Butte Homes

Posts Tagged ‘Butte Homes’

2010 Trends for Butte Homes

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

Even though it may sometimes seem like it, home building and design trends are not conjured up using a crystal ball. They are the result of surveys, observations, lifestyles, socioeconomic issues, entertainment, technology, and most importantly, the needs and desires of buyers.

Here are some of the national and Butte homes trends to expect in 2010.

Green is growing.

A study conducted by Burst Media in late December, 2009, found that 90 percent of Web users surveyed have incorporated some aspect of going green into their lives, and overall, they are willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products.

Homes are getting smaller.

For 2010, home builders say they will focus on lower-priced and smaller homes. More than 95 percent of home builders surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in January said that was the way they saw their businesses evolving.

Single-story homes are in.

Because of the rise in homebuyers who are 55 years of age and older, more single-story [Butte] homes are being purchased. According to NAHB, barely over half of new homes today are built with two stories or more. Two-story homes peaked at about 55 percent of the market in 2006.

Lower cost, more practical homes are being purchased.

In an attempt to respond to consumer demands for practicality, as well as hold the line on prices, home builders surveyed by NAHB are most likely to include these features as standard in their houses this year:

Walk-in closets in the master bedroom
Laundry rooms
Insulated front doors
Great rooms
Energy-efficient windows
Linen closets
Programmable thermostats
Energy-efficient appliances and lighting
Separate shower and tub in master bathrooms
Nine-foot ceilings on the first floor

Here are the features builders said they are least likely to add to houses in 2010. You’ll notice a lot of the items being eliminated are luxury features, as builders try to lower costs.

Outdoor kitchens
Outdoor fireplaces
Sunrooms
Butler’s pantries
Media rooms
Desks in kitchens
Two-story foyers
Multiple shower heads in the master bath
Smaller kitchens

Want to buy one of the new Butte homes in 2010? Call me today at 406-491-1234 or email me at judy@montana.com to get started.

Links:

Study conducted by Burst Media

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=120962

National Association of Home Builders

http://www.nahb.org/

Energy-efficient windows

http://www.efficientwindows.org/

Tags: Butte Home Sales, Butte Homes, Butte Housing Market, Buying a House in Butte MT, Homes for Sale in Butte MT, Housing Market in Butte MT
Posted in Housing Market | No Comments »

10 Ideas to Save Money and Make Your Butte Home Greener

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Saving money and going green are both hot topics right now. So, I’m sure you’ve already heard the tips to turn off water while brushing your teeth, turn off TVs and computers and swap out old light bulbs for the new energy-saving versions.

Here are 10 new ideas to help you save money and make your Butte home greener.

Swap stuff. There are hundreds of online sites where you can get furniture, books, CDs, DVDs and even a place to stay for free by swapping stuff with other people. And, I’m not just talking about Craigslist. Two of the most popular and easy to use swap sites are Paperbackswap.com and SwapaDVD.com.
Recycle your cell phone. According to the EPA, if the 100 million cell phones no longer being used by Americans were recycled, enough energy would be saved to power more than 18,500 homes for a year. Give your cell phone back to its manufacturer or donate your cell phone to charity.
Recycle other electronics. Keep old TVs out of landfills by taking them to a safe e-cycling facility. Return iPods to Apple for recycling or sell them for parts. Take e-waste to stores like Best Buy and Staples that have recycling programs. You’ll save money by not having to pay to dispose of the electronics.
Wait until May to buy a new TV. New government standards take effect May 1, 2010. Energy Star-labeled televisions will be at least 40% more efficient than comparable models — a significant savings.
Eat foods that are in season. It’s healthier, less expensive and better for the environment. Oh, and one more big plus: the food tastes so much better!
Install a water filter. Bottled water isn’t any healthier than tap water, and all that plastic waste is terrible for the environment. It’s also expensive! If you use a water filter in your [Butte] home, you can get great-tasting, clean water while reducing your waste and saving money.
Turn down your water heater. You won’t notice the temperature change, but your water heater won’t work as hard and won’t use as much energy.
Plant a vegetable garden. If you don’t have the space to plant a garden, plant a tree or put some plants outside. Find vegetables and plants that grow well in your area for the best results. Ask your local garden center for that information.
Use green cleaners. There’s no reason to use harsh chemicals to clean your home. Use biodegradable cleaners that are safe for the environment or make your own green cleaners. Use old towels and T-shirts instead of disposable wipes and paper towels to cut down on waste and save you money.
Check your insulation. Adding insulation to your home will cost money initially, but you’ll quickly earn it back plus more by saving long term on your heating and cooling bills. Skeptical? Start out by insulating your attic and keeping track of your energy savings. It averages out to about $116 a year in savings.

Want more tips to save money and make your Butte home greener? Subscribe to my blog now. It’s free and easy.

Links:

Swap stuff

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/53/how-to-find-free-stuff.html

Donate your cell phone to charity

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_news/16/four-ways-to-give-to-charity-by-recycling-your-cell-phone.html

Eat foods that are in season

http://www.eattheseasons.com/

Make your own green cleaners

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/54/raid-your-pantry-for-nontoxic-cleaners.html

Tags: Butte Homes, Green Homes in Butte MT, Home Improvement in Butte MT, Homes for Sale in Butte MT, Making Your Home Greener
Posted in Homes | No Comments »

2010 Forecasts for National and Butte Real Estate Are In!

Monday, January 4th, 2010

From national and Butte real estate to the U.S. economy, the predictions for 2010 are in. Like any predictions, they vary from somewhat bright and cheery to doom and gloom:

CNBC’s Realty Check predicts:

the beginning of a housing market recovery mid-year
higher foreclosure inventory
rising mortgage rates, probably leveling off around six percent.
suffering commercial real estate

The National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) chief economist is projecting:

A sustainable recovery. The tax credit expansion will help to relieve extra housing supply through mid-2010.
A rise in existing home sales. The NAR is expecting existing home sales to rise as high as 5.69 million, even with continuing unemployment issues. That’s a 13.6 percent increase.

In fact, the U.S. forecasts for national and Butte real estate are overall positive for 2010.

Housing Predictor, one of the first places to predict the wave of foreclosures, also forecasts positive numbers for 2010. They anticipate rising home sales, market improvement and even value appreciation for some places. Again, the magic period for the start of stabilization is the middle of the year.

Although no one knows for certain what will happen in the future – especially for such struggling sectors as national and [city] real estate – we can all gain a little hope from the 2010 forecasts. There is one thing that is fairly well agreed upon according to these predictions: there will be a real estate recovery in 2010.

If you’re struggling to sell your home, I can help. Call me at 406-491-5777 or email me at judy@montana.com for more information.

Realty Check

http://www.cnbc.com/id/34110130

Existing home sales

http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2009/11/hopeful_leading

Housing Predictor

http://www.housingpredictor.com/better.html

Tags: Butte Homes, Butte Housing Market, Butte MT Real Estate, Homes for Sale in Butte MT, Housing Market in Butte MT, Real Estate in Butte MT
Posted in Housing Market | No Comments »

How Do I Update My Butte Home to Make It Greener?

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

There are many different ways to update your Butte home to make it more eco-friendly.

In your Butte home, install ceiling fans and thermal windows. Ceiling fans are low energy, cost effective ways of cooling your home without using the air conditioning. Thermal windows offer insulation from outside heat and cold.
Use foam caulking around any cable lines or cords leading to an exterior wall. This will provide insulation against temperature changes.

In the winter (or in climates that are cool year round), use the natural sunlight during the day. Opening the drapes and allowing the sun to come in decreases the amount of energy needed to light and heat your home. Closing the drapes at night adds another layer of insulation against temperature changes.
Installing motion sensors on your light fixtures may help to decrease energy usage as well. The lights will shut off automatically when not in use.
Use a power strip that has an on/off switch. These power strips can be used for video games, stereos, DVD players, and other items that are not in use on a constant basis. Turning off the switch when they are not in use saves energy.

If you’d like to buy an eco-friendly home, I can help. Call me at 406-491-5777or email me at judy@montana.com for more information.

Links:

Thermal windows: http://www.thermalwindows.com/

Foam caulking: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing

Motion sensors: http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/security/question238.htm

Tags: Butte Green Homes, Butte Homes, Green Homes, Green Homes in Butte MT, Home Improvement, Home Improvement in Butte MT
Posted in Home Improvement | No Comments »

Owning Butte Homes – Has the American Dream Died?

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Some people who are supposedly “in the know” believe the American dream of owning a home has died. They spout “facts” that say home ownership – not just for Butte homes, but also across the nation – is no longer on the minds of the majority of Americans.

Additionally, according to some of these individuals, suburban sprawl is the reason for:

the housing bubble burst,
the break down of social mores,
global warming (due to commutes, of course)
and more.

It’s amazing that the nation’s suburbs can cause so many problems, isn’t it?

Is the American dream of home ownership really dead? The number of people buying Butte homes versus renting them points to a definitive… maybe. However, in newspapers and on the Internet, we’re seeing tons of “if you can’t sell your home, rent it out” information. We’re seeing potential homebuyers being told that renting may be the best option. Why?

The economy, of course. While there are plenty of want-to-be homeowners, those same people choose to rent rather than own for a wide variety of reasons. The main reason, however, is that they think it will be cheaper.

When you first think of buying a home, it sounds like an overwhelming prospect with lots of money involved. However, while the down payment is much more than it would be for a rental property, it’s time to really look at the cost. Instead of example numbers, let me point you to Money-Zine.com’s Rent vs. Buy a Home calculator.

Now, before you start plugging in numbers, remember that the national average for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is around 4.5% – 5%. The national averages for mortgage rates in general range from 3% to 5.5%. Of course, every situation is different, but think about it and really do your research before you decide whether to rent or buy one of our Butte homes. Don’t just assume it’s better to rent; renting may not be the cheap option you think it is.

If you’d like to find your piece of the American dream, I can help. Call me at 406-491-5777 or email me at judy@montana.com for more information.

Links:

Suburban sprawl:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suburban_sprawl

Rent vs Buy a Home Calculator

http://www.money-zine.com/Calculators/Mortgage-Calculators/Rent-vs.-Buy-a-Home-Calculator/

Renting may not be the cheap option

http://customsites.yahoo.com/financiallyfit/finance/article-107589-2419-0-why-rent-when-you-can-buy

Tags: Butte Homes, Buying a House, Buying a House in Butte MT, Homes in Butte MT
Posted in Buying a House | No Comments »

Get Your Fireplace Ready In Your Butte Home

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Winter is almost here and few things are as comforting as the smell of wood burning in the fireplace of you Butte home. Before you light the first fire of the year, there are a few things you need to do. Here is the short list for fireplace safety:

Clean Out the Chimney

Everyone wants to get out of the cold weather, including birds and squirrels. Have a chimney cap installed at the top of the chimney to keep out small animals looking for shelter. The cap will also keep debris from clogging the chimney.

Have a professional clean out any creosote residue. Creosote is the build up of carbon from burning wood. It is flammable and needs to be removed every year.

Creosote is hazardous to your health. It can cause respiratory problems, so don’t try to clean it out on your own. Some home improvement stores sell a creosote removal log that you burn in your fireplace, it may clean your fireplace incompletely, so it’s best to go with a professional chimney cleaning company.

Prepare the Surrounding Area

Before you light the fireplace in your Butte home, make sure that the area around it is clear of clutter. You’ll want to make sure there is at least two to three feet of cleared space around the fireplace.

Invest in a fireplace screen so that nothing is accidentally knocked into the fireplace. It will also help to prevent burning embers from flying out.

Each time you get ready use the fireplace, clean out the ashes from the previous fire.

Light the Fire

First, open the fireplace damper so the proper airflow can occur. Then, start with paper or kindling placed on top of the fireplace grate. Use seasoned firewood cut to the right length for your fireplace. A couple of logs will be enough; you don’t want to add too many or the fire will suffocate.

Following these fireplace safety instructions can help you enjoy this winter season without worry. So, feel free to light that fireplace and soon the aroma of burning wood will fill your Butte home.

LINKS:

Chimney Cap: http://www.fireplacemall.com/Chimney_Caps/chimney_caps.html

Creosote residue: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1150360/the_dangers_of_creosote_build_up_in.html?cat=5

Damper: http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/energy-efficiency/how-to-conserve-energy-at-home5.htm

Tags: Butte Home Improvement, Butte Homes, Getting Your Fireplace Ready, Home Improvement in Butte MT, Homes in Butte MT
Posted in Home Improvement | No Comments »

A Home for Sale in Butte: Are You a Competitive Seller?

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Do you have a competitive nature? Do you always have to have the last say? Do you always feel you have to win? If you have a home for sale in Butte, you may have “competed” yourself right out of a buyer. Please, read on to find out how NOT to make this mistake.

Who Calls the Shots?

You’ve probably heard “it’s a buyer’s market” many, many times already. With the number of people who have a home for sale in [city], this is something you can’t afford to ignore. This is especially true considering that the longer your house sits on the market the more it depreciates.

A competitive nature is all well and good, but, when dealing with potential buyers, you have to rein it in. Winning, in this case, is not getting the last word, but selling your home. As you enter into negotiations, keep in mind that the end goal is to sell.

Buyers know they have the market. While this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll try to walk all over you, it does mean that they may try to negotiate:

On price
On closing date
On inspection period
On closing costs
On anything

Now, just because they’re trying to negotiate doesn’t mean they aren’t qualified buyers. You may have a very qualified potential buyer trying to negotiate with you.

Warning: at this point, your competitive nature may try to rise up and crush the negotiating potential buyer. Restrain yourself – strenuously if you have to.

While dealing with offers, counter offers and counter-counter offers, ask yourself if you’re being competitive, silly or surprisingly realistic. Are you turning down their offer because it isn’t an exact fit for you? Do you have a legitimate reason for the counter offer, or are you trying to “one-up?” Will a requested change really make that much difference to you?

Although I’m not suggesting that you take the first offer that comes along without looking at it, or that you take an offer that is less than you can afford to take, I am suggesting that you remember there are plenty of people with a home for sale in Butte. As you look at the offers, keep this in mind. Shut down that competitive nature and remember that the only way you really win is when you sign the papers and hand over the keys.

Ready to get your home sold? I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me at Judy@montana.com for more information.

Links:

Buyer’s market

http://www.investorwords.com/641/buyers_market.html

Closing costs

http://homebuying.about.com/od/financingadvice/qt/BuyClosingCosts.htm

Counter offers

http://homebuying.about.com/od/offersnegotiations/qt/CounterOffers.htm

Tags: Butte Homes, Butte Homes for Sale, Homes for Sale in Butte MT, Selling Your Home in Butte, Selling Your Homes
Posted in Sell Your Home | No Comments »

I Admit It – I’m a Biased Butte Real Estate Agent

Friday, November 13th, 2009

People have asked me about FSBO (For Sale By Owner). They want to know whether it’s a good idea to use an agent and the answers to many other questions on this topic. I admit it; I’m biased. I am, after all, a Butte real estate agent.

I’ll even go a bit farther and admit that I’m biased about my hometown. As far as I’m concerned, if you’re going to buy a house, you should use me as your agent and buy a house in this city. But then, that’s what most real estate agents will tell you.

Without the bias, however, there are some real issues with not using a Butte real estate agent (or any agent, anywhere, for that matter). And, there’s one BIG issue…

The Contract!

Okay, here’s the deal. A real estate contract, like any contract, is a sealed deal once the papers are signed. It’s legally binding and will be upheld in any court of law in the country, with few (and rare) exceptions.

If you don’t understand the contract you’ve signed, that’s too bad. Lack of understanding does not constitute a dismissal of said contract. While some do manage to back out of a contract once it’s signed, to do so is expensive and stressful.

A wide variety of contracts can be borrowed from anywhere and have been. FSBO sites, as well as many other online sites and offline brick and mortar businesses, have “sell your house” contracts. For that matter, a contract written up by the owner, signed by the buyer with a notary stamp, without any legal representation on either part, is still legally binding:

I, the undersigned, am selling my house to the buyer for the agreed upon amount of money.

Buyer

Seller

Notary

A real estate agent will generally use a standard contract through your state’s Association of REALTORS® or their particular brokerage. What’s the difference, you ask? Quite a lot, but the biggest is that the contracts that agents use are created to fit the laws of each state. In addition, these contracts are not prejudiced towards the buyer or the seller.

Lastly, the buying and selling of real estate is full of potential issues and is a long, involved process. Call me proud and tell me I’m bragging if you want, but I’m good at what I do as a Butte real estate agent. It’s not something I think everyone can (or should) do.

So, if you’re considering going FSBO, take a second gander at this particular article and think hard. We’re not all evil; quite a few great agents out there sincerely want to help you meet your goals of buying or selling a home.

If you’re looking for someone to guide you through the pitfalls, I’d be honored to help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me judy@montana.com for more information.

Links:

FSBO

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_sale_by_owner

real estate contract

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-real-estate-contract.htm

Back out of a contract

http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/10/pf/saving/mortgage_willis/index.htm?postversion=2009031010

Tags: Butte Homes, Butte Real Estate Agent, Buying a Home, Buying a Home in Butte MT, For Sale By Owner
Posted in Buying a House | No Comments »

Butte Home Care – 3 Fall Maintenance Projects

Monday, November 9th, 2009

The last vestiges of summer have faded away, the leaves are turning into a brilliant array of color and the temperatures are dropping. All this glorious change means the holidays are coming, but it also means it’s time, once again, to look over your Butte home.

With temperatures dropping and leaves falling, there are plenty of things to add to your “to do” list. Just in case your list is empty, here are a few “to do’s” to get you started on your fall Butte home care:

Sealing Your Driveway – If you have a blacktop driveway, you probably already know it isn’t going to be smooth forever. The asphalt cracks, the color fades and the asphalt sags to create potholes. As winter rolls around and snow begins to fall, you’ll probably be putting down salt, which will further break down your driveway. Sealing it now, either by hiring a company to do it or sealing it yourself, can help keep your driveway smooth and beautiful.

Winterizing Your Sprinklers – Sprinkler systems do wonders in keeping your lawn green. However, leaving water in the system over the winter can cause a big, expensive mess, especially if the pipes aren’t buried below frost level. If you don’t feel comfortable winterizing the sprinkler system yourself, you can hire a professional for under $500.

Cleaning Gutters and Roofs – Everybody knows that fall brings leaves that fill your gutters and cover your roof. If you haven’t been on the roof of your house lately, now’s the time to do it. You want to make sure all the debris is gone before the snow hits, so the strength of your roof isn’t tested further. For that matter, now is a great time to install gutter guards; you’ll never have to clean your gutters again!

Preparing your Butte home for the winter can be a tedious process, but the money you’ll save with proper maintenance will put a smile on your face.

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

Links:

Sealing it yourself

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=LawnGarden/SealDvWay.html#term

Winterizing the sprinkler system

http://www.housekeepingchannel.com/a_603-Tips_for_Winterizing_Your_Sprinkler_System

Gutter guards

http://www.askthebuilder.com/Gutter_Guard_Test_Results.shtml

Tags: Butte Home Care, Butte Homes, Home Care in Butte MT, Home Improvement in Butte MT, Home Maintenance
Posted in Home Improvement | No Comments »

Butte Housing Market: Unemployement Up

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

The Labor Department says the number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in 10 months, but companies are reluctant to hire and economists expect the unemployment rate will tick up to 9.9 percent when October’s figure is reported Friday. The jobless rate hit a 26-year high of 9.8 percent in September. First-time claims for jobless benefits fell by 20,000 to a seasonally adjusted 512,000. That’s better than economists’ estimates of 523,000. The four-week average, which smoothes fluctuations, dropped to 523,750, its ninth straight decline. That’s 135,000 below the peak for the recession, reached in early April but well above the 400,000 that will signal job creation. Another 4.1 million people claimed extended unemployment benefits in the week ended Oct. 17, the latest data available, an increase of about 100,000 from the previous week. Congress has added 53 weeks of emergency aid on top of the 26 weeks typically provided by states.

Tags: Butte Homes, Butte Housing Market, Housing Market in Butte MT, Unemployment
Posted in Housing Market | No Comments »

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Judy Kivela
Broker/Owner

Company Info

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Posts Tagged ‘Butte Homes’

2010 Trends for Butte Homes

10 Ideas to Save Money and Make Your Butte Home Greener

2010 Forecasts for National and Butte Real Estate Are In!

How Do I Update My Butte Home to Make It Greener?

Owning Butte Homes – Has the American Dream Died?

Get Your Fireplace Ready In Your Butte Home

A Home for Sale in Butte: Are You a Competitive Seller?

I Admit It – I’m a Biased Butte Real Estate Agent

Butte Home Care – 3 Fall Maintenance Projects

Butte Housing Market: Unemployement Up

Market Recap

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Recently Asked Questions

market alert newsletter

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My Blog

Hot Topics

Judy KivelaBroker/Owner

Company Info

Real Estate Tools

Posts Tagged ‘Butte Homes’

Market Recap

Find Local Homes

Recently Asked Questions

market alert newsletter

Archives

Judy Kivela
Broker/Owner