Montana

I live in Missoula, home to the University of Montana. We’re used to out of state folks attending the U and the steady stream of tourists all summer long...but this summer was different...the tourists didn’t leave. They’ve remained and they are buying homes and land in unprecedented numbers. They’re renting anything available and just waiting for homes to purchase. I have a friend who is a real estate agent and he reports properties hitting the market and getting so many offers in just a few days that it’s almost like an auction. Buyers are waiving inspections and asking for faster than normal closing dates. There’s a house on my quiet little street that just sold for $590K...it’s a gut. Nothing worth saving. It’s a location thing. The out of state buyers plan to level the home and build. A lot just around the corner from my house...3/4 of an acre...on the creek (which is desirable) just sold for $995K to a couple from California planning to work remotely...but it’s just property. No house.

I guess I can understand the desire to get away from densely populated areas where there is a little more room to roam...and this is a great place to live especially if you like outdoor recreation....there is more to do here than I have time or money. I have found this all very unnerving. Our Covid numbers are spiking. We had it so dialed in at the end of May...we were doing pretty darned well and then we were inundated. I have never wished for a long hard winter because they’re long and hard enough...I don’t want to sound unwelcoming but I wouldn’t mind if winter sent some of these folks packing. Montana winters aren’t for sissies.