weather and home sales

I have read a few predictions of what our winter will be like this year.  Lets face it they really don’t know.  Might be a dryer than average winter but there are a couple of sources predicting colder than normal. 

Our weather has an impact on home sales.  I have been tracking it for years.  People do not go out looking for homes when there is a blizzard and those bad storms keep buyers away.  Often people do look at homes when the temperature is severely cold which I define as -10 degrees or colder.  

First snow 2010

Here are some reminders for sellers if your home is on the market this winter:

1.  Leave some lights on so we can open the lock box and unlock the door. 

2.  Remove the snow and ice from the walk way.  Clearing the walk way makes it less likely that someone seeing your home will fall on their a$$ and sue yours off.

3.  Place a walk off mat near the front door that is big enough for four pairs of shoes.  This small act of kindness will keep my feet dry because I won’t end up standing in a puddle made by my clients and it will keep your floor dry and your home cleaner. 

4.  If your home is vacant please have it winterized, that means that you have the water turned off.

5.  Light in a home is a good thing, especially in the winter.  You want to make it look warm and inviting.   If you normally live like cave people with every blind drawn and every shade pulled consider making some changes so that your home will sell quicker and so you will get more money for it.

6.  If your home is occupied and you have a bunch of burglar alarms and maybe some barbed wire and a guard dog consider easing up on the orange alert status.  (this has nothing to do with the weather . . I was on a roll) 

Here are some tips for buyers:

1.  Wear shoes or boots that are easy to slip on and off.

2.  Go to the restroom before you begin house hunting.  Homes that are winterized have no running water.  I wish . .  . . . oh don’t get me started.

3.  If you are interested in a home that you saw in the dark please schedule an appointment to see it when it is light out before you make an offer.  

4.  Most agents carry a flash light but it is a great idea to bring your own and no your cell phone is not going to provide enough light.