History of John Bozeman

John Bozeman was born in Pickens County, Georgia, in 1835. Like so many men of the Civil War era, he was struck with gold fever and headed west in 1858, abandoning his wife and three children. Bozeman came to Montana from Colorado in 1862 after his lust for gold fizzled when his claims failed to pan out. Seeing a need to supply the mining camps of Bannack and Virginia City, he realized it would be more profitable to “mine the miners” than to mine gold. In 1863, he and John Jacobs blazed the Bozeman Trail, a cutoff route from the Oregon Trail, and guided miners to Virginia City through the Gallatin Valley.

Bozeman saw the fertile Gallatin Valley as a most desirable place to live. He chose the site “standing right in the gate of the mountains ready to swallow up all tenderfeet that would reach the territory from the east, with their golden fleeces to be taken care of” to make his fortune. In 1864, Bozeman, along with Daniel Rouse and William Beall, platted the town which would bear his name. The Bozeman Trail passed directly through the Gallatin Valley and was used by travellers until 1868 when it was closed because of the Indian Wars. It served its purpose; emigrants who saw the lush valley settled in Bozeman’s fledgling town.
 
John Bozeman was murdered under mysterious circumstances along the Yellowstone River, east of present-day Livingston, in April, 1867, three years after establishing his town. His partner on the trip, Tom Cover, reported they had been attacked by a band of Blackfeet Indians. Inconsistencies in Cover’s story have led historians to suspect Bozeman was murdered, either by Cover, or possibly by a jealous husband of one of the few women in town.
 
Local hysteria over a possible Indian attack so close to town led to the establishment of Fort Ellis, three miles east of Bozeman. Fort Ellis kept the tiny settlement afloat by providing protection and a market for local farmers and merchants.
 
John Bozeman is buried in Sunset Hills Cemetery.

 

Thanks to the City of Bozeman website.

Investments

“Owning a home is a keystone of wealth …both financial affluence and emotional security.” —Suze Orman

Investing For Your Future

Investing doesn’t sound romantic or exciting until you visit Montana. Few things in life are as rewarding and vital – and solid – as owning Montana real estate. Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley embody the very best of what the great state of Montana offers. World-class fly fishing, hunting, skiing, and an excellent university have partially contributed to the Bozeman community’s steady – 10 to 12 percent annually – appreciation in real estate values. Bozeman is a unique combination of the sophisticated and the rustic, the art-conscious and nature-loving, a vibrant city and the soothing calm of the mountains and valleys. A thriving community located in a spectacular valley. Land, although sweeping in scale, is finite in availability due to the surrounding mountains, zoning laws, and vast amounts of adjacent publicly-owned land. Supply and demand are definitely driving this market. A quick glance at our Bozeman Market Report shows our tremendous growth.

Understanding The Market

Stuart and Sally understand the Bozeman area market and the opportunities for investment. We are constantly scouting out “deals” which we pass along to our clients, but only after accessing exactly the kind of property they desire.

We know the availability of water, the Bozeman and Gallatin Valley master plans for future growth, and which local expert to answer questions that may lay outside our real estate and marketing expertise. We have a solid network of professionals in every field who are here to help you resolve a myriad of questions that may arise while considering an investment. For example: Do you place your acreage in conservation easement? Do you qualify for a 1031 exchange? Should title be placed in a trust? Who will manage the property if you live elsewhere?

Creating Trust

Investing your personal resources is serious business. We are knowledgeable, honest, and dedicated to helping you make the best possible decision, while protecting your privacy and respecting your wishes. Stuart and Sally work together, constantly communicating, researching and investigating all the important details to help serve our clients’ best interests.

We love what we do, and it shows. We treat our clients with the same respect, dignity and appreciation that we do our closest friends and family because our experience has proven to us that many of our clients today evolve into our friends of tomorrow.

BOZEMAN IS RENOWNED FOR ITS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

 

We are blessed with a multitude of year round outdoor recreation opportunities in the Gallatin Valley:

• Fly Fishing
• Rafting
• National Forest
• National Parks
• Hiking Trails
• Mountain Biking
• Cross Country Skiing
• Downhill Skiing
• Snowshoeing
• And more!

There are no lack of reasons to get you outside and in the fun!

Please visit our Interactive Map and click on, Skiing, Rivers, National Parks, and Mountains to learn more about our fantastic outdoors!

Legal Matters

The state of Montana is known as Big Sky Country, the Treasure State and “The Last Best Place” To many, it’s also the last vestige of America’s wild frontier. The distinctive qualities of this state are not limited to its physical landscape, however. Stuart and Sally are well aware that Montana real estate laws are, many times, unique to Montana. Just because one of our clients from Georgia or Texas happens to be a real estate maven in their own state, they may not be prepared for the particular and sometimes complicated nuances of Montana Real Estate law. This is why we always recommend that our clients obtain local legal counsel to insure there are no unexpected surprises in any real estate transaction.

Gallatin County and the Bozeman are undergoing dramatic growth. This new expansion in the community is accompanied by continual changes in zoning and land use laws. Many areas are without zoning regulations, while other areas have highly restrictive covenants in place. For property buyers, there may be utility issues, density matters, and a myriad of other details that could throw the proverbial monkey wrench into a new property owner’s desire to utilize his or her land.

Caveat emptor – Buyers Beware – is a phrase most new property owners dread hearing, particularly when discovering that dividing large tracts of land can be problematic, and in some cases, impossible. Water rights, floodplains, and even mineral rights are all considerations and an important part of the due diligence prior to purchasing a property in Montana

Stuart and Sally’s knowledge and familiarity with the Bozeman and Gallatin Valley community will help us guide our clients through a number of these processes, answering questions, resolving issues before they become problems, and alleviating the stress of maneuvering through the laws and restrictions of a new region.

We are well-versed on local real estate and land-use issues and literally know the lay of the land. Our expertise will help insure that you are fully aware of any potential problems prior to making any offer on a property. With the full backing of the ERA Landmark office - Stuart and Sally have a fine-tuned awareness of the evolving landscape of Gallatin Valley regulations and potential pitfalls for land owners.

However, it is both wise and prudent to consult with a local real estate lawyer. We will provide you with a list of Bozeman-based lawyers who can explain and clarify the procedures in dealing with the city or county on a variety of issues that can impact a property transaction, ranging from altering zoning to understanding covenants and regulations. Legal counsel may also bring up other areas for new property owners to consider prior to purchase.

Stuart and Sally are committed to see that every legal detail of your transaction is addressed in a thorough and profession manner and with your best interests in mind.

Let’s Connect!

Call us at: 406-556-5013
e-mail: contact@stuartandsally.com

American Cowboy has named Bozeman one of the top 20 places to live in the West!

American Cowboy has named Bozeman one of the top 20 places to live in the West.
Bozeman was one of two Montana cities that made the magazine’s first annual list, unveiled this week in its April-May issue. Missoula, and out-of-state cities such as Bend, Ore., and Steamboat Springs, Colo., also received the honor.

Bozeman also has been named as one of the best small towns and best places to retire.

Montana State University rodeo coach Mike True said part of Bozeman’s appeal might be its mix of traditional and modern western, with amenities ranging from historic Yellowstone National Park to new-aged horseback adventures.

Read More here…

Everybody Loves Bozeman – DCD Home Article

Everybody Loves Bozeman – Special to DCD Home

Some people from Bozeman and Gallatin Valley think their hometown is pretty special, but this isn’t just misty sentimentality. Experts from around the country with far-ranging reasons are in agreement.

Bizjournals ranked Bozeman number one for small town’s best quality of life (www.bizjournals.com). It wasn’t a casual assessment. Intrigued that more than 1.7 million people moved from metropolitan areas to small cities and rural areas, Bizjournals rated the 577 micropolitan areas in the US (grouped population centers ranging between 10,000 to 50,000 people) with strict and quantitative criteria, and Bozeman topped its 576 rivals. The criteria ranged from percentages of people with higher education, population and per capita income growth, a strong growing small business base, affordable housing, low taxes, easy commutes and the like.

Interestingly, with far different criteria, Outside Magazine rated Bozeman of one of 15 best sports cities, and number five on a 2003 list of 40 best college towns. Skiing Magazine rated Bozeman as one of the ten best ski towns in America. In 2001, Bozeman was an all-American city.

To read more on this article please click here.

 We’d love to hear your feedback on this article and if you’ve ever visited or live in Bozeman. This is a great article and love to hear stuff like this! People move/come to Bozeman because they want to, not because they have to, THAT is what makes our job so great!

U.S. & Montana Economic Outlook – 2007

Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley have experienced steady, solid growth in both population growth and real estate values over the past decade.

Non-resident ownership of land in Montana was reported at 11% of property sales in the Gallatin
Valley in 2005. According to recently published U.S. Census Bureau figures, Gallatin Valley is the fastest-growing county in Montana, clocking a 19.3% growth rate between 2000 and 2006.
Economic predictions are that—if anything—Gallatin Valley will continue to grow at an even healthier pace.

• Economic Profile 2007 -
  Click here to download Prospera Business Network’s Economic Profile 2007

• Big Sky Market Report -
  
  Click here to download the Big Sky Market Report provided by ERA Landmark   
  (for Fall 2007)

 

U.S. & Montana Economic Outlook

 

This “U.S. & Montana Economic
Outlook” presentation has been brought to you by First Interstate Bank
& Stuart and Sally Platinum Properties. Please feel free to contact us if
you have any questions. 

click here to view slide show

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• 
  
  2006 – 2007 Single Family Sales Information
• 
  
  2006-2007 Vacant Land Sales Information

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This
graph shows Residential Single Family Homes in Gallatin County as of February
2008

 amount
of inventory, average price, median price, and number of days on the market.

 

 

This
graph shows Vacant Land in Gallatin County as of February
2008

 amount
of inventory, average price, median price, and number of days on the market.

 

Updated 2/2008

So what is driving the fantastic growth of the Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley real estate market?

• The distinctive Montana lifestyle
• The limited quantity of available land
• The dynamic community of Bozeman

Bozeman has been named the #1 ‘Dreamtown’ by Bizjournals.com for its quality of life and business growth, edging out Jackson Hole and Durango, Colorado. Bozeman is a small college town with a sophisticated and cultured atmosphere. Despite its size, Bozeman boasts amenities that larger urban cities would envy. No matter what the season, there are a full range of activities to
enjoy, from world-class fly fishing to the thrill of skiing to attending a wonderful symphonic concert. Whether you are starting up a business, relocating a family, or just wishing to retire
or own a second home here: an investment in Bozeman real estate is a sound decision.

Surrounded by 5 mountain ranges, with national and state land edging right up to the city and county lines, land is finite, while the sense of space is vast. Land values reflect the
precious, limited nature of available acreage, while quality homes are in short supply. Bozeman real estate continues to appreciate as more people desire to live in a place relatively free
from crime, embraced by nature, unpolluted and stress-free, in which they can create and enjoy the benefits of a lifestyle unlike any other in America.

• 
  
  2006 – 2007 Single Family Sales Information
• 
  
  2006-2007 Vacant Land Sales Information

 

What’s the return for remodeling?

A quick look at the parking lots of the local hardware and home improvement stores in town gives us an indication of the amount of both “do-it-yourself” and “large scale” remodeling projects taking place in this area. Homeowners take pride in where they live, and the “to do” lists for most seem to never get shorter. Whether you are sprucing up your home for resale value or just wanting to increase your current enjoyment, there is information available on which types of projects should provide a better return on your investment.

Each year, Remodeling magazine produces an annual report which compares construction costs with resale values for many of the most common remodeling projects throughout the nation. This is the 19 th year that the report has been published; however, this year’s “Cost vs. Value Report” has seen a number of improvements in the way that data is compiled as well as a change from four U.S. regions to nine. If you would like to view the entire report, it is available at costvsvalue.com for a small fee. There are a variety of factors that actually come in to play when figuring the “cost recouped” for a particular house including the condition of the rest of the home, the value and availability of comparable properties in the immediate area, and the property values as a whole in the surrounding area.

Overall, and as expected, prices for the majority of remodeling projects have risen while the actual dollars that can be recouped when selling the home have declined. This comes as little surprise due to the record breaking activity levels we have witnessed in the past several years in both home sales and remodeling. Even with the current year’s declines, the numbers are still quite impressive. Considering the increased value at the time of resale, a home improvement project may only cost 20 cents to 25 cents on the dollar. According to the report, 75 cents to 80 cents of each dollar spent on a home improvement project are actually recaptured in the form of increased equity.

Replacement projects rate high when measured by cost recouped at resale. One possible reason is energy efficiency in these times of high fuel prices. For example, replacing old windows not only saves money while still residing in your home, but also makes it very appealing to potential buyers when the time comes to sell. However, aesthetics is also a key motivator on choosing which projects to take on. The power of a great first impression is one reason to consider replacing old siding and windows.

So, which remodeling projects should you consider if return on your invested dollars is important? In the Mountain Region, which includes Arizona , Colorado , Idaho , New Mexico , Utah , Wyoming , and Montana , a few key areas stand out. Adding a two-story addition won out as the most profitable remodeling venture, with 88.3% of the cost being recouped at the time of sale, nearly 5% higher than the national average. However, it can also be one of the highest investments dollar-wise, and therefore it can be somewhat prohibitive for many. Performing a minor kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel, or finishing out a basement also were viewed as a good choice in that they all were rated just above 86% for cost recouped, which was slightly higher than seen throughout the nation. Replacing windows, either with wood or vinyl, showed strong numbers at 85-86% which was very close to the national average.

The two projects that finished at the bottom of the list for the Mountain Region are the addition of a sunroom (65.1%) and the remodeling of a home office (60.9%). These numbers were just a bit below the national averages.

Whatever the rationale for undertaking a major project, whether it is for ease of maintenance, beauty, pure enjoyment, energy efficiency or resale, it is certainly a great benefit to be able to recoup the majority of your expenses in the process. As our market conditions have changed, now is a good time to engage a reputable builder to assist you. Always ask for written bids and local current references from other remodeling projects and consult with your local realtor on which projects have the most impact in our marketplace. Using this information, along with choosing a knowledgeable builder and realtor, can assist you in making the right improvement choices and obtaining the very best price when the time to sell does arrive.

Published in the Bozeman Chronicle, June, 2007 by Robyn Erlenbush

Robyn Erlenbush is the owner of ERA Landmark Real Estate (with offices in Bozeman, Big Sky, Livingston and Clyde Park) and Intermountain Property Management. She can be reached at robyn@eralandmark.com.

For more information, please see our website: StuartandSally.com