It is New Year’s resolution time again; a time to think about positive changes we would like to make in our lives with a brand new year to make them in. Working in the world of Real Estate, I like to focus on goals and objectives relating to real property.

If you have thought about buying a home but don’t know where to begin, make a resolution to go over your financials and see where you stand. Having your credit checked for inaccuracies or problem areas is a good place to start. If your credit score is lower than you would like, make a resolution to take the necessary steps to improve it.

Consider starting a savings account for your down payment that automatically withdraws a certain amount every week, month, or payday. Meeting with a lender can also be a great way to see where you are at. What can you qualify for and what financial steps do you need to take before getting serious about looking at homes? After meeting with a lender, many potential buyers are often pleasantly surprised to find out they can qualify for a nicer home than they thought possible.
If you’re thinking of trying to sell your home in 2014, this is a great time to look around your home and make plans for projects that need to be finished up. Winter evenings are also a great time to start de-cluttering. De-cluttering your home prior to putting it on the market affords the most cost effective means of preparing your home for sale and getting top dollar.

Whatever your resolution, I wish a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2014 to you!

Look for my article in next month’s issue for a recap off the 2013 Real Estate Market. As usual, I have included data for the number of homes sold in Bozeman during the first 11 months of 2013. In addition to the 779 homes sold during this time period, another 98 homes are currently pending, or under contract, as of the date of writing this article.

The included data reflects sales of homes on less than and more than 1 acre in the greater Bozeman area, including Four Corners, Gallatin Gateway, Bridger Canyon, and Bozeman city limits. The data includes home sales reported through the local Southwest Montana MLS, and does not include private party sales, Condominiums, or Townhouses.

Tim Ford is a Realtor ® with Vellinga Real Estate in Bozeman Montana. He can be contacted at 406-209-1214