Buying a Home in Billings? Location Changes More Than You Think

Buying in Billings? Start With Location, Not the House

One of the first things I tell buyers is:

You can change a house. You can't move it.

That's especially important in Billings.

A home on the West End can give you a very different experience than a home in the Heights, Lockwood, the central part of Billings, or closer to downtown.

And the numbers reflect that.

Recent housing data shows meaningful differences between Billings ZIP codes and neighborhoods. Homes in 59106, for example, tend to carry higher values than homes in 59101 or 59102.

That doesn't make one area better than another.

It means your money buys you something different depending on where you look.

Start With How You Actually Live

Before we start worrying about granite countertops, I want to know things like:

• Where do you drive every day?

• How much yard do you want?

• Is a garage important?

• Do you want newer construction or an established neighborhood?

• How important is quick access to shopping and restaurants?

• Would you rather have more house or prioritize a particular location?

Those answers help narrow the search considerably.

Billings Is Growing Differently in Different Directions

This is another reason location deserves some thought.

The City of Billings is actively planning for continued growth and development in areas including the West End and Heights.

That can mean new housing, commercial development, transportation changes and additional amenities over time.

If you're planning to own your next home for years, it's worth understanding not only what an area looks like today, but what may be developing around it.

Don't Buy the Kitchen and Ignore the Location

I've said this before, but it's worth repeating.

Paint can change.

Flooring can change.

A kitchen can be remodeled.

The location can't.

I've seen buyers get excited about a beautiful house and start talking themselves into a location that doesn't really fit them.

I'd rather slow things down.

The goal isn't to find the prettiest house in Billings.

It's to find a home that works for your life, your budget and your long-term goals.

That's where a good real estate decision starts.

If you're considering buying a home in Billings and aren't sure where you should be looking, that's a conversation I'm happy to have.

You tell me what you're trying to accomplish.

I'll help you figure out where to look.

If you are thinking about buying a home go here