Surviving the Storm: A Homeowner’s Guide to the 2026 Snowstorm FERN in Southeastern CT
By Bridget Morrissey January 25, 2026
Mystic, Ledyard, and Groton are currently under a blanket of white as the largest snowstorm in years descends upon New England. While most of us are hunkered down with hot cocoa today, Monday and Tuesday will be dedicated to the Great Shoveling of 2026.
But as you’re clearing your driveway and watching the snow pile up, there are a few critical real estate and maintenance factors you should keep in mind. Whether your home is currently on the market or you’re planning to list this spring, here is what you need to know today.
1. Protecting Your Investment (And Your Liability)
In a storm of this magnitude, maintenance isn’t just about curb appeal—it’s about protecting your home’s value and your legal safety.
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Clear Walkways for Professional Access: If you have a listing appointment or a showing scheduled for later this week, your work starts now. In the January 2026 market, buyers are judging with their eyes first. Ensure all walkways, stairs, and driveways are cleared and salted. A “meticulous” path to the front door signals a well-maintained home. -
The “Ice Dam” Watch: With record-breaking snow, monitor your rooflines. Ice dams can lead to internal water damage, which is a major red flag during a home inspection and can derail a sale.
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Clear Your Vents: This is a safety priority. Ensure that outdoor vents for your heating systems (oil, gas, or propane) are not buried. Blocked vents can cause carbon monoxide buildup or system failure in extreme cold.
2. What the “Snowed-In” Home Sellers can be doing
While the physical world has slowed down, the digital world is heating up. When southeastern Connecticut is stuck inside, online real estate browsing spikes.
As we discussed in my recent Ledyard Market Update, the market has officially shifted. This is the perfect window to audit your property’s digital footprint. Does your listing feature professional-grade photography? Is the lighting bright and airy? In a dark New England winter, images that show a “bright canvas” (think neutral whites and “greige” tones) are what stop the scroll.
3. The “Stop Scrolling” Checklist: Indoor Edition
Since you’ll be spending the next 48 hours indoors, why not get a head start on the “meticulous preparation” phase that is key to success in this shifting market?
Use this time to:
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Deep Clean: Focus on high-impact areas like the kitchen and master bath.
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Depersonalize: Start packing away those highly personal items and family photos. You want potential buyers to see the house as their future home, not yours.
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Plan Your “After”: Take a look at your rooms. If they feel dark or cluttered, plan to open all curtains and maximize light for when the professional photographer arrives.
4. Community and Resilience
Living in Southeastern CT means we understand the power of nature, from our nature trails in Ledyard to the waterways of Mystic. This storm is a reminder of why “community understanding” is so important when choosing a Realtor.
I’ll be right there with you, shoveling out and keeping a close eye on the local market trends. Stay safe, stay warm, and remember: the preparation you do during the “quiet” moments of a storm is what leads to a successful “RESULTS!”-driven sale when the sun comes out.
Thinking of selling once the snow melts? Contact Bridget Morrissey Realty, LLC today for a strategic look at how your home fits into the shifting 2026 landscape.
Bridget Morrissey is a Mystic-based Broker/Realtor specializing in selling homes throughout southeastern Connecticut, including Ledyard, Groton, Stonington, Mystic, Pawcatuck, North Stonington, Waterford, East Lyme, Old Lyme, Montville, Griswold, Preston, Norwich and Westerly RI.