Real Estate in the Bitterroot Valley

We get it — You want to move to Montana

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Real Estate in the Bitterroot Valley

Referred to by many as the ‘Banana Belt of Montana’, the Bitterroot Valley is a special place to live.

This breathtaking valley offers a tranquil lifestyle and a wide variety of real estate options for those seeking to call the Bitterroot Valley home.

Whether you’re looking for a cabin in the woods, a Montana ranch property, a riverfront retreat, or a charming home in a small town neighborhood, you’ll find something that fits the bill in this 90-mile-long river valley.

Here’s our collection of information and articles about real estate in the Bitterroot Valley.

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Bitterroot Valley Real Estate Basics

The real estate market in the Bitterroot Valley is a bit complex for a population of only 50,000 people.

Seven communities are located in the valley, and each one offers their own unique real estate opportunities.

A diverse variety of homes are found throughout the valley, ranging from large, estate style homes and lodges, to original homesteads from the late 1800’s.

It’s not uncommon to find a new $2 million log home on the same road as a 50 year old 1 bedroom cabin.

Most homes have a unique look and feel. You’ll find few cookie cutter neighborhoods in the Bitterroot Valley.

Outside of our towns, many Bitterroot Valley properties include acreage from 1 to 20 acres, with some properties much larger in size with hundreds of acres.

Views from west of Hamilton looking east / Bitterroot Info

Riverfront homes are found along the entire length of the Bitterroot River and it’s tributaries, and the foothills of the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountains feature homes surrounded by nature with incredible views.

Location matters in a valley this size. It takes over an hour to drive the length of the Bitterroot Valley.

Some prefer the north valley with convenient access to Missoula and its International airport, while others prefer the south valley with great access to unlimited outdoor recreation.

Hamilton is located in the geographic center of the valley, and hosts the largest population in the valley.

Home prices have been rising for several years, with average home prices now well over $500,000 in most areas.

Homes usually sell within 3 to 6 months, with some areas moving a little faster than that.

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Bitterroot Valley Real Estate Market Reports

The most common questions in real estate are about market conditions and prices.

Buyers and sellers both need access to accurate market information to make good decisions.

Bitterroot Info is pleased to provide current market reports for each of the Bitterroot Valley’s communities.

Our Bitterroot Valley real estate market reports are updated on a weekly basis, and provide 3 years of data.

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Bitterroot Valley Real Estate Listings on National Platforms

If you’re looking for a head start in your home search, here’s a few links to real estate listings in the Bitterroot Valley on popular national platforms.

These link to listings in Ravalli County, which doesn’t quite cover the entire Bitterroot valley, so zoom out just a bit.

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Bitterroot Valley Real Estate Listings on the MLS

Here’s a link to the BVBOR FlexMLS system hosted by the Bitterroot Valley Board of Realtors.

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Bitterroot Valley Real Estate Listings by Community

Here’s some links to real estate listings in the Bitterroot Valley by Community on the Realtor.com platform.

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Bitterroot Valley Real Estate Tips

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Start With the Community

The Bitterroot Valley covers a large geographic area with several distinctly different communities.

Population, location, weather, employment opportunities, and schools all vary throughout each of these communities.

Spend enough time in each community to get a feel for its lifestyle and amenities, then target homes in the most appealing area.

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Choose a Type of Property

The Bitterroot Valley offers traditional neighborhood homes in town, farm land, ranch land, riverfront properties, and forested properties.

The lifestyle of each property type is completely different, and property upkeep and risks should be considered.

A forested 20 acre property along a creek may involve just a little more work than most people realize.

Finding the right property in the Bitterroot Valley can be simplified if you narrow your search by property type.

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Learn About Water Rights

If you are used to a municipality providing water to your home, you’ll find things are quite different for most homes in the Bitterroot Valley.

The vast majority of homes in the area get drinking water from private wells, and many properties with acreage have multiple irrigation wells with multiple water rights.

Water rights can be complicated and a source of frustration for new property owners in the Bitterroot Valley.

Be sure to work with your Realtor or a water rights professional to make sure you fully understand your rights.

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Cabin Living in the West Fork / Bitterroot Info

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Research Zoning

As with water rights, zoning is much different in the Bitterroot Valley than in many cities and larger communities.

There are generally less zoning restrictions in the Bitterroot Valley, and in some cases, there are few restrictions on property use and development.

This could be good news or bad news depending on your plans, but fully understanding zoning, or the lack thereof, is well worth the time invested.

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Embrace the Bitterroot Lifestyle

Most new residents in the Bitterroot Valley choose the area because of its scenic beauty, laid back lifestyle, low-density living, and friendly nature.

It’s why we all live here. Things move a little slower in the Bitterroot, and we like it that way.

If you choose to relocate to the Bitterroot Valley, be sure to embrace the Bitterroot lifestyle.

It may take a little getting used to, but it’s well worth it when you do.

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