The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.

Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.

If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared (TIPS), and that you know how to handle road conditions.

It's helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you're familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner's manual for tips specific to your vehicle.

Driving safely on icy roads

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
6. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
8. Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
9. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck...

1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
3. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
5. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
6. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
7. More Tips

Sources: National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services

• Make sure all seasonal decorations have been put away.  It’s time to remove the outdoor Christmas lights and Santa displays.

• Place a few frost resistant planters or urns outside.  Dress them up with twigs, winter greenery, and sparkly “baubles.”

• Statues look great in an outdoor winter garden.  Make sure that the pieces you display are frost resistant so they won’t crack.  Strategically place them around your garden to help draw potential buyers’ eyes around your outdoor space.

• A few outdoor flood lights (clear, not colored) shining on statues, urns, and other interesting architectural features will give a hint of drama for nighttime showings.

• Invest in a digital photo frame and load photos taken of your property during the summer months.  Include a few close-ups of some of your favorite perennials.  Buyers like to know what’s planted in the garden.

Make sure you also add photos of family and friends at outdoor summer gatherings.  Place the digital frame in a central location such as your kitchen, and play the photos on a continuous loop for everyone to enjoy.  Your audience will get a glimpse at your property’s summer appeal.

• Buyers will want to see the patio and/or deck.  Make sure that all snow or ice  has been cleared away to show it off.

• If you have a heated garage, make sure that the heat is turned on prior to showings so that buyers can appreciate this feature.

• Leave your barbecue out for the winter and uncover it for showings if your outdoor entertaining space is located in close proximity to the kitchen.  Many people like to barbecue in the winter and if your property is conducive to this set up, it’s a great selling feature — must be a “guy thing,” I guess.  If you’re having an open house, open up the barbecue lid (make sure it’s clean inside), set out a plate and place some barbecue utensils next to the side grill.  No harm in helping buyers envision the possibilities.

• If you have an outdoor fireplace or fire pit with a direct gas line, consider lighting it for nighttime showings.  Check with the manufacturer first though, to make sure that your particular unit is suitable for winter use from a safety point of view.  In fact, back to point No. 2 for a moment — the digital photos.  Invite a crew of your friends over for a winter evening marshmallow roast around the fire.  Supply a few blankets and some warm drinks and get snap happy with your camera.  A few of these shots would be great on your digital photo frame as well.

When selling a property, you are also selling a lifestyle to a certain extent.  What better way to display a lifestyle than with photos.  Besides, you’ll actually have some fun staging your photo shoot

source: Realtor Magazine, Jan. 11, 2010 by Erica Christoffer

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Do You Have Income of Approximately $50,000 or Less?????

Call Clare Hickey & Company Regarding a Government Grant for your downpayment and Do Not forget You Can Still Qualify for Up to $8,000 Tax Credit.

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HouseLogic: NAR's Consumer Web Site

	For First-Time Homebuyers	For Current Qualifying Homeowners
Amount of Credit	$8,000 ($4,000) married filing separate)	$6,500 ($3,250 married filing separate)
Eligibility	May not have had an interest in a principal residence for 3 years prior to purchase	Must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years
Termination of Credit	Purchases after April 30, 2010	Purchases after April 30, 2010
Binding Contract Rule	So long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010 the purchaser will have until June 30, 2010 to close	So long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010 the purchaser will have until June 30, 2010 to close
Income Limits	$125,000 - Single $225,000 - Married Additional $20,000 Phase Out	$125,000 - Single $225,000 - Married Additional $20,000 Phase Out
Limitation on Cost of Home Purchased	$800,000	$800,000
Purchase Made by a Dependent	Ineligible	Ineligible
Additional Requirements	Purchaser must attach documentation of purchase to tax return	Purchaser must attach documentation of purchase to tax return