Quite a winter there in ol Montana (Bozeman, Helena: for sale, homes) - (MT) - City-Data Forum

formerbear · 03-14-2019, 10:44 PM

So have things thawed out enough for me to continue my search for a home? I am holding off because I dont want to come there and not be able to get around and look. Any idea when things will open up enough to get around. I am hoping theres a whole bunch of folks that were on the fence about staying in Mt because of the cold and this winter is going to push them back to where they came from. (Dont mean this in a bad way but if they were thinking of leaving anyway?)

NDak15 · 03-15-2019, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formerbear

So have things thawed out enough for me to continue my search for a home? I am holding off because I dont want to come there and not be able to get around and look. Any idea when things will open up enough to get around. I am hoping theres a whole bunch of folks that were on the fence about staying in Mt because of the cold and this winter is going to push them back to where they came from. (Dont mean this in a bad way but if they were thinking of leaving anyway?)

Where are you planning on looking? In town? In the mountains?

Redraven · 03-15-2019, 08:15 AM

Here there is still about a foot of snow in many places. Most roads are clear, though, so getting around is not much of a problem. The last winter storm slipped off to the South and dumped on those folks, so we had no problem. Well, OK, we got snow for about 5 minutes, but none of it stuck.
The temperatures in the extended forecast are in the upper 40s to lower 50s. Overnight lows, though, are expected to still be below freezing, but NOT below Zero! Temps since New Years have been 10 to 30 degrees lower than the 30 year average!
IMO, looking at homes would be no problem, except for looking at the grounds/landscaping. It is still all white and buried.

Where are you planning on looking?

historyfan · 03-15-2019, 10:48 AM

You should see areas you think you'd like in all seasons. However, do not buy something when it is covered in snow. Wait until after Easter. If you are contemplating in the mountains locations, many will not be accessible until mid-June.
Things are definitely not thawed out at this time.

cumminszhere · 03-16-2019, 10:31 AM

Ideally you’d like to be able to see the property completely thawed. I purchased my properties when they were covered in 12”-18” of snow. This was after looking for well over 10 years. This was in 2009 when it was hitting the fan.

Pricing is definitely different now. Unless you come across a very good deal, and there are some out there, there is no reason to rush.

MTSilvertip · 03-16-2019, 11:56 AM

One thing, watch to see how the snow drifts.

I just bought a place that has 5 miles of county road. While it is plowed regularly since it's a school bus route, a storm could mean being cut off which for me isn't a big deal except in the case of an emergency.

There's a lot of wind in the area so even moderate snowfall can block the road. Drifting may also block garage doors, your house, could make your driveway impassable

When snow melts, your driveway and access road could become a bottomless muddy quagmire.

This can be an issue even in town or sub developments on the edge of town. Just a couple years ago, streets in Livingston had drifts 10 feet deep between buildings. Alleys were choked with snow, some buildings were either buried or half buried.

When the snow melts, your dry yard can become a river. Low laying areas are dangerous for floodwaters here.

If the area is wooded, make sure you have a defensible space in case of wildfire.

For all homes, make sure there are at leat 2 ways out.

Montana is beautiful and a wonderful place to live, but we live close to nature here and she can be one mean mother if you aren't aware and prepared. Yes this past couple winters will put a lot of homes on the market, but don't just grab the first good deal. There could be a solid reason it's up for sale.

formerbear · 04-01-2019, 08:43 AM

Thank you all for your replies. Some very good advice here. I am looking in the Butte area (south to Dillon) first only because I have friends there and their area looks nice. The Helena area looks nice also. Would like to stay no farther east than Bozeman. Have friends in Ennis but that seems to be a long ways from everything. Will be coming over this week to see this time of year there but will return many times over the next couple of months to look once snow is all gone. I also put in for the big game combo license for the first time so if I am selected will be trying to find a hunting area too. My wife and I are looking for enough acreage where we dont have someone right on top of us but not completely isolated either. 10 to 20 acres would be nice. Would like to find an existing home but building a place on the right piece of ground is an option. Thanks again everyone.

Vegabern · 04-02-2019, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formerbear

Thank you all for your replies. Some very good advice here. I am looking in the Butte area (south to Dillon) first only because I have friends there and their area looks nice. The Helena area looks nice also. Would like to stay no farther east than Bozeman. Have friends in Ennis but that seems to be a long ways from everything. Will be coming over this week to see this time of year there but will return many times over the next couple of months to look once snow is all gone. I also put in for the big game combo license for the first time so if I am selected will be trying to find a hunting area too. My wife and I are looking for enough acreage where we dont have someone right on top of us but not completely isolated either. 10 to 20 acres would be nice. Would like to find an existing home but building a place on the right piece of ground is an option. Thanks again everyone.

Butte south to Dillon will be your cheapest option. Also likely your best bet for acreage. It does drift down there though. I'd recommend staying closer to Butte, Dillon really doesn't have any amenities.

Ennis is a gorgeous area and it's not a bad drive to Belgrade or Bozeman. Better than driving to Butte from Dillon. You may also be interested in the Ruby Valley area of Twin Bridges or Sheridan. It's kind of between Dillon, Butte, and a little father to Bozeman. It's very pretty and slow paced-ranch culture.

Helena is very dry. But if you like to fish/play on the water it's a great location. It's a great little city.

My husband liked the hunting around Butte the best. The hunting around Helena is a lot more restrictive.

We lived in both Butte and Helena and I did a short stint in Ennis.

formerbear · 04-02-2019, 09:30 AM

Ok thanks. Will look at those areas.

Clark Fork Fantast · 04-05-2019, 02:42 PM

We talked to some ranch owners in Ennis who are actually snowbirds, so I'm not sure if you want to take their word for the Ennis climate, but according to them, Ennis, while beautiful and friendly, only gets July, August and September without any (or even without much) threat of snow. That, to me, makes it the perfect place to visit, but not to live...