NAR Applauds Short Sales Bill
April 13, 2011
A new bill to improve the process for approving short sales may soon bring relief to distressed home owners who are unable to keep their homes and hope to avoid foreclosure. The bill, introduced in the U.S. House yesterday and strongly supported by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS would impose a deadline of 45 days on lenders to respond to short sale requests. The legislation, the “Prompt Decision for Qualification for Short Sale Act of 2011,” was offered in Congress by U.S. Reps. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) and Robert Andrews (D-N.J.). “The current short sale process can be time-consuming and inefficient, and many would-be buyers end up walking away from a sale that could have saved a home owner from foreclosure,” … Continue reading
Home Ownership Essential to Job Growth and Economy, Say Realtors®
March 10, 2011
Washington, DC, March 09, 2011 Testifying before a Senate panel today, National Association of REALTORS® President Ron Phipps told members of Congress that sustainable home ownership must be the goal when considering future federal housing policies. “As the leading advocate for home ownership, NAR wants to ensure public policies that promote responsible, sustainable home ownership and that any changes to current programs and incentives don’t jeopardize a housing and economic recovery,” Phipps told the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. Phipps said the housing market is starting to see signs of recovery; however, the real issue facing the nation right now is that many Americans can’t find meaningful work to support their families, and housing is essential to creating … Continue reading
Bozeman makes the list of “2011 Best Old House Neighborhoods”
March 4, 2011
This Old House Magazine listed Bozeman as one of its “2011 Best Old House Neighborhoods” under the criteria of “The Midwest, College Towns, Cottages & Bungalows, Singles, Victorians, Walkability, Outdoor Activities”. 2011 Best Old House Neighborhoods for College Towns: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20469476_20917210,00.html
Weekend Events in and around Bozeman
February 18, 2011
Looking for something to do in Bozeman this weekend? Here are a few happenings to check out. Gallatin Count Fairgrounds: Wild West WinterFest. For a schedule of events, go to: http://www.gallatin.mt.gov/Public_Documents/gallatincomt_fairgrounds/WildWestWinterFest Montana State University: 29th International Food Bizarre. More than 150 MSU international students from more than 25 countries will prepare and sell food from their native countries at the 29th MSU International Street Food Bazaar set for 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, in the MSU SUB Ballrooms. Museum of the Rockies: Bring the family for this incredible exhibit featuring 15 species of exotic live frogs from around the globe. February 15th – September 5th. www.museumoftherockies.com
Housing Starts Jump 14.6% in January
February 18, 2011
Housing starts in January reached their highest rate in four months, increasing more than analysts expected, the Commerce Department reports. Housing starts jumped 14.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 596,000 units. Housing starts in January were helped by a 77.7 percent jump in multi-family homes. Single-family home construction, on the other hand, fell 1 percent. Meanwhile, new home completions dropped to a record low of 512,000 units in January, falling 9.5 percent from the previous month. And after housing permits surged in December by 15.3 percent, housing permits for future housing projects sank in January. New building permits dropped 10.4 percent to a 562,000-unit pace in January–mostly pulled down by a drop in multi-family and single-family unit … Continue reading
House Bill 16 Tabled in Committee; BILL WOULD HAVE DISCLOSED RESIDENTIAL SALES PRICES
February 7, 2011
A victory was recorded for the personal financial privacy for many Montanans, as House Bill 16 was tabled in the House Business and Labor Committee on Thursday. HB 16 would have disclosed the sales price on the Realty Transfer Certificate for residential property. HB 16 was on the Montana Association of REALTORS® legislative agenda heading into the 2011 session, and MAR testified against the legislation. Not only would the bill have disclosed personal financial information, it would not have lessened the “sticker shock” that comes with the current reappraisal process and only information on the Realty Transfer Certificate would be used. Whole segments of the economy are exempt from the RTC process, most notably of these are agriculture and forestlands. … Continue reading
Belgrade interchange funding is county’s prime request
January 27, 2011
“http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/article_f59cf84e-25c9-11e0-8386-001cc4c03286.html”
Montana Association of Realtors meetings held in Helena.
January 27, 2011
Candis Dorsch, Donna Kostelecky, Sue Johnson, and Dianne Click of Bozeman Broker Group all attending MAR state meeting last week in Helena in regards to Education, Legislative Issues, and Risk Management. Thank you ladies for your commitment to your profession and involvement at the state level!
Donna Kostelecky-Montana Realtor of the Year
September 17, 2010
Congratulations Donna Kostelecky on being awarded the Montana Association of Realtors ‘Realtor of the Year’! Donna competed against thousands of Realtors from around the state. Eight finalists were selected representing Montana’s ‘Best of the Best’ in the profession with Donna beating out the competition and receiving the coveted award. The ceremonies were held at Big Sky Summer & Ski Resort on Thursday evening. The Montana ‘ROTY’ award is based on Realtor involvement at local, state, and national level, along with civic contributions and involvement in the community. Donna has been in real estate in the Gallatin Valley for 27 years. She has been an officer, director, or leader in all 3 levels of the Realtor organization. She currently serves as national … Continue reading
