Kalispell, MT Real Estate News

By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
This report covers the residential land market in Kalispell Montana as of the end of May 2023. Interestingly, the number of monthly sales and active listings remained flat. Land parcels under contract decreased. The bottom line is that the residential land market remains a buyers market.  INVENTORYAs of early June 2023, there were 158 residential land parcels for sale in Kalispell which is the same as April's inventory. Five or more acresOf the land currently for sale only 24% of the listings include five or more acres. This percentage remains about the same as last month's report. I define rural as those properties in the 5+ acre category. Those are most likely to be parcels located on a gravel mountain road, agricultural farming land, or acreage adjacent to National Forest or lumber p...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
Following is an overview of the Kalispell Montana real estate results for the residential market as of May 2023. This report covers the entire residential market, including single family homes, townhouses, condominiums and manufactured homes.  The Kalispell residential market remains a seller's market. In May, sales increased over the previous month but are still lower than last year. Inventory increased while homes under contract and median prices decreased. The Kalispell market is still experiencing a seller's market. but is moving towards a more balanced market.  Sales VolumeIn the month of May 2023, there were 90 residential sales in Kalispell which is 53% more than last month and 6% less than last year. It looks as though the Spring market started a bit late this year.   InventoryI...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
This report covers the residential land market (active listings and sales) in Kalispell Montana as of the end of May 2021. Similar to the housing market, land sales remain strong.   Available InventoryAs of early June, there were 80 residential land parcels for sale in the Kalispell area which is just about flat from last month's count of 78. That remains great news for buyers since there were only 60 listings a few months ago. Higher inventory levels equate to more choices for buyers.. Five or more acresOf the land currently for sale, 55% of listings include five or more acres. While most of the land in Montana could be considered rural, I define rural as those properties in the 5+ acre category. Those are most likely to be parcels located on a gravel mountain road, agricultural farmin...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
Following is an overview of the Kalispell Montana real estate results for the residential market as of May 2021. This report covers the entire residential market, including single family homes, townhouses, condominiums and manufactured homes.     The Kalispell residential market continues to be a strong sellers market. That being said, there are some signs that the market may be slowing down slightly. Sales VolumeIn the month of May 2021, there were 105 residential sales in Kalispell which is 35% more than last year and 40% more than last month. As can be seen by the chart below, sales increased a little later in 2020 but that could have been due to the pandemic constraints not due to normal activity. Therefore, this increase is most likely reflective of normal Spring activity.  Another...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
On a beautiful day in the Spring of 2021, a sign appeared in a forest of Montana. It was a typical real estate sign with the contact information for a Montana broker.   It's important to note that a driver out for a Sunday drive won't ever see this sign. Someone commuting from home to work won't see it either. Nor would someone who was out running errands.  So why place this sign at all? This specific sign serves as the "You Have Arrived" notification to the rugged individual(s) who are looking for their own secluded piece of Montana land.  The type of person who might start their day with some black coffee and finish it with a glass of whiskey in front of a campfire. Someone who fills the day between those beverages with hiking, hunting, exploring, fishing, gardening and of course good...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
This report covers the residential land market (active listings and sales) in Kalispell Montana as of the end of April 2021. Similar to the housing market, land sales remain strong.    Available InventoryAs of early May, there were 78 residential land parcels for sale in the Kalispell area which is a 34% increase since the last month's report. That's great news for buyers since higher inventory levels equates to more choices. Five or more acresOf the land currently for sale, 54% of listings include five or more acres. While most of the land in Montana could be considered rural, I define rural as those properties in the 5+ acre category. Those are most likely to be parcels located on a gravel mountain road, agricultural farming land, or acreage adjacent to National Forest or lumber parce...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
Following is an overview of the Kalispell Montana real estate results for the residential market as of April 2021. This report covers the entire residential market, including single family homes, townhouses, condominiums and manufactured homes.     The Kalispell residential market continues to be a strong sellers market. Sales VolumeIn the month of April 2021, there were 75 residential sales in Kalispell which is 6% less than last year and 35% less than last month. As can be seen by the chart below, sales dropped slightly in April of 2020 also, but that was likely due to pandemic constraints not due to normal activity. So the 35% drop from last month was not expected. I believe this was caused by the fact that there are fewer home options for buyers.  Another data point - the number of ...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
One of the first things a seller will want to know when considering putting land on the market is the answer to the question, "What can I get for my land?" In Montana, sale prices are not publicly disclosed, so it's hard to figure out what buyers are paying for properties without contacting a real estate professional.  So now you've contacted one, and have asked the question, "What can I get for my land?" The answer is NOT to use an average per acreage price and multiply times the number of acres you have. No, instead the following are some of the attributes that should go into calculating your land's value. First, the agent must physically visit your property. Each land parcel is so unique that even basing a price on an adjoining property can be problematic. The only way to know exactl...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
You watch an HGTV show that pertains to real estate and everything always looks so easy. The buyers or the homeowners getting a home makeover are always happy, have a great budget, and enjoy the experience. The real estate professionals are jovial. The agents only show a few houses then they sit down with their clients who make an immediate decision, wind up with a fantastic accepted offer, and a few months later do a tour of their new home. Oh my gosh, real estate looks so easy!!!  Is it? Here's an example from my perspective. I plan to put together a video series about how to sell land in my area. Starting with the initial real estate professional tour of the land and subsequent pricing process, research required, documentation, listing, appraisal, buyer investigations, title report, ...
Comments 44
By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
This report covers the residential land market (active listings and sales) in Kalispell Montana as of the end of March 2021. Similar to the housing market, land sales remain strong. Available InventoryAs of early April, there were 58 residential land parcels for sale in the Kalispell area which is a 13% decrease since the last month's report. Similar to residential listings in the area, land options have decreased over the last several months.  Five or more acresOf the land currently for sale, 60% of listings include five or more acres. While most of the land in Montana could be considered rural, I define rural as those properties in the 5+ acre category. Those are most likely to be parcels located on a gravel mountain road, agricultural farming land, or acreage adjacent to National For...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
Following is an overview of the Kalispell Montana real estate results for the residential market as of March 2021. This report covers the entire residential market, including single family homes, townhouses, condominiums and manufactured homes.    The Kalispell residential market continues to be strong, both in terms of sales and price points. Sales VolumeIn the month of March 2021, there were 115 residential sales in Kalispell which is 25% higher than the same time last year and 62% higher than last month. As can be seen by the chart below, sales do typically bump up in March, so the 62% gain was expected.  Looking at the total first quarter of the year, there were 273 sales in 2021 which is 40% higher than the same time last year. This year is definitely off to a strong start.  Also o...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
While the city of Kalispell is a mere 12 square miles in size, the total area that is considered Kalispell (where homes would have a Kalispell mailing address) covers 303 square miles. Driving around the entire area would take 82 miles of driving. Needless to say, with 300+ square miles of land, there are many different options for where and how to live. And while it is not an official way to talk about the area, it makes sense to describe each geographical quadrant separately.  The first section to be discussed was the northwest section of Kalispell. The second section to be addressed is the northeast area. This stretches from the intersection of Route 2 and 93 east through Evergreen, north to Lake Blaine and past the airport. This part of town covers approximately 60 square miles.  So...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
The real estate possibilities in the four quadrants of Kalispell are as different as they are alike. The first section to be addressed, the northwest part of Kalispell, stretches west from the intersection of Highway 2 and Route 93 North (see map at end of page). It extends north to the Whitefish area right above Lost Creek Drive, and to the west until the middle of Ashley Lake, where Kila starts. So what's the northwest part of Kalispell all about? Read below for more. Shopping/DiningThis area contains the western part of the Kalispell's retail area. Specifically, you will find major retail stores such as Cabelas, Michaels, Lowe's Home Improvement, Costco, Harbor Freight Tools, Petsmart and REI.  In terms of food, Chick-fil-A, McKenzie River Pizza Grill and Pub, Famous Dave's Bar-Be-Q,...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
This week Habitat for Humanity and Lowe's are celebrating the 2021 International Women Build Week. The goal is to raise awareness about the global need for safe affordable housing for women (and families).  There are 300 Women Build projects in the United States, Canada and India which focus on the need to make housing an option for all.  In the Flathead Valley of Montana, Habitat has already completed building more than 60 homes for 60 amazing families. The organization is also currently building five homes in Lakeside, Montana, and more are anticipated.  Below is a video that Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley has shared. If you are interested in helping, there are many ways to contribute. These include volunteering your time at the building site(s) or the ReStore, contributing f...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
This report covers the residential land market (active listings and sales) in Kalispell Montana as of the end of February 2021. Similar to the Kalispell residential home market, land sales remain strong.   InventoryAs of early March, there were 67 residential land parcels for sale in the Kalispell area which is a 9% decrease since the last month's report. Similar to residential listings in the area, land options have decreased over the last few months.    Five or more acresOf the land currently for sale, slightly more than half of listings include five or more acres. While most of the land in Montana could be considered rural, I define rural as those properties in the 5+ acre category. Those are most likely to be parcels located on a gravel mountain road, agricultural farming land, or a...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
 Following is an overview of the Kalispell Montana real estate results for the residential market as of February 2021. This report covers the entire residential market, including single family homes, townhouses, condominiums and manufactured homes.    The Kalispell residential market continues to be strong, both in terms of sales and price points. Sales VolumeIn the month of February 2021, there were 71 residential sales in Kalispell which is 39% higher than the same time last year. It is lower than January by 18%, but remains strong for this time of year.  Also of interest, there are currently 187 homes under contract, more than double the amount sold in February. This indicates there is still strong buyer demand. Next month's results should remain high.  InventoryIn terms of available...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
This report covers the residential land market (active listings and sales) in Kalispell Montana as of the end of January 2021. Similar to the housing market, land sales remain strong.   InventoryAs of early February, there were 74 residential land parcels for sale in the Kalispell area, which is a 24% decrease since the last month's report. The decrease is attributable both to properties going under contract, one listing expiring and only a small amount of new listings during January.  Five or more acresOf the land currently for sale, 53% of listings include five or more acres. While most of the land in Montana could be considered rural, I define rural as those properties in the 5+ acre category. Those are most likely to be parcels located on a gravel mountain road, agricultural farming...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
Previous posts indicated there were Kalispell land options for those who wished to spend $100K or less, between $100-300K and from $300K-500K. But what if you had the opportunity to spend between over $500K on your dream land parcel? What would that buy you? At the time of this post, in late January 2021 there were twenty possibilities in this category. Number and type of listingsFour of the listings are smaller than 20 acres in size and range in price from $700K to $1.9M. The smallest parcel is 1 acre and already has 4-bedroom septic in place. This lot has 149 feet of Lake Blaine frontage and has a driveway in place and a partially cleared building site. The lake is only open to residents. This is listed at $790K. The second parcel is approximately 5.5 acres. This is an agricultural pr...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
Here is an overview of the Kalispell Land Selling Process for those considering selling their Montana land.    Gather your documents. It would be useful to pull out your title report and closing documents from your purchase of the land to be able to answer any questions that may come up. If you are using a skilled land listing agent (see below for more) she will obtain a report from the title company which often includes a copy of your deed, any land covenants, property report, and more. However, you should be prepared to supply whatever documents are missing and may need to be attached to the listing.  Also, if you have any questions about your own property, it’s a great idea to resolve those prior to putting your land on the market. For example, one seller had issues in the past findi...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
So you want to purchase land in Kalispell or elsewhere in Flathead County, Montana. The following will walk you through the process of doing so.  Decide how you are going to fund your land purchase.Your options can include cash, owner financing (if seller is interested in this, many are not), home equity line-of-credit or loan, land mortgage (only a few financial institutions will provide these and a large down payment is typically needed), personal loan, borrow against a 401(k), use a construction loan if buying land AND building, or gift.  Please note, if you are using cash you will need to provide “proof of funds” prior to making an offer, and if you are using a mortgage, you will need a pre-approval prior as well. For more information on funding options, check out this link.   Ident...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
My previous posts indicated there were Kalispell land options for those who wished to spend $100K or less, or wanted to spend between $100-300K. But what if you had the opportunity to spend between $300K to $500K on your dream land parcel? What would that buy you? At the time of this post, in mid January 2021 there were 11 possibilities in this category. Number and type of listingsFour of the listings are smaller than 20 acres in size. The smallest parcel is slightly bigger than 1.5 acres and already has 4-bedroom septic and a well in place. It also comes with a 40' x 50' shop with 16' ceilings, radiant flooring, a bathroom and a 14'x18' insulated door. All that's missing is your home! This is listed at $498K. There is another option that is slightly less than 2 acres. This one has been...
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR®)
This report covers the residential land market (active listings and sales) in Kalispell Montana as of the end of December 2020. Similar to the housing market, land sales have been very strong. InventoryAs of early January, there were 98 residential land parcels for sale in the Kalispell area, which is an 18% decrease since the last month's report. The decrease is attributable both to properties going under contract and some listings expiring. Five or more acresOf the land currently for sale, 45% of listings include five or more acres. While most of the land in Montana could be considered rural, I define rural as those properties in the 5+ acre category. Those are most likely to be parcels located on a gravel mountain road, or adjacent to National Forest or lumber parcels. They are often...
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