• Glacier Lodge - A Rustic Mountain Lodge
• Canyon Guest Cabins - Rustic Cabins
• Quinn's Tavern & Casino
• Harwood House Restaurant Fine Dining
• Gift Shop
• Plenty of Outdoor Activities
  • Fly Fishing
  • White Water Rafting
  • Horseback Riding
  • Wildlife Viewing Trips to the Bison Range
• Family Retreats, Weddings & Corporate Getaways

Quinn's Hot Springs is one of our favorite day trips and they are open year-round. On one of our trips to the hot spring pools last winter, we were able to watch a bald eagle dine on a fresh trout from the Clark Fork River in a tree while we relaxed in the pool. It was an amazing site.

We've had several meals in the restaurant and bar and have never been disappointed with the food or the service. It's a great getaway for individuals, couples, or the entire family.

Quinn's Hot Springs
190 Highway 135
Paradise, MT 59856
Phone: 1-888-646-9287

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Kevin and Monica Ray are Missoula Real Estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. We provide services in, but not limited to: Missoula, Superior, Alberton, Saint Regis, Lolo, Clinton, Turah, Potomac, Florence, Corvallis, and Hamilton.

For more information on Missoula Real Estate or surrounding areas, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.AccessRealty.net.

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Blackfoot River Float Trips at McNamara's Landing & Blackfoot River Rentals

We spent yesterday afternoon on inner tubes floating down the Blackfoot River near Johnsrud Park, approximately 16 miles Northeast of Missoula MT.

The Blackfoot River is the river that was made famous by the movie made from Norman McLeans's novel about fly fishing called A River Runs Through It. From the book and movie:

"On the Big Blackfoot River above the mouth of Belmont Creek the banks are fringed by large Ponderosa pines. In the slanting sun of late afternoon the shadows of great branches reached from across the river, and the trees took the river in their arms. The shadows continued up the bank, until they included us.

Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters."

We rented our inner tubes from Blackfoot River Rentals which is located at McNamara's Landing off Highway 200.

Blackfoot River Rentals provides inner tube rentals and a free shuttle service that takes you six miles up the river. They also rent a variety of sizes of rafts, life jackets, and river equipment for reasonable rates.

It was a beautiful day to be on the river and we had a lot of fun. This section of the Blackfoot has a few Class 2 and Class 3 rapids however which were challenging for us as beginners. We got through them however, and made it back to McNamara's Landing about two and a half hours later.

McNamara's Landing also has cabins for rent and a lodge-style restaurant which had live music from a local band. Their menu has everything from burgers and sandwiches to steaks, seafood and prime rib. After a long day on the river, it's a great place to relax and enjoy some great food and drinks.

McNamara's Landing is located at:

878 Highway 200 East
Bonner, MT 59823
Phone: 406-244-2015
www.McNamarasLanding.com

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Kevin and Monica Ray are Missoula Real Estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. We provide services in, but not limited to: Missoula, Superior, Alberton, Saint Regis, Lolo, Clinton, Turah, Potomac, Florence, Corvallis, and Hamilton.

For more information on Missoula Real Estate or surrounding areas, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.AccessRealty.net.

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Montana Dream Property on Flathead Lake to Be Auctioned to the Highest Bidder
Thursday, August 6, 2009

If you live in Western Montana, chances are that you spend a lot of time at the amazingly beautiful Flathead Lake in the summer time. Out-of-staters also enjoy second homes and vacation homes on the lake.

Unfortunately, the Flathead Valley has been one of the harder hit areas of Montana by the recession and lake front home sales have been slow to say the least. One seller who is tired of waiting for his lake front property to sell through traditional channels has decided to auction his property to the highest bidder on Thursday, August 6, 2009. This property, that was listed at $3.2 million, will go to the highest bidder on Thursday, regardless of price.

Property Description - Per the Auction House

The crystal clear waters of Flathead Lake reflect the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountains at this 5.5±-acre lakefront estate in Bigfork, Montana, which is listed among the "50 Great Towns of the West." Bordered by 345± feet of eastern shoreline, this captivating property is tucked along East Shore Route 35, one of two scenic highways framing Flathead Lake. A creation of Ice Age glaciers, the fresh-water playground, which plunges to depths of 300 feet, is famous for boating, sailing, scuba diving and fishing.

The property is blanketed in large pines and features a three-bedroom, two-bath home, guest home, a cherry orchard with more than 100 trees and boathouse. Numerous homesites exist on this tranquil piece of land - all with panoramic views of the mountains and lake.

The lure of the Mission and Swan mountains is difficult to resist. Only 25 miles from Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake Estate is less than an hour from Flathead National Forest, the Bob Marshall and Swan Wilderness Areas and Whitefish Mountain and Big Mountain Ski Resorts. South of Whitefish and Kalispell, the trendy art community of Bigfork is home to world-class galleries, a 27-hole golf course, wineries, breweries, fine restaurants and shops.


Property Highlights

• 3-Bedroom, 2-Bath Home
• Guest Home
• Cherry Orchard
• Creek
• Boathouse
• Numerous Homesites

If you are interested in Flathead Lake properties, or would like more information about this property and the upcoming auction, please call Kevin & Monica Ray at 406-544-3098. The auction house works with area brokers and we would be happy to provide you with area information and help you research this amazing lake front Montana home.

UPDATE: Per the auctionier's website, the winning bid for this home was $1,701,000.

Photo By Kelsey Ray - Our Nosy (But Sweet) Neighbor, Concho who LOVES carrots by the way!