Homes

4 Ways to Get the Best Deal for New Butte Home Construction

Friday, August 28th, 2009

Some buyers would much rather have a brand spankin’ new Butte home – fresh, clean and untouched. Does this describe you? Then read on and learn some of the guidelines for getting the best deal on your dream home.

Be on the lookout for disreputable builders…

Reputation is everything for a builder. Ask for recommendations from people you know, but also do your research. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Talk to people in the same development about their experiences with the builder. Look over the homes in the early construction phase to see what type of materials and quality of workmanship they provide in areas such as the foundation and plumbing.

Use your own agent…

Although a builder might offer the use of an agent, keep in mind that the agent is the builder’s. They aren’t looking out for your best interests. Hiring a buyer’s agent will give you someone who represents you and your best interests.

Research the location…

When it comes to new Butte home construction, you may very well be looking at a development on the outskirts of town. It may seem quaint and quiet. However, if there’s a lot of space around, you could unknowingly settle into a place that will quickly become a bustling metropolis.

Check with the local town or city-zoning board to find out the types of zoning that surround the land. See if development plans have been submitted. Will the surrounding land have a strip mall or apartment complex that depreciates the value of your home, or high-end houses that raise it?

Check the weather…

Before you sign that contract, visit the area during or after a heaving rainstorm. You’ll want to look for signs of bad soil drainage, which can affect your new Butte home and the surrounding property. Otherwise, you might have to build an ark to get to work.

If you’re looking at new construction and need someone on your side, I can help. Call me now at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Tags: Butte Home Improvement, Butte Homes, Butte Homes for Sale, Butte Real Estate, New Construction in Butte, New Homes in Butte
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Eco-friendly Tax Credits for Butte Home Owners

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Being eco-friendly is an important issue to most people today. Making your home as energy efficient as possible makes sense on many levels, but do you know it makes sense when it comes to federal tax credits too? They’re not small incentives either. These tax credits are another major reason to be serious about going green in your Butte home.

Tax Credits for Existing Homes

Making your home energy efficient will benefit you whether you are planning to stay in your home for years to come or you are considering selling in the near future. Prospective buyers will react favorably to eco-friendly installations. It will also help move your Butte home faster and get a better price.

In 2009 and 2010, you could get major tax incentives for going green too. When you purchase certain energy efficient items, you may get as much as 30% (up to $1,500) of the cost of the item returned to you as a tax credit. These items include:

*Energy efficient windows and doors
*Energy efficient insulation (primary use must be for insulation. Items such as insulated siding are not included)
*New Roofs created with Energy Star materials
*Most HVAC products including: central air units, air pumps, furnace for natural gas, propane, or oil, water heaters, main unit circulation fans.
*Geothermal Heat Systems
*Solar Energy
*Biomass Stove
*Wind Turbine System
*Residential Fuel Cells and other Microturbine Energy systems
*Hybrid Cars (hybrid gas, electric, diesel, battery, alternative and fuel cell) May have a much higher tax value between $2,500 and $7,500 based on several criteria

Tax Credits for Construction and New Homes

There are also excellent tax credits for consumers building a new home. These credits are up to 30% of cost on acceptable items with NO limit. These items include:

*Geothermal Heat Pumps
*Solar Panels
*Solar Water Heaters
*Wind Turbines
*Fuel Cells

Protecting your Butte home, making it more energy efficient, and saving money has always been important, but there has never been a better time to get started.

If you would like more information on how to take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency, give me a call today at 406-491-5777 or email me.

Tags: Butte Eco-Friendly Homes, Butte Home Listings, Butte Home Tax Credit, Butte Homes, Butte Homes for Sale, Butte Homes on the Market, Butte Housing Market, Butte Real Estate
Posted in Homes | 1 Comment »

Did You Know Floors Can Sell Butte Homes?

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

Have you ever walked into one of the Butte homes and looked down to see stained carpet or flooring? It brings a little thought of “ew” sometimes, doesn’t it? Imagine if you were a buyer looking at the same floor.

The right type of flooring, and flooring that is well taken care of, can make a big difference to buyers. If your floor brings on the “ew” thought, here are a few fixes to help make sure your home sells:

Does your home have hardwood floors?

You’re in luck. Buyers love hardwood floors and some will actually pay extra to get them. In fact, it could be that final selling point. If your hardwood floors are covered by carpet, painted over or showing anything but the natural wood grain, it’s time for an overhaul. Pull up those carpets and get to sanding.

With the ability to rent large sanders and other tools, you can either refinish the hardwood floor yourself or hire a professional. Remember, however, that hardwood floors in Butte homes have a tendency to show off scratches, dents and uneven surfaces. If you don’t think you could do a good job, hire a professional.

Does your home have carpeting?

If you don’t have hardwood floors, take a look at your carpeting. If it’s stained, out-dated, bright or ragged, it’s time to pull it up. When laying the new carpet, use good carpet padding to make it comfortable to stand on. Many buyers will lean down and touch the floor, so make sure the carpet feels soft to the touch.

In addition, don’t go for the bright colors. Pick a neutral carpet color that goes well with the home.

Does your home have tiles?

Although tiles are beautiful, they typically show every ounce of old grime, dirt, chips and cracks. Go through your home and replace any that are chipped, cracked or show signs of bad wear and tear. Make sure the grout is clean and new looking, and use cleaners (or a steam cleaner) to get rid of any stains.

Beautiful floors can go a long way towards selling Butte homes. Take a good, honest look at yours. Show your floors some TLC. It might just get your home sold.

If you’re ready to sell your home, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Tags: Butte Home Improvement, Butte Homes, Butte Homes for Sale, Butte Real Estate, Butte Real Estate Market
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6 Reasons Why Now Is The Best Time For Butte Home Remodels

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Cash in your pocket and equity in your Butte home? If you’ve been thinking about making changes to your house but thought you couldn’t afford a remodel, it’s time to rethink the possibilities. The payback on renovations in cost versus higher home value, should you decide to sell your house later, can be better than you thought.

Reason #1: Lower bids from the contractors. The home renovation business is falling with the current housing market, leading to lower bids for the homeowner’s remodeling project. In addition, most contractors are willing to negotiate with you for a better price, leaving you with a beautiful remodel for an excellent price.

Reason #2: Higher number of contractors to choose from. Although homeowners are still making repairs and working on their houses, the number of bigger additions and fancy remodels is going down. More contractors are competing against each other for your project.

Reason #3: Lower financing costs. If you have good credit and a steady economic foundation, you can get lower financing costs. This, in turn, makes the project that much more affordable.

Reason #4: Lower cost of materials. Because the number of major remodels is dropping, the demand for materials (and thus the cost) is also dropping.

Reason #5: Less waiting time for a top-rated remodeling contractor. With a lower number of people wanting to remodel their Butte home, even top-rated professionals have a shorter waiting list.

Reason #6: Better service. With more competition, contractors are definitely giving “service with a smile.” Calls are being returned faster; jobs are starting on time (or before!).

If you looked into remodeling your Butte home more than a year ago, now is definitely the time to do something about it. However, even in this sweet time for remodeling, be aware of shady companies and shoddy work. Do your research before accepting any contractor.

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Tags: Butte Home Improvement, Butte Home Projects, Butte Home Remodels, Butte Homes, Butte Real Estate, Selling a Home in Butte
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5 Tips on Choosing the Perfect Piece of Butte Real Estate for DIY

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person who really likes getting your hands dirty, now is a great opportunity to find a piece of Butte real estate you can enjoy. As an occasional DIYer myself, I know how hard it can be to find that perfect piece of fixer-upper real estate, but here are a few tips on what to look for:

1. More ground than house – Almost every do-it-yourselfer I’ve ever met enjoyed puttering in a garden and beautifying a yard. Not only can it be relaxing, but done right it can also up the value of the place if you decide to sell later. Having a beautified yard increase the value of the property is much easier to do if you have a large amount of ground to work with.

2. Expansion possibilities – If it’s a small house (or even a large one), estimate how much room there might be for building an extension. Sunrooms, an extra bedroom, widening small rooms – everything is a possibility if you have the land and skills necessary.

3. Wear and tear – While you probably don’t want a piece of Butte real estate that’s falling down around you, a little bit of wear and tear isn’t bad. Walls that need to be painted, ceilings that need spackling and little things like this give you plenty of room to get dirty without wiping out your budget. A warning, however. Make sure you get a place with a little wear and tear, not a money pit.

4. Lots of small rooms – Nobody likes a small room. However, if there are a lot of them, you have the option of being able to knock down non-load-bearing walls to expand. The nice thing about this is that you can rearrange the inside of the house to fit you.

5. Sloped ground – While you’ll want flat ground around the Butte real estate itself, sloped ground farther out is ideal for building rock walls or terraces without having to buy a lot of backfill. Done correctly, terraces can make a beautiful, somewhat inexpensive project. The trick here is to find large rocks from construction sites.

DIY can be a blast and having a house you can turn into a dream house makes the finished product all that more satisfying!

If you’re looking for that perfect piece of fixer-up property, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Tags: Butte Buying a Home, Butte Homes, Butte Real Estate, Butte Real Estate Market
Posted in Homes | 2 Comments »

Discover Why Your Butte Homes Aren’t Selling

Sunday, July 26th, 2009

Just when you think you’ve done everything you need to do to get your home ready for the market, months pass and your home doesn’t sell. Consider a few factors that can effect your goal of selling your home.

Priced Too High - If your home has an excessive asking price, it will be harder to sell. With so many Butte homes available today, a big price tag may turn buyers off. And, your competition down the street may have the same home but a better price.

The Market – No longer can you simply put a home on the market and watch the offers roll in. Nowadays, you have to be diligent and knowledgeable in your approach. Research the market value of Butte homes in your neighborhood and know what kind of competition you’re up against. And, understand today’s buyers and what they need in order to make a good offer on a home.

Unfavorable Location – No matter how gorgeous a home is a bad location can hurt sales. Although you can’t change the location, you can be creative in figuring out ways to appeal to buyers. Offer incentives to attract buyers or lower your asking price.

The Appearance – Does your home need some work? If so, you want to attack those issues first before putting your home on the market. Things like dirty carpets and broken appliances can turn buyers off. Try staging your home. This will help to ensure your home dazzles potential buyers.

You Didn’t Consult a Professional – Trying to sell a home yourself can be an extremely daunting task. That’s why you need a real estate professional who knows the ins and outs of the industry and can market your home in the right way.

The good thing is that you can make changes that will improve the situation. Go over all the points listed and address any problems. Once that’s done, you’ll have a better chance of watching your home sell.

Let me give you a free analysis of your home’s value in today’s market. Just click the following link and fill out the short form.

Tags: Butte First Time Home Buyers, Butte Home Asking Price, Butte Homes, Butte Homes for Sale, Butte Real Estate, Butte Real Estate Market
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Butte Real Estate Investment Ideas

Sunday, July 12th, 2009

4 Butte Real Estate Investment Ideas from the Pros

Real estate investments are still going strong and will probably continue to be a popular method of financial gain into the future. Real estate is solid. It is a tangible product that is attractive to both beginning investors and experienced pros. The most important part of getting started in Butte real estate investing is knowing what you’re getting into and what to watch out for. Here are 4 top tips from real estate investment professionals:

Understand the Realities
Real estate investment, like any form of investment, is risky. Do not use money you cannot afford to lose. Careful study, understanding the market, and practice help alleviate a lot of the risks but things happen in the best of situations so don’t play with what you can’t afford to lose.

Research is a Constant
Research in real estate investment isn’t something you do once. Research is constant. It is a daily part of your efforts and should always be at the forefront of your mind. From changing banking methods to market changes, researching and learning must be ongoing to be a successful Butte real estate investor.

Know the Property
Research isn’t limited to financing and the real estate market. You need to thoroughly investigate each property before you buy. Fill out a real estate investment worksheet to see if all the costs associated with the purchase will allow a satisfying profit.

Learn About Personal Protection
Taking risks with the money you have set aside for investment is one thing. Taking risks with your family’s savings, property, and other assets is another. Consider starting an LLC for your real estate investment. You can choose from a single LLC to cover all of your real estate holdings, or having a separate LLC for each property purchased.

Learning the tricks of the top real estate investors allows you to profit from the experience of those who have gone before you. If you would like more expert advice on Butte real estate investments, give me a call today at (406)-491-5777 or email me.

Tags: Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Holdings, Real Estate Investment, Real Estate Investor, Start an LLC
Posted in Homes, Real Estate | No Comments »

Green Weekend Projects for Your Butte Home

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Weekend Green Projects for Your Butte Home

Are you looking for something to do around your Butte home this weekend that will also help the environment? Why not do a quick green renovation at home. Incorporating green products and practices in your home save our natural resources and are better for your health. Here are a few simple projects you can work on this weekend.

1. Floors. You can easily replace the floor in a room during a weekend. Bamboo and cork floors are excellent environmentally-friendly choices because they are renewable sources. They come in a variety of colors and styles so you can find something that will match your current décor.

2. Paint. Painting a room is a quick and easy way to change its look. However, traditional paint is loaded with toxic fumes that can aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma. When you paint your next room, choose a paint that contains less or no amounts of dangerous chemicals. Your room will look just as good, and your lungs will be happier.

3. Windows. If you still have old, single pane windows in your Butte home, it’s time to replace them with double pane energy efficient windows. These newer windows will lower your energy consumption by keeping your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Additionally, you may be eligible for a Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency of up to $1500 if you purchase Energy Star windows in 2009 or 2010.

4. Insulation. A well insulated home saves you money and cuts back on the amount of energy you use. Make sure you have adequate insulation in your attic. Check your doors and windows for cracks and leaks that allow air to escape. Seal them with caulk or weather stripping. The Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency applies to Energy Star insulation as well.

Are you looking for a green Butte home? I specialize in green homes and would be happy to help you find the one that fits your budget and needs. Call me today at 406-491-5777 or email.

Tags: Butte Home Improvement, Butte Home Projects, Butte Homes, Butte Real Estate
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Tips for Refinancing Your Butte, Montana Home

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

5 Things to Think About Before Refinancing Your Butte Home

If you’re thinking about refinancing your Butte home, you might want to think about a few other things first.

Are the mortgage rates higher or lower than when you first financed your house? If current mortgage rates are lower, refinancing might be a good idea. If they’re higher, however, you should reconsider.
Why are you refinancing? If you’re trying to get a better mortgage rate, it might be a good idea. However, if you’re refinancing to pay off credit cards or go on vacation, not only should your probably not refinance, you probably shouldn’t be going on vacation, either.
Do you currently have a fixed rate or an adjustable rate mortgage? Since mortgage interest rates are still rising, it might be a good idea to refinance to a fixed rate if your mortgage interest is adjustable. However, if you have a low fixed rate mortgage on your [city] home, it probably would be better to stay with it.
How much longer do you plan to stay? If you plan to stay in your Butte home for five years or longer, refinancing might be a good idea. However, if you plan on a shorter amount of time, due to the cost of refinancing, you may end up losing money.
Do you have the money for refinancing? Refinancing a house costs time and money. The fees for refinancing can be a hefty $3,000 or more, which means you may not save any money for two or three years after refinancing your home.

If you need help refinancing your home or financing a new home, I can help. Call me today at (406)-491-5777 or email me for more information.

Tags: Home Costs, Home Mortgage, Home Refinancing, Mortgage Rates, Refinancing Fees
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Butte Montana Homes: Firework Safety

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

The Fourth of July is an exciting – and delicious – time of year for owners of Butte homes. There’s swimming, grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, and, of course, fireworks. While the lights are pretty and it’s a blast to set them off, a moment of carelessness can ruin a good time. Following this list of common – and not so common – safety tips will help ensure that you have a safe and happy July 4th.

Get rid of the weeds around your house. Although most Butte homes are well taken care of, a lot of them have a little bit of weed growth here and there. Making sure the weeks are cut short (less than 3 inches) or destroyed will lower the risk of stray sparks setting them on fire.
Water your roof and the ground around your house. Stray bottle rockets and roman candles are the culprits of many a house fire. If you hose down your roof and the ground around your house in a strip about three feet deep before the fireworks start going off, these mindless arsonists won’t have a chance.
Keep a bucket of water handy. As a safety measure, a bucket of water close by can’t be beat. Many a ground firework has had a stray spark left in it even after the light display is over. Sprinkling a little water on them when they’re done can stop fires before they start, and lower the chance of little hands getting burned.
No pointing. Is there anyone who hasn’t enjoyed a Roman candle war? Fun as it may be, pointing fireworks at each other is highly dangerous. Point them toward the sky where they belong!
Only light them once. If you get a dud, consider it a spent firework and throw a little water on it. Several people have lost fingers due to trying to relight a firework that didn’t explode the first time.

Practicing fireworks safety and a little bit of common sense can go a long way toward Butte homes surviving one of the most fire-filled days of the year. Be safe, and have a happy Fourth of July!

Tags: Home Improvement, Home Owners
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Judy Kivela
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4 Ways to Get the Best Deal for New Butte Home Construction

Eco-friendly Tax Credits for Butte Home Owners

Did You Know Floors Can Sell Butte Homes?

6 Reasons Why Now Is The Best Time For Butte Home Remodels

5 Tips on Choosing the Perfect Piece of Butte Real Estate for DIY

Discover Why Your Butte Homes Aren’t Selling

Butte Real Estate Investment Ideas

Green Weekend Projects for Your Butte Home

Tips for Refinancing Your Butte, Montana Home

Butte Montana Homes: Firework Safety

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My Blog

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Judy KivelaBroker/Owner

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Real Estate Tools

Homes

Market Recap

Find Local Homes

Recently Asked Questions

market alert newsletter

Archives

Judy Kivela
Broker/Owner