Q: Denise, we have a big storm coming in this weekend and I have a listing coming on today. Should I advise my client to wait?

That is a great question! On the one hand, if people are likely to stay home, they might spend some time looking for listings online. On the other hand, if the power is out, they may not be able to search online. On the one hand, if outdoor activities were planned that now they can’t do and you have an open house, that might have people flocking to your open house. On the other hand, if it is dangerous to leave the house, then your open house may be dead.

Although you will need to determine how big of a deal this weather system is and how it might impact your listing, I have seen storms cause more people to attend open houses and tour listings as well as it having the opposite effect.

If you do decide to list it, have an open house, and it is a bust due to the weather, then my advice is to do a much bigger open house the following weekend and indicate that the first one was rained out. But really amp up the advertising. Something like this:

RESCHEDULED OPEN HOUSE
We were rained out last weekend. Don’t miss this one!