As cooler nights move into the valley, one can feel it; fall is in the air. Some welcome the change as they look towards hunting season and the return of MSU students.

Others lament how fast the summer went. Fall is a great time of the year for homeowners to take care of maintenance items in preparation for winter.  Whether they’re staying put or planning on moving, fall is a great time to get the house in order.

Start by taking a walk around the house, looking for tree branches and shrubs that can be trimmed back. The extra weight of snow can cause tree branches to droop and damage the siding and roof. Also, examine windows and doors to ensure the caulking is in good shape. Repairing caulking is a great way to prevent moisture intrusion and also prevent heat loss.

Make sure garden hoses are drained, disconnected, and stored for winter. If you own a rental property, remind your tenants to disconnect any exterior garden hoses to prevent hose bibs from freezing.

Cleaning debris and leaves out of the gutters is important to give melting snow a clear path off the roof and to prevent ice dams. Also ensure that downspout extensions are in place to push the water out and away from the foundation.  

Prep garage items by winterizing any small gas engines like lawn mowers and weed eaters. Paint and other similar items should also be brought indoors to prevent freezing.

Be prepared to heat your home by having furnaces and boilers serviced, cleaned, and ready to go. Its amazing how many home inspections reveal furnace filters that haven’t been changed in years. With a little time on a weekend, you can have your home ready for the coming winter.   

As usual, I have included the latest Real Estate statistics. The Real Estate market has stayed busy through the summer as prices have continued upwards. Since the first of the year, 689 homes have sold in Bozeman, slightly outpacing last year’s numbers. The median sold price is up to $449,900, up 12.8% from this time last year when it was $399,000. In addition to the homes sold in the first 8 months of 2018, another 170 home sales are currently pending or under contract.

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 Big Sky Country MLS, and does not include private party sales, Condominiums, or Townhouses.