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MARKETING CONCEPTS MDA- Development's marketing concept consist of working with an established Real Estate Broker to sell off five acre re-sale parcels. This sale is predicated upon MDA Development designing and constructing any/all site related structures with an overall site architectural theme. MDA-Development is currently initiating an aggressive internet advertising campaign to market their unique architectural, design-build services to only select clients who will truly appreciate the value of such esoteric and necessary design elements. MDA-Development is currently interviewing Kalispell Real Estate Brokers, and will link this site to Brokers site when determined. The Flathead County, Montana real estate market remains very strong today, even after the effects of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The following is an exact duplication of an article that appeared in the Kalispell newspaper, "The Daily InterLake", February 19, 2002 written by William L. Spence, a featured writer for that newspaper.
It should be noted that it is very important to realize that the specific location is extremely important to the potential investor in Montana, including Flathead County. Some areas are not as concerned with long range planning, codes, covenants and restrictions. This means that their individual development choices could dramatically impact your re-sale value. Some areas of the Flathead Valley are developing more rapidly and are indeed very nice, however they are not as encumbered by codes, covenants and restrictions, as the typical upscale investor would want them to be to protect the client's sizeable investment, as well as their total quality of life. Supply and Demand in Paradise Flathead County see record level of subdivision activity. Article by William Spence, The Daily Interlake January 12, 2003. bspence@dailyinterlake.com A record amount of land went into subdivisions in Flathead County during 2002, as demand for this corner of paradise showed no sign of tapering off. Plans for 89 commercial and residential subdivisions received final approval during the year. The projects were located throughout the valley, and covered a total 652 lots and almost 3,000 acres of land. The previous record was 2,006 subdivided acres set in 2000. The number of lots created last year was also well above the five year average of 401. Nevertheless local realtors say there's no indication that a glut is developing. "If there were a glut we'd be seeing the active inventory increase or a softening in price, and neither of those are happening at this point," said Rick Doran, owner of Montana Brokers and current president of the northwest Montana Association of Realtors. In fact Doran said the number of vacant lots on the market is virtually unchanged with 1,557 left at the end of 2002, compared with 1,521 at the end of 01. Sales of vacant lots were quite strong last year, up 25 percent from the year before to 1,042. A third of those were for lots 1 acre or smaller in size. The median lot price edged up 8.5 percent, to $48,825. "Supply and demand appear to be staying in relative balance," Doran said. "There's demand to meet the additional supply, but we also aren't seeing an out-of-control price escalation." As with any business though various factors can tip that balance one way or the other. Some of the issues facing developers: CONTINUED DEMAND: The valley's pace of subdivision development might be ahead of the five year average, but based on population growth projections, it's barely keeping up with demand. The Montana Department of Commerce's Census and Economic Information Center estimates that Flathead County will grow by 20 percent during this decade, compared with 25.6 percent during the 1990's. That would be about 15,000 people or 6,000 households. An average of 600 new housing units per year. "There are very few areas that can compete with the Flathead in terms of amenities," said Greg Carter at Rocky Mountain Real Estate in Whitefish. "With a national park, the abundance of water and relatively mild weather, there's a national demand for property here." UNCERTAIN SUPPLY: This side of the equation is a little murkier. Federal and state agencies own the bulk of the land here, so the supply of suitable land is limited to begin with, and that only gets smaller with time as more and more people buy their piece of paradise. How much is available for development at any given moment depends on a wide range of factors, from property tax rates and agricultural prices to zoning regulations and water quality standards. In the near future, there's little evidence of a supply crunch: Last year, 58 major and minor subdivisions received preliminary approval, so the pipeline of projects remains full. However, during the five year period that ended in 1997, Flathead County lost an average of 235 acres of farmland per week to subdivisions and other development, more than 60,000 acres in all. And as the availability of suitable land declines , developers are seeing prices creep up. "The price of farmland has gone up 100 percent over the last five to seven years." Carter said. "It's not hat it's ultra expensive , it may have gone to around $10,000 to $12,000 per acre. But in areas with good views, it's gone up more than that." Carter, who has developed three subdivisions in the valley and dozens of projects in other areas said rural land that's reasonably close to Kalispell or Whitefish is currently going for $10,000 to $15,000 per acre. AFFORDABILITY: By the time necessary services and infrastructure are installed , the cost to build a subdivision easily can be four or five times the cost of the raw land cost. As property values increase more and more families are priced out of the rural lifestyle. Just a few years ago , people could find decent lots
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Copyright 2002. All rights reserved. Designed by MDA. Ltd., February 2002 |
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