Shovel It!
By Pat Kennedy on Dec 11, 2005 in Real Estate
Next week, I’m showing the four best houses in Howard County to some favorite clients. Now, I’m a city girl used to the numbered and alphabetized streets of Georgetown and Cleveland Park. So yesterday, I decided a little previewing was in order. First, I want to make sure my clients see the best, meaning I have to eliminate the tract mansions and other dreck from the show list. Second, a dry run ensures that my fancy navigation system actually works and that I won’t embarrass myself with wrong turns.
One house was in the perfect location — my buyers want to be about half way between Baltimore and Washington, and this house fit that criterea perfectly. But from the pictures and listing information, it looked like it could be either great or just quirky. It was a contemporary set on many wooded acres (my guys love woods), and the floors were actually made from some trees cut down to make room for the house. But it’s been on the market for a while, and I decided to see for myself before putting it on the show list.
This house was the last on my list of about 10 houses that I planned to see. I had called ahead and, after negotiations with the sellers, was told to show up at 3:45 and not a minute sooner. (When sellers are difficult about getting into their home, it’s often a sign that they’ll be difficult throughout the rest of the process.)
This one baffled my navigation system – another bad a sign. It was a right turn onto a one-lane shared driveway that was about half a mile to the house. And there was not a drop of ice on the driveway until it crested over a little hill, too late for my anti-lock brakes to stop the car.
I was sliding down a steep, unshoveled incline that led straight to dream house’s 3-car garage — and I almost took out the door. When I finally managed to stop the car, I saw that the whole area from the parking apron to the front door could have served as a figure skating venue for the winter Olympics.
At that point, I decided to forget it. I have this trick knee that goes out on slippery surfaces. It wasn’t worth the risk of breaking my neck, so I somehow managed to get my car back up the hill and drove home.
My friend Cheryl should have been their listing agent. She begins to horde snow-melting salt in August. As part of her winter listing package, she gives it to her clients and insists that they have every molecule of snow and ice off the driveway and sidewalks while the listing is active.
Why is this so important? Like me, a lot of agents and buyers don’t want to risk bodily injury to look at a house. And of those who do, there’s a pretty scary statistic — about one in four adults in the Washington Metro area who are looking at expensive houses has a law degree. Think about it!
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9 Comment(s)
By S.M. on Dec 12, 2005 | Reply
I think this is obnoxious. Who gives you the right to post this on the internet? I am going to report you.
By David H. on Dec 12, 2005 | Reply
“S.M.,” who could have been … just maybe … related to whoever neglected to remove the ice and snow, might want to consider the First Amendment and the prospects of being responsible for doctor bills if her knee had gone out. Way to go, Pat! You’ve got a following!!
By Bob on Dec 13, 2005 | Reply
Too bad you didn’t get into the house, Pat. If they were as unprepared inside as out, that might’ve made for an even livelier blog.
BTW, is there some central internet authority for dropping a dime on blogs that upset you? Kinda defeats the purpose.
By JYH on Dec 13, 2005 | Reply
As one of the one in four prospective homebuyers in the metro area who looks at expensive houses and is a lawyer, make no mistake, ice on your property is an issue. After last week’s mini-storm, the bent shovel and I became instant friends. With hat covering uncombed hair and wearing an old designer coat worn only for this purpose, I cleared the front walk and stairs quickly.
So folks, buy some snow melt, pull out the salt box or stock up on kitty litter and spread it over the driveways and sidewalks. Because if you don’t clear some space and someone is injured on your property, you may be on the receiving end of a lawsuit.
By ice-phobic on Dec 13, 2005 | Reply
Dear Pat -
You rock, and good for you for standing your (icy) ground. In most areas, it’s illegal not to clear your sidewalk within 12 hours of a snowfall.
You’d think people trying to sell a house would want to make the approach as welcoming as possible.
Maybe their agent needs a gentle reminder, or a 10-pound bag of salt.
By ch on Dec 17, 2005 | Reply
I am an agent and I applaud your diligence in previewing properties and in not getting a broken leg! (Or worse)
This blog is terrific and a real service to sellers.
CH
By dont skate, dont ski on Dec 18, 2005 | Reply
A good topic, deserving of comment. Kudos to agents who make sure their sellers have what it takes to keep their surfaces clear.
Some things it’s easy to lose sight of: It seems the problem was ice, not snow. Shoveling doesn’t clear a driveway of ice; that takes chemicals. This storm came in freakishly early in the season for this region, and took us all by surprise. When this happens, everybody slips and slides to their hardware store, and everybody sees the same sign: OUT OF SALT. The continuing cold has delayed melting in heavily shaded areas, in a particularly frustrating way.
While continuing to make valid and useful points, how about having a heart when you write about people who probably are about as diligent as most of us usually are, and who were caught short, as all of us sometimes are?
By Joan on Dec 18, 2005 | Reply
Actually, Pat described the second leg of the driveway as “unshoveled,” so the problem seems to have involved ice AND snow.
Dont skate, dont drive: I hear you about being caught short. I live on the shady side of my street. And because I missed the window of opportunity to shovel while it was still powder, it is still with me now, and it is ice. Every time it melts a little it hardens up worse than before. Never again.
By Barbara-Jo Berberi on Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
Pat - there is NOTHING wrong with this post, only with the agent that did not make sure the ice had been removed!
And I agree, clients that make it that difficult to see their house will be a pain to deal with later on.
Good thing you passed on this one!!!