With snow in the forecast, it’s time to face the facts—it’s almost winter here in CNY.

If you haven’t started winterizing your home, this might be a good weekend to do it. December is full of one holiday event after another (is anyone else looking forward to Lights on the Lake?), and you probably won’t think about it again until early January.

If you’re preparing to sell your home, wintering does more than just keep your heating bills a little lower, it can help with the sale. When a potential buyer sees that your home keeps out the cold (and keeps in the warmth), they’re going to appreciate it, especially if they are viewing the home on a very blustery and cold winter day.

Start by sealing the windows. The plastic coverings work great, but aren’t very attractive, so try to avoid using them. Sealing caulk works well, though. Replace any broken or cracked window panes, or, if you can, update windows with something more energy efficient.

Have your heater inspected and cleaned. Don’t forget to change the filter. The buyer’s inspector will look at the furnace, and if it looks recently cleaned and is in good shape, the home will look more attractive. While you are in the basement already, don’t forget to check for any drafts coming through any windows or openings down there. It’s easy to forget the basement, especially if it hasn’t been remade into living space. Also, if you have a fireplace, have the chimney cleaned out.

Replace draft guards or weather stripping on the doors. Make sure that the doors all close firmly, and that no cold air can seep through. Replace any screen doors with storm doors, and make sure that there is a mat outside for stomping snow off on, and one inside for setting wet shoes on while they dry. You don’t want to be doing last-minute mopping before an open house to get rid of muddy boot prints. Also, make sure that you have buckets of rock salt near each entrance, and remember to use it before showing the home.

Clean out your duct. Heating ducts are home to all kinds of nasty bacteria, mold and dust. You should be having them cleaned at least once a year anyhow, but it is especially important when you are trying to sell your home. It shows that you have taken care of the home while it has been in your possession, and that will give the buyer confidence about the rest of the home.

Winterizing your home is a good idea, whether you are selling or not. Cold central NY nights, combined with the almost constant winds, can suck the heat right out of a home if you are not prepared. Winterizing also gives potential buyers a reason to choose your home over a similar home they may have been considering; especially if the other seller has not taken all of these steps. Spend the weekend, get it taken care of, and your buyer will thank you.

All the leading indicators say housing is definitely on the mend, economists reported in advance of the official release of several pieces of good news expected this week.

Bloomberg News surveyed 53 economists and asked them where they expected the numbers to fall. Here are their predictions:

• Construction starts in September are expected to hit a 610,000 annual rate, the most since last November.
• Sales of existing homes likely rose to a two-year high.
• Because of fear of a relapse, the Federal Reserve is predicted to leave interest rates low for a few more months.
• Building permits, a sign of future growth, probably rose to a 590,000 annual pace, also the highest level since November, the Commerce Department is likely to announce.
• The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo index is expected to rise to 20 from 19, the economists say.

Google Inc. plans to resume hiring and acquisitions after its third-quarter sales beat analysts’ estimates. CFO Patrick Pichette says: “We weathered what is an incredible recession. If you have all this behind you, the only outcome you should have as management is: ‘OK, let’s build now.’”

Source: Bloomberg, Courtney Schlisserman (10/18/2009)

If you thinking about buying a new home, are a seller of a current home, or just want to get some home design ideas, or even talk to a builder or other home professional than Parade of Homes of Central New York is just the place you should be. It will allow you to browse newly built homes, get design tips and possibly even selling ideas, and allow you to see what you might like in your next home in the future.

This year’s 15th parade of homes will be back at the first parade of homes site in 1992. It will be at Brittany Hills, Town of Onondaga. It will feature eight different homes with seven different distinguished builders from the Central of New York. This will allow you to see the newest designs, decorating and building techniques including energy-saving techniques. Also, furniture, rugs, and other items are available for sale in each of the homes, so do not forget your checkbook in case you see something you like (http://hbrcny.com/index.html).

The event starts up this coming weekend and ends September 27th, so you won’t want to miss it. Admission for adults is ten dollars and the hours are Monday thru Saturday from 1pm-8pm and Sunday from 1pm-6pm.  There are also some online coupons available and directions to this year’s Parade of Homes.

This is an exciting event especially if you are a first time buyer looking for some ideas or even if you are planning on buying a new home and want more ideas and possible design tips. This may also be a good way for sellers to see what buyers like so they know how to best promote their homes. So, it is fun for everyone. So, put off that weekend cleaning and shopping and head to the Parade of Homes of Central New York. You will be glad you did.

Central New York State is a great place to own a home for many reasons. One of those reasons is the abundance of fruit and vegetables that grow in the area. There are dozens of fruits and vegetables that grow locally. From early spring until late autumn, there are always several fruits and vegetables in season. The growing season starts in the beginning of June with strawberries, lettuces and spinach, and ends in late October with pumpkins and squash. This means that, whether you are a gardener yourself or even just someone who enjoys the eating the freshest produce possible, central New York has you covered.

Vegetables make up most of the produce grown in Central New York. Sweet corn, pumpkins, beans, and peas are some of the most popular selections, but they are far from being the only options for local gardeners. New Yorkers can grow everything from asparagus to zucchini, including potatoes, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, beets, brussel sprouts, eggplants, and onions. Tomatoes, squash and garlic also grow well in the fertile New York soil.

New York is known for its apples. In fact, it is one of by largest US suppliers of apples, cider, and apple products.  But it is also a great place to grow fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe and grapes. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries also thrive locally. Grapes, both table grapes and wine grapes, are successfully grown in the area. Wine varieties of grapes do so well, in fact, that New York is home to wineries known throughout the United States, and the rest of the world, for their quality.

New York can even grow fruit that has traditionally only been grown in warmer regions. Some people, for example, are surprised to know that there are several varieties of peaches, plums, apricots, and even kiwi fruit that thrive in Central New York.  Multiple types of cherries grow locally; even paw paws and currants can be grown in backyard gardens.

Although not as popular, many types of nut trees can be grown locally. Several varieties of walnuts do well in Central NY, including white, Persian, and black walnuts. Filberts, or Hazelnuts, can also be grown. And for those who love a traditional pecan pie? With a little planning, even pecan trees grow in New York.

Even with the sometimes erratic weather here in central New York, it is still one of the best areas in the country for planting a garden or small orchard. The soil is mostly fertile, and there is almost always adequate rain fall. For more information about local varieties of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, visit the Cornell University gardening resource.

And for those of you who don’t garden, but still enjoy fresh produce— Check out the New York State Farmer’s Market website for a list of local farmer’s markets, along with their days and hours of operation.