Snow can be beautiful, but inclement weather can put a real damper on home sales. What can you, as an agent, do to get that home sold during the winter months?

This is a big question for agents who live in areas of the nation which experience long, cold winters. Business must go on, despite the snow, ice, and sleet.

The Northeast has already been plagued this season with snow storms, as has much of the Midwest. These blizzard conditions can slow down showings, but there are some simple ways you can keep business alive.

First, keep communication lines open. You may not be able to make it to the office, but that doesn’t mean business stops. Be sure clients have a cell phone number they can reach you at or have an answering service on your business line that can be easily checked remotely.

Keep in touch with all prospective parties about showings and meetings. Let people know well ahead of time if you think they should reschedule or cancel. Many people may be willing to brave the cold, so be prepared to do the same.

Along those same lines, if you live in a region that regularly has tough winters, it may be time to invest in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Many times the roads are completely usable if you have the right vehicle. You may love your little sportscar, but being about to travel easily during bad weather can be priceless.

Be sure you stock your car and office with extra gloves, hats, and even blankets for prospective buyers you’re taking out and about. It can be colder than people expect and being prepared to keep them warm is always a good idea. People are much happier when comfortable!

The same goes for warm bellies. Be ready to offer your customers warm food and drink to keep them fueled for the day.

Next, don’t forget about the virtual world. In this world it’s always sunny. Prepare video tours of your listed homes and be sure to have good quality professional pictures either listed on the MLS, your website, or easily emailable.

Sign up for a Skype account so that you can video conference with clients and buyers even if the weather doesn’t permit a true face-to-face. Skype is free and only requires a webcam and mic, which many computers come equipped with today. If you don’t have the equipment, you can easily purchase a simple unit for less than $20.

Finally, remember that the postal service delivers no matter the weather. So, be sure to send out thank you cards, invitations to open houses, and newsletters all year round, even during bad weather.

Follow these simple tips and your business is sure to thrive, even if the weather outside is frightful.

Published: December 30, 2011

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Carla Hill, M.A., works on the Realty Times staff as Managing Editor for our online publication. She also is Producer for the real estate news channel, seen daily on RealtyTimes.com and on video newsletters nationwide.