Back To School and Relocating
The week of Montana Fair brings hundreds of families to Billings. Besides the fair, parents are spending an average of $659 per elementary student and $957 for a middle schooler for back to school items. These items can include school supplies, lunch bags, clothes and shoes. In addition to school supplies, good schools are a major consideration when people are looking to relocate.
A recent study found that 29% of buyers looks for good schools and 22% of buyers look to proximity to schools when purchasing. Nationwide zip Codes with at least one good school have an estimated home value of $427,402 while homes in zip codes without good schools have an average of $241,096, according to HousingWire. A good school is defined as a school with an overall test score of at least 30% above the state average. Check out www.greatschools.org
Besides good schools, parents are looking for proximity to schools. Billings just recently redrew the school lines for School District. You can view the new districts at http://www.croppermap.com/billings/ Upon the completion of the two junior highs, the school changes will occur. Be sure to check the maps if you are concerned about the school boundaries.
In addition to good schools and proximity to a schools, parents are looking for that extra bathroom or bedroom. Move up families may be looking for one more bath to help with the morning rush. One mother told me she was tired of taking her shower at 5 AM in order to get everyone to jobs and school. When looking to make upgrades for home value, look to adding more bedrooms and baths. Adding an egress window in the basement bedroom will cost you approx. $2600 but is well worth the costs when you go to sell. Adding an additional half bath or shower in the basement will add value and faster home sale down the road.
