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Believe in Better:
DEDICATED BUILDERS
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Do you remember the old adage, "Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow..." Well, the same goes for the dedicated builders at Mountain View Meadows. Throughout the winter, despite the snow, ice and record low temperatures skilled craftsman labored away framing walls, raising roofs, hanging dry wall and laying floors--often in below freezing conditions--keeping construction on schedule and buyers smiling in anticipation of moving into their new homes before spring. In fact, just this past month, Nancy Mayer closed on her new home on Alexis Avenue and Carmen Douglas is set to close on her new home next week. Construction began on these two beautiful craftsman homes in October of 2016 and true to form, builder Sierra Custom Homes laid out the welcome mat right on time with all the care and attention to detail buyers have come to expect. In the Antelope Trace neighborhood, work progressed in style on several new homes including two available for sale by Weatherall Builders and one by Grewett Construction. It's true that some work just can't be done when the temperature drops below freezing but generally, it is the work ethic of builders and sub-contractors that keep the process going. "I am truly impressed when I drive through the neighborhoods, even on the weekends, and see crews working in the cold," said developer Mark Runkle. "It is a testament to our builders' commitment to building better homes right on time."
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Building a Better Community:
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A new opportunity for home buyers may be available in 2018 for families with incomes which fall between 50-80% of Helena's median income. For a family of four that income range is between $35,000 and $55,000. Home buyers must have acceptable credit, two years' proof of dependable income and have no greater than a 43% debt to income ratio. Entitled "Mutual Self-Help", this mortgage program, if implemented locally, would be administered through Habitat for Humanity in Helena. Applicants must have the ability to commit to thirty hours per week for twelve months to actively participate in the building of the home. This commitment may be shared with other family members and volunteers. According to Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, Jacob Kuntz, "Mutual Self-Help" is the embodiment of the American dream; the concept that if families put in the effort they can achieve stability and long-term growth through hard work. Through the program, families come together to help build each other's homes under the supervision of a qualified professional builder. Homes are required to meet all architectural standards and covenants of the community in which they are built, meet or exceed energy star ratings, and adhere to all building codes. In addition, each family is required to take budgeting classes, the first-time home buyer course and be proficient in home maintenance and repairs. The average mortgage amount with the program, which has already helped families achieve the American dream of home ownership in Great Falls and Whitehall, is $120-$160,000 and requires a second mortgage to repay the down-payment required to qualify for the mortgage. Additional information is available by contacting Helena Area Habitat for Humanity at 406-449-4663 or by visiting www.helenahabitat.org.
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On Topic:
MUST DO'S BEFORE BUYING A HOME
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Bankrate.com, a website devoted to lending rate comparison and mortgage options, advises potential buyers what they need to do in preparation for purchasing a new home. Their six "must do's" include:
- Strengthen your credit score
- Figure out what you can afford
- Save for down payment, closing costs
- Build a healthy savings account
- Get preapproved for a mortgage
- Buy a house you like
Finding a house you like sounds easy but what about the first five steps? If you have a credit score of 700 or more you're probably in great shape. Even a 600 may work, but you'll most likely pay higher interest rates and fees and need a bigger down payment. Improve your chances of the best possible rates by pulling your credit score before applying for a loan to be sure there are no paid or settled debts showing up. And according to John Ulzheimer, a nationally-recognized credit expert, stop applying for new credit a year before you plan to buy and keep the moratorium in place until after you close.
So how do you figure out what you can afford? Susan Tiffany, a retired director for the Credit Union National Association, recommends trying on the financial obligation long before signing the mortgage papers. This can be accomplished by calculating the mortgage payment for a house in your intended price range along with increased expenses such as taxes, insurance and utilities and banking the difference between what you are paying now and what you expect to pay. If you can make the adjustment, you're probably in good shape to look in the price range. If not, it provides an opportunity to figure out what might work within your budget.
By saving ahead of time for the down payment and closing costs you'll be in a much more favorable position when purchasing your home. You'll have more loan options, lower mortgage payments and you'll start out with equity in your new home; a great buffer in the event of fluctuations in the housing market. On the other hand, building your savings is something you should do over and above saving money for the down payment and closing. Your lender wants to see that you're not living paycheck to paycheck. If you have 3 to 5 months' worth of mortgage payments set aside, that makes you a much better loan candidate.
For serious home shoppers, "the No. 1 thing is they better have everything in order," says Dick Gaylord, former president of the National Association of Realtors. That means that, before the real home shopping begins, you want to get financing in place. If you think you're in a position to buy a house, make an appointment with a loan officer or mortgage specialist at your favorite lending institution to see what you need to pre-qualify for a loan. Once you determine what you can afford, build up your savings and get pre-qualified, you'll be ready to go when you find the home you want.
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Benefits and Updates:
MOUNTAIN VIEW MEADOWS
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1. ANNUAL HOA MEETINGS: Both the Single-Family HOA and the Townhome Condos HOA held their annual meetings in February. If you missed your HOA meeting, be sure to check your email this week for meeting minutes and the budget. There are still opportunities to add your name to a volunteer list or be considered for an interim position on the Supervisory Committee or to fill an open officer position until the next election. If interested, contact your HOA at [email protected].
2. SAFE SIDEWALKS: Please remind your children to use sidewalks and the Fun & Fitness Trail when walking home from the school bus stop. Let's keep our streets for wheeled vehicles and take advantage of our safe pedestrian walkways.
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New Homes F
or Sale:
PLANS TO BUILD AND BUILD TO SUIT
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A choice of new homes to meet your lifestyle and budget are ready for move-in at Mountain View Meadows with more under construction. Visit our Information & Sales Office at 431 S. Alice Street to tour our right-now homes, view plans to build and check out lot maps. Have your own plan? Give us a call at 406-449-0800 to arrange a meeting. The availability of new homes and lots is subject to change so check back often. Below is a listing of some of the new homes ready for move-in or currently under construction.
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Antelope Trace at Mountain View Meadows
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2781 Favor Loop: The Big Sandy. 1903 Sq. Ft. makes this spacious 3BD/2BA single-story home exceptionally desirable at $299,900. Dry wall ready to hang in the huge great room featuring a fireplace and vaulted ceiling. This beautiful plan features a large master suite with a big walk-in closet, soft-close cabinet doors, granite countertops, concrete porches front and back and plenty of special touches by builder Weatherall Construction. Stop by the MVM office at 431 S. Alice St. or contact David Torgerson, Versant Real Estate Group, at 406-459-8565 for a personal walk-through of this beautiful new home currently under construction. MLS#297073.
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2785 Favor Loop: The Sun.
Construction plans in the works for this brand new 1872 S.F. 3BD/2BA single-level home. The open floor plan will wow you with space and livability. The Sun features a fireplace, pantry, double doors leading into the flex room off the great room, a master suite with separate tub and shower, a concrete front porch with craftsman design elements and a covered rear deck. Call 406.449-0800 to lay your claim to this new home while there is still time to choose flooring and colors.
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491 Twilight - Rear deck going in on a brand new walk-out home on Twilight. Known for their rustic natural finishes, this 3BD/2BA home well under construction by family owned and operated Grewett Construction will wrap you in style and comfort. With over 3,000 square feet you'll have ample space to add 2 more bedrooms, a bath and a large recreation room downstairs while enjoying single-level living on the main floor. Call 449-0800 for additional information.
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Craftsman Village at Mountain View Meadows
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| The Town Hall Main Floor |
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| The Town Hall Upper Floor |
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2793 Alexis Avenue:
The Town Hall. A classic craftsman floorplan featuring three bedrooms and a loft space. On the main level you'll enjoy a large open great room plus an office nook, dining room, and a powder room for your guests. There's plenty of room for entertainment downstairs while the kids watch TV upstairs. Pull up a rocker on your full front porch and enjoy the park directly across the street and the unobstructed mountain views. 3BD/2.5BA, 1914 Sq. Ft. Call 406.449-0800 for pricing information.
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493 S. Alice St. - 1812 Sq. Ft. Condo for only $219.900! Interest rates may rise so don't get caught down in the dumps for missing out on this great deal on a 3BD/2.5BA condo featuring an upstairs loft, granite countertops, an attached 2-car garage and an inviting front porch. Enjoy care-free exterior maintenance and low monthly condo fees. Stop by the Mountain View Meadows Information & Sales Center for a private tour. MLS#294204.
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2805 Alexis: The Barrister. Be the first to lay claim to this elegant 1808 Sq. Ft. 3BD/3BA home located directly across from Mountain View Park. You'll enjoy laminate flooring, soft-close drawers and cabinets, granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, arched entryways and the attention to detail you've come to expect from Sierra Custom Homes. An additional bedroom or den/office option on the main floor provides that extra private space for you or your guests. Call Dawn Purvis, Century 21, at 406-439-6380 for additional information. $279,900. MLS#297137.
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531, 533, & 535 Alice Street: A brand new condo building just beginning construction! Three condo units available; two 1235 S.F. single-story plans with 200 S.F. covered outdoor living space and a 1521 S.F. two-story featuring tons of closet space and a huge master suite. Each condo features soft close cabinets, laminate flooring and stainless appliances. The single-story condos include granite countertops and tiled master baths. Plan your next move into one of these fabulous new condos while you still have time to choose interior paint and cabinets. Call 406-449-0800 for additional information.
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Aspen Park at Mountain View Meadows
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NEW UPSCALE HOME PLAN in final development with construction to begin next month. Home will feature 2460 S.F. of single story living with an additional 280 S.F. finished bonus room above the garage. Vaulted living space, a corner fireplace, a huge pantry, an oversized garage, stone and timber exterior features and a covered front porch entry are just a few of the many amenities that set this home apart. Drop into the Information & Sales Center at 431 S. Alice St. to check out the preliminary plan and start dreaming about your new home now.
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On February 21 the Single-Family HOA held its annual meeting at the VFW hall in East Helena. Two days later, the Townhome Condo HOA, held its meeting at the MVM Information Center on Alice St. Not only do the meetings allow HOA officers and members of the Supervisory Committees to update homeowners on the business of running and managing an HOA and the covenants that help protect home values at Mountain View Meadows, but it also provides an opportunity for all residents to share ideas. Thank you to the officers and members of the Supervisory Committee for your time and service to your neighbors, but also thank you to the residents who came out on a cold winter evening to provide input, feedback and ideas to make their neighborhoods the best in Helena. Although we didn't get photos of everyone who participated, all agreed one of the best parts of meeting was getting to know one another.
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Listening intently as neighbors express ideas
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A small but enthusiastic crowd
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Jay & Taylor Lopez
Have been enjoying their cozy new Garden Home this winter season.
Nancy Mayer
Is getting settled into her home and will enjoy views of the park from her front porch this spring.
James Opie
Is the proud new owner of a Townhome Condo by Sierra Custom homes.
Chad Marmon
Recently moved into a beautiful Carriage Home by Weatherall Builders.
Congratulations!
And Welcome to the Neighborhood!
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Fun & Fitness:
Sledding Fun
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Visitors of the Price Family out for a "sledding" stroll
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It's been a cold and snowy winter with below-freezing temperatures often prohibiting families from spending much time outside. Before the rest of the snow melts, and as temperatures begin to rise, remember to have some fun in the snow before it is gone for the season. If you have small children, pulling them around--or letting them pull each other--on sleds along the Fun & Fitness Trail and in Mountain View Park is a great way for them to get the sensory experience of snow! The visitors to Mountain View Meadows pictured above were enjoying some quality family time outside, getting exercise and making memories!
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We took a little break from the cold during January and slipped back into Helena in time to catch plenty of ice and snow. Thanks to Brittani Bergtoll, our exceptionally personable and capable sales office manager, and Kris Baker, who has held the position of construction foreman the past two years, things in the office went along quite smoothly in our absence. Of course, there is a price to pay for being away so we hit the road running as soon as we landed. Along with developing two new single-story condo building plans, a new 2600 Sq. Ft. single-story plan for the Aspen Park neighborhood and meeting with builders, buyers and engineers, we needed to focus on preparing for the annual HOA meetings. We met with the Single-Family HOA officers to set an agenda, prepare financial reports and develop a budget for the upcoming year. Brittani and the HOA officers who volunteer their time to serve their members worked tirelessly to get everything in order for the meeting and were exceptionally well prepared when the big day came. It was a small but appreciative turn out with residents thanking the officers and the Supervisory Committee for their hard work and commitment to looking out for their best interests. There were lots of positive comments about snow removal, the new pocket park and our commitment to making Mountain View Meadows the best community in the Helena area. Mark led off the meeting with his favorite engineer joke which HOA president Dave Gates took in stride, laughing along with the punch line as the butt of the joke. The Townhome Condo HOA meeting held two days later was very productive with ideas shared on how to be a better neighbor and how to solve problems when issues arise. We'd like to once again thank those who have stepped forward to take a leadership role in the HOA and to all those who took the time to attend the annual meetings and express their thoughts and ideas. We look forward to continuing to build a great relationship for the benefit of all residents as the community grows.
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Shields Concrete smooths out concrete in the driveway on a new home under construction on Favor Loop in Antelope Trace.
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