All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.


Walt Disney


Dear Friends and Clients,


As summer starts the slow wave goodbye, there’s still so much happening in our wonderful little community!


Did you catch the Arts Festival the first weekend of August? It was a vibrant celebration of creativity, with local artists, live music, and mouth-watering food. If you missed it, be sure to mark your calendar for next year—it’s a must-attend event!


As an avid reader, I'm also very excited about the opening of our new library! It’s nothing short of spectacular! With a collection that promises to keep our minds sharp and our imaginations soaring, it’s the perfect addition to our community.


Don’t miss the last performances of the Bigfork Playhouse’s summer season! The shows have been magical, and it’s been a joy to sponsor this fantastic local gem. Grab your tickets and enjoy a memorable evening with family and friends before the curtain falls on this season.


Our Monday Markets will also start their wrap up, (by Labor Day). They have been a huge hit this summer, showcasing local vendors, delicious treats, and a lively community atmosphere. I’m proud to sponsor this fantastic weekly event that brings us all together. Swing by for the last summer markets and support our local entrepreneurs!


I hope you’ve had your fill of sunshine, lake days, and backyard BBQs. This guy in Glacier Park looks like he'd be happy for some more...Thanks John Malison for the photo!!


On the Real Estate front, July saw home prices take their first dip in quite some time. It’s a promising sign for potential buyers and a great time to consider making a move. On top of that, there’s chatter about a possible rate cut, which could make your dream home even more affordable.


And we’ve certainly had a whirlwind of new listings hitting the market...they’re moving faster than ever and I’m thrilled to report that many of our brand new listing are already under contract, thanks to our fantastic buyers and a bit of hard work on our end!


Whether you're looking to sell, buy, or just explore the market, now is a fantastic time to start the conversation. Contact me today to take advantage of the current market trends. I’m here to make the process smooth and enjoyable, guiding you every step of the way. I’ll also collaborate closely with buyers’ agents following the new NAR guidelines to ensure transparency and ease. With my expertise in the local real estate scene, I'm dedicated to selling your property or finding your ideal home and making the journey as friendly as possible. Let's work together to sell your home or find your perfect place!


Looking forward to connecting with you soon!


Warmly,

Denise

The Bigfork Chamber of Commerce has a couple of fun activities on the calendar! Check out these 2 great events hosted by the VFW to support local student scholarships.

Activities Around the  Flathead
What's Happening in Bigfork

Below are early August statistics for Flathead & Lake counties with a click to Quarter 2 Market Reports:

LOCAL READS

Flathead County opens new library in Bigfork


"It's a place for people to come together and meet each other, read books, have story times, adult learning and children learning. It's just going to be a great place for the community to come together and learn" comments the Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee, Albert Logan, about the new library that Bigfork is thrilled to have!

15 Slang words Only People from Montana Know


Alright, Big Sky Country enthusiasts and rugged mountain roamers, it’s time to saddle up and explore the unique slang that makes Montana so wonderfully wild and free! Grab your cowboy hat and a steaming cup of campfire coffee, because we’re about to uncover 15 terms that only true Montanans will understand. Let’s ride!

Flathead Lake Biological Station Celebrates 125 Years of Monitoring the Health of Flathead Lake


“125 years....I just think it's amazing that Dr. Elrod was able to establish the bio station when he did and that we've been able to continue growing and helping Montana and doing research all over the world since then. It's pretty amazing legacy,” said Rachel Malison who is an Assistant Research Professor at FLBS.


I am thrilled and proud to announce that you all have voted Saketome Sushi the #1 Sushi Restaurant & top two for the Best Fish and Seafood Restaurant in the Flathead Valley!

Congratulations Saketome!🤩🥳

NEWSY READS

Federal Reserve Keeps Interest Rates Steady - But Signals First Cut in 4 Years Could Come in September


Home Prices Fell in July for the First Time - This Is Good News for Buyers as the 'Market Is Healing'


6 Absorbing facts About August

-In Honor of Our 8th Month

DIGITAL RESOURCES

2024 LIVE Montana is now on the stands! The link to the digital version is included below and you can pick up a physical copy at your office.

Our Digital Listing Catalogue is also a great option. Bookmark the link above so you can keep on eye on what's been recently listed and sold

ACTIVE LISTINGS

TESTIMONIAL


In the Summer of 2007, I built my home on the Flathead River to fulfill my promise to Mom to create the "place" for family to gather - hence, my 7bedroom, 51/2 baths, docked and decked "Lodge" was born. In the Summer of 2022, after 15 years of fun, engagements, weddings, birthdays and vacations, the time had come for me to downsize and sell my beloved Lodge. The problem was my daughter and her family and my dog and myself still lived in it and staging it for sale was out of the question. It was not the perfect setting for sale. Nevertheless, I hired Denise Lang to get me through this difficult task in front of us. Fires and smoke didn't help the situation. By the end of the year we shut the process down for the Winter. While Denise worked her tail off to attract the right buyer, she was also honest about the reality of the marketplace. So many prospective buyers visited despite the fact that they had no idea what they were looking at. The Lodge was not the home for the older couple looking to retire or a young family with two kids. We needed the right buyer. Still, Denise persevered. In the Spring of last year, we adjusted the price per reality in the marketplace. Denise never blew smoke up you know where. Then the Lake level dropped precipitously and buyers disappeared. Still, Denise persevered. Even I grew concerned. The best decision I made though was to stick with Denise. In May of this year we received an offer for full price, and in the 21 day "under contract" period, Denise found me the perfect home to downsize in to. That's right! All within 3 weeks. By July 1, I was out of my Lodge and into my new home. All the obstacles and headaches of buying, selling and moving were smoothed out by Denise. The two year process was not fun and at times frustrating. But I'm here to tell you that Mrs. Lang was and is the real deal. I thank her and my lucky stars. 

-R Casey

JUST LISTED

5095 Highway 2 W, Columbia Falls

MLS #30031804 $650,000

JUST LISTED

Orvis Evans Drive Unit #3. Bigfork

MLS #30030379 $598,800

JUST LISTED

15705 Swan Sign Lane, Bigfork

MLS #30031561 $1,100,000

PRICE IMPROVEMENT

1066 Lake Pointe Drive, Bigfork

MLS #30023788 $249,635

PRICE IMPROVEMENT

196 High Road, Kalispell

MLS #30023086 $3,425,000

PRICE IMPROVEMENT

441 2nd Street W, Kalispell

MLS #30027345 $798,800

UNDER CONTRACT

333 Chief Cliff Trail, Bigfork

MLS #30031424 $500,000

UNDER CONTRACT

14317 Bug Creek Road, Bigfork

MLS #3003084 $797,750


SOLD

31844 S Ferndale Drive, Bigfork

MLS #30025874


SOLD

740 Wolf Creek Drive, Bigfork

MLS #30028172

SOLD

281 Chapman Hill Road, Bigfork

MLS #30019854



SOLD

115 Saddle Loop, Bigfork

MLS #30022741

CERI'S CORNER: HEALTH ADVICE

-Why Do Dogs Sploot?

Have you ever caught your furry friend in the cutest and quirkiest position like me, with their belly flat against the ground and hind legs stretched out behind them? That’s the famous "sploot" in action! From our perspective, splooting isn’t just an adorable trick—it’s a way to stay cool, stretch, and relax.


For most of us, it’s about comfort. Splooting helps stretch out our spine and relieve tension, as Dr. Jamie Whittenburg explains in this article. It’s like a yoga pose that feels great! Puppies and younger dogs are often more flexible, but older dogs might sploot too, especially if they're feeling extra relaxed.


But wait—what if your dog starts splooting more frequently, or if they’re older and new to this pose? There could be more to it. Sometimes, splooting might hint at joint issues like hip dysplasia or arthritis, especially if it’s accompanied by signs of pain or stiffness. Our if they have an upset stomach like I did last week- it might be bringing relief. Just keep an eye out for any unusual behavior or discomfort, and don’t hesitate to consult your vet if you’re concerned or your pup is splooting more than normal - it’s always good to stay informed about their health.



Here’s to more sploots and tail wags!

DENISE'S COOKING CORNER

- Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs

DENISE'S READING CORNER

- The Paris Library


Montana Native Janet Skeslien Charles took a break from writing in 2010 and 2012 to work part time at the American Library in Paris. The experience inspired the writing of this first novel in the library trilogy, "The Paris Library", which instantly became a New York Times, Washington Post, and USA TODAY bestseller. This prequel to last month's featured book was riveting and is a heartfelt tribute to the vital role of libraries, the magic of books, and the deep human connections we discover through both.



Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet seems to have the perfect life with her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into the city, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.


Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy, never suspecting that a dark secret from the past connects them.





406.249.1758

deniselang1758@gmail.com 

DeniseLangRealEstate.com

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