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Private Notes
Andy Gentry is retiring from the Navy after 20 years, and for the first time he and his wife, Caroline, get to pick where they want to move their family. Currently residing in Portsmouth, Virginia, they are ready to take on a whole new lifestyle with their three school-age boys by leaving city-life behind for the wide-open spaces of Montana. They've settled in on the Bozeman area but are at odds with what type of house to buy and what price to pay. With a budget ranging from $300,000 to $900,000, watch as they consider a house with lots of cowboy touches, another house that combines luxury living with its own trout pond, or a total fixer upper that would need completely redesigned. Can they compromise and find the perfect family home?
Steve and Annie Ricci are leaving the hustle bustle of Seattle, Washington's city life for the great outdoors of Bigfork, Montana. Packed and loaded in an RV, this family's house hunting experience proves just as adventurous as one of their camping trips. With a budget up to $500,000 and the help of realtor Denise Lang, they tour cozy log cabins, sprawling farm land, even lake front property before finally staking their claim.
New York natives James Savas and his dance instructor wife, Beth, and their family are trading their hectic, big city life for a slower, simpler lifestyle in Whitefish, Montana. After living through several disasters including Hurricane Sandy, they're ready for a more self-sustaining life in Montana's wide open spaces. With a budget of $400,000 to $500,000, they're trading their city mace for bear mace and take tours of log cabins, refurbished barns and lakefront houses to find the perfect mountain retreat for their family.
Ever since he was a kid, Jake Liudahl has dreamed of living in Montana. Now that he's opening a second uniform (clothing) shop there, he's finally moving his family from his hometown of Williston, North Dakota to the state capitol of Helena. The family can't wait to ski, kayak, fish and bike in the Rocky Mountains. Their budget of up to $1 million has them looking at converted barns, custom rustic lodges and a few surprising properties in and around Helena. While Jake wants more land and less house, Shawna wants more house and less land. Find out if they can find the perfect compromise.
One ski trip is all it took to get Kevin Chartier hooked on the Montana lifestyle. His wife Jennifer soon joined in his enthusiasm for Big Sky Country, and they knew it would be the perfect place to raise their 2-year-old son, Santiago. Kevin is ditching his suit, and the corporate life in downtown Pittsburg, for his dream job as a ski patroller for the Yellowstone Club. So, Kevin and his family are looking for a new home in nearby Gallatin Gateway, Montana. With a budget between $700,000 and $750,000, the Chartiers are hoping to find a home with easy access to nearby trails, with enough space for a home office for Jennifer, and a big garage for the snowy Montana winters. Finding a house to fit their needs may not be a problem, but will the wildlife right outside their front door be too close for comfort?
Tyler Kirk is bringing his family, wife Maggie and baby Landry, back to his Montana roots, where they can't wait to take advantage of Big Sky Country's great outdoors. They're narrowing their house search to the Missoula area, near Tyler's family, and his new job as a construction manager. Coming from southern California, the Kirks are hoping to get a whole lot of house with their $650,000 budget in Montana. They're looking for a home with lots of land, an open floor plan, and a workshop for Tyler. While local real estate agent, Travis McLean Leitch, finds some amazing houses for Tyler and Maggie, the commute might put a damper in their enthusiasm.
Sacha and Chad Troutwine have a baby on the way, and they're ready to move miles away from the big city of L.A. to raise their new family in Big Sky Country. Luckily, Sacha's cousin Trecie Wheat Hughes is a real estate agent in Montana, so she's guiding them in their search for the perfect family home. Having grown up in Alaska and Missouri, Sacha and Chad developed a love of the outdoors and animals at a young age. In fact, part of their Big Sky dream involves creating an animal sanctuary. So they'll need a property with lots of space for their growing family, human and animal. With a budget of $2.5 - 3.5 million, Sacha and Chad are confident they'll find their dream home in Montana. While every home they visit is chock full of the rustic Montana charm they love, finding a property where they can also house livestock proves to be a bigger challenge than expected.
One ski trip and Andrew Arthur was hooked on the resort town of Big Sky, Montana. So when he met his wife, Christy, during their residency in orthopediac surgery, he knew one day his family would find a place there. Now these orthopedic surgeons are moving from Minnesota to Big Sky, so they can get away from their hectic schedules and spend quality family time with their twins, Callie and Campbell. With a budget of $600,000 to $800,000, they're hoping for something that's ski-in/ski-out, but the further up the mountain, the more expensive the real estate. Will they find something close to the resort or will they be willing to drive to get a bigger place for family and friends? But the one must-have bunkbeds for the kids.
Best friends Melanie Knobel and Trecie Wheat Hughes went their separate ways after high school in Texas: Melanie to New York City and Trecie to gorgeous Livingston, Montana. After the Knobel family spent a dream vacation with Trecie in her new home town, they're pulling up the stakes in Staten Island and putting down roots in Big Sky Country. The Knobel family of five is psyched to get away from the big city crowds to enjoy horseback riding, fishing and other adventures in Montana's wide open spaces. Retired firefighter Tommy Knobel wants lots of space for his East Coast family to visit, while Melanie wants to step out the back door to fish and play. With a budget of $750,000 and since Trecie's also a real estate agent, they'll tour everything from a custom home on a creek and a fixer upper on the Yellowstone River to a piece of land with an amazing view where they can build their dream home. But which one will they choose?
Benjamin Randall is looking to expand his ski business, and what bettar place to do it than in Big Sky country! So he and his girlfriend, Megan Belida, are leaving southern California for a fresh start in southwest Montana. Ben, an avid skier and pilot in training, fell in love with everything Montana, and Megan can't wait to take advantage of Montana's outdoorsy lifestyle, especially Montana's premiere fishing rivers. With a budget of $500,000 to $1,000,000, they're looking for a home with beautiful Montana views, and plenty of space. But while Ben is all about the acreage, Megan wants a kitchen fit for a cook. Will they choose a sprawling Montana property where Ben can put his pilot's license to use, or sacrifice some acreage for a better price?
For Wisconsin natives Wendy and Travis Gavinski, the decision to purchase a second home in Montana meant more snow, outdoor fun, and a perfect place to grow Wendy's burgeoning business in snow gear. And what better place than Montana to test her gear! The Gavinskis also want their kids, Kylie and Max, to experience the outdoors in a way only Montana has to offer. For the Gavinski family, a property with direct access to the outdoors is paramount. They're looking for a log cabin style home big enough for the whole family, with easy access to riding trails, a view of the mountains, and a separate out building to store all of their toys. Travis is into the idea of a fixer-upper or a new build, while Wendy is confident she can make the most out of any property.
City folks Neal and Valarie Andrews are saying bye-bye to Brooklyn, and hello to Bozeman. After visiting Neal's sister in Bozeman, they knew it was the perfect place to raise their two sons, Dax and Emmett, away from the hustle and bustle of New York. So the Andrews are packing up their pint-sized apartment and moving across the country. While Neal, an outdoor enthusiast, is excited to ice climb, hike, and experience everything Montana, Val is a little more apprehensive about the wildlife that surrounds these activities. What they can agree on is their excitement over all of the extra space they'll have in their new Montana home, including finally being able to have a backyard.
Native Montanan Lindsey has convinced her husband, Jim, to sell their condo in downtown Chicago and head west. Now that their son Connor is two, they want to move to a scenic area with plenty of opportunities for fishing, hiking and skiing. With a budget up to $700,000, the family is hoping to find the perfect property that highlights Montana's beauty and charm.
Justin and Megan Murray are trading in the ocean view of Dover, New Hampshire, for their own slice of paradise in Big Sky Country. Megan, a native of Missoula, traded in her cowboy boots and moved out east with Justin. Four years and two children later, Megan and Justin are craving the simplicity and wilderness of Montana. So they're taking their kids, Hazel and Warren, out west to get back to Megan's roots and find the perfect adventure-lover's paradise! With a budget of $700,000, the Murrays are looking for a fixer-upper big enough for the whole family, close to skiing and hiking and on a property with a gorgeous scenic view. In Big Sky Country, there's no shortage of beautiful views.
Kelsey Conrow, a native Californian, is roping in her long-time beau, Kodi Groves, and heading for 'The Treasure State,' aka Big Sky Country. Having recently accepted a position as a registered dietician in Montana, Kelsey is excited to bring Kodi, a native of Wyoming, back to his country roots. Kelsey and Kodi are looking for a house that hits up both of their wish lists; a feat for sure! While Kelsey wants to looks at more luxurious, updated cabins, Kodi wants a remote cabin with tons of land, which also means a long commute for Kelsey. Will they find some middle ground in the hunt for their Montana dream home?
James and Kim are leaving the city life for Montana's great outdoors. While James grew up in Montana, small town living might be a bit of an adjustment for his wife, Kim, a city girl born and bred. James just started a banking job near Missoula, so they're honing in on a home in the Bitter Root Valley, where James can take advantage of the world-class trout streams nearby. James and Kim have a budget of $950,000 to $1.5 million to find their dream, move-in ready home. But while city girl Kim is all about the modern aesthetic, James feels more at home in a rustic Montana cabin. Can they find a home with the right mix of old and new, or will Kim warm up to the rustic charm of a Montana cabin?
Chris and Christy Wiese, along with their kids Gabriel, Skylar, and Madeline, are looking for a change of pace from their lives in southern California, to enjoy the wide-open space of Montana. With the help of their tumbleweed wrangling real estate agent, Annelise Hedahl, they're hoping to find the perfect family home to set down some roots in Big Sky Country. They're targeting towns on the outskirts of Missoula, near Chris' new job working with the U.S. Forest Service. And with a budget of $400,000 to $600,000 they're looking for a home with enough bedrooms for all of their kids, without skimping on the beautiful Montana views. They visit a house with spectacular views all around, but not move in ready for a family of five, a house with lots of land and a stable for horses, but not enough bedrooms, and a house right on the river, but needing some major updates. Which house will they choose?
Newlyweds, Ashley Knight and Kent Evans, are throwing in the towel, packing up their North Dakota digs, and crossing the Montana state border! Wanting to start a family, this outdoorsy couple have their sights set on the quaint little town of Red Lodge. Ashley and Kent are looking for a log cabin on a gorgeous piece of property. They'd love to find a home with a rustic stone fireplace, vaulted ceilings, a 2-car garage, and a decent-sized wraparound porch. Having experienced their first snowy winter in North Dakota, Ashley and Kent also want a home with a proper mud-room. With a budget of $600,000, will they find their Montana dream home, or will they have to sacrifice a few things from their wish list?
