Central Montana Real Estate: Embracing Change and Preserving Our Way of Life
Life here in central Montana is shifting, and it's hard to ignore. The quiet, close-knit communities we've cherished for so long are feeling the impact of change as more people flock to our neck of the woods.
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As much as we might wish otherwise, growth is unstoppable. But instead of fighting against it, maybe it's time we embrace it, steering it in a direction that still feels like home to us.
It's hard not to notice the influx of new faces, with 87.5% of sales in our Malta office coming from out-of-the-area buyers. With more people looking for vacation spots and recreational retreats, it's changing the landscape, both literally and figuratively. Sure, seeing fancy new houses pop up where we used to enjoy pristine mountain views can be a bit disheartening. But maybe there's a silver lining in there somewhere. Maybe those new homes mean jobs for local contractors. Maybe the Family ranch that was sold to an out of state corporation, is now leased to a young family who wouldn’t have been able to afford to ranch on their own. At least the land is still in agriculture production. Opportunities for ranching families to keep doing what they love still exists, you just have to go about it a little differently these days.
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There's a bit of a language barrier between the old-timers and the newcomers. It's like we're speaking different dialects of the same language sometimes. But instead of letting pride get in the way, maybe it's time both sides sat down and had a conversation. There's a lot we can learn from each other if we're willing to listen. And who knows, maybe those newcomers aren't so bad after all. They just need a friendly face to show them the ropes. After all, they moved here for a dream that the ranching families have been living for generations. Our Malta office has another statistic, 81% of total land sales were cash buyers. Maybe these buyers are willing to reinvest back into the community if they feel like they are a part of it.
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Hunting season is supposed to be an avenue to get outside and enjoy some quiet. But lately, it feels like Grand Central Station out here. Out-of-towners and out of area landowners, arrive in doves in the fall and it's hard not to feel a little overwhelmed. Landowners have constant battles with outdoorsmen over issues such as leaving gates open, tearing up the roads unnecessarily in muddy conditions, and most importantly, trespassing. But maybe hunters just don't know any better. Maybe a little education is all it takes to turn them into good neighbors. After all, most outdoorsmen are just looking for a slice of the good life, and who can blame them for that? If hunters knew what the landowners went through, I think the chip on the hunter's shoulder would fade away. I would like to educate these hunters so they can understand what their presence does to the local ranchers' jobs. Private landowners and public hunters could be working together instead of constantly fighting against each other.
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People come to central Montana for a reason. They're looking for something that's becoming harder and harder to find elsewhere. A piece of land to call their own, a place to put down roots and live life at their own pace. And while we can't fault them for wanting what we've got, maybe we can gently remind them why we fell in love with this place in the first place. Maybe remind them that we don’t want the last best place to be turned into the places that they left. We like it just the way it is.
If you're one of the new guys, just remember what makes this place special. It's not just the wide-open spaces or the stunning sunsets. It's the people, too. Hardworking, honest, and kind. So, when you're out and about, take a moment to lend a hand or share a smile. Wave back when you pass a feed truck on the two-lane highway. It might just make all the difference in developing a relationship with your neighbor.
Change is coming, that much is certain. But maybe if we face it together, with a little grace and a lot of understanding, we can hold onto the things that make central Montana feel like home.