Get Your Home Fall Ready

The calendar now says October so that means cozy sweaters, stylish boots and pumpkin yummies. It also means so much needs to be done outside your home to get it ready for the upcoming winter. This week evening temperatures may dip down to the low 20's here in Missoula, that's cold. Here is a To-Do list of what needs to be done before the snow arrives. *Make sure your hoses are removed from all the outside spickets, believe me when I tell you this can save you a homeowners insurance claim. *Have your sprinklers blown out, as this prevents pipes from freezing and ruining your sprinkler system. *Clean out your gutters and remove leaves and other debris as this can clog up and keep water in there which will eventually go under your shingles and cause water damage. *Rake up the leaves as dead leaves sitting on your grass all winter may kill the grass. *Caulk cracks in wood base windows and other entry points to help seal in the heat for this winter. *Trim trees and bushes as heavy snow and ice can cause them to crash into your home if they are not taken care of now. *Don't forget to add some cornstalks, hay bales, pumpkins and other fall items to spruce up your outside.

What SUP?

What SUP? Say that fast and you may get "not much" as a response as it sounds like what's up? What's up is the Clark Fork River will be hosting Missoula's first competitive paddleboard race July 21st. The Windermere SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) cup is a fundraiser for Missoula's river projects. The paddlers will race 5.3 miles downriver of the Clark Fork starting at the Sha-Ron fishing access all the way to Riverside Park area. It is open to elite and recreational paddlers. And will end with a Montana luau in Caras Park. Registration started last week and costs $80 for Elite and $50 for recreational racers before July 2nd. After then the fees go up to $100 and $70 for late registrars (July 3rd-July 20th). Register at supcupmt.com. Proceeds will benefit the Clark Fork River rehabilitation projects, including Brennan's Wave and watershed education. A $5,000 prize purse will be shared equally among the elite men and women’s divisions, and the recreational division will compete for trophies, prizes and laughter!

Keeping Up With the Joneses

Summertime is usually a time when you start thinking of outside chores. If this is the summer you plan to paint the outside of your home here are some hints and ideas to help you pick what's best to complement your home's style, curb appeal and your neighborhood! *Go outside your home and take a looksie around. Write down all the colors you see surrounding your home - green bushes, brown roof, red brick - you get the idea. You will want a color that will complement what you already have going on. *If your home receives lots of sunlight it is suggested that you choose a lighter color to paint as the sun will bleach out a darker color. Also, smaller homes look bigger and better with light colors, darker make them seem smaller. *I always drive around town and take notes of the homes I like and their color combos. *Don't forget about accent colors! You can add a lot with a little color around windows or painting the door. Happy Painting!

5 Easy Steps to Not Make Mom Mad

It's Earth week and what better time to remind you of a few easy steps you can easily do to help keep old Mother Earth happy and to make a better world for the next generation. Here are 5 easy steps to follow: #1. Must have your caffeine fix every day? Make sure if you are purchasing the fix that you are bringing your own travel mug. Most coffee shops paper cups are not recycable! #2. WALK. Walking is so much better for our environment and helps you feel a little better too. It's a win-win. #3. Buy local - you help local folks and it cuts down on fuel and shipping costs. #4. Read online. Reading the paper online reduces the land fills! and #5. Unplug - unplugging your appliances saves energy. Did you know if something is plugged in and even if it is turned off it is still draining power and electricity? May cut down your monthly bill as well. Come on. You know the old saying, if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Let's be happy.

Can you afford a home?

Real Estate Market Is Back!

Real Estate Is Back – 2013 ActiveRain Survey

Home ReSource - What a resource!

You've heard the name but have you actually been to Home ReSource or actually know what they do?  I had the pleasure of visiting there a few weeks back in need of a door. Didn't want to spend a lot of money so I thought I would check them out.

Wow! What an amazing place! It is a building materials re-use center and this place has everything from screws, a box tile or a full kitchen remodel. And can you save some bank! If you have a project that you are getting ready to start I would highly recommend visiting them at 1515 Wyoming before you get too deep and see what they have to offer for you next project/remodel.

Here are a few facts about Home ReSource -


     *Rates are competitive
     *If you donate materials you can receive a tax deduction
     *Saves about 95% of the energy that would be used to produce the same materials new
     *Helps people of all income levels improve their homes and neighborhoods
     *Did you know that lumber from earlier decades is more dense, drier and even stronger then     recent lumber? Even with nail holes!
     *They also work with local agencies to train men and women who have barriers to employment and teach them skills and get them into level entry positions.


Check them out :  http://www.homeresource.org/