Montana Home Buyers Tips and Resources

Decide to Buy a Home in Montana
Ask yourself important questions such as, "Why you need to purchase a home"? Are you upgrading? Downgrading? Relocating? Can a tax break help you purchase a home in Montana?

Get Organized
Once you've decided to buy a home in Montana, it is important to get organized. Start a financial file of important documents, check your credit, and obtain pre-approval from your bank for a home loan in Montana.

Sell Before you Buy
It takes time to sell a home. Don't assume your home will sell as soon as you purchase real estate in Bozeman, Belgrade or any other Montana community. Having to deal with two mortgages can be costly and may force you to sell below market value.

Shop for a Montana Home
Plan ahead, set a budget, get pre-approved for a home loan in Montana, select your favorite neighborhoods in Bozeman and Belgrade, and engage an experience Montana real estate professional like Tripp. 

Escrow, Inspections and Appraisal
Learn about three of the most essential aspects of the home buying process including escrow, inspections and appraisal.

Mold and Radon Issues
Maintaining the health of your home, these days, sometimes directly coorelates to your own personal health. Ensuring that your home or the home you are in the process of purchasing does not have issues with mold or radon is of paramount importance. Learn about mold and radon, the health issues they present and how to avoid them.

Closing on your new Montana Home

From the final walk-through to taxes, costs and fees as well as title issues, learn about the closing process.

Moving In
 Moving in can be exciting but it can also prove stressful. Remember to plan ahead, connect your utilities, and be sure to get insurance for your personal belongings. 

If you would like some help finding your Dream Home in Bozeman or Belgrade Montana let me know.  There are several Bozeman properties that have come on the market that have not been listed yet.  Please fill out my Dream Home Finder Form so I can get a better understanding of what you are looking for.

Choosing your real estate professional is, perhaps, the most important decision you will make when buying property. I believe the more you look around, the more you will see the value of working with me.

However, no matter whom you choose, these simple tips will help you find and purchase the home of your dreams more quickly and efficiently. If you're a first-time buyer you can find more information here.

Before you shop:

Be a smart consumer.  Learn the financing basics. Know how to shop for a home loan that's right for you.

Get pre-approved.  This takes very little time and lets you know the price range that fits your lifestyle.

Know what you want. The last thing you need is to close a deal and realize you bought a house you don't want. Ask yourself what you're looking for in a home, before you shop. Think about size, commute time and necessary repairs.

Keep your debt load to a minimum.  Don't make major purchases or incur any additional debt until after your purchase. Pay down credit cards and don't apply for new ones. Remember, financial institutions evaluate your financial situation on your gross monthly income. Your total monthly house costs should not exceed 28 percent of your gross monthly income.

Be prepared to view new properties quickly.   Sometimes homes sell quickly, so be ready to make fast decisions. Be accessible to change the terms.  

Have instant access to your agent.   Instant communication can mean the difference in purchasing the property of your choice.

Before you buy:

Submit a strong competitive offer.
 
Include a substantial earnest money deposit.   Sometimes offers are accepted based on the amount of the deposit.

Try to minimize the number of contingencies.   Fewer contingencies mean a stronger offer.

Hire an inspector.   A professional building inspector or appraiser will make sure the house of your choice is in satisfactory condition.

Check zoning regulations and covenants.   Good residential neighborhoods will be zoned to keep out commercial and industrial users. Read any restrictive covenants and make sure they fit your lifestyle.

Request an updated property survey.  Be sure it clearly marks boundaries. Check for problems.

Make sure you know what stays or goes.
Your contract should be very specific about which items (appliances, etc) are included in the sale.

Get agreements in writing.   Make certain verbal agreements are written into the final contract to avoid any stressful and expensive issues later.