Dress Appropriately When Showing Houses in the Snow!

This is the most important tip for showing houses in the snow!
Safety is our top priority at Rector Hayden, and snowy property can make for a more difficult showing day.

Wear sturdy shoes with good traction. Snowy/Icy days are not the time for your gorgeous Jimmy Choo’s you received for Christmas or your slick-bottomed dress loafers. Choose good snow boots with a thick tread so that you’ll also have the best balance and your feet will stay warm and dry. Snow boots will not make you unprofessional, but rather give credit to your character as one smart agent!

Dress in layers. You may be showing homes without the heat turned on which would increase your exposure to cold temperatures. Have a scarf, hat, and mittens to protect extremities.

Bring Instant Hand Warmers

As a follow-up to dressing warmly when showing houses in the snow, a great investment is to keep some instant hand warms ‘handy’. Keep them in your pockets to warm up your fingers – and as a great gift to assist your clients and keep them happy and cozy while they look.

You can buy in bulk on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/HotHands-Hand-Warmers/dp/B00PX20LO0

Keep Cat Litter in your car

Whether or not you have a 4-Wheel Drive Vehicle, keeping a bag of pea gravel or cat litter in your car can be a great asset in case you become stuck. Many times snow plows push drifts up into the driveways of homes and along the curbs of residential areas. You and your client may have trouble parking in cleared areas and become stuck on ice or snow. Pouring cat litter or gravel around your tires can help gain traction and pull your car out of a rut.

Have a tow truck number on call

Just in case the kitty litter trick doesn’t help – keep a tow truck number saved in your phone or planner. Maybe even a company you’ve worked with before! If your client’s car (or your own) gets too stuck, having a number ready to call is professional and helpful. It could very well make a lasting impression with your client that you cared enough to help them with their vehicle.

Stay hydrated

Dehydration in the winter is actually a very common ailment – for an agent or a client! With cold temperatures and harsh winds, it can be easy for your skin to become dry and cracked, as well as it may deter you from drinking enough liquids throughout the day. However, staying hydrated is key to feeling your best and avoiding catching illnesses. Bring some water bottles (they’ll stay chilled enough in your trunk).

BONUS TIP:

Stay Warm and Cozy – search for your next home using the Rector Hayden Home Search App! Available FOR FREE on the Apple App Store and on Google Play! Browse nearby homes using augmented reality, see full-resolution photo galleries and even look at commute times for your potential dream home! Download Central KY’s Best Home Search App Today: http://app.rhr.com/

Most Real Estate Agents wear many hats; the salesperson, the staging coordinator, the organizer, the negotiator – and many times the photographer. Sometimes, no matter what kind of camera you use – some photos are tricky to capture without using professional equipment of having professional training.

How many of you have had the following image happen?

It’s a gorgeous dining area with french doors or a lovely picture window – and your point-and-shoot digital camera can’t quite capture what the eye is seeing! Well now it’s super easy to lighten dark interior photos using this FREE tool called Lunapic!

A few minutes spent using the FREE LunaPic tool
online can easily turn quick listing photos into professional shots!

Step 1: Go to LunaPic Photo Editor

The URL is: http://www192.lunapic.com/editor/

Step 2: UPLOAD A PHOTO

Click the UPLOAD button on the left of the menu bar.
Or, click on the BROWSE BUTTON under Edit a Photo on top of the major image.

It should open a new dialogue window where you can browse for the image you’d like to adjust.

Step 3: ADD A FILTER TO YOUR IMAGE

Your photo will now open up in an image editing area – it looks similar to the Paint Application or Photoshop. In order to lighten dark photos, you’ll be adding a special filter to your image.

★ Click on the Filter Tab in the Menu

★ Choose the HDR Lighting Filter from the Drop Down list

★ If your photo is still dark, you can apply the filter again. Continue selecting that filter from the filter list to brighten the photo more.

Step 4: SAVE YOUR NEW PHOTO

Under the photo is a link to save the photo to your computer OR you can right click the image and choose “Save Image as…”

And TA DA You have a beautiful listing photo!

Questions or issues? You can always contact June Laves – junelaves@rhr.com for assistance!

Save this article for later – or check out other Tips for Top Agents on our Pinterest Board!