Montana Guides
General Resources
These guides work no matter where you live:
Articles for Montana
Alternatives to Hiring a Montana Real Estate Attorney for First-Time Home Buyers
Montana is a title-company state — attorneys aren't required at closing. Here's what first-time buyers actually need instead, and what the title compa…
Priced Out of Bozeman? Best Montana First-Time Home Buyer Guide for Budget-Constrained Buyers
Bozeman median is $702K–$779K. MBOH program caps at $544K. Here's where Montana buyers go instead, and what programs still apply.
Best Montana Home Buying Guide for Out-of-State Remote Workers
Moving to Montana from out of state? Here's what coastal transplants and remote workers consistently miss — no building codes, wildfire insurance risk…
How to Buy a Rural Montana Home with a Well and Septic System
Private wells and septic are standard infrastructure in rural Montana. Here's what first-time buyers need to verify before closing — flow rates, setba…
Montana Board of Housing Loans and Income Limits: The MBOH 80/20 Program Explained
MBOH's 80/20 program pairs a conventional loan with a subordinate loan to eliminate PMI. Income limits run up to $142,800 in Gallatin County. Here's h…
Montana Residential Building Codes: What Applies to Your Home and What Doesn't
Montana state building codes don't apply to most rural homes under 5 units. But electrical and plumbing still require state permits. Here's how the pa…
Montana Buy-Sell Agreement: Every Contingency That Protects You Before You Close
Montana's standard buy-sell agreement sets the rules for your entire purchase. Know the inspection, title, and financing contingency windows before yo…
Montana Closing Costs: What You'll Actually Pay (No Transfer Tax Helps)
Montana has no real estate transfer tax — a genuine advantage at closing. Buyer costs run 1.3%–2.8% for a $400,000 home. Here's every line item with r…
Montana Home Buyer Guide vs. DIY Research: What First-Time Buyers Actually Miss
Comparing a structured Montana-specific home buyer guide vs. piecing info together from Reddit, Google, and free checklists. Here's what DIY consisten…
Montana Homestead Exemption: What It Actually Does (and What It Doesn't)
Montana's homestead exemption doesn't cut your property taxes — it shields up to $350,000 of home equity from creditors. Here's what that means for bu…