Three new listings hit the Helena market this week, and together they paint a picture of a local real estate market where the floor keeps rising. A newly built home on Lowe Court listed at $825,000 — that's $763 per square foot, a figure that would have been nearly unimaginable here a decade ago. A second new construction on Lone Chief Loop came in at $619,900 for 1,588 square feet, the most 'accessible' of the week's listings but still firmly above median range. And a historic South Rodney Street duplex built in 1887 listed at $549,000, offering multi-family income potential for buyers who can stomach the price. An Arabian Road home at $925,000 rounded out the week's market activity. What's the pattern? New construction is no longer the budget option — it's driving prices upward across the board, and older stock is following. For residents wondering why Helena feels less affordable than it did a few years ago, the listings this week offer a concrete answer. The city's growth, its government stability, and its quality of life are attracting buyers willing to pay West Coast-adjacent prices for a Mountain West address.