Happy fall from the Homeowner Engagement team! As the leaves fall and the days grow shorter, we hope you're finding time to enjoy the little things that make this season special: cozy evenings at home, time with loved ones, and maybe a few Halloween treats! We're grateful to be part of your homeownership journey and the community we're building together. Read through this month's newsletter for details on voting next week and Homeowner Family Night at the Museum on November 19.
We're hosting another fun night at the Minnesota Children's Museum for homeowners like you!Get important tips and information at our Resource Fair, enjoy a free dinner and beverages, and bring any special kids along to explore the museum and pick up fun swag. Join other homeowners and families, along with Twin Cities Habitat staff, for this family-friendly evening. Learn more and register now!
Twin Cities Habitat Office (1954 University Ave. W, St. Paul, MN 55104)
Let's get ready for winter together! Join us for this workshop about simple, practical tips to keep your home cozy, safe, and energy efficient all season—including how to avoid ice dams. Bring your questions, share ideas, and leave feeling prepared.
Light refreshments available. Kids are welcome to attend and sit in on the workshop or enjoy activities in a surpervised space. RSVP by Friday, December 4.
Weatherizing Windows: It’s nice to look through your windows to see fall colors and falling snow, but those same windows can let hot air out and cold air in. Make sure your windows are weatherized through proper caulking or sealing kits sold at hardware stores. How to install a window insulation kit
Draft-Free Doors: As entry and exit points, doors let out a lot of heat. Make sure your doors seal properly through weatherstripping and proper alignment. How to install weatherstripping
Thermostat Tips: Your thermostat is your primary tool for keeping your home comfortable in winter. There are many ways to use a thermostat, but we recommend only changing the temperature by plus/minus five degrees. This keeps your furnace from working harder. How thermostat setbacks save money
Furnace Filter Fundamentals: Your furnace is a big engine that heats your home, but one of its most important pieces is one of the cheapest and smallest: the filter. We recommend changing filters every two to three months to make sure your furnace continues to run smoothly and doesn't need a costly repair in the middle of winter.
Winterize Your Lawn Mower: You may not think of your lawnmower as something that needs to be winterized, but gasoline-powered mowers need extra steps to survive winter and be ready for spring. Our valued sponsor Toro shared a guest blog about how to prep your mower before the cold hits.
Money Minute
Do you understand the four pieces of your mortgage puzzle? PITI stands for Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance. The principal is the money you borrowed, and interest is what the bank charges you to borrow it. Those usually stay the same when you have a fixed-rate loan. Taxes and insurance can change if your city raises property taxes or your insurance company updates your rate. If those go up, your monthly payment will too, even if your loan itself didn’t change.
Habitat News
Elections Resource Center
Election Day 2026 is on Tuesday, November 3! Visit our Elections Resource Center for all the information you need to make your vote count. You can pledge to vote, research candidates, and verify your registration status. If you missed our recent Voting 101 webinar, you can watch it here. Note: Early voting began on September 18.
Partner Spotlight
The Minnesota Homeownership Center helps people achieve sustainable homeownership and build wealth through long-term homeownership. They support a network of professional advisors, offer free services and resources to help homebuyers, and provide one-on-one help to prevent foreclosure. They are also hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, November 17, to help homeowners understand the recently passed HOA reform bill. Learn what this law means for you as a homeowner and HOA member. Check out this flyer for details or register here.
Share Your Story With the Habitat Community
Everyone has a story of home. Stories bring our mission to life. From homeowners to volunteers, donors, partners, and community members, every person connected to Twin Cities Habitat helps build stronger communities through homeownership. Sharing these stories helps others understand what safe, stable housing makes possible. It builds connection, deepens understanding, and inspires more people to get involved. Share your Habitat story!
