Resources you can trust.

There are so many things you need to know about Montana real estate.

It simply isn't like other places, so it is extremely important to be represented by a knowledgeable real estate professional.

That being said, here are some helpful resources to start the process and help you understand some basics when purchasing in Montana.

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Address Assignment/Road Name Petition

Use the GIS Department to assign a new address to a parcel of land that does not have an address, or to petition a road name change.

Watch this video for 4 things you need to know about addresses.

City of Hamilton

City of Hamilton Planning & Zoning Map

Clerk & Recorder's Office

Utilize this department if you want to research records in the plat room regarding liens, deeds, mortgages, marriage, birth, death certificates, homestead declarations, etc.

County Maintained Roads

Want to know if a particular road is county maintained? Utilize the road and bridge department website and click on the left tab "County Maintained Roads."

Fire District Information

Look up which fire district your property is in by address here.

Flood Plain Information

Look up the property by address to figure out if it is in the floodplain.

Environmental Health

Utilize this department if you have questions about an existing septic system, or if you're trying to gain information about septic permits in Ravalli County (outside city limits).

Homestead Exemptions

Protect the investment you've made in your primary residence in Montana. A homestead declaration is a legal document designed to protect up to $350,000 of value in your home against most creditor’s claims in times of financial hardship. For more information, read my blog post about homestead exemptions in Ravalli County.

Property Tax Search

Look up property tax information.

School District Information

Look up the property by address to determine school district.

Surveyor's Grab Bag

Use this site to see any surveys that may have been recorded or associated with the property you are researching.

Voting Precincts

Find out where to vote here.

Weed District

Have questions about noxious weeds? The Ravalli County Weed District is your place to go. They have an extensive list noxious weeds in the state of Montana.

Montana Cadastral

A great site to look up property information, including who owns the parcel(s). This application allows the public to view the cadastral data and provides a basic research tool to find information about public and private property in Montana.
You can search by county + owner name, geo code, tax assessment number, certificate of survey, property address, and subdivision.

OnX

If you have a smart phone, a helpful application to use on your phone when walking properties is OnX. It is primarily a hunting application, but it is extremely useful when walking properties in real time to determine your location and whether or not you are located on the parcel you are interested in.

Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC) - Water Right Query System

An excellent resource to look up information about water rights a property may or may not have.

Montana's Ground Water Information Center (GWIC)

Go here if you're trying to locate a well log.

Water Rights FAQs

Check out frequently asked questions about Montana water rights here.

Bitterroot Water Partnership

Stream flow and irrigation resources, courtesy of the Bitterroot Water Partnership.

There are so many questions to be aware of when investigating a property to buy (or even sell). Investing in land is a big decision, and knowing the ins and outs can make all the difference. From zoning regulations to potential development opportunities, the details matter! That's why having an experienced real estate professional by your side is key. 🔑

As skilled real estate agents Montana, we often make the task of investigation look fairly simple, but it’s important to realize there are several complexities to navigate during the process. Have questions? Feel free to contact us.

Here’s a brief look at some important questions to be aware of when researching a property.

Water

Does the property have city water or a private well?
If there is a well, is there a recorded well log? What about a recorded domestic right with DNRC?
Are there water rights or water shares off ditches, streams, or creeks?

Septic/Sewer

Is there a private septic system, or is the property serviced by city sewer?
If there is a private septic system, is it conforming or non-conforming? Is there a filed permit with the county? Do you have a copy of the permit from RCEH?

Plat/Survey

What does the plat look like? Are there any easements?
Are the corner pins / property boundaries marked?
Where are your ingress/egress location(s)?
Is the property located with direct access off a county road? If yes, is there a valid approach permit?
If it's off a private road, is there a valid Road Maintenance Agreement (RMA) in place?