Real Estate in Montana: Calm Before the Storm?

If you’ve been thinking about buying a house in Montana, now may actually feel… possible? I know, weird, right? After years of bidding wars and out-of-staters flashing cash like they’re at an Old West poker table, the housing market is starting to level out.

Homes in Montana are finding themselves on the market longer, prices are leveling out, and buyers are finally getting some breathing room. Some listings are listed for more than 100 days, and sellers have had to...wait for it... negotiate. It’s not exactly back to 2015, but it’s the most buyer-friendly vibe we’ve had in some time.

But before we pop the cork and fire up the backyard barbecue, there’s a new player sneaking into the game: tariffs. That's right, those good ol’ international trade policies may be heading for our construction sites. And if tariffs are added on materials coming in for new builds, like lumber and steel, that just makes new builds much more expensive.

And given that Montana depends largely upon Canadian lumber (hey neighbors!), we’re particularly susceptible to it. Translation? Builders may pull back, fewer homes get constructed, and prices could crawl back up if supply tightens again.

Well, what does it mean for you? If you want to buy, this could be your window. If you’re in construction or real estate, watch for tariff updates. And if you’re only trying to exist in peace without trading a kidney or your firstborn child for a starter home, well, may the odds be forever in your favor.