Incline Village Real Estate update- house hunting in the winter

Winter house hunting can be a challenge. Plan on needing more time to get around, wear warm clothes and have boots with lots of tread. Many times driveways and walk ways can become iced up if they are not cleared properly.

It is a good idea to look at homes at different times of the year to acquire a true perspective of the seasonal changes that the elements will bring. Realtors often explain to potential buyers that the upper elevation homes get more snow. However, until someone really experiences a large winter storm here, the difference in the amount of snowfall at the different elevations may not be fully appreciated.

If you are not planning on using the home in the winter, there are some considerations you will need to make when it comes to maintaining your property.

Using a service or having a neighbor check your home in your absence is a prudent idea. Even the best insulated properties can encounter a frozen pipe. Always keep the heat on at least 65 degrees. Looking at homes in the winter will let you know if you will need a snow removal service or if a snow blower will work.

Here are a few things to consider:

1. Driveway design. Is the driveway flat or inclined. A steep, icy driveway can become quite dangerous. Is the driveway heated? Heated driveways are a wonderful convenience, but most Incline homes are not equipped for heating.
2. Driveway drainage. Does the water drain properly from the driveway? If the driveway slopes towards the home and there is not a drain properly installed, you might be in for trouble. A driveway built with “pavers” or other permeable materials will increase the melting and drain time greatly.
3. What type of sun exposure does the driveway get? If it is south facing, the snow will tend to melt faster. If your driveway(or part of it) is in the shade all day, that will present you with a different challenge.
4. Roof design. Does the snow shed onto the driveway, on walkways or other sensitive areas? (Remember that built up snow and ice, such like what you find on a roof, is extremely heavy and can do significant damage when it falls.) Is there a snow melting system in place that helps prevent build up and assist melting?
5. Roofing material. What type of material is the roof made of? Wood shake roofs are the least reliable and will probably need to be replaced versus repaired in an alpine setting such as ours. A metal roof, if not designed correctly can shed snow in big chunks and will more likely damage gutters. Composition roofs are the most popular and have the longest warranty (presidential 40 years). Slate roofs are not recommended for snow. Sun exposure becomes an issue for roofs as well. If the roof is not exposed to sun, thus slowing melt times, it may be necessary to periodically have the roof shoveled to reduce weight.
6. Gutters. Are there gutters and do they work? Gutters need to be cleaned yearly because they get blocked with pine needles and other debris. Walkways with dripping water on them become dangerous ice patches very quickly. Is there any evidence of ice dams? This website gives an excellent example of the importance of proper drainage. http://www.bylinusa.com/roof_ice_melt/RIM.html
7. Water damage. Look for interior evidence of past or current leaking especially if an ice dam is present outside. Leaks can be slow and only apparent in the attic or near a window. It is always prudent to have a house inspection to reveal past evidence of leaks. Look for water spots on a ceiling especially near roof peaks, near beams, and/or sliding glass doors.

Incline’s higher elevations subdivisions include: Apollo, Upper Tyner, Jennifer (upper)

Mid elevation subdivisions include: Jennifer, Lower Tyner, Ponderosa,

Lower elevation subdivisions are: Millcreek, Lakeview subdivision, Central, Ski Way, Woods.