Chilly Weather Means Prep for Vacant Listings

We have some legitimate cold weather arriving this weekend that may include temps down into the single digits. Homeowners that have vacant property whether it is for sale or not need to be prepared for this outbreak of cold. If the home has the furnace and or power off then a full winterization by a professional is a good idea. If the power and heat are on then do it yourself is pretty simple. Wrapping exterior pipes, water supply to house off and faucets open, etc. The Seattle Times has some tips for do it yourself winter prep on a vacant house.

I have a very vivid memory of showing a very expensive home in Camas, Washington in December of 2009, the last time I had a temperature below 10 degrees. This gorgeous home had water flowing out of the walls and onto the walkway at the front door which had become an impassable ice skating rink. Thousands and thousands of dollars worth of damage was done and for a couple of hundred bucks in prep would have been avoided. Needless to say my client did not buy that house.

When selling a vacant house this time of year, be sure to do a little winter prep in the front yard to maintain good curb appeal and safety. These are good tips for occupied homes as well. Keep the snow cleared on the walkways and if needed throw some salt down to keep the ice at bay.

If you are out and about hunting for your next house please use caution out there. It is not likely that the temperature will rise above freezing over the next several days. The air is dry so it may feel warmer than it is. around any corner could be an icy spot. Caution is advised.

Bundle up and enjoy the winter wonderland.

Equity Northwest Properties: It's THAT Time Again...!!!

In the absence of my blog post on Black Friday, I offer up this great blog piece by my colleague, Dan Jensen...

Equity Northwest Properties: It's THAT Time Again...!!!: by Dan Jensen We're nearly to the end of November already, and yes, it's THAT time again! "Taxes just ahead", cries th...

Ho Ho Ho It's That Time of Year, Again.

Christmas 2008, Vancouver WA

Holy Holiday Season, Batman, it's back! If you'll pardon the comic book parlance, it is a crazy time of year for most of us as Thanksgiving approaches and ushers in a hectic holiday period. Sometimes people are buying and selling real estate during the holidays and that can make a frantic situation downright dizzying.

There are positives and negatives surrounding real estate transactions during the holidays. Sellers can be assured that nearly every buyer looking at their house during the next six or seven weeks is a serious buyer that is ready to purchase a home. Why else would the add the frenzied process of home hunting on top of the looney-bin mental state of America's holiday season? Seller's also have the advantage of a tighter inventory during the holidays. Many seller's choose to remove their home from the market in December so they can enjoy a quiet and uninterrupted season. Tighter inventory often means higher prices. Many people tend to dress up the house for holidays and that can also be a positive for selling it.

Buyers also have a bit of an advantage during the holidays in that sellers tend to be motivated to sell if they are willing to hang tough and show through the period.

In general real estate still happens in the month of December and I find that pending sales are only about 10-15% lower than the autumn.

For sellers the winter time in general requires some care. Walkways should be kept free of leaves and ice or snow. Any holiday decorations should be arranged without any cords or cables crossing those pathways. Sellers should be encouraged to decorate but careful not to have too much clutter. Clutter does tend to make a home feel cramped.

Here are a few tips from the HGTV's Front Door on real estate during the holidays:

Frontdoor-home-during-the-holidays