I love being a Realtor! I enjoy every facet of the job -- including showing property. I am someone who likes to be "out and about" most of the time anyway, and although showing property is exhausting for some, I actually thrive on visiting and touring homes with my clients. Truly, I enjoy being the "Vanna White" of the metro Atlanta real estate community.
This past week the weather has been anything but ideal for showing property. We have experienced snow and ice in Atlanta which has made it difficult for people to get around. Schools have been closed all week and so too have most businesses. Closings have been scrolling across the TV screen all week and there have been tons of accidents that can be blamed on this weeks ice storm. Regardless, I have some hearty clients who are looking to venture out to visit property on Saturday and Sunday -- regardless of the weather.
Sometimes when we have had a particularly rainy spell, some home buyers, call to say they would rather put off their tour for a sunny day. Home buyers love to visit property on sunny days and most agents prefer showing property on a beautiful day too. Even ugly and distressed properties seem to look better with the sun shining and the birds tweeting a happy song.
I love to stand on the back deck of a home with my client. Silence as we look over the landscape. Everything is quiet, as a bird sings a pretty song. At that moment I love to look at my client and say, "hear that, that's as loud as it gets". My comment is always good for a laugh or two.
Yes, of course, everyone loves to visit property on a beautiful day. However, when someone calls to reschedule their tour due to a rainy forecast, they are typically surprised when I suggest we follow through with our original plans and complete our tour of homes. I believe it is very important for home buyers to see a home in all weather conditions. It is equally important to visit a home at different times of the day or early evening too. Let the rain clouds move in and any home can look completely different than it did on a beautiful day.
Visiting a home on a rainy day or within 24 hours of a down pour gives clues and an education about a house that might be on your "short list". If you want to be informed about the good, bad and ugly aspects of a house you are considering, it is best to visit on a rainy inclement day. Notice pools of standing water on the south side of house? Is there standing water on a sidewalk, driveway or in a window well? Notice how the gutters are reacting to the weather. Are the gutters emptying appropriately or is there a blockage? Notice the soffits underneath the gutters. Is the flashing moving water away from the house or is there missing flashing? What about moisture or leaks in the basement? Did you have to wade through any puddles or standing water to get to the front door? Is the yard landscaped to carry the water away from the house or does it seem to pooling at the foundation? How about drips in the attic or is there evidence of a leak in the roof?
Likewise, it is also advisable that after you have seen a house in daylight, make sure you visit when the sun is lower in the sky. Sometimes shadows or the way low light hits a wall reveals imperfections in walls and ceilings.
Yup! Rainy Days are great times to visit property. I'm ready when you are. Rest assured that regardless of weather conditions on the day of our tour, I will be looking for the imperfections that could influence your decision to purchase. Don't be surprised when I suggest we revisit during low light conditions or when it is pouring rain. After all, I'm looking out for your best interest.
Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara can be reached anytime at 770-399-8108 or sara@sarahibbard.com. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!
No comments:
Post a Comment