Winter Solstice

A Little History

I was listening to NPR today and they were talking about the history of winter solstice.

In older times people thought that perhaps the sun was going away as it sunk lower and lower in the sky and nighttime began overtaking daytime. A pattern was noticed and folks started realizing that it wasn’t the end of the world. Then came the contemplation on the question of; at what point were the days getting longer? It is hard to discern at what point the daylight starts increasing. (Unless you have a computer or a watch!)

At this point, it was wondered if time was standing still.

As our world cultures developed, we understood that time does not stand still. But, many creative types believed that this Winter Solstice was a time of stillness from which new thoughts and ideas would emerge.

What is Happening in Ennis?

I couldn’t help thinking about our economy, our world, our personal lives and of course our real estate market.

It seems like the boom times in our area from 2005-2007 were the Summer Solstice. The sun was high, the days were long and property was selling and appreciating. Buyers were excited because they were getting property that they loved or thought would make them money. Sellers were happy because they were making money!

Slowly the days were getting shorter. No one even really paid attention for a long time. I mean, how could this end? It was so NICE. But, things were starting to change. Sales were slowing and listings were starting to pile up.

The days were flying into night so quickly

Here we are at December 21, 2010. Winter Solstice. Sales volume has been picking up. Prices have adjusted and we are even seeing the average and median prices increasing on home sales. While land sales volumes have increased, the average and median prices have come down slightly.

It is December. People are still looking at property. There are offers being made and deals being closed during this quiet time.

What does this mean?

I think that we are going to see more deals and an increasingly healthy real estate market in Ennis, MT. Sellers looking for prices set in 2007 will not be selling, but Sellers who are adjusting their prices in line with current trends will be selling.



I think that the market next year is going to be busy with buyers and sellers as we come out of this quiet period where time stood still.



So gather up your creativity, make your New Years resolutions, and ENJOY THE SEASON.

A Small Cat Perhaps

Fresh Tracks

On Saturday I finally made it out the door with my skis on!!!

It was an unexpected block of time that I could use guilt free to have fun and exercise.  What a gorgeous morning it was.  The sun was shining and there was no one else around.  I came across these fresh tracks and was curious what made them.  I think it could have been a small cat like a lynx.

It seems like there is a coyote or a fox hanging around too.   I am careful to watch our new puppy, Betty Lou, when she goes outside after dark.......more pup updates later!




Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

South Baldy in the Tobacco Roots

I hiked up to South Baldy in the Tobacco Root Mountains on Sunday.  It was a beautiful day and I got to spend it with a good friend who lives far away! 

Ironically the New York Times posted an article titled Your Brain on Computers.  It talked about how computers and technology  wire our brains and how being out in nature helps us unwind and destress.  The hike was very relaxing and we didn't look at our phones once!

As we were hiking up we came to the Missouri Mines.  It was amazing what they built up there to process the the tailings and find gold.  As we gained elevation we found more mining "encampments".   There are many cabins in various states of decay.  It looks like housing for the miners and buildings for equipment for the mines in the upper South Meadow Creek area.  .....Fascinating.

It was very relaxing and we were very happy after our afternoon exploring.

Relax in the Madison Valley
     ~~ There are some really good deals to be had.

Land for Sale in Troutdale II Neighborhood:  Just over an acre for $39,000.

This charming neighborhood has a great rural feeling with out being too far out there.  It is very close to the boat launch on Ennis Lake and near North and South Meadows.  It is on the "Bozeman " side of Ennis, making it an easy commute to Bozeman.  Ennis is only 10 minutes away.  This motivated seller owns two adjoining lots.  Own over 2 acres and covenants do allow a horse!   Email me for more info or maps and covenants.





24 Acres in Sportsmans Paradise near Raynolds Pass-- $64,900

Price is reduced again!!!  Seller says bring me an offer, I want to sell this summer.  This is such a pretty spot with proximity trailheads and fishing in lakes and rivers.  It is close to Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Madison River and more.  This is much less than the seller paid for this lot.

Light covenants, live water and lots of elbow room.




Small Investment ~ Big Return  Troutdale Fixer-Upper on Great Lot!

3BR/2BA home on the common area in Troutdale. This darling home has views to the east and to the west.  The backyard common area gives a sense of space and the neighboring lots are already built on so you know that you will always have lots of elbowroom.

The layout is efficient with a master bedroom suite, and a large living area.  The attached garage very spacious, plus there is a second detached garage on the property.


Best Deal on Lakefront ~~ Rainbow Point, Ennis Lake  $299,000

Lake front living includes beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  This 1+ acre lot is in the very nice Rainbow Point Subdivision in McAllister, MT.  It features private lakefront on Ennis Lake and has a privatedrive down to the lake level where you can put in your own private dock, boathouse and entertainment area. 

The perfect building site is on the bench with 360 degree views of the Madison Range, Lone Peak, the rolling foothills to the north and the Tobacco Root Mountains.

Pronghorn Meadows ~~ Lovely Neighborhood, Close to Ennis
     Lot 56~~ Affordable Price and Location

 3+ Acre Lot with outstanding views.  Lot is unusual in that you capture the views and can still filter out some of the development around you.  It is a wonderfully grassy lot with a common area border.  Common area includes seasonal water making it a well used corridor for antelope.  One of the best prices for what you get in this area.  $62,500.






Lot 127 Pronghorn Meadows ~~ End of the Road, Bluff off the market

 Elevated views and end of the road.  This lot offers a perfect spot for a year round residence or a second home.  It is convieniently close to town, but large enough to have a rural feel.  Overlooks pond in the wildlife corridor.  This lot will always have a tremendous, panoramic view. Seller has whittled the price down and this is a good opportunity to pick up a lot with a beautiful building site.





$500 Down!!!  Seller will Finance Balance.

Great terms on these two lots in Pronghorn  Meadows.  $500 down with balance carried by seller.  These are great buildable lots with power and phone to them.  Lot 13 is 1.82 acres for $59,900 and Lot 8 is 3.03 acres on the wildlife corridor bluff for $99,900.  Motivated Seller! Ihis is such an easy way to get into property ownership in Pronghorn Meadows.





Below Replacement Cost ~~  Lovely Home with Nice Shop...$360,000 off the market

This one owner home is close to Ennis and has highway frontage on Highway 287.  The spacious shop is fully finished and heated.  The home is on 5+ acres and has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths and has 3 levels.  Main level has 2 bedrooms, laundry area, full bath and open kitchen/living area.  Large decks offer a great space to enjoy the sweeping views.  Lower level is a walkout basement with a family room and bathroom.  The loft area is a master suite.

500' Setbacks on the Madison River

Madison County is examining the issue of streamside setbacks again.  A lengthy 2 year process was begun by a local steering committee and they presented their findings in September of 2009.   It appears that the county is discounting the "science" that they used to make their recommendations and the county is holding a public hearing on June 7th, 2010 at the high school in Ennis to talk about the proposed setbacks. 

Read the Bozeman Daily Chronicle article and comments here.  The final decision will have a great impact on the Madison River, the property owners along ANY waterway, fisherman and more.  I encourage you to attend the Public Forum on June 7.  If you cannot attend, you can voice your opinion in a letter to the County Planning Department.

This is a very important issue for Madison County.

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Madison Valley residents want truck traffic eased - Daily Chronicle

Truck traffic on the Main Street of Ennis, MT which is also MT Hwy 287 is much heavier now. Part of this is due to the re-routing of semi traffic from Highway 191 during the road construction on that road over the past two years. I will be posting updates on this situation as they are published. Here is the latest as reported in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle yesterday. Click on the link below.


Madison Valley residents want truck traffic eased - Daily Chronicle

Mining Exec Buys Sun Ranch in the Madison Valley

News Flash: Mining exec buys Sun Ranch - Daily Chronicle .  Another big ranch has sold in the Madison Valley.

Properties that are Priced "Right"

Things are still quiet on the the real estate front, but not silent.  While sales have been down significantly, there have still been sales.  Sellers who price their homes and land appropriately for this current market can sell their property.  Setting a good price isn't easy to do.  There are not many comparative sales to use  when a seller thinks about what it was worth it is hard to lower the expectation. 

There are not that many buyers looking right now and they are not emotional shoppers.  They are looking for a deal and a safe place to put their money. s In order to get the attention of one of those few buyers in a marketplace filled with many choices, price is a driving factor.

There are still sellers who don't want to set their price at current levels.  They are holding out for the buyer who will pay the value they put on the property.  These prices may be based on the former market, or maybe what they owe on the property, or profit they wish to capture.  Perhaps selling isn't imperative and the seller can wait the market out or maybe they are hoping that someone will just make them an offer.  It has been my experience that most buyers still are reluctant to throw out a "low-ball" offer. While there are more buyers willing to use the shotgun approach of making offers until a low offer is accepted, most will not.   I think the best strategy is to put a marketable price on the property at the outset. 

Some of the statistics say that 90% of buyers of real estate do their research online before ever contacting a sales professional.  How do you convey to that buyer that your property could be bought for a better price if the agent doesn't get the chance to speak to that buyer?  To get their attention, the price must speak.

I think that there are some good deals to be had right now.  These are my current picks form the Gallatin MLS.**  Some of these have since sold or come off the market

• 
  
  Least Expensive Lot in our area:  1.1 acres in Harrison $29,000. no longer listed
• 
  
  Least Expensive Ennis City Lot:  .44 acres $44,500  Price Reduced $39,000
• 
  
  Great Lot for a Great Price:  Pronghorn Meadows Lot 27 $64,900
• 
  
  Best Price for a Premium Lot: Pronghorn Meadows Lot 127 $115,750  off the market
• 
  
  Least Expensive 20 acre Lot:  $75,000 within 10 minutes of Ennis  off the market
• 
  
  Best Price in Sportsmans Paradise, Reynolds Pass area:  24 acres for $99,500  Price Reduced $64,900
• 
  
  Best Price Lot near Ennis Lake:  1.6 acres $125,000
• 
  
  Least Expensive Home with income potential in Ennis: $142,000 with a rental unit behind! SOLD!!
• 
  
  Least Expensive Home in Ennis:  $127,500  Sold!
• 
  
  Best Deal in Jeffers:  $159,900  Off the market
• 
  
  Best Deal on 20 Acres Close to Town:  Home with Shop $224,000.  off the market
• 
  
  Best Deal on Cabin on 20 acres in Shining Mountains West:  $199,000  SOLD
• 
  
  Best Deal on a BRAND NEW HOUSE (bank owned):  $285,000 Pronghorn Meadows  SOLD
• 
  

  Best Deal for Horse Barn, Arena, and Home:  49 Acres $995,000 Cameron Just Reduced!  Now $895,000.  Now an even better deal.  SOLD

• Best Deal for a Timber Frame work of art:  $695,000
• 
  
  Best Deal on a Luxury Home on 38 Acres:  $1.95 Million  off the market
• 
  
  Best Price for Cabin on the Madison:  $849,000
• 
  
  Best Price for Home on the Madison River:  $415,000  SOLD
• 
  
  Best Value on the Madison River:  $1.295 Million  Off the Market
• 
  
  Best Value for 160 Acres close to Ennis:  $499,000.

**These are currently listed at these prices on 1/15/2010  These are just a sampling of homes and land.  If you are interested in farm and ranch or commercial, contact me.

You can search for these listings on my website.  You can search by price in the property search.  You can also sign up for Realty Alerts and track the types of property you are interested in as they are listed or price reduced.  Or please contact me on my cell phone at 406-579-1298 or email at dmyrvik@montana.net or comment below or to the side and I will respond.

Featured Property: 

Lot 1 Lonesome Dove Ranch~~ Home on 20 Acres with Shop For Sale ~~  $224,000   Sold!

This3 BR/2BA home is situated on 20 acres in the shadow of Sphinx Mountain in the Madison Range.  It hosts many custom features and has been lovingly maintained and cared for.  With a large 3 bay shop on the south, sidewalks all around, and a full hookup RV pad on the north, you may never want to leave home, unless it is to go fishing, riding or hiking.  This home is with in 10 minutes of all these things.

There is a surprising amount of wildlife that come through this area.  Some of the locals include antelope, elk and even the occasional moose!

Check out the details on this home at my website:  http://www.ennismontanaland.com/ .

Thanks for visiting my blog.  I am working on sharing my real estate information and Ennis, MT details through a Facebook Business page.  You can become a fan if you search Dawn Myrvik Real Estate on Facebook.