The un-employment rate around Billings is 4.7% - still high compared to Williston, North Dakota where the unemployment rate is a whopping 0 - a micro boom - every man, woman and child got their hands full there. If you need to buy real estate in that area, I have a list of real estate offices that work this neck of the woods - let me know if you would like me to send it to you. Rumor has it, that you have to wait 45 minutes on some intersections to make a left hand turn. They now have prohibited tank trucks to drive on county roads, but a pipeline was approved to go through eastern Montana and North Dakota, since some of these $5MM oil wells just sit idle because they don't have any means to transport the oil!
North Dakota citizens may abolish property taxes, allowing them more control over government spending. Nearly 30,000 signatures were collected to place the people's initiative on the ballot in June, 2012 that would constitutionally abolish all property taxes in North Dakota.
The Red Lodge Real Estate market in 2011:
47 homes without acreage are for sale median $222,000
31 Sold median of $185,000
25 homes on acreage are for sale median price of $500,000
4 homes on acreage sold for a median of $375,000
123 vacant parcels less than 5 acres are for sale - median price is $80,000
9 vacant parcels sold for a median price of $62,000
Historical numbers and more information are posted at:
I listed a small gold mining venture in Montana for those who can spare $55,000. It is an old mining family, where the dad just has the nose for gold. They did some exploration on their own and were amazed of what they found in that unexplored neck of the woods. Some gold companies are already waiting in line to buy the claims, but you know how it is…. The stock holders will only agree to a purchase of proven reserves. It costs money to prove it up, a drill needs to get in there, more test holes are required, some blasting and of course the geologist needs to get paid to write it all up and make it presentable. The family said they would give the investor a 5% interest in their mine (that means you get 5% of the sales price) and they would pay back the loaned money three fold upon sale of the mine ($165,000). The drilling and such would take about 3 weeks and then it is ready to be put on the market for about 1% of the in-ground value. That is how in-ground gold deposits ar
e usually priced. Let me know if you are up to it and I will put you in touch. Here is link for further details:
I quit the Association of Realtors, but I am still a licensed real estate broker. Since now I have to access the MLS Systems like everybody else, I made it a little easier by putting their links into the margin here:
The left margin lets you access the MLS systems for Red Lodge, Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, Bitterroot Valley, Kalispell, Helena, Great Falls and Cody, Wyoming. I am familiar with most areas around Montana and can steer you clear of areas without ground water, too much wind, undesirable neighborhoods, contamination of soil and water, etc. Did you know the Yellowstone is cooking up arsenic and sends it down the Yellowstone River and the Madison?
The interesting part is, when you send in a water sample they never test for arsenic unless you make a specific request! No worries, it is easily mitigated. Buyer be aware… if you are not familiar with the area, get a real estate professional who will ferret things out for you.
USDA has a new program to entice farmers to grow camelina, a seed crop that some researchers consider a potentially cost-effective alternative to overseas oil.
Camelina, also known as wild flax, German sesame, or Siberian oilseed, is an ancient oil-bearing plant that has been domesticated and extensively used in Europe for several thousand years. The seed oil of camelina contains up to 45 percent of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as a unique antioxidant complex making the oil very stable and resistant to heat and rancidity. The seed can be harvested and crushed for fuel and the remaining parts can be used to produce high quality omega-3 rich animal feed, fiberboard or glycerin. Camelina has the ability to grow on marginal land, utilizing very little moisture, and thrives in both warm and cold states. Camelina is also considered a good rotational crop and studies have shown it improves the yield of subsequent crops such as wheat by up to 15 percent:
If you would like to grow Camelina, I have some farmland listed in Eastern Montana - 160 acres for $110,000
203 acres here in south central Montana for $295,000 (owner will carry)
A 73 acres farm in Northern Wyoming - all irrigated!
Montana would be the first state to launch a recall drive for senators who voted for the NDAA military detentions provisions, but other states are starting to have the same idea…
Would you like to know what it looks like in Red Lodge and on the ski mountain? Here is the webcam:
I just checked the downtown one and it is pretty much snowed shut LOL
I found some home remedies, which might come in handy:
Acid Reflux: take one table spoon of apple cider vinegar before meals
e-coli, food poisoning: mix raw honey with ginger and drink a cup
If you need to lose a few pounds, don't eat any carbs or sugar for two days out of the week and your pants will fit again.
Here are two dogs dining, I thought it was hilarious:
I wish you a prosperous and joyous New Year, or to say it with Abe Lincoln:
"Whatever you are, be a good one!"
:-)
Best Regards,
Dorothea Lowe, Broker
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