We are starting to see some real estate deals pop up here and there – nothing too major but an indication of signs of life again. The few clients we have this year are focusing wisely on smaller, high end, energy efficient, mountain style/log and timber construction. Our clients aren’t interested in speculating these days, but rather want a home or cabin they can enjoy. The common trend seems to be a move away from the mega home and towards smaller homes that are environmentally and economically friendly and best of all don’t require a map to find the bathroom.
The theme? Don’t over do it, but even in these tight times there is much to enjoy. As my grandpa always said, “If you die with money in the bank, you haven’t budgeted very well.”
Get outside and enjoy it before it’s too late.
Still in the dark about the fed stimulus plan and how it will affect the different streams of the economy – check out THE web site on the subject.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is an unprecedented effort to jump start our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century.
Read the entire article
Although we are seeing quite a drop in local building costs – the national average is still elevated over 2008.
With steel leading the way again this month, Engineering News Record reports the following figures for April 2009:
20-CITY:
1913 = 100 |
April 2009
Index Value |
% change
Month |
% change
Year |
Construction Cost |
8528.39 |
-0.1 |
+5.1 |
Common Labor |
18015.79 |
0.0 |
+5.4 |
WAGE $/HR. |
34.23 |
0.0 |
+5.4 |
20-CITY:
1913 = 100 |
April 2009
Index Value |
% change
Month |
% change
Year |
Building Cost |
4761.05 |
-0.1 |
+4.1 |
Skilled Labor |
8112.22 |
0.0 |
+4.1 |
WAGE $/HR. |
45.02 |
0.0 |
+4.1 |
20-CITY:
1913 = 100 |
April 2009
Index Value |
% change
Month |
% change
Year |
Materials |
2713.54 |
-0.3 |
+3.8 |
CEMENT $/TON |
100.91 |
-0.8 |
-0.4 |
STEEL $/CWT |
44.83 |
-0.2 |
+8.4 |
LUMBER $/MBF |
411.60 |
-0.7 |
-4.2 |
Read the entire report
5 out of the top 15 housing markets in the U.S. are found in Montana.
I had to double check to make sure this list wasn’t published on April Fools Day – Fargo, ND made #2…?
- Billings, MT
- Fargo, ND
- Lander, WY
- Trenton, NJ
- Morgantown, WV
Read the entire article.