Buyers Guide
General Questions
The section below contains helpful buyer information, as well as a list of questions that you should ask yourself, to better prepare you for your Montana real estate purchase. It is a good idea to jot down the answers to these questions, then give one of our agents a call.
These are the types of questions any good realtor will ask you, and the answers will enable your realtor to better assist you throughout your entire real estate purchase process.
Have you visited our area?
Do you have an agent that you are working with?
What is your main reason for wanting to move to Montana?
Are there any dates of importance we should be working within, such as a job change or closing date of another property, etc.
Property Questions
When looking for Montana real estate, it is helpful to narrow down your preferences as much as possible. We realize, that some of the criteria may be flexible; if so, please describe your range of criteria. For example, some buyers want privacy, and that may mean a range of 20 to 50 acres, and for others that may mean as little as1/2 acre.
Likewise, you may want at least 2 bedrooms, but will be content with up to four. These are all things your realtor will want to make note of when assisting you in your search for Montana homes and/or land for sale.
Size of Acreage?
Price Range?
Level of Privacy?
Location Preference?
Terrain? (flat, rolling, steep, pasture, trees, grassland, etc)
Type of Structure, (Log, Manufactured, etc)
Other Requirements: Large Kitchen, 1 Story, etc…
Number of Bedrooms & Bathrooms?
Square Footage?
Waterfront?
In Town, or Rural?
Outbuildings?
Amenities?
Covenants?
Financing Questions
Determining your price range is one of the most important factors when looking for property. An excellent way to find your price range is to get pre-qualified for financing from a lender of your choice. The process is free of charge and usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
After becoming pre-qualified for financing, you will know which properties to look at. If you have not yet contacted a lender, please see the bottom of this section for a list of names and numbers of local lending institutions you can call and interview.
Will it be necessary to sell your current home to purchase new property?
Will the sale be financed or cash?
Will you be performing a 1031 exchange?
If you are looking for seller financing, is there a reason you are pursuing that?
Most sellers offering owner terms will require a credit report, is that a problem?
Will you be converting any of your other investments to cash in order to complete the purchase of your next home?
How much are you willing to put down on the property sale? Are there any time frames tied to the down payment, such as a cd that must mature?
Have you been pre-qualified by a lending institution?
Please see our Local Lenders listed below.
Local Lending Institutions
First State Bank
406-827-3565
Rocky Mountain Bank 406-826-3662
Whitefish Credit Union
406-827-5626
Valley Bank
406-827-9490
Resources
Real estate will likely be the biggest purchase of any person’s life. It can seem overwhelming at times and you may not understand all the information that is coming at you at rapid speed.
We would love it if every client knew the ins and outs!
Here we have some resources and links to help you along your way. From understanding fence laws in Montana to which documents you should keep and for how long, we hope you find some useful information.
Homestead Declaration
1031 Exchange
Papers to Keep
Accounting