As we move into fall, it seems everyone is welcoming the fall precipitation that will hopefully help put an end to our hot, smoky, and dry fire season. A huge thank you goes out to the brave men and women that have been battling the wildfires this summer.  

As the temperatures start to fall, it’s time to look around the house and get things ready for the approaching winter. A few hours on a weekend can help insure that our largest asset weathers the winter well.  

I’ve seen more than one hose bib freeze when people forgot to disconnect their exterior hoses, so make sure to unscrew and drain those. If you own a rental property, it’s a good idea to remind your tenants to do the same. This is also the time of year to winterize underground irrigation systems.  

To help your furnace, boiler, or heating system operate at peak efficiency, schedule regular maintenance and change all the filters. Fireplaces & wood stoves should also be maintained to insure they are operating safely. Having the chimney swept is an inexpensive way to prevent fires.

After the leaves have fallen, getting up and making sure gutters are clear is really important. Also, go ahead and secure those downspout extensions that the kids kicked out of the way. As snow melts, it’s imperative to give the water a clear and easy path out and away from the home.

Replacing worn or missing caulking around windows and doors will help to prevent water intrusion and heat loss. Winterize lawn mowers and other small engines for storage and consider moving any paints to heated storage areas so they’ll last longer. With some of these steps, you can insure your home is ready for the changing seasons.

As usual, I have included data for the number of single family homes sold during the first eight months of 2017. Real Estate pricing continues to tick upwards in Bozeman. The median sold price for a single-family home is now at $399,000, up 6.4% from the first 8 months of 2016 when it was $375,000. In addition to the 677 homes sold during this time period, another 177 homes are currently pending, or under contract, as of the date of writing this article.

The included data reflects sales of homes in the greater Bozeman area, including Four Corners, Gallatin Gateway, Bridger Canyon, and Bozeman city limits. The data includes home sales reported through the local Southwest Montana MLS, and does not include private party sales, Condominiums, or Townhouses.