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We have a small business at home doing rentals. For comparison, we have a small property (not in Bozeman, about 25 miles west), remodeled older trailer with living and greenhouse addition, 3 bed/2 bath, single car shop/garage/lean-to with lots of storage, large fenced yard, nice lawn and mature trees, large covered decks, garden spot, paved area to park boats and campers, and hot tub pad with electricals in if you're so inclined. We rent it for $700/month, and sewer-water-subdivision fees are mine. We don't make a ton on this one, but we do make money on it.
Property taxes hit us hard, but the other fees so far are reasonable. Were this same property in Bozeman, we'd probably have to get close to $900 for it to cover the extra expenses. As it is, it's aways from town but we never have a problem keeping it rented.
When I read that reference to Craig's List rentals, my first thought is "scam" rentals.
Craig's List is notorious for fake rentals and fake landlords.
Here is some important info for renters. I would not even use Craig's List for rentals.
Don't be so paranoid. The rental scams are easy to spot-no local number, person out of the country etc. It only takes a single phone call or email.
I am living right now in a Bozeman rental that I found on Craig's List-and I used Craigs List to rent our house out in CO. The last time we rented out our CO house, we did not even bother with newspaper adds which cost quite a bit-If you don't use Craigs List for looking at rentals, you will miss out on many potential living situations. I would much rather rent from a private party than a property management company. And guess what? Most private parties use Craig's List to post.
What you say is probably spot on, however, I'm not sure I would use Craigs list as a solid reference. In this day and age, no matter where you're talking about, a 3 bedroom for $750 sounds suspicious to me. Just my 2 cents worth.
the property in question is older and listed by a property management company with a local number-doubt it is a scam.
I just wanted to give examples of affordable rentals to all of the Bozeman naysayers out there.
I would much rather rent from a private party than a property management company. And guess what? Most private parties use Craig's List to post.
We do, nearly exclusively. There are a lot of regs you must adhere to when renting properties. The ones that will get you embroiled in a lawsuit the quickest involve the screening process.
We take our tenants very seriously and are johnny on the spot whenever there's a problem or something that needs tended to. Big on upkeep, improvements, preventative maintenance, and lenient on rent when times are tough. In return, we just ask for respect for our property and consideration for neighbors/neighborhood.
Private advertising and word of mouth allows us to deflect parties that are chronic no-pays, property demolishers, and disruptive to neighborhoods. We have had some wonderful folks over the years, and remain friends with most all of them. A much more satisfying experience for everyone. Not sure I'd have the stomach for dealing with the nightmares that the big commercial landlords do. I'm happy to take nickels rather than dollars and avoid the sleepless nights.
So . . . it's been four months. Has anything changed? I'm moving to the area and am scouting for a reasonably priced rental home outside of Bozeman, probably closer to Livingston. I need a large 2 bedroom house, or a small 3 bedroom house, with a barn and a few acres. Is there a chance for me? I can't afford to board my horses! My price range is in the $750 to $950 a month neighborhood. The article in the paper has me a bit concerned!
What about lease to own properties? Might that be a possibility?
Don't be so paranoid. The rental scams are easy to spot-no local number, person out of the country etc. It only takes a single phone call or email.
I am living right now in a Bozeman rental that I found on Craig's List-and I used Craigs List to rent our house out in CO. The last time we rented out our CO house, we did not even bother with newspaper adds which cost quite a bit-If you don't use Craigs List for looking at rentals, you will miss out on many potential living situations. I would much rather rent from a private party than a property management company. And guess what? Most private parties use Craig's List to post.
I agree with the private party statement. Every property management company I've rented from have been low-life slumlords. I will use Craigs List from now on.
So . . . it's been four months. Has anything changed? I'm moving to the area and am scouting for a reasonably priced rental home outside of Bozeman, probably closer to Livingston. I need a large 2 bedroom house, or a small 3 bedroom house, with a barn and a few acres. Is there a chance for me? I can't afford to board my horses! My price range is in the $750 to $950 a month neighborhood. The article in the paper has me a bit concerned!
What about lease to own properties? Might that be a possibility?
Tracey
What is reasonable?? You are asking for a lot. Good luck!!! 750-950 will get you a decent small house possibly, but a barn and acreage??-you are asking for the moon. I would be concerned as well...
What is reasonable?? You are asking for a lot. Good luck!!! 750-950 will get you a decent small house possibly, but a barn and acreage??-you are asking for the moon. I would be concerned as well...
Location: MT/34 yrs full time after 4 yrs part time
1,150 posts, read 928,179 times
Reputation: 1344
...Reality regarding renting a suitable place in MT for you
Quote:
Originally Posted by hymnsinger
So . . . it's been four months. Has anything changed? I'm moving to the area and am scouting for a reasonably priced rental home outside of Bozeman, probably closer to Livingston. I need a large 2 bedroom house, or a small 3 bedroom house, with a barn and a few acres. Is there a chance for me? I can't afford to board my horses! My price range is in the $750 to $950 a month neighborhood. The article in the paper has me a bit concerned!
What about lease to own properties? Might that be a possibility?
Tracey
Quote:
Originally Posted by CTC
What is reasonable?? You are asking for a lot. Good luck!!! 750-950 will get you a decent small house possibly, but a barn and acreage??-you are asking for the moon. I would be concerned as well...
Quote:
Originally Posted by hymnsinger
Fortunately I believe in miracles!!
..............I just happened to run across your post(s) re your proposed move to Montana with 3 dogs; 6 cats and a horse.............and wanting to rent a 2 or 3 BR house with a barn and an acre +/- of ground....................
1/ If you think an acre (plus) would provide suitable grazing for your horse.....yes it would....for maybe a week or two MAXIMUM (it would then take 2 months to get it to grow back...if in fact it WOULD grow back.....as you know horses grab a mouth full of grass and then YANK the grass out...destroying 90% of the root structore) .......you then will be "dry feeding" horse hay at a cost of approx $150/$200 per ton....plus a suitable grain mixture.........The winter weather extreems we have here will require up to 30% more hay & grain than your winters in NC......(NOTE): I should mention that I had (3) horses for 26 years here in the Rocky Mountains..................................
Whether or not you believe in miracles.................to find what you are looking for (with your animals) in your price range....................your chances are slim to none!!!
A couple of other facts:
.....a/ vehicle registration (plates) will run approx $500 per year.
.....b/ if your cats are outside cats.....they MAY last a month. We have predators that I'm guessing you have never been confronted with:.....Wolves, Coyotes;...Eagles;..Hawks;...Mountain Lions and Bears.....
I'm not trying to B.S. you..........I'm trying to be honest and helpful..............I've lived in Montana going on 34 years and Colorado for almost 20 years before that.....had horses, dogs and cats in both states.
You MUST take precautions if you want to keep your pets alive.....
Even horses are at risk.......here in the Bitterroot Valley I know of 3 horses (in their corrals) that were killed (in the last 18 months) by the wolves we now have in our state.
Our native (grass/grazing here vs your area in NC) is about 1/10th as good as NC.
We have a MAXIMUM 3 month grass growing season for native grasses. Every horse owner I know, rotates his horses (that's 3 horses) between 3 or 4 (10 acre) pastures during the summer, and dry feeds hay and grain for the other 9 months.
I could go on and on.........................please do "your home-work THOROUGHLY" before you commit to a move (with your animals) to a state that is VASTLY DIFFERENT than what you are familiar with.
I wish you luck......................
Oh, one other fact:............the Livingston/ Big Timber area is the windest section of the state... High wind warnings are posted all along Interstate 90 many times per year in that area (Sweetwater County). These are winds that routinely blow 18 wheelers over on their side. I-90 is closed quite often when these winds occur.
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