Come Home to Better! Mountain View Meadows: Fall 2021

Fall 2021

Believe in Better:

BETTER HALLOWEEN DAYS

After nearly all Halloween activities were cancelled last year due to COVID, most are up and running once again ready to delightfully haunt businesses, schools and neighborhoods. Downtown Helena’s “Little Tykes Trick or Treat” will kick off the holiday festivities on Friday, October 29th from 1-5 PM as businesses throughout downtown prepare to hand out treats. Since most schools have Friday Halloween dress-up, organizers encourage parents to bring their little ones straight from school. It’s a great opportunity to treat the kids while supporting local businesses. Candy Jam is back for 2021 on Friday from 6-9 PM. Held inside the 36,000 SF exhibit hall at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds, Candy Jam is a free community event sponsored by Capstone Church with food, bounce houses, carnival games and tons of candy! Exploration Works will hold a Spooky Optical Illusion tinkerlab at 12:30 PM on Oct. 30 free to members and to the public with paid admission. But that’s not all! There is still time to enter the Exploration Works virtual Halloween costume contest! Post a photo of yourself, your family or you and your friends on Facebook or Instagram and tag it with @ExporationWorks and you’ll be entered to win a $250 ExWorks gift card. Mountain View Meadows will host its second -- sure to become annual -- Haunted Park Trick ‘r Treat starting at 5:30 PM on Sunday, Oct. 31 in the Pergola Park at the corner of Stacia and South Alice St. Enter “If You Dare” off the paved Fun & Fitness Trail where you’ll be greeted by both fun and frightful creatures. The Haunted Park features two great photo op locations including in front of the friendly ghost family and on the pergola swing behind a giant spider web. As you walk the lighted path through the park, kids can pick up a COVID-safer pre-filled bag of treats donated by Mountain View Meadows residents. The event, sponsored by Mountain View Meadows, LLC, the Mountain View Meadows HOA and Sierra Custom Homes, is free and open to the public. Treats will be handed out until 8:00 PM. but the park will remain lit till 9.

Building a Better Community:

LAST CHANCE NEW PLAY FEST

Building a better arts community: that’s what all arts organizations hope to accomplish with their programming. Every group has at its core a fundamental strength but overall their activities work in unison to enhance the quality of life for all residents in and around Helena. COVID has put quite a damper on live performance so it is exciting to see the 8th annual Last Chance New Play Fest go live on stage Nov. 5-14 at the new Helena Ave. Theatre (HAT) located at 1319 Helena Ave. The Last Chance New Play Fest celebrates original works by regional playwrights and performance artists. With its audience talk-back sessions, audience favorites and online surveys, it allows the public to engage in the creative process to assist in the development of new theatrical works. The anchor event in the Fest, the Montana Short Cuts, will feature seven short plays on the theme Anti/Social. And for the first time the Fest will include original poetry readings by local published poets and a film play by Ross Peter Nelson. “When Nana Hit the Glass” a one act play by Mountain View Meadows’ Director of Design, Rebecca Ryland, will make its Helena premiere after opening last year at the Center for the Arts in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Rebecca invites everyone to come out and support the Fest which was forced virtual last year by the pandemic. Tickets can be purchased at the door starting 30 minutes before each performance: $15 for admission to a single performance and $30 for a Fest Pass, which provides admittance to any and all performances. Passes may also be purchased in advance at the Mountain View Meadows Office located at 431 S. Alice St. Audience members are requested to wear a mask and seating may be limited so come early! For additional information and performance schedules visit experimentaltheatrecoop.org. The 2021 Last Chance New Play Fest is sponsored by NorthWestern Energy, Opportunity Bank of Montana and Mountain View Meadows, LLC and is supported in part by a grant from the Montana Arts Council.

On Topic:

SHOULD YOU WAIT OUT A HOT HOUSING MARKET?

Posted October 22 on finance.yahoo.com, financial freelance writer Jordan Rosenfeld lays out the pros and cons of purchasing a home in the current housing market. With just a temporary downturn in the market at the beginning of the pandemic, the market rebounded robustly, hotter than ever. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median home price in August was $356,700, up 14.9% from August of 2020. The inventory of unsold homes dropped 1.5% to 1.29 million from July to August, which is equivalent to a 2.6 months sales pace.

“This heat is largely because inventory for sale dropped by 40% since the pandemic started and never quite came back to normal levels,” says Bill Samuel, a real estate investor with Blue Ladder Development. “Demand only slowed down for a couple of months during the quarantine period, and then came back to normal. However, supply hasn’t quite caught up, meaning there are more buyers than sellers.

Feeling pressured to buy when houses are getting snapped up around you? Jordan says it doesn’t mean you should jump in. And it doesn’t mean you should wait it out. She offers insight from a number of experts weighing in on the pros and cons to help you make a sound decision that’s right for you.

Don’t Let FOMO Drive You

“Just because everyone is buying a house, doesn’t mean you should be too,” says Donald Olhausen Jr., owner of We Buy Houses in San Diego. “I have seen many people force bad decisions because they have fear of missing out (FOMO). Being patient in this market is hard, but overpaying for a faulty property will ultimately lead to more regret.”

There Are Markets Within Markets

There is not one universal housing market, but rather “many smaller micro-markets,” says Michael Shapot, Esq., licensed associate real estate broker, pointing out that some of those submarkets are subject to change weekly or monthly. Getting to know your local market will help you withstand any market changes if you don’t have to move in a specific time frame.

Rents Are Sky High

If not buying means renting, consider that “the current rental market is on fire with rents skyrocketing and landlord incentives eliminated,” adds Shapot. Renting will not be a cheaper option in the long run.

Early 2022 May Be a Better Time to Buy

Marina Vaamonde, the founder of PropertyCashin, says this market may not be as hot as it looks. “The demand for residential real estate is still vastly overshadowing the inventory,” she says. “However, we are beginning to see some figures start to level a little, such as the median listing price for September.” She recommends waiting until the first quarter of 2022 to buy, although demand will still be relatively high.

However, Interest Rates Are Very Low

On the other hand, now is the time to take advantage of the super-low interest rates. “There have been very few times in history when we’ve seen 30-year fixed mortgage rates hovering around 3.3% and 15-year mortgage rates slightly above 2.6%,” says David Friedman, CEO of investment property platform Knox Financial. “The Federal Reserve has also indicated that they plan to continually increase rates over the next four years,” adds Andy Kolodgie, owner of Cash Home Buyers Georgia. “The con of waiting to buy is interest rates are low right now making the monthly cost of owning a home today -- even with the increase in prices -- similar to 18 months ago.”

No One Can Predict the Next Drop

There is no crystal ball. Khari Washington, a broker and owner of 1st United Realty & Mortgage warns, “No one knows if the housing market will drop and when it will drop. Most reports talk about the market slowing but not falling. Builders have not built enough housing and interest rates remain low,“ says Washington. The right time to buy is when a person is ready.”

Don’t Wait for a Better Price

Waiting can be a gamble, says Jeff Shipwash, CEO of Shipwash Properties LLC. “You could be waiting to purchase with the thought of prices coming down, but…even if home prices do pull back some…if rates increase it will all be for nothing.”

This Market Is Stable

Unlike the unstable market leading up to the economic crash of 2008, this market is stable, says Jennifer Shannon, a broker associate with Keller Williams Realty. “This market run-up hasn’t been driven by investors, flippers, and bad mortgages. It’s been driven by legitimate buyers who are more free to determine where they live than ever.” While demand will start to slow eventually, she says there are no indicators of prices going down anytime soon.

Most experts agree that buying in a stable market with historically low interest rates may be worth considering. But the bottom line remains, only you know when you’re ready.

Benefits and Updates:

MOUNTAIN VIEW MEADOWS

1. HALLOWEEN TRICK ‘R TREAT: With the relaxation of pandemic restrictions, many of you may opt to once again open your doors to the boils and ghouls this Halloween. For those who want to pass out treats, please remember to use the universal sign of leaving your front porch light on to welcome them in. However, if you are still leery while COVID continues its siege on our community, it’s not too late to donate candy to be passed out on Halloween night at the 2nd annual Haunted Park located at the corner of Stacia and S. Alice St. Donations may be dropped off at the MVM office, 431 S. Alice St.

2. FALL/HALLOWEEN DECORATING CONTEST: Mountain View Meadows, LLC will once again sponsor the annual Fall/Halloween Decorating Contest. The contest is intended to encourage a sense of community spirit during this fun holiday season. Cash prizes are awarded for Best Halloween Decorations, Best Fall Seasonal Decorations and Best decorated condo front porch. Be sure to keep your decorations and lights on from dusk till 9 PM starting this Friday for judging. Thank you!

3. PRUNING BOULEVARD TREES: If you want to prune in fall, wait until trees drop their leaves and are dormant--usually October or November. The Helena City arborist suggests consulting with a tree arborist before pruning. The HOA may consider providing pruning services at street corners if trees are obstructing vision at intersections. If you live on a corner, please consult with the MVM office before pruning.

4. RV’S OFF STREETS: By covenants, all RV’s must be removed from streets no later than Oct. 1. However, it has been decided to adjust the CC&Rs to reflect Helena City ordinances that require all RV’s to be removed from the street by Oct. 31. Therefore waivers were given owners to allow this additional time to remove their RV’s but it is expected that all boats, campers, trailers, 4-wheelers and the like are off the street by Sunday.

New Homes For Sale:

Plans to Build and Build to Suit

A choice of new homes to meet your lifestyle and budget are ready for move-in at Mountain View Meadows with more under construction. MVM now has a number of home sites that are eligible for 0% down loans. 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. Realtors are always welcome. 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.

The Uplands at Mountain View Meadows

2644 Summers Crossing: "The Getaway". You say you want room? Well, this 3BD/2.5BA plan has it! With nearly 2500 SF, including the unfinished basement, this new home provides the getaway space for everyone in your household. The main floor features a vaulted great room with a breakfast bar between the kitchen and dining area plus a half-bath, pantry and large laundry room with cabinets and a sink. Upstairs you’ll find two bedrooms for family and guests, two linen closets and a full bath along with the owners’ suite that features a vaulted ceiling, large walk-in closet, walk-in tiled shower and double vanity. The unfinished basement provides usable space now with the opportunity to finish out a bedroom, 4th bath and family room. But that’s not all! There is a covered outdoor living space behind the kitchen on the main floor and a second deck off the basement plus an oversized 2-car garage and a covered front porch for a total of four additional get-away spots! Make an appointment today to take a private tour of this home well-under construction while there is still time to choose interior and exterior paint colors. Call 406-431-7680. $469,900.

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2632 Summers Crossing: "The Bannock". A unique layout in this 2-story 3BD/2.5BA home provides you with privacy and comfort upstairs while maintaining a welcoming living space with a half bath for guests down. An eat-in kitchen opens onto a covered deck so you can enjoy meals outside when the weather’s nice. The kitchen features soft-close cabinets, granite counter-tops and stainless-steel appliances. A large owners’ suite with a private bath and walk-in closet, along with 2 bedrooms, a 3rd bath and a huge laundry room finish out the upstairs. Situated on a large lot you’ll find plenty of additional outside space for play and entertainment next to a small pocket park. But if you just want to bask in the warmth of the sun, you’ll find yourself spending most of your time relaxing on your covered south-facing front porch. This 1551 SF home priced at $369,900 won’t last long, so stop by the office at 431 S. Alice Street to find out how you can make it your own or call 431-7680 for additional details.

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2656 Summers Crossing: "THE TETON". Awesome 1830 S.F. 2-story home with 3 beds, 2.5 baths and an upstairs TV room. The Owner's suite features both a walk-in tiled shower and separate soaking tub, double vanity, a big walk-in closet and vaulted ceiling. The front porch entry allows you to greet visitors before entering the main open living area while the owner's entry off the 2-car garage provides adequate space to add a bench and park your shoes. The plan includes a large kitchen island, walk-in pantry and concrete patio off sliding glass doors at the rear of the home. Sign a buy-sell now while there is still time to select exterior colors and start planning what to do with all that room. Call 406-431-7680 for additional information.

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330 Rian Street: "THE ELK PARK". One gorgeous home! With over 2000 finished square feet, you’ll pamper yourself with upscale amenities including separate soaking tub and tiled walk-in shower, two walk-in closets in the primary bedroom suite, central air and a fireplace in the vaulted great room. Your kitchen features quartz countertops, a kitchen island, pantry cabinet and soft-close cabinets. Enjoy your morning coffee on your inviting front porch or relax on your covered rear patio off the dining nook. Need a getaway spot? The bonus room with two huge closets provide the privacy you need or the perfect place to set up your home office. Hurry in while there is still time to choose exterior paint colors! Price is subject to change so call about the Elk Park today and lock it in at $429,900.

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317 Donna Street: Sierra Custom Homes always at their best! Check out the new 1769 S.F. 3BD/2BA single story home underway in The Uplands neighborhood. You’ll love the views from your front porch! Inside get ready to live in style and comfort with all the upscale features that you expect from a Sierra Custom Home. For additional information contact Dawn Purvis at 406-439-6380.

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366 Titus Street: You want room? This new home has it! Need an awesome home office space or private work-out room? This home has it! Want to snuggle up next to your fireplace or entertain in your spacious open great room? Well, then, you’ll want to give Dawn a call right now! This Sierra Custom Home under construction won’t last long. For additional information call 406-439-6380.

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2663 Upland Avenue: 1977 S.F. Sierra Custom Home Going Up! Check out the 3-bay tandem garage on this exceptional floorplan featuring 3 bedrooms, an office, huge walk-in closets, a walk-in pantry and all the bells and whistles you’ve come to expect from a Sierra Custom Home. Upland Ave. boasts awesome front porch views with tons of back yard privacy. Call 406-449-3301 today for details.

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Condos at Mountain View Meadows

2894 & 2896 Vista View Avenue: 1255 SF Vista View Condos under construction. This new single-level 2BD/2BA floorplan features a vaulted great room, kitchen peninsula and walk-in pantry, owners’ suite with double vanity, tiled shower and walk-in closet, and storage space off the attached 2-car garage. A 12’ x 14’ covered outdoor living space provides plenty of room for lounging, planters and hosting a BBQ. Drop by the office at 431 S. Alice St. for a tour of the location and find out how you can own your own home for only $329,900.

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2960 & 2962 Aspen View Loop: 1285 S.F. ASPEN VIEW CONDOS. Front porch views, an attached 2-car garage and a covered outdoor living space highlight this single-level 2BD/2BA Weatherall built condo, the first of four just underway along Alpine View across from the Aspen Park neighborhood. The owner’s suite features a vaulted ceiling, walk-in closet, tiled walk-in shower, double vanity and private water closet. A raised breakfast bar separates the kitchen from the vaulted great room. Soft-close cabinets, stainless-steel kitchen appliances and pantry provide the chef in your home a comfortable space to prepare meals. For additional info, stop by the Info & Sales office at 431 S. Alice St. or call Rebecca at 406-431-7680.

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Craftsman Village at Mountain View Meadows

Craftsman North Front Garage Lots: New front-load building lots in Craftsman North. Check out the views! Reserving lots now for home construction beginning now. What plan will you choose? Stop by the Mountain View Meadows office at 431 S. Alice Street for details or call 406-431-7680.

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Craftsman North Walk-Out Lots: New walk-out building lots in Craftsman North. Unobstructed mountain views! It’s time to plan your move to Mountain View Meadows with a home design that fits your style on the lot of your choice. But call now before someone else reserves the one you want! 406-431-7680.

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Craftsman North Rear Garage Lots: New rear-load building lots in Craftsman North. Located in the Craftsman Village neighborhood, the new building lots are located to the north of Mountain View Park. Pick up a lot availability map at the Mountain View Meadows office located at 431 S. Alice Street and Danielle will show you a wide array of classic craftsman home plans to get you started. For additional information call 406-461-9748.

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Aspen Park at Mountain View Meadows

ASPEN PARK: Now is the time to take a drive through beautiful Aspen Park at Mountain View Meadows to see for yourself if this upscale neighborhood is right for you. Homes in Aspen Park typically range from 2,000 SF to 5,000 SF with custom details inside and out. Stop by the office at 431 S. Alice Street to discuss the lots and your ideas. We're here to assist you in whatever way possible to ensure a smooth and rewarding experience. Contact Mark at 406-449-0800 or email info@mvmeadows.com for additional information.

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Visit our website

The Best in Our

Neighborhood:

Community Spirit!

From volunteering to dress-up the haunted park to donning costumes to pass out treats, donating candy or filling treat bags, this group of community-minded people get the award for the best community spirit this Halloween. The list is long, but each and every person is well-worth mentioning. The kids who benefit from your time and generosity may not yet recognize the value you bring to our community, but your neighbors do. Thank you to each and every one of you! And if we missed your name, please accept our apologies in advance, but know you are very much appreciated! Recognized this month for “Best in Our Neighborhood” are Peg Holwick, Felicia & Mike Head, Mary-Evelyn Lawrence, Shannon, Steve & Michael Heim, Kathy and Ellen Bischoff, Michael & Freddi Haab-Fiedler, Wendy Nicolai, Judy Kolar, Mary Ann Dunwell, Kathie Hrnjak, Traci Prog, The Fromknechts, Nancy Mayer, Ralph Higgins, Carol Taylor, Joanne Polyasko, Bill Langford, Tiffany Keys, Sue Rice, Sharon Gray, Jennie Nemec, and a gentleman in the U.S. Navy gear that we didn’t catch his name. Thank you again!

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Judy Griffith

Is thrilled with her lovely single-level Vista View condo by Weatherall Builders.

Dagny Cannon

Is enjoying the magnificent mountain views from her beautiful condo.

Jocelyn Doyle

Is so excited to be moved and settled into her wonderful Weatherall built home.

Madison King & Parker Love

Are in the process of making their brand new Sierra house a home in The Uplands neighborhood.

Cindy Steinmetz

Just closed on her beautiful single-level condo in

Craftsman Village.

Lucinda Shelden

Can't wait to pick up the keys to her stunning Weatherall condo.

Congratulations! And Welcome

to the Neighborhood!

Fun & Fitness

Roller Blades?

Well, yeah. There is still time this fall to try on a pair of inline skates and reap the benefits of this fun, family-friendly exercise. Stronger muscles and better coordination work together to prevent injuries and keep you active and limber as you age. Roller blading is great for improving balance, agility and coordination since you must maintain a steady core to stay upright.

By eliminating the foot strike on every stride, Rollerblading is generally safer on your joints than running. In fact, rollerblading provides about 50 percent less impact to the joints when compared to running, according to the University of Massachusetts.

Rollerblading has been considered by researchers as a great aerobic exercise. It helps in improving heart rate and controlling insulin levels. Further, it is an effective strength training exercise. It strengthens your muscles, bones, and heart.

Roller blading is fun. But it can also help you burn calories. For your rollerblading workouts to be effective in helping you burn calories and thus lose weight, each session should last at least 30 minutes. The calories expended during Rollerblading depend on your weight, since larger people burn more calories than smaller people doing the same activity. Another factor to take into account is how vigorously you skate. A gentle cruise over flat pavement burns fewer calories than quickly rollerblading up a hill.

So, if rollerblading improves balance, strengthens the lower body and core muscles, improves coordination and burns calories, why haven’t you tried this effective full body exercise? Trying anything new can be a scary proposition, especially considering no one likes the idea of skinning shins on hard pavement or worse yet, suffering a broken arm or ankle. But you might find it’s worth taking the risk for all the fun and benefits of this relatively easy-to-learn sport. Just be sure to wear a helmet and protective gear to stay safe on the blacktop and above all else, learn how to stop!

From

Mark & Rebecca

A Room

With A View

Although the recent stretch of cloudy days hampers our ability to prove it through photos, Mark and I haven’t helped but marvel at the stunning views from some of the new homes and condos for sale or coming soon for sale at Mountain View Meadows. Take a walk along any street, a run down the Fun & Fitness Trail or a time-out to relax on a bench in any of the parks and you can’t help but marvel at the views. But having a view from your own home, well, that’s the icing on the cake! And even a little view makes a huge difference. Some of you may have met Annalee Venneri this summer when she took on the role of Communications Coordinator for the HOA. Annalee fell in love with Mountain View Meadows and decided to build her first home here. Before it got started, a home under construction came unexpectedly available and she jumped right on it as her “dream home.” On the first of her many sneak peeks during construction, she immediately saw a sliver of the Sleeping Giant clearly visible between the two condos located behind the home. She called right away to share the great news! The iconic Sleeping Giant is by all means the most sought-after view from any home and a number of lots in the new Craftsman North area of Craftsman Village have unobstructed views of this iconic landmark. That’s not to say that the views from some of the new Vista View condos and the up-and-coming Aspen View Condos aren’t just as dramatic with their views of the Big Belts and Elkhorn Mountains. Of course, like Big Timber Loop in Aspen Park, the view lots get snapped up first, so anyone hoping for an unobstructed view should jump in quickly and stake their claim. But a view from any room, even a sliver, can be exciting. Just ask Annalee.