Winter Access

The most important question concerns winter access. Think of winter access on a continuum. At one end are some winter days when virtually no one leaves home, such as an ice storm or a midnight 8″ snowfall would present. At the other end are the majority of winter days, when everyone can get out. If you plan to live here during the winter, evaluate every potential purchase on the basis of where within the continuum lie your needs and the nature of your property. Don’t be overly alarmed about winter accessibility – most people are homebound only in the early mornings on some days and, occasionally, for a couple days — but do consider it an important criteria for your needs and for each property. In general, the best accessibility carries a higher price.

Here are some questions to ask yourself, relative to winter access:

• Will you be working in a capacity that absolutely requires you be at work virtually every workday? Remember that local employers are aware their employees might not be able to get in some days. If you’re unsure what you employer expects, discuss the question before you look for property.
• Can you work at home, if need be?
• Does your health require you be able to get to medical help under any circumstance?
• Elevation obviously plays a role in accessibility. If you must get out most days, accessible [that is, regularly plowed] view property will be very expensive.
• Gravel roads play a role. Gravel roads are usually plowed after paved roads.
• Location plays a role in which roads are plowed first, such as the roads nearest DOT, the roads to major facilities, and the roads to skislopes.
• Driveways play a role. Most local people accept there will be days they must park at the bottom of a steep driveway, and walk in. If you absolutely do not want to shovel your driveway, be sure and let me know.
• Public transportation departments plow state, county, and city roads. Most subdivisions have POAs [Property Owners’ Assns.] which pay someone to plow their roads.
• What type of vehicle do you drive?