Montana market
Helena
Lewis and Clark County
A state capital, which means stable employment and a housing market that does not swing much. The median is $439,661, up 3.5 percent, and homes move in 49 days, the fastest days-on-market figure on this list. Historic housing stock downtown and acreage in the valley are the two ends of this market.
The snapshot
The numbers, with the date on them.
- Median sale price
- $439,661+3.5% year over yearRedfin, June 2026
- Days on market
- 49Redfin, June 2026
- Homes sold
- 101+22.1% year over yearRedfin, June 2026
2026 baseline conforming limit $832,750, high-cost ceiling $1,249,125 (FHFA, 2026). Above your county limit the loan becomes a jumbo, which is priced and underwritten differently. Ask us your county number.
What financing looks like here
The programs that actually fit Helena.
Conventional
The default here. The median sits far under the conforming limit and state employment documents cleanly.
FHA and VA
The most reachable paths for a first purchase, with VA carrying a steady share given the state and Guard population.
Montana Housing
Below-market bond programs and buyer assistance for first-time buyers within the county limits.
Renovation and land financing
Renovation financing for the historic stock, and land and acreage lending for the Helena Valley.
What trips people up here
The local problems, named.
Historic homes
Age, knob-and-tube wiring, original plumbing, foundation and insurability all show up in appraisal and in the payment. Renovation financing exists and almost nobody offers it here.
Helena Valley acreage
Wells and septic documentation, plus access, on the valley parcels.
State employee income
Easy to document, which makes speed the advantage. Use it.
Wildfire insurance
In the canyon and foothill areas, insurability and premium should be priced before closing.
Where we lend here
Areas we cover.
- Historic Downtown and the Mansion District
- West Side
- Helena Valley
- East Helena
- Montana City
- Clancy and Jefferson City
- Lincoln and the Canyon
Two pieces worth reading with this one: how Montana's tiered property tax rates hit your payment and the homestead reduced rate and the deadline new buyers miss. Both matter in a county where assessed values have moved.
Start
Get the Helena number that applies to you.
Published figures describe a market. They do not describe your file. Send us the address and the price and we will tell you which programs will actually close it.
Opens our secure application at bisonteam.floify.com. About 12 minutes.
Calls our Montana team. A person answers, not a call center.