Time to Winterize Your Home

It’s still warm enough to work in the yard, but not for too much longer!  Here is a helpful list of things you may want to do before winter arrives . . . 

Test run your heating system, before you will need it.  Take care of any maintenance, such as replacing the air filer.  Consider hiring a professional to inspect your heating system.  It is a good idea to check and clean vents and exhausts too.  

Test or replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.  

If you have a fireplace, it’s time to clear obstructions from the chimney.  In case an animal has made a nest, be certain that the material is thoroughly removed.  Check the damper and chimney draft.  Have the chimney cleaned and repair any open mortar joints.

We have some pretty cold winters here in Montana.  Insulate exposed water pipes.  Turn off outdoor faucets from their main water supply inside the house and drain the excess at the exterior.  Flush and winterize your sprinkler system.  

I like to remove the screens to clean the outside (and inside) of my windows one more time, before the snow flies.  

Once all of the leaves have fallen, clean out the gutters and downspouts to limit ice buildup.  

While you are up there, sneak a peak at the roof and make sure there aren’t any loose or missing shingles, etc.  

You may also need to tend your garden, flower bed, prune hedges and trees before they lay dormant for a long winter’s nap.  

The cool dry days of autumn are a great time to seal or stain wooden decks.  

Put away patio furniture.

Drain the gas from your lawn mower and prepare your snowplow / blower so that it is ready for operation.  

Am I forgetting anything?  Let me know what you do to prepare your home for winter. 

I will be sharing tips on how to make your home more heat efficient next week, stay tuned.

#homeinmontana #winterizemyhome #realestateagent #bozemanrealestateexperts #jhersh

Happy Presidents’ Day

“The origin of Presidents’ Day lies in the 1880s, when the birthday of Washington—commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and the first president of the United States—was first celebrated as a federal holiday. In 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill, which moved a number of federal holidays to Mondays . . . “ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Presidents-Day

#bozemanrealestateexperts #presidentsdayhistory #jhersh #realtorbozemanmt

Happy Valentine’s Day

Love is in the air! Focus on your future and fall in love with a home. Who is purchasing a home this year?

#bozemanrealestateexperts #buyahomebozemanmt #sellmyhousebozemanmt #realtor #realestateagentbozemanmt

Recipe of the Month

Since it’s the month of love, nothing says “I love you” more than some sweet, delicious, and cute thumbprint cookies! Best of all, they don’t take a lot of effort but taste like you slaved away in the kitchen. 

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
 ½ tsp. Baking powder
 2 tbs. Almond milk
 ½ tsp. Salt
 ¾ cup margarine, softened
 ½ cup sugar, or sweetener of your choice
 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
 ⅓ cup assorted jams for the filling
 Optional: Powdered sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F/177 C and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour and salt together. Set aside.
3. Add softened margarine, sugar, vanilla extract, and almond milk to another bowl and mix.
4. Slowly add in the flour/salt mix and combine until a dough is formed. Be careful not to over-mix.
5. Scoop out a half tablespoons worth of dough and roll into a smooth ball. Place all dough balls about 1 ½ inch apart.
6. Make the indent by using your finger (the “thumbprint” mark). Fill each indent with jam, but be careful not to overfill.
7. Bake for about 13-15 minutes or until barely lightly golden.
8. Remove from the oven and let them cool for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Optional: Dust with powdered sugar.

(Recipe adapted from veganhuggs.com)

#bozemanrealestateexperts #valentinecookierecipe #jhersh #sellmyhousebozemanmt #buyahomebozemanmt #realestateagentbozemanmt

What is “Title”

 Definition time! Today’s lexicon is “title.” According to FindLaw©, “title” describes the person who has legal ownership and the legal right to use a piece of property. If someone has a defective title, it can lead to obstacles, such as difficulty establishing ownership of a property or difficulty exercising the rights of said property. Have more questions about title? Give Jenny a call today, 406-570-5869.

#bozemanrealestateexperts #jhersh #titlecompany #hometitle #deed #realtorbozemanmt #titlequestions

Happy Groundhog Day

“The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. It was the brainchild of local newspaper editor Clymer Freas . . .” https://www.history.com/news/groundhog-day-history-and-facts

#bozemanrealestateexperts #jhersh #groundhogdayhistory #realtorbozemanmt #realestateagentbozemanmt

Dream Vacation Home

Time for a fun post!!! If you could have a second home ANYWHERE in the world, where would it be? What does it look like? I want to know . . .

My dream vacation home would be in Italy. I have spent two summers in Italy and LOVE the people, food, wine, architecture, language, weather . . . I would enjoy visiting there again some day. If I had a villa, well then.

Let me hear about your dreams.

Ready for Something New

Do you find yourself coming home every day, wishing you had just a little bit more space to kick up your feet and relax? What’s holding you back from calling your real estate agent to find the right place for you? Call or text #JennyHershberger today, 406-570-5869.

#bozemanrealestateexperts #bozemanrealtor #jhersh #buyahome #sellmyhouse #whatsmyhouseworth

Favorite Winter Recipe?

Winter is here. What is your favorite winter recipe; that warms you up instantly?

#bozemanrealestateexperts #jhersh #bozemanrealtor #winterrecipe #comfortfood

Inventory is Down & Sales are Up

Our Gallatin County, Montana #housingmarket continues to favor sellers. Single family home inventory decreased by 66.6% in November. Meanwhile, there was a 39.1% increase in closed sales!

According to DaveRamsey.com, the main reason why we are having a #sellersmarket is because of low mortgage interest rates. Before 2020, mortgage rates for the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped down  to 2.69%, which is the lowest it’s been in over 7 years.

This has created fierce competition among sellers because of low inventory  and increased demand from buyers. And so sellers have a great opportunity right now to negotiate and get the price they want for their homes.

Are you curious to know what your house is worth? Call or text Jenny today to find out, 406-570-5869. #bozemanrealestateexperts #jhersh #sellmyhouse #whatsmyhouseworth