Home Improvement, Investing in Real Estate, Special Interest

5 Money-Saving Green Updates

Going green is great for the environment, but that’s not the only benefit. When you make green upgrades in your home, it can also lead to some major savings.

  • Solar panels: The upfront cost is big, but the long-term savings are huge. Solar panels will cost several thousand dollars to install, but ongoing maintenance costs are very low, and a typical system could save you hundreds of dollars per year. You can even sell your surplus electricity.
  • Wood furnace: Wood-burning furnaces are relatively inexpensive, and though the yearly savings aren’t as dramatic (about 10% on heating bills), it adds up over the long run.
  • Insulation: There’s a good chance your insulation isn’t very efficient, especially in older homes. Look into installing floor, cavity, wall, and loft insulation to reduce your heating bills.
  • Rain barrels: Rain barrels are extremely inexpensive, and provide gallons of free water to use when you wash your car or water your garden.
  • Geothermal system: OK, so the price tag is scary at first. A geothermal system uses the earth’s temperature to heat and cool your home, but can cost $30,000 to install. But tax credits allow you to get a lot of that money back, and the energy savings average about $1,900 per year. If you plan to be in your home for a decade or two, it’s a great investment.
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    Buying a Home, Home Trends, Investing in Real Estate, Selling a Home

    4th Quarter Montana Gardner Report

    Highlights of the by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate:
     Homes Sales: ❱ During the final quarter of 2019, 760 homes sold, a drop of 4.7% compared to the same period a year ago.

    ❱ Similar to last quarter, total sales activity was a mixed bag: there were increases in five counties and declines in four. The largest annual increase was in Broadwater County, where sales were up more than 45%, though the increase was only five units. The largest decline in sales was in Gallatin County. read more

    Buying a Home, Investing in Real Estate, Selling a Home

    Short Sale & Foreclosure: How are they different?

    As unfortunate as it can be when homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments and must face the possibility of losing their homes, short sales and foreclosures provide them options for moving on financially. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually quite different, with varying timelines and financial impact on the homeowner. Here’s a brief overview. read more

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