Judy Kivela's Real Estate Blog | Butte, MT | Sell a Home, Real Estate Market, Homes for Sale, Foreclosures, Home Improvement, Buy a House

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Judy Kivela
Broker/Owner
    Years of Experience: 26

    CRS: Certified Residential Specialist
    GRI: Graduate REALTOR® Institute
    CDPE Certified Distress Property Expert, SRS
    WHS: Workforce Housing Specialist

Direct: (406) 491-5777

Office: 406-491-5777



Company Info

Kivela Montana Realtors
3100 Harrison Avenue
Butte, Montana
406-491-5777


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Archive for May 2009

Now is an Outstanding Time to Buy Butte Real Estate

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

Here are the Butte market stats for you to look over. Currently there are 293 Active Residential Listings in Butte. The Average sale price is $118,445 and the average days on market 127. Last year at this time sales prices were up 5% average sold price $124,452 and the average days on market 111. Overall sales are down 48% from last year.

It’s a great time to buy, prices and interest rates are down.

The current stats for the week of May 14-21 vs. previous week:

  • 7 Sold verse last week 27
  • 14 New listings verse last week 17
  • 13 Price Changes verse last week 7
  • 4 Expired verse last week 2

I believe that you readers out there appreciate and deserve this factual information about the Butte real estate market. We need more open honest information, not less. I’ m not making up these sales stats I’m just reporting them. In fact, I try to keep my personal opinions to a minimum and let you all inform the debate. Or do you want all real estate agents to be typical sales people who always paint a sunny picture even when it’s not in your interest or not true.  I am curious to hear what you think.

To all our loyal blog readers – while we love writing the blog and will continue to do so, we do make our living selling real estate in Butte. So please feel free to call upon us at 406-491-1234 for your real estate needs. Thanks for reading!

*Stats based on information from the Butte Board of REALTORS® MLS Service.

Three Things to Avoid When Preparing to Purchase Butte Real Estate

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

If you are thinking about buying Butte real estate in the near future, there are three activities you should avoid. These are normal things we all do from time to time, but are unwise when contemplating a new mortgage application.

Change careers: This is different than just changing jobs. If you have recently gotten a new job in the same field, at the same or better pay, and your past history shows long, solid employment, all should be fine. Changing careers entirely is more of an issue. You have no history of steady employment and income in the new field. Since you’re new to the field, you may be bringing in less income than in your previous career. That’s why a recent career change makes your mortgage application less appealing to a loan officer.

Open new bank accounts: When you apply for a loan for Butte real estate you need to provide bank statements for several months. Although your money is still in your possession, moving it to new bank accounts generates a series of big withdrawals and deposits which gives an image of instability. If you have withdrawn large amounts of money and not re-deposited it, that looks even worse. Even if you invested the money in something solid, you no longer have the cash and thus appear less solvent.

Buy Big Ticket Items: The reason for this is simple. When reviewing a loan application for Butte real estate one of the biggest things a lender takes into consideration is your debt-to-income ratio. Purchasing expensive items on credit can negatively impact your debt-to-income ratio. Wait until after you’ve closed on your home to buy new furniture or appliances.

Thinking of buying a home? I can help you get financing and buy the home of your dreams. Give me a call today at (406)491-1234 or email me at Blog@judykivela.com

Pick Up a Great Deal on Butte Real Estate

Monday, May 18th, 2009

Is the Timing Right to Buy Butte Real Estate?

There are many wonderful reasons to want a home of your own. Right now is an excellent time to pick up a great deal on Butte real estate. It’s definitely a buyer’s market where you can purchase homes at historically low prices. To be sure the time is right for you, answer a few simple questions for yourself:

Are you ready to stay put for more than three years?

If you move around a lot, have a job that sends you to different locales all the time, or just haven’t found the area you want to settle down in, it can be a bad time to buy [city] real estate no matter how great the price. Selling a home and moving is much harder than just switching apartments or other rental units. However, if you are ready to settle in a spot for a number of years, the value you get from owning your own home is well worth it, especially now.

Can you afford it?

There’s more to owning a home than just the cost of the mortgage. Other costs added to a typical mortgage include homeowner’s insurance and property taxes. These add hundreds of dollars a month to the simple mortgage costs. On top of those are routine repairs and upkeep that will be your responsibility instead of a landlord’s.

Do you value the pride of ownership?

For many people, the pride of owning their own home is a primary factor in purchasing Butte real estate. There is a feeling of success and security when you own your home that won’t be fulfilled with any rental.

If you’d like help determining if now is the right time for you to buy a home, give me a call at (406)491-1234 or email me at blog@judykivela.com

Market Recap

  • Avg. Sales Price: $102,209

  • Avg. Days on Market: 119

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