http://coldwellbankerbozeman.com/blog/archive_202108/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ Many individuals say that buying a home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. For many, it comes with years of planning and preparation to finally sign on the dotted line. When preparing to buy your first home, keep these five tips in mind to help you navigate the process. Start Saving EarlyLike anything, the more you prepare, the better the outcome will be. The same holds true for purchasing a home. For most first-time buyers, the biggest hurdle to overcome is the down payment. Depending on the type of mortgage, lender you use, home price, and credit score, most down payments are more than $10,000. Be sure to factor in closing costs and move-in expenses as well. Be sure to consider all costs factored into your dream home and begin saving today.Explore Different Mortgage Options Be aware of your credit score. This will determine whether or not you qualify for a mortgage and what interest rate different mortgage lenders will offer you. In order to strengthen your credit score, be sure to obtain free copies of your credit reports. You should pay every bill on time and keep your credit card balances as low as possible to keep your debt low. Keep the credit cards that you currently have open. If you decide you want to close a card, it will decrease your available credit, which will lower your score. Research the AreaDeciding where you want to live is probably one of the most difficult decisions when buying a home. Depending on what stage of life you are in, it could be for just a couple of years or for the long term. Take into consideration the neighborhood, how close you are to schools, public transportation, and if the city you are moving to aligns with your lifestyle. Stay in Your BudgetThere may be a home that is outside your budget when looking. Is it the right choice? Ultimately, only you can make that decision. But, to avoid the financial stress down the road, you should always stick to your budget. One of the best ways to do this is to look at properties below your maximum price. This way you will be able to beat out other offers and get the dream home you’ve always wanted! Choose a Trusted Real Estate AgentThere is no better way to get the most out of your home-buying experience than working with a trusted real estate agent, like the ones at Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties here in Bozeman. When looking for a Realtor, take into consideration the personality of the individual and if you believe you will work well together. At the end of the day, the client (you) always comes first. The Realtor is there to guide you through the buying process, while protecting your interests and “must-haves” in the home. They will help you with negotiating a price to help you with home inspections. Don’t hesitate to give us a call today at 406-587-7653.   http://coldwellbankerbozeman.com/blog/10055/buying-your-first-home:-5-things-to-keep-in-mind/ Mon, 30 Aug 2021 03:28:35 -0700 The biggest question to ask yourself when deciding whether or not you’re ready to start investing in real estate is: can I afford it? There are pros and cons to real estate investing. But, if you have the right information, it could be a great long-term investment and can help you to begin building wealth. There are a few reasons why Real Estate Is a Good Investment: You benefit from the natural appreciation of property. On average, real estate appreciated 3% a year without any extraordinary fixes to the home. If you decide to put more sweat equity into your property, your appreciation will be even greater than the average. Investing in real estate is a business, and like any business owner, you can take advantage of many tax write-offs. Since you own the home and rent it out-- that is your business, you are the landlord.Investing in real estate can also lead to a more financial peace of mind, when you take the right steps to afford this investment. Once you have created a budget and feel secure with what you are investing in, you hold on to that asset. Many people feel more secure knowing all their money isn’t liquid. And, if income producing, would be a great legacy to pass down to your future generations.Investing in real estate is no small feat. There is a significant amount of money up front to even begin the process. There are also ongoing maintenance costs and income gaps if you are between tenants for a period of time. There are also a few items you should consider:To mitigate some of the debt that could be incurred when investing in real estate, try and either purchase with cash, or be able to afford the mortgage payments without the rental income. This is important to factor in because your investment property could lead to being more of a financial burden. A great way to start in investment real estate is to purchase a duplex or a house with a basement apartment that allows you to rent out one unit and live in the other. Just keep in mind that you will be in the same building as the individual renting from you.Before you buy, you should always conduct a thorough amount of research. If you are buying land, ensure that you research the land deed, how future building will affect your property value, and what kind of a neighborhood the property is in. These factors can dictate the appreciation of your property.Overall, if you set yourself up for success, the home, apartment complex, or piece of land can be much more attainable than you would have originally imagined.   http://coldwellbankerbozeman.com/blog/10039/is-real-estate-still-a-good-investment?/ Tue, 24 Aug 2021 03:45:47 -0700 Inc. magazine revealed that Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties and Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties are included on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most esteemed ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. This is the sixth time that Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties has been recognized on the list, with three-year revenue growth of 97%.Inc. 5000 has given first national exposure to many well-known companies such as Microsoft, Patagonia, Intuit, Zapos and many others. This prestigious list represents the most successful companies within the independent, small business sector. Companies on this list have contributed to over 2.5 million new jobs for Americans in 2021. “It’s an honor to be ranked within the Inc. 5000 list. Our company strives for excellence, growth, and innovation,” says Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties and Commercial Prime Properties President Ryan Brown. “We are proud to again be named one of the fastest growing private companies in the country, and attribute the achievement to our dedicated agents, clients and staff.” Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. "The 2021 Inc. 5000 list feels like one of the most important rosters of companies ever compiled," says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. "Building one of the fastest-growing companies in America in any year is a remarkable achievement. Building one in the crisis we've lived through is just plain amazing. This kind of accomplishment comes with hard work, smart pivots, great leadership, and the help of a whole lot of people."  http://coldwellbankerbozeman.com/blog/10020/coldwell-banker-distinctive-properties-and-coldwell-banker-commercial-prime-properties-named-to-inc-5000/ Wed, 18 Aug 2021 09:26:06 -0700 We are thrilled to share that we've reached an incredible milestone: $1 Billion in total year to date sales as of August 10, 2021! This amazing feat reflects the dedication of our agent and staff, and the "wow" factor that we strive to bring to each and every real estate transaction we conduct. Our team is so honored to be a part of the communities we serve, and grateful to everyone involved in making this happen.     We’re especially thankful to our clients, who have put their trust in us to help them with one of the most important aspects of their lives: their homes. Homes are where memories are made, families are formed, and comfort is found. We cannot thank our clients enough for giving us the opportunity to assist them.  Our agents are among the best in the nation. Their knowledge, skills, and motivation are what make us who we are. Our team of dedicated agents is constantly at work for our clients to find their dream homes or the perfect people to take over where they left off as they sell their past home. Their nonstop devotion to clients is what pushes our company forward and allows us to reach milestones like this one.  We will continue to serve our communities and clients with the same passion we always have. As we move forward, we are excited to keep our strong client relationships, enthusiastic agents, and a team that thrives on innovation, excellence, and integrity. The future ahead of us is unsure, but we know that we will continue to achieve amazing things.  Be sure to follow us on all our social media platforms to stay up to date on the latest real estate trends, news, and listings in your area. http://coldwellbankerbozeman.com/blog/10009/$1-billion-in-total-sales-year-to-date!/ Fri, 13 Aug 2021 11:56:51 -0700  Check out the latest Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties Quarterly Market Report! The report features detailed information pertaining to the Bozeman area real estate market, including average sale prices and trends in various categories like single family homes, luxury properties and more for Quarter 2 of 2021.If you have any questions or would like more information about what's happening in the Bozeman market you can reach out to your local Coldwell Banker Agent today!  http://coldwellbankerbozeman.com/blog/9998/bozeman-quarterly-market-report-quarter-2/ Wed, 11 Aug 2021 08:50:46 -0700