Real Estate Market

I admit we (my husband) are not the best or the timeliest at clearing new snow or snow from the prior snowfall. The other day I thought it was kind of fun to see if my Subaru could make it through the snowbank at the end of our drive and in to the garage.  I had seen three others out that day while I was out on appointments with shovels digging their cars out of that same snow accumulation at the end of the drive so I know we are not the only ones.  And who has time for the sidewalks?

Well, if someone is out there and you do not find the time to keep your sidewalks clear it may be cheaper to hire a professional to do the job for you.  When we set up services for a home owner it seems on average for a standard drive it runs about $35-$45 a time.  That is a lot of money per snowfall but what happens if you choose to do nothing?

The city of Rochester MN will take care of it for you.  If someone calls in to complain your sidewalks are not shoveled a Public Works Inspector will visit the home of the complaint address.  If they are not cleared when the inspector arrives the city will do it and here is an average of what it will cost you:

A 70 foot residential lot (typical lot width) will be subject to charges for the first offense of:

               Administration Fee                                                                         $  40.00
               Contractor Mobilization                                                                $  40.00
               Contractor Snow Removal           70 feet x $0.38                   $  26.60
               Charge for First Offense                                                               $106.60

In addition a property may also be subject to charges for sanding of $0.20 per foot and clearing of a pedestrian ramp at $20.  (Thank you to Nate at SEMAR for the figure.)

That is for the first violation, they will NOT clear your drive, and it goes up each time.  Ouch!  Maybe this will be motivation to get the job done.  Or for some of us prioritization.  Get the sidewalk done, leave the driveway and put your car to the test.  If you would like more information here is the link to the city's official post.

http://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/publicworks/announcements/Sidewalk%20Snow%20Removal%20Enforcement%20-%20PSA%20%28011912%29.pdf

Rochester MN Homes

The "No Kids" movement in restaurant policy really led me to think about
Real Estate Open Houses. Should there be a "No Children, please?"
policy at Open Houses? I love children, I have two sons of my own, but
there are times when it's hard to do my job as an agent for the seller
when I'm trying to police the little squirts.

From a seller's perspective: Someone has to make sure the children
stay in tow with an adult, because the seller doesn't want personal
items broken, nor do they want liability.  It's pretty hard to expect
that the seller will child proof their home, and many items that make
a home look beautiful are not something we want little fingers
grabbing.  The safety risk: there may be medications, glass, a dog in
a kennel that might bite if fingers are poked through, etc.

From a buyers's perspective: Children should be involved in the
decision making, and there might not be enough time or resources to get a
sitter.

From an agent perspective: I've had to lure little ones down from
people's beds, tell them not to run, and worry about them climbing a
banister.  One little one was running through the house and ran into a
standing mirror that came down on them, (thank God it didn't break,
just scared the child) it's made me have to step in and ask the
parents to do more.  My job as a Realtor is to show the house to the
potential customer and the seller doesn't want me leaving one party of
interested people to run after a child in the house.

When you are in a store, the store clerk does not "represent" the
store owner in the same way a Realtor represents the client.  The
store owner expects a certain amount of damage, where a home owner
with irreplaceable family heirlooms or dangerous chemicals under a
sink really needs to know that the house and the visitors are safe.
It is a parent responsibility.

Solution for parents: Since it is hard to look at the details of a
home with someone pulling on your finger, consider bringing along a
helper to sit and wait in the car for the initial viewing.  If it's a
house you think you might buy, bring the little peanuts in, hold their
hand, and let them show mom and dad the house.  Let them be the tour
guide (after you've looked at the furnace and the "boring" details of
the home).  :)

Kids are fast and it's dangerous when people let them loose on other's
belongings or can't catch them.  It is added stress and
liability. It is preventable.  Open Houses can be enjoyable
and safe for everyone, if planned in advance.

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What do you think? Should kids continue to be welcome at Open Houses?
Is this overkill or just sensible advice? Post below and let me know what you think!

Real Estate Rochester MN