This morning the thermometer read 11 degrees, and the wind chill was -4. I spent a half hour, all bundled up, walking the dog, and the rest of the day has been full of conversations with buyers and sellers, submission of offers and counter-offers, and preparation for closings. I would call the outside conditions frigid, but must say that the real estate market is on full warm and heating up. Many listings are getting multiple showings on weekends, and many agents are busier than usual.
Even the weather, cold as it is, has an optimistic feel to it. The sun is rising higher in the sky each day, and as you walk you can feel it fighting the cold air and sometimes winning. Sunglasses are a requirement all day long. Soon we will see the tips of the daffodils fighting their way through the half-frozen soil, insisting that spring is coming.
The office phones have been ringing with calls from prospective tenants, and last year's tenants are e-mailing in their requests. Attempts to find premium properties with month-long availability in July or August are becoming more futile. And this is just the rental market! Everyone seems to have seashore fever.