Nikki Marengo was raised in a small town in Central Washington. Growing up in a rural setting and enjoying the area’s rivers, trails and mountains, Nikki knew she needed to settle somewhere surrounded by nature. Montana’s beautiful Flathead Valley was the perfect fit. Nikki moved to Kalispell and began her real estate career in 2013 by assisting Brian Murphy. She readily fell in love with the art of matching homes with buyers and sellers. Nikki’s fondness for people inspires her to go above and beyond the expectations of her clients. Her main objective is making others happy and that is why real estate has become more than a profession–it’s a passion. Let Nikki help you with the next adventure in your life, whether it’s finding a home on the golf course or selling your cabin in the woods.
Real Estate Today
Age-Old Real Estate Selling Tips to Ignore
Homeowners planning to sell their home tend to get unsolicited advice from every direction. “Do this,” “don’t do that”; it can be difficult to decipher the good from the bad advice. As homebuyers become more informed and market-savvy, knowing which age-old advice to
ignore can be important. Here are some adages which should be retired immediately.
• ?Spring is the best time to sell – While spring is traditionally when home sales tick upward, the real key to selling is inventory levels. Low inventory means more chances your home will be more desirable, and this can occur any time of the year.
• ?The first offer is always the best – While all offers should be considered, don’t feel pressured to take a sub-par offer just because it was the first.
• ?Open houses sell houses – Not necessarily. Only 2% of homes sell as the direct result of an open house, according to the National Association of Realtors®. People are more attracted to virtual tours and online photos during these times. Consider a “Virtual Open House,” or scheduled showings on a specific weekend giving a certain end date that all offers must be in by. This will still generate the “buzz” around your property and create some urgency for perspective buyers.
• ?Price high so there is room to negotiate – Homebuyers are more sophisticated about pricing and will not bother with overpriced homes.
• ?If you don’t want to make repairs then lower your price – Unless you market your home as a fixer-upper, buyers expect the home to be in reasonable condition and a low price might not be enough to encourage an offer. Have your Broker or Real Estate Agent pull a Comparable Market Analysis, considering items such as condition of the property, square footage, amount of rooms, and area the home is located when considering how to price. Most agents have a list of trusted vendors they can suggest for you to make the needed repairs. Small repairs can make a big difference in the final price.
• ?You must update your kitchen to sell – Buyers do love renovated kitchens, but keep in mind that you typically recover only 81% of the cost of a remodel when selling. Try these simple ideas instead: Keep it clean and uncluttered, possibly a coat of paint or new hardware on the cabinets or an updated backsplash can make a big difference. This will leave the buyer to update to their preferences, which most prefer to do when making a home purchase.
Selling a home is a major life decision. Before you begin the process of listing your home, do your research and make sure the advice you rely on is valid in today’s changing environment and you pair up with an agent you can trust.
Here’s What’s Happening
Picture Credit | HUNTER D’ANTUONO
Mask Up, Ski Down
Opening week off to a smooth start at Whitefish Mountain Resort, with the ski area earning praise from ‘super seniors’ for its safety precautions
Although Whitefish Mountain Resort’s outdoor operations will run similar to pre-pandemic times, with lift line corrals set up roughly the same, a major difference is that skiers and riders are required to wear face coverings while waiting in line for the chair, as well as while loading and unloading.
That might seem like a straightforward requirement, particularly given that face coverings tend to be standard attire for skiers and snowboarders. But mask requirements during the pandemic have become the subject of a polarizing national debate, and Whitefish Mountain Resort, as well as the city of Whitefish, have gone to great lengths to educate the skiing community on the importance of heeding the requirement this winter… read more
Looking for a beautiful Montana home, land, or commercial property for sale near Whitefish? Call Nikki Marengo, your Whitefish RE/MAX real estate agent at (406) 862-9000 or (406) 212-8507
Elk Creek Property
000 Elk Creek Road, Wilsall, Montana, United States 59086
Beautiful 14 Acres in Clyde Park!
63 Rocky Creek Ln, Clyde Park, Park, Montana, United States 59081
2,481 Sq Ft House in Bozeman
50 Pattee Trail, Bozeman, Park, Montana, United States 59718
4 1/2 City Lots in Clyde Park w/ US 89 Coverage
TBD 5th Ave, Clyde Park, Park, Montana, United States 59018
13 Acres in Marion
000 Bhong Lane, Marion, Flathead, Montana, United States 59925
3600 Sq Ft House with Short Term Rental Capabilities
1980 Ridge Crest Dr, Whitefish, Flathead, Montana, United States 59937
Iron Horse Home
238 N Prairiesmoke Circle, Whitefish, Flathead, Montana, United States 59937
Acreage overlooking The Clark Fork!
2424 Morning Dun Road, Missoula, Flathead, Montana, United States 59804
.73 Acre Lot, Zoned R2
435 Dakota Ave, Whitefish, Flathead, Montana, United States 59937
Search for Property
Use our easy search window to find that perfect Montana dream property! Search the multiple listing service for Whitefish real estate.
Real Estate Market Trends
The average sales price in Whitefish, Flathead Valley as a whole, Kalispell, and Columbia Falls of a single-family residence in November for the past 3 years is depicted in the graphs below. The only downward trend in NMAR’s latest data is the average number of days on market for Flathead Valley homes—yet another indicator of a bustling real estate market.
THE FARMHOUSE INN AND KITCHEN
A luxury bed and breakfast and farm to table style Bakery and Café featuring produce, meats etc from farms in the area. More info…
28 Lupfer Ave
Whitefish, MT 59937
(406) 730-2666
Recipe of The Month
Here is a simple recipe you can cozy up to:
Ingredients:
✔️ 4 cups apple cider
✔️ 1 bottle (750 ml) red wine of your choice
✔️ ¼ cup honey
✔️ 2 cinnamon sticks
✔️ Juice, zest, and peel from 1-2 oranges depending on your taste
✔️ 4 cloves
✔️ 3-star anises
Directions:
✔️ Combine all ingredients except the orange peel in a large saucepan.
✔️ Bring to a boil and then let the mix simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.
✔️ Pour mulled wine into mugs and add the orange peel for garnish.
Recipe adapted from Food Network.
Outlook 2020: Another Year of Job Growth
