Travis A Martinez, Real Estate Consultant

There are many articles and opinions about improvements on a property and whether you can recoup the cost at closing.  many of these are based on national averages and many are for specific location.  All of them seem to include Kitchens and bathrooms.  One recent article is a very good synopsis of how to improve property values by ...

The short answer is NO! In today's issue of the Ravalli Republic there is an ad by the local Windermere real estate company that states "Windermere is the only western Montana Real Estate company associated with www.trulia.com" This concerned me.  Through Point 2 Agent (a great web hosting site for ...

Here are the Bitterroot Building Industry Association's Tour of Homes Results: Peoples ChoiceSkalkaho Bend by Pigman BuildersHidden Valley Hideaway by Riversong BuildersThe Sierra by Silver Mountain BuildersProfessional Judging Results Best of Show Award LuxurySkalkaho Bend by Pigman BuildersHidden Valley Hideaway by Riversong ...

As many of you may be aware, the President signed the Housing Stimulus Package last week.  What does this mean for you? Well if you are a first time homebuyer this could mean that you get a $7,500 tax credit.  If you are a FHA buyer this increases your loan limits.  If you are in Foreclosure this new law could provide for some ...

As college approaches parents everywhere are making preparations for sending their kids off to the big scary world of higher education.  Many decisions must be made before college starts in September.  What major will I have?Will I have a job?How do I make friends?Where will I live?Much much more........I want to address just one of ...

In an effort to give my clients the best marketing service for their home I have stumbled upon the newest thing in home marketing.  VIDEO TOURS.  Rather than a panoramic still photo that we use as a virtual tour (View an Example Here), this is like using a camcorder to do a walk through of the house.  This gives more of a first ...

Check out this blog post from our Office Blog at http://greatermontanagmac.wordpress.comGreater Montana GMAC Real Estate announced today that it has achieved a 97% percent customer satisfaction rating for 2007, according to an independent national research firm.     Through its Premier Service program, buyers and ...

When I go to list a home or a piece of property for sale I give my client a window that I recommend that they list their property at, for example $435,000 - $450,000.  Of course I fully expect that most of them list in the upper proportion of my window.  I would do the same thing in their shoes and expect that the home would ...

In an effort to advertise better then my competition I have a new strategy that I am looking for feedback on.  I have a few listings and have developed a good relationship with my clients.  I would offer an incentive if they would put a window sticker that said "My property listed by Travis Martinez."   They would ...

Whether you have your home listed or you are a FSBO the showing is the most important part of the home selling process.  I am getting ready to take some clients out to look at homes so I don't have a lot of time to post but here is a quick tip that might come in handy.  Put a couple of drops of vanilla in a preheated oven.  ...