You, Me, and Real Estate

2009-03-20T10:20:00.001-07:00

is gathering background info on the houses I am showing this afternoon...helps my clients make an informed decision. Knowledge is power!

2009-03-19T07:25:00.001-07:00

got great feedback when I told a client about the home buyer tax credit she qualified for. Need a reason to call old clients there it is.

2009-03-17T10:14:00.001-07:00

re-evaluating my business plan to adjust for the sooner than anticipated up tic in buyer interest.

2009-03-14T09:07:00.001-07:00

Is pulling some Saturday office time…so if anyone wants to talk Montana Real Estate, give a call.

2009-03-03T10:05:00.001-08:00

will be attending a "green building" seminar in Whitefish tomorrow and hopes to learn some great new information and make a few connections.

2009-03-02T13:36:00.001-08:00

is collecting market data and prepping for a listing appointment.

2009-02-25T12:10:00.001-08:00

just got back from hosting his new listing on the MLS tour and received very positive feed back.

2009-02-24T08:08:00.001-08:00

is off to a final walkthrough and then a closing this afternoon.

2009-02-23T08:53:00.001-08:00

reviewing the client file and docs to making sure my closing tomorrow will be smooth like butter.

2009-02-17T09:02:00.001-08:00

is in early negotiations on a deal for a client.

2009-02-12T09:29:00.001-08:00

Just posted a new listing and am now full throttle with the marketing!

2009-02-06T13:31:00.001-08:00

Is writing up a contract(!) and getting psyched to go to the Gonzaga vs. Memphis game tomorrow!

2009-02-05T10:27:00.001-08:00

went for a good run this morning and am now finding a client the perfect house!

2009-02-03T13:52:00.001-08:00

I just got back from showing 4 homes in Village Greens (Kalispell, MT) with clients. I think we found the one!

Green home projects under $500...

2008-11-25T08:39:00.000-08:00

I found this great article that I thought I should share...

"Go green at home on the cheap!"

1. Build a clothesline
Next to your refrigerator, your dryer is likely the biggest energy-guzzling appliance in your house. And while we wouldn't ask you to store your food in a vintage icebox, an old-fashioned clothesline is actually a pretty good idea. (If that sounds too retro, think of it as a "solar dryer" instead.)
You can buy a pulley kit like the one pictured here at the hardware store. Or you can order the components online. But it's easy to make a traditional clothesline yourself, using 4x4 or 6x6 pressure-treated posts for the uprights and 2x8s for the cross arms (which don't need to be pressure-treated). Simply notch the posts to receive the cross arms, set them in concrete, and run the lines on eye hooks between them. A 4- or 5-foot cross arm should give you enough room for five lengths of line, nicely spaced.
Lumber: $42
Hardware: $10100
Feet of line + 100
Wood clothespins: $17
Total: $69

2. Add a tube-type skylight

There's at least one place in your house — a dark stairwell, a north-facing bathroom, a rear hallway — where you can't see what you're doing without turning on a light, even in the daytime. That's the ideal spot for a light tube, which lets you bring in the sun's rays without the hassle or expense of installing a conventional skylight. These so-called "sun tunnels" capture light through a plastic lens mounted on the roof, bounce it down through the attic inside a reflective tube, and beam it out through a plastic diffuser in the ceiling. From the inside looking up, you see what appears to be a no-frills light fixture. (Some models have bulbs inside, so you can get light day or night from the same spot.) True, you don't get a sky view, but you also don't have the energy loss associated with standard roof windows. Tubular skylights are much easier to install, because the tubing fits between roof rafters and frees you from having to build a shaft to get the light through the attic. If you're handy, it's a half-day project. And if you're not, you can hire a pro and still come in under the $500 cap.
14-inch tube kit with flashing, sealant, and 4 feet of duct: $229Extension tubes: Two 20-inch sections at $40 each

Total: $309

3. Put a recirculating pump under the sink
As you stand around waiting for hot water to arrive at your bathroom sink — or, worse, wander off to do something else while the tap is running — watch what's flowing down the drain: not just water, but all the energy that went into heating it. But let's say you could press a button and have hot water in an instant. That's the work of a clever device called an on-demand recirculating pump. Installed under the sink, the pump captures the not-yet-hot water before it exits the tap and shoots it back to the water heater. The process repeats until the water gets hot enough, at which point the pump shuts off, you turn on the tap, and the steamy stuff flows. Obviously, this setup saves water. Less intuitively, it also saves energy. That's because the water going back to the heater is usually slightly warm, so reheating it takes less energy. And the pump moves water faster than a typical faucet can, which means less heat loss in the pipes — and less waiting time for you.
Metlund D'Mand S50 Recirculating Pump: $268 (includes all fittings for copper pipe)

Total: $268

4. Insulate hot-water pipes
Without insulation, your house's hot-water pipes act as a gigantic radiator, transferring heat to the air so efficiently that any water in the pipes — even if it left the boiler at a toasty 105 degrees — is barely lukewarm 15 minutes later. So if you wash your hands to prep dinner, then need to rinse a pot, you'll have to wait for hot water all over again. The solution: Insulate pipes wherever you can reach them by encasing them in rubber or polyethylene foam tubes. The tubes come with an adhesive-coated slit down the middle, so you just ease them over the pipe and press the ends closed. Seal the seams with duct tape. Tests show that insulation can double the cool-down time in 1/2-inch pipe and triple it in 3/4-inch pipe.
Tubes to cover 45 feet of 3/4-inch pipe: $55Roll of duct tape: $5
Total: $60
How to Insulate Pipes

5. Plant deciduous trees
Plant trees now on the south, east and west sides of your house, and you can picnic under them in a couple of years. In five years, they may provide enough shade to let you run your air conditioner less frequently. And when the trees mature, they could save you as much as 40 percent on your cooling costs. Beyond shading your property, trees also help combat the "heat island" effect that occurs in urban areas, where concrete and asphalt absorb and hold in heat. Two popular varieties are red oak for large lots (it grows to 70 feet) and trident maple for small ones. But before you buy any saplings, check with your city's public works department; some trees have invasive roots that plug water or sewer lines.
Total: $35-$50 per tree
How to Use Trees to Save Energy

6. Install a programmable thermostat
With an estimated annual savings of $100 and an initial outlay of only about $50, few upgrades pay for themselves as quickly as this one can. With a programmable thermostat, you can automatically adjust your heating and air-conditioning systems to match your family's seven-day-a-week schedule. During the winter, for example, you can set it to turn off the heat after everyone's snug in bed, switch it back on in time for a warm wake-up, then putter along at a lower temp until the kids get home from school. The most advanced models let you program up to four settings for each day of the week. For every degree you lower your thermostat for an 8-hour period, you cut energy use by about 1 percent. Set it back 10 degrees overnight, and that's a 10 percent savings right there. And we bet you won't even feel the difference — except when you're paying the bills.

Honeywell T8112 Seven-day Thermostat: $49

click here for the rest of the article
By Jeanne Huber
Photos by Rob Howard This Old House

Nicholas Munson
Century21 Home & Investment Center
Office: (406) 755-2100
Email: nickmunson@century21.com
http://www.montanagreenrealestate.com/

2008-11-18T10:58:00.001-08:00

As I mentioned in a previous blog, the Flathead valley is now home to its very own public transit system. Today, once again, I am doing my part to not only support this great new addition to my community, but to do my part environmentally as well. With gas prices down dramatically (more than half of the price just a few short months ago), I have been concerned for what seemed to be a great shift in peoples thought process, particularly their need for fuel efficient cars and alternative transportation. As I stepped onto the bus on my way home, I was surprised to see a nearly full bus. Now whether all these people were riding the bus out of choice or necessity, I will never know, and really it doesn’t matter. Ridership is up and people are using a great public service. The more people that ride the more they will expand. I challenge you to do the same. I leave my car at home at least once a week and often more. If you have the ability to do so, give it a try.

At local think global!

Nicholas Munson

Realtor, Ecobroker
Office: (406) 755-2100
Email: nickmunson@century21.com

www.montanagreenrealestate.com

Memeries of last winter...

2008-11-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

Last night I found myself in such a giddy state thinking about the up coming ski season, that I had to go look in the closet to double check that my skis, boots, and poles hadn't mysteriously disappeared over the summer...and to my great pleasure they had not. They were sitting there in the corner looking at me with puppy dog eyes, begging to be used, lonely from a long summer of being ignored. Last season on Big Mountain (aka Whitefish Mountain Resort as it is now known) was one for the record books, with over 400" of total snow fall, and I, much like you are ready for another one.

A few pictures from last season

Some Big Mountain Stats:

Average Snowfall: 300 inches annually

Vertical Drop: 2,353ft/717 meters

Average High Temperature: 32 degrees F

Average Low Temperature: 17 degrees F

Longest Run: 3.3 miles (Hellfire)

Terrain: 3000 acres, 94 marked trails with vast amounts of bowl and tree skiing

Terrain Difficulty: 20% Beginner, 50% Intermediate, 30% Advanced/Expert

Summit Elevation: 6817 ft/2078 meters

Base Elevation: 4464 ft/1361 meters

Nicholas Munson

REALTOR, ECOBROKER
Century21 Home & Investment Center
Office: (406) 755-2100
Email: nickmunson@century21.com

http://www.montanagreenrealestate.com/

Get on the bus…Flathead Valley public transportation

2008-11-10T07:39:00.000-08:00

I did today what I haven’t done in years…I took the bus to work! Now you may not think this to be a big deal, I mean millions on people ride the bus to work everyday…and you would be right. The exciting part is not that I did ride the bus, it was that I was able to ride the bus. Our small rural, but rapidly growing county has taken a giant leap and now offers its people a public transportation system!!! Some of you “city folk” might be laughing, and well yes we may be a little behind the times, but the point is we have made progress, and now have a great alternative to driving our gas guzzling cars.
For years the city of Whitefish and Whitefish Mountain Resort have offered a free "winter time ride" from town up to the ski hill (which has been a wonderful service) but this is the first inter-community bus system. The program is still in the infant stages of service, but they already offer rides to and from Whitefish, Kalispell, and Columbia Falls multiple times a day! They have already expanded their service and have a five year plan to do more. So consider leaving your car at home and get on the bus.

Click here for Bus schedule

Nick

Nicholas Munson
REALTOR, ECOBROKER
Office: (406) 755-2100
Email: nickmunson@century21.com

http://www.montanagreenrealestate.com/

What is GREEN?

2008-11-07T08:38:00.001-08:00

"Going green" is a term we are starting to hear more and more often and from all types of sources, from insurance companies to car manufacturers to restaurants and home builders. The big question is, what the heck does it mean!?!?!? Being "green" is used as a general term for being more energy efficient, less harmful, or more earth friendly. Like most things, being green means something different for everyone. I have a neighbor who just installed his first compact fluorescent light bulb and is touting to be "green." At the same time I know a gentleman who rides his bike to work, has solar panels on his house, buys local produce whenever possible, and built his shed from reclaimed lumber. Now, is one person more green than the other? Yes, but making a small change can be the first step. When it comes down to it, the most important issue is that people are recognizing that there is an energy and environmental situation that needs to be addressed, and it is going to take every one of us to make a difference. Whether you start with a single energy efficient bulb, or make a drastic life change....it is a step towards what we need to do.
Attention needs to be paid to the products we are buying that claim to be green. As this green movement gains popularity (which it has and will continue to do) coorporate America is going to try and capitalize on it, and I hope they do. Without the support of these large companies, the road to inexpensive/affordable green products will be long. The issue we need to look at is regulation. We need to hold these companies to a standard, and ask that they do their part, much like you are doing yours, to make this a cleaner, safer, more sustainable place to live.

I challenge you to do something "green" today, however small or large the change may be. It could be as simple as taking your coffee mug to the coffee stand instead of using one of their paper cups, carpooling with a neighbor, or looking into the possibility of installing solar panels on the house you are building. Small steps can make a big difference. Act local, think global.

Nick

Nicholas Munson

REALTOR, ECOBROKER

Office: (406) 755-2100

Email: nickmunson@century21.com
http://www.montanagreenrealestate.com/

First snow...Flathead Valley

2008-11-05T11:53:00.000-08:00

The beautiful mountains of the Flathead Valley have turned white for the first time this fall, and you know what that means...ski season is just around the corner! Time to dust off the skis, plug in the old waxing iron and let the smell take you back to ski seasons of the past. If you are not yet in the mood, here are a couple local Whitefish events to spark your fire...

<---Big M ountian Sk i Club Annual Ski Swap

Warren Miller's ''Children of Winter'' --->

A great day of skiing here in the Flathead Valley is tough to beat.......but a great day of skiing followed by a good evening of relaxing in your own home is even better. There are currently over 90 listings for sale on Big Mountain, with just about something for everyone; from small condos for $120,000 to 6400 square foot executive homes with everything the most discriminating buyer could ever want.

A great day like this.........

.....deserves a place like this!

If the mountain is calling your name, let me help find your piece of the Montana dream!

Nick

Nicholas Munson
REALTOR, ECOBROKER
Office: (406) 755-2100
Email: nickmunson@century21.com

http://www.montanagreenrealestate.com/

5 Things to do this Fall in the Flathead Valley

2008-10-31T10:44:00.000-07:00

Fall in the Flathead Valley is a beautiful time of the year. As the days get shorter and the nights a bit cooler, there are still plenty of fun things to do before the snow flies.

- Take a soak in hot springs: Hot Springs, MT. These hot springs are said to have some of the highest mineral content water in the world! Take the scenic drive to one of the several soaking establishments and let the worries of the world melt away. They have private rooms or public soaking pools, indoors or out. On your way back stop by the cool Tamarack Brewery in Lakeside for a cold, hand made Montana brew.

- Take a hike: With cooler weather, fall can be a great time to hike in the Flathead Valley without being beat down by the summer heat. For a good hike look at heading towards Jewel Basin in the Flathead National Forest Wilderness Area or to Glacier National Park.

- Rent a Forest service cabin: Northwest Montana has great getaway cabins maintained by the Forest Service. Most cabins have propane heat, light, range, as well as a nice vault toilet outhouses; some have electricity. So if you don't need "turn-down" service available on you little getaways you should look into making a reservation. Don' wait to long they fill up fast and some close up before winter hits.

- Get in shape for ski season: With the ski season almost upon us, nobody wants to be the one huffing and puffing come opening day! The Wave in Whitefish has a great ski conditioning class to get you ready to hit the slopes hard right from the opening bell.

-Listen to Glacier symphony & Chorale: Take in one of the wonderful shows that the Glacier Symphony & Chorale have to offer! Checkout their schedule of events.

Nick

Realtor
Ecobroker
Email: nickmunson@century21.com
http://www.montanagreenrealestate.com/

Winter is coming....part 3

2008-10-30T14:06:00.000-07:00

Winter is coming...

Now that you have installed your new programmable thermostat and have had your furnace inspected by your local HVAC pro (as talked about in parts 1 and 2) you are ready for the next project to help cut on your heating bill and make that beautiful home of yours more energy efficient.

-Seal up drafts-

There are hundreds of points in your home that cold air can sneak in and rob you have your hard earned heat. Before winter really sets in, take the time to seal up these drafts throughout your house. One of the most obvious "heat stealing hot spots" are your exterior doors. Add weather stripping (click here for an easy "how to" video) to help stop cold air penetration. Also check around electrical outlets and windows. Use your hand to feel for cold drafts or light some incense and hold it close to a suspected draft and watch to see if the smoke wavers. Here is a quick video on how to caulk. Keep in mind to check the caulk or weather stripping on your garage door, pet doors, and attic/crawl space entrance.

Save money and live more comfortably this winter. Take the time now to make your winter warm and enjoyable!

Nick

Realtor

Ecobroker

Email: nickmunson@century21.com

http://www.montanagreenrealestate.com

Winter is coming...part 2

2008-10-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

Winter is coming...

...what are you going to do to winterize your house and cut back on this winters utility bills? The US Department of Energy says that the average household spends about $1400 a year on heating their home. There are a hand full of easy and affordable ways to save money on your heating bill, lets look at one:

-Service your furnace-

-Before you switch your programmable thermostat from "cool" to "heat" give a call to your trusted local HAVC professional. If you have already made the switch, don't despair, it is never too late to get your homes HAVC system inspected. This "tune-up" of your heating system will help insure a more efficient unit, be it gas or electric.

-In addition to an inspection, take a look at the air filter monthly, and if necessary clean and/or replace it. A clean air filter will allow the furnace work properly and easily. Where as a dirty air filter reduces airflow and makes your furnace work harder, which cuts back efficiency and the life of the unit. higher efficiency equals less money going toward your heating bill! As a reminder, think of checking your air filter when you pay your monthly bill.

Yet another easy way to help save money on your heating bill this winter.

Stay warm, stay efficient!

Nick

nickmunson@century21.com
http://www.montanagreenrealestate.com/

Winter is a coming...

2008-10-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

As winter closes in rapidly and the thermometer already beginning to fall, we all have one thing on our minds.....well at least I do, and it can be summed up in two words; energy efficient. With energy costs as high as they are, we should all be thinking about what we can do to help keep heating costs down this winter. There are a handful of simple things you can do to help cut costs this winter that don't include wearing your down jacket inside.

- Buy a programmable thermostat: Cheap, easy, and they come in all shapes and sizes, with a number of different settings. These handy little gadgets can warm up the house right before you wake up or get home from work, without heating the house all day or night. They are very affordable and can be picked up at just about any hardware store for as little as $30. Energystar.gov says the average house hold can save at least $180 a year. Lots of people already use a programmable thermostat, and if you are one of them, give it a quick check...are your temps set right...does your heat come on too early or stay on too late...did it adjust for daylight savings?

Not only are you saving money but you are doing your part to use less. Remember being conscious of what we use doesn't mean we have to live without.

More winterizing tips to come...keep it simple, make a difference.

Nick

Realtor

Ecobroker

Email: nickmunson@century21.com

http://www.montanagreenrealestate.com/