The 2025 Housing Issue
New inventory adds flexibility to the housing market; owners of second homes and short-term rentals to feel the squeeze of Montana's new property tax hikes; plus, Market Metrics and Financial Corner
By BEACON STAFF
The Flathead’s Frozen Real Estate Market Begins to Thaw
A rise in inventory is bringing some more flexibility to the housing market, but pricey homes and high mortgage rates continue to pose barriers for many buyers
By Maggie Dresser
As the nationwide housing market remains frozen, experts in the Flathead Valley say that northwest Montana is starting to thaw as inventory expands and prospective homebuyers grow tired of waiting for high mortgage rates to drop.
In a market where high home prices persist and mortgage rates hover around 6.8%, there is still little movement in Kalispell where the median sales price was $562,500 in May 2025, a value that has not significantly changed since last year.
Read the rest of the story here.
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Who Will Feel the Squeeze of Montana’s New Property Tax Code?
Those who own second homes or short-term rentals to be most impacted by projected tax hikes
By Mariah Thomas
Bill Leininger has seen the housing market go up and down over the course of his 30-year career as a Flathead County realtor.
Since 2020, it’s been up — way up.
Read the rest of the story here.
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This Month’s Market Metrics
Gas Prices (June 27)
California (highest) – $4.50/gal | Mississippi(lowest) – $2.70/gal | Montana – $3.27/gal
Glacier Park International Airport Passenger Stats (May)
Departures 2025 33,414 | 2024 29,182 Arrivals 2025 37,207 | 2024 33,541
Unemployment Rates (May)
U.S. 4.2% | Montana 2.7% | Flathead County 2.8%
Flathead County Residential Sales (May)
2025 156 | 2024 140 | 2023 147 | 2022 179
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Financial Corner: Work Toward Your Own Financial Independence Day
Your first step is to define what financial independence signifies to you
We’re getting close to the Fourth of July, our national Independence Day. This celebration may get you thinking of the many freedoms you enjoy. But have you thought of what you might need to do to attain financial freedom?