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s summer approaches, Bozeman's real estate market is poised to enter its prime buying season. According to local realtor Tamara Williams, the current market is a delicate balance between buyers and sellers, with leverage shifting in favor of buyers, particularly for homes that have lingered on the market. "Buyers are able to negotiate more aggressively," she notes, resulting in increased seller concessions, such as lower interest rates.

    The median sales price for single-family homes reached a record high of $810,000 last year, but growth slowed to 3%, down from double-digit annual increases between 2020 and 2022. To maximize their sale prices, Williams advises sellers to invest in professional staging and photography, as well as necessary repairs and improvements.

    Turnkey properties are increasingly sought after, with Williams noting that high-quality appliances can make a significant difference in the sale of a home. "A $15,000 appliance package could sell your $800,000 home," she says. Despite increased flexibility for buyers, Bozeman's housing supply remains limited, leading to strong competition and bidding wars for well-maintained listings.

    Williams expects current market conditions to persist through the summer if interest rates remain high, but a drop in rates could lead to a more challenging market for homebuyers. "Bozeman is not a desperate market," she emphasizes, "we still have low inventory."