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Judy Kivela
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    Years of Experience: 26

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

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

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Posts Tagged ‘Homes for Sale in Butte MT’

A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

First time buyers… excited to find a good deal, afraid of overextending themselves, confused by all the conflicting reports about real estate.  Well, that might describe any or all buyers right now, but those making their very first purchase may feel elevated levels of all these emotions.  It helps to have someone offer you some guidance.

Don’t be afraid to make your move now, regardless of what you’ve been hearing about the market.  With affordability so high, you’ll find a flurry of activity out there, so you’re not alone in making the right decision to begin your home search.

Just try not to exercise excessive caution, or you may suffer what has been termed “paralysis by analysis.”  Your real estate representative will present you with all the facts and figures you need, and help you to interpret the data so that you can make a sound choice.

Now is not the time to vacillate about whether prices or interest rates will still drop.  There is nowhere to go now but up.  If rates rise to 7.5% (still historically low), the home’s price would have to be reduced nearly 20% to offset the difference in monthly payments.

Set aside your uncertainties.  Chat with an agent who can help you determine your financial footing, and show you an inventory of well-suited homes matched to your particular goals.

For responsible service in all your

Real Estate needs call, Judy Kivela 406-491-5777

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Posted in Buy House | No Comments »

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/

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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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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!
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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

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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

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Posted in Housing Market | No Comments »

National Foreclosure Trends and Butte Real Estate

Monday, December 28th, 2009

Everybody wants to know how the housing market is doing, especially if they own Butte real estate. I try to keep the newsy pieces to a minimum and spend most of my Internet space on helpful pointers, but a lot of readers have asked about the market. In response to high demand, here’s a peak at the current national foreclosure trends:

Foreclosure Trends

It’s a wonderful thing to own any kind of real estate (although I’m partial to Butte real estate, of course). Unfortunately, many people have lost their homes due to foreclosure since the housing crisis started; there have been over 7.8 million since 2007. California, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Illinois and Michigan have been topping the count for foreclosures, adding up to 62% of the nation’s foreclosures.

California’s numbers reached 349,435 foreclosures last month, and it was feared that those numbers might escalate. However, there’s some good news there. Even though homeowners are still teetering, lending institutions are caving in under government pressure to work with those homeowners. For that matter, they may even be working with the government to stem the deluge of foreclosures.

HousingPredictor.com conducted a survey of homeowners that shows we may have as many as 25 million foreclosures before everything is said and done, mainly due to homeowners who are tired of watching housing prices fall. Such a glut of the market could cause some serious repercussions for the economy. However, again, there are some positive points.

For instance, current mortgage interest rates are ranging from as low as 4% to 5.5%, cut almost in half from the “housing boom” years. While housing prices may be dropping, the fall is slowing down. As well, lower prices mean more affordable homes. While this may not be a good thing for homeowners, it’s an excellent thing for home buyers.

As prices drop and homes become more affordable, the glutted housing market of foreclosed and for sale homes is slowly shrinking. As the reserve market (the number of houses per capita that are for sale) shrinks, consumer confidence will build up (something we desperately need). Housing demand will rise, surplus will shrink, and prices will stabilize.

Of course, in the meantime, while you’re waiting for things to stabilize, hold on to your Butte real estate. Take advantages of the tax breaks available to upgrade your existing property, maybe get the renovations done you’ve always wanted. There are still opportunities in this market – you just have to find them!

If you’re a buyer looking for a great home, act now to find amazing bargains. I can help. Call me at 406-491-5777 or email me at judy@montana.com for more information.

Links:

Stem the deluge

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-foreclosures21-2009oct21,0,5605171.story

HousingPredictor.com

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

slowing down

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a6f3TaKJxPAQ

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Posted in Foreclosures | 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

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Posted in Sell Your Home | No Comments »

Buying One of the Butte Homes for Sale? Don’t Forget Your…

Friday, October 30th, 2009

2009 might not have brought on the hottest market for sellers, but it’s an excellent market for buyers.  If you’re taking advantage and buying one of the Butte  homes for sale, it means you’ll be moving soon.  It also means that you’ll probably forget something you really need in the new house – after it’s too late.

Don’t Forget Your…

There are at least five items commonly forgotten when moving:

1. Personal Phonebook – Make sure you pack up any personal numbers, phonebooks or notepads you might have written needed numbers on.  If you have time, transfer them to your computer.  Even if you call the numbers a lot, there is still a chance you’ll forget them.

2. Neat and Tidy – Too often, people will be giving their old home a final once-over and find a spot that needs to be cleaned.  Realizing they have packed the cleaning equipment, they rush out to buy new cleaners.  Instead, have your cleaning supplies set aside as one of the last things to go – just in case.

3. Records – No, not the vinyl ones.  If the Butte home for sale is in another neighborhood, you’ll have to get your medical records, vet records for your pet and your child’s permanent school record.  Copies usually aren’t allowed, so make sure you have the real deal!

4. Your Address – As silly as it may seem, it’s easy to forget your new address.  Write it down and put it in your wallet or purse for easy reference.

5.  Hidden Valuables – Did you remember that roll of bills you hid in the attic, or the necklace in the bathroom?  Before leaving, collect all your valuables and put them in a safe deposit box.

If you’re looking to buy one of the Butte homes for sale, I can help.  Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me at judy@montana.com for more information.

Links:

Items commonly forgotten when moving

http://www.articlesbase.com/moving-and-relocating-articles/10-things-people-forget-when-moving-979883.html

Medical records

http://www.genetichealth.com/Resources_Collecting_Medical_Records.shtml#Anchor3

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Posted in Homes for Sale | No Comments »

Don’t Forget to Inspect the Butte, MT Homes for Sale!

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Just because you’ve found some interesting Butte homes for sale doesn’t mean your house hunt is up. There’s much more to do before signing those closing papers, and one of the biggest is having the home inspected. In fact, getting a home inspection will probably be drilled into you by your real estate agent. Yes, it’s that important.

What can you find out from a home inspection report?

Although many people do get a home inspection, just as many have a difficult time deciphering the reports to find out what’s serious and what isn’t. To make it worse, inspections vary from state to state. Fortunately, the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, who has a list of inspectors all around the United States and Canada, has a specific set of guidelines.

General Inspection

A general inspection doesn’t require a specific license. It covers such things as:

  • Structure – how well the walls, ceiling, foundation and more are put together
  • Exterior evaluation – landscaping, elevation, drainage, windows
  • Plumbing – Checks the condition of piping and identifies the materials used
  • Roof and attic – framing, flashing, gutters, ventilation
  • Systems – water heaters, duct work, air conditioning, chimney, furnaces, sprinklers
  • Garage – Slab, firewall, garage door
  • Appliances – including smoke detectors
  • Electrical – main panel, types of wiring, grounding, circuit breakers, light fixtures and more

The inspection reports will state whether the Butte  homes for sale have serious health and safety issues, bad or old roofs, systems malfunctions, foundation problems, and moisture and drainage problems.

Special Inspection

Some things require a specific license for inspection. Although you may not want to spend the extra money, these things can cause the “sick house syndrome” (people getting sick a lot for no recognizable reason). These problems should not be ignored:

  • Asbestos
  • Radon
  • Formaldehyde
  • Mold, mildew and fungi
  • Rodents
  • Lead
  • Methane
  • Radiation

Some issues aren’t big and can be dealt with fairly easily. Other things, however, are expensive fixes and usually deal breakers. Before you sign closing papers on one of the [city] homes for sale, get that inspection done to find out what you’re really getting.

If you’re looking for a healthy home in good condition, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Links:

National Association of Certified Home Inspectors:  http://www.nachi.org/

Structure

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/home-inspection/

Sick house syndrome

http://www.avianweb.com/sickhousesyndrome.html

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Posted in Buy House | No Comments »

Buyers Beware: Disappearing Homes for Sale in Butte

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

July saw the largest increase in home sales in at least ten years, which brings hope for all the homes for sale in Butte. What’s the culprit for this more-than-expected rise? The first-time buyers tax credit!

The $8,000 tax credit first time buyers are eligible for expires November 30, 2009. Buyers that otherwise may have stood on the side lines are rushing to find the home of their dreams in time for the closing to happen before the deadline. Thanks to that deadline, one out of three homes for sale are getting that coveted “Sold” sign.

So why should buyers beware?

If you’re holding off for a better time to buy one of the homes for sale in Butte, you might never see it! Mortgage interest rates are at a historical low; housing prices are also much lower than they have been.

The tax credit is another excellent reason. If you’re a first-time buyer and close the deal before November 30, you get a 10% credit on the purchase price. That percentage caps out at $8,000. What can you do in a new house with $8,000?

Many buyers are looking at foreclosures, due to lower costs. While the foreclosures may not be in the best condition, the tax credit has helped them make repairs without taking a huge bite out of their wallet. You may have a foreclosure with $15,000 off the initial price and $7,000 in needed repairs. If you receive the full $8,000 tax credit, you actually end up saving $16,000!

So, if you’re honestly looking for a home to buy, go ahead. Take your time; make sure it’s a home you want. However, don’t take too long, because the homes for sale in Butte are rapidly disappearing. Take advantage of the tax credit and the number of possibilities!

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

Links:

$8,000 tax credit

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html

Mortgage interest rates

http://www.mortgage101.com/articles/dailyratesurvey.asp

Make repairs

http://www.hometips.com/

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Posted in Homes for Sale | No Comments »

Are You Overwhelmed by Searching for Homes for Sale in Butte?

Monday, September 14th, 2009

Are you looking at homes for sale in Butte and feeling overwhelmed by the choices? Back in the Dark Ages before the Internet (1986 or so), if you wanted to look at a house, you had to call a real estate agent, find out the address and then physically drive to the house. Thanks to the Internet, however, you can start narrowing down your choices before you ever talk to your agent.

What do you need to know?

Looking online can give you the information you want to know about the homes for sale in Butte. However, if you just go surfing on the Web, that information can be as overwhelming as the number of choices. Before you start shopping online, make a list of the things that are important to you about the city or neighborhood in which you want to live, such as:

  • What are the average property taxes in the neighborhood?
  • What is the average utility cost for the home?
  • What is the neighborhood like?
  • How high is the crime rate in the neighborhood?
  • What is the average climate of the city?
  • What is the unemployment rate of the city?
  • How good are the schools?

Once you have your list of questions, go online with an eye to answering them. Here is a list of links that might help you on your quest for information:

My Government Website – Sunshine Review: Here you can find a list of cities with official websites. Choose the city you’re looking for and be magically transported by way of the Internet to that city’s official website. You’ll find all the great stuff that calls people to move to a particular city, including attractions, businesses, restaurants and beautiful housing developments.

City Data: City Data is just that – a website with nothing but data on U.S. cities. You’ll find the nice and not so nice information about any city. Crime rates, shortest commute, weather patterns and more, all at your fingertips. The only drawback is that the information is two years old.

Interest: Interest.com will show you the current mortgage interest rates for the area you’re interested in.

By gathering all this information, you have a much better chance of choosing one of the homes for sale in Butte  that fits your needs. Once you have it all, you can search online or take the information to your real estate agent and get help with your house hunting.

Are you looking for the perfect house?  Let me help. Call me today at (406)-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Links:

My Government Website – Sunshine Review

http://sunshinereview.org/index.php/My_Government_Website:_Number_of_cities

City Data

http://www.city-data.com/

Interest

http://www.interest.com/

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Posted in Homes for Sale | No Comments »

Market Recap

  • Avg. Sales Price: $102,209

  • Avg. Days on Market: 119

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