Growth Continues in Winter Real Estate

We don’t ski much anymore, our kids are too old for sledding and no one wants to build a snow fort with us.  Since December, I had been hoping for an early spring.  It seemed like it would be a mild and uneventful winter.  Wow, was I wrong! 

At least the Real Estate market held strong.  The nice thing is, in spite of all the snow and a depleted inventory, we’ve continued to enjoy early year closings.  According to the Massachusetts Association of Realtors, January showed a 13.7% increase over last year for detached single-family homes.  New Hampshire had an increase of 21.2. 

Putting your home on the market now has many advantages.

·         Low inventory mean less competition

·         Less competition means more buyers looking at you property, possibly leading to a higher offer

·         Buyers are in the market now and are not willing to wait for Spring, where many buyers feel home prices will increase

Our biggest challenge in wintertime is not getting enough buyers;  it continues to be digging out in a timely manner for showings and open houses.  After a snowstorm, the things I look at are:

·         Where is someone going to slip and fall down? 

·         Any roof leaks from ice dams?  Are there any dangerous icicles forming over entryways?

·         With all the snow, is there enough parking for showings or an open house?  If there isn’t, a potential homebuyer may just keep on driving to the next property.

·         Is the driveway and walkway clear enough so that snow is not going to be tracked through the home?

·         Will a scheduled Open House be postponed due to weather?

As a rule, Sandy tries to turn the heat up and turn on the lights for all of her showings.  It’s amazing how many showing we bring a buyer to where it’s cold, damp and dark.  You need to make it as inviting as your own home.

I've shoveled my share of walkways and driveways.  I have bought and spread salt on driveways.  I have left early for showings and froze my toes while waiting for the heat to kick in in a vacant house.  I have slid to a stop at an intersection while on my way to show property.  So, even though winter has been good for business, I’m still ready for Spring.

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Sandy LeRette – Realtor® ABR – Better Homes & Garden Real Estate / The Masiello Group – 436 Amherst Street, Nashua, NH  03063  cell: (603) 661-7301 email: slerette@masiello.com

Bob LeRette – Div. Sales Manager/ Real Estate – Boston.com & The Boston Globe,  617-929-2104 email:  robert.lerette@boston.com   & Realtor® - Better Homes & Garden Real Estate / The Masiello Group – 436 Amherst Street, Nashua, NH  03063