10 Trends Affecting Kalispell Montana Real Estate Going Into 2022

Montana is culturally known as the type of place that songs like Home on the Range were written about. It's a place where cowboys roam, where nature is untouched, and where you can find solitude. 

That's because Montana's population barely pushes 1 million people. For context, King County—a Washington State county that contains Seattle, one of the largest West Coast cities—has a population of over 2 million people. 

With all the room to roam that your heart desires, Kalispell Montana real estate is a great investment. This is especially true now that Montana is experiencing an unprecedented land grab. 

From the Flathead Valley to Glacier National Park, Montana is the new place to be. Historically, coastal cities experienced population spikes. 

Due to COVID and the rise of remote work, people are realizing they don't have to be chained to their urban commute. They're moving to rural areas with less pollution, traffic, annoying neighbors, and high rental prices. 

Real estate in Montana is historically quite cheap. But with some startling trends affecting Kalispell Montana real estate going into 2022, things are changing. We've assembled a guide to help you make the most of your next move!

1. People Are Willing to Unplug 

In the past, there have been some major detriments to moving to Montana. This is particularly true if you're used to a fast-paced, plugged-in life from cities like New York or San Francisco. 

There's not as much of that in Montana. It's hard to fly out anywhere because of the lack of airports. Broadband Internet is a luxury in many places. And come winter, many people hunker down until spring. 

Of course, Kalispell is a major hub in Montana, particularly as a shopping center for those who come in from more rural areas. But historically, all of the above factors deterred people from moving to Montana.

That has drastically changed. The amount of closings has almost tripled in the area, which means that whether people are looking for a rental property or to own a home, they aren't afraid of a slower-paced lifestyle.

2. Demographics Will Change 

As remote work gains hold and people are realizing there's no need to pay urban rent, people from everywhere are migrating to Montana. 

From places like Florida, New York City, and even the Midwest, people are moving to Montana. It's not just the cheaper rent. It's the year-round access to outdoor activities, the ability to try new hobbies like hunting or skiing, and so much more. 

3. Reasons for Moving Change

Most realtors report that the biggest influx is coming from Montana's neighboring coastal states. Washington, Oregon, and California are losing numbers to Montana. 

For some people, it's a political move. All of those states are famously liberal, and some people prefer living in a more conservative environment. 

For others, it's about their health—the chance of catching the delta variant in a rural Montana home is far less than a crowded San Francisco apartment.

4. Montana Will Change 

Montana will likely stay the same for many decades to come—wild and untamed if you go to the right places. But places always adapt to population, and Montana will be no different. 

A prime example is a realtor discussing Thompson Falls. As a tiny town with a population that barely pushes the 1,400 mark, it's a town that has never even needed a stoplight. 

While this slow-paced, rural feel will drive some people mad, it's exactly what others are looking for. When transplants initially move to Montana, they typically go for larger cities like Missoula or Kalispell.

Instead, this realtor says that even tiny Thompson Falls is seeing something of a boom during this Montana land grab. Turns out they might need to put in a stoplight after all!

5. Short-Term Rentals Will Increase 

With gorgeous places like Yellowstone and Glacier Park, people have been visiting Montana as tourists for decades. From campers to hunters and skiers, there's always something to do in Montana.

However, some people simply can't move to Montana. They may want to but have family, personal, or professional responsibilities in their current location. 

So, they want to experience a little taste of Montana in a short-term rental. With a little real-estate savvy, you can provide that for them!

6. The Economy Will Improve 

Montana's economy has always been different than that of its neighboring states. Washington has its' tech hubs, Idaho has its' potato industry, and so forth. 

Montana wasn't as hard hit as other states with the COVID pandemic. But with so many people moving in, many with high-paying remote jobs, the economy will pick up speed because they have money to spend. 

Real estate is a game of supply and demand. Since people will be able to afford more, prices will likely go up.

7. Buying Times Will Shrink 

Real estate hasn't always been a helter-skelter game in Montana. Now, though, it takes about two months to sell a home. The average time it takes to sell a home has dropped by about 38 days. 

The old saying is that fortune favors the bold. While this is true, it also favors the decisive when it comes to Kalispell Montana real estate.

8. Prices Will Increase 

If you look at a map of Montana real estate, you'll see that home prices are still quite low in far-flung places, such as the corner where the borders of Canada, North Dakota, and Montana all meet up. 

But in more popular places, such as Kalispell and Missoula, prices are spiking quickly. It's a seller's market right now, which makes Montana real estate a fantastic investment in your future.

9. The Number of New Homes Will Increase 

That's the thing about a land grab—people won't just be buying homes. They are buying empty lots. 

As people start building their own homes from scratch, there will be more available on the market. When they sell those homes, newer homes will likely flood the market as time goes on. 

10. The Construction Industry Will Shape Real Estate 

The construction industry is languid in many parts of the United States. With this predicted spike in new homes, despite the increased cost of resources and the labor shortage, experts predict a resurgence in construction for those in Montana.

Kalispell Montana Real Estate is Booming

There's no doubting that Kalispell Montana real estate is a Wild West these days. But there's no better place to live than Montana, which makes it a fantastic investment whether you're interested in moving there or in developing some rental properties.

If you're interested in finding your new home in Kalispell, contact us today! We'd be happy to help.