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The solar eclipse is expected to reach the United States around noon on Monday, April 8, and will last just over three minutes.
The astronomical event had some real estate agents solidifying their rooftop reservations, while others planned to stay home for a quiet day.
Christine Glasbourne | @Features
Kristin Glassburn of @properties told Inman that the entire city of Indianapolis appears to be “bracing for impact.”
Countries along the path of the total solar eclipse are indeed preparing for large crowds, especially after the eclipse is complete, as large numbers of people who have traveled great distances to view this rare event are all trying to leave around the same time. This means any state that passes through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Anyone traveling in Maine is likely to encounter excessive traffic congestion.
Some roads will be closed to make room mobile toiletrest stops will open later than usual, and many areas have announced in advance state of emergency So that everyone can work together.
Glassburn happens to live a mile outside of downtown Indianapolis, so she doesn’t have to worry about anything but foot traffic on the rooftop deck, where she entertains friends and clients with eclipse-themed snacks and drinks.
“There are quite a few restaurants and breweries offering a lot of special food and drink options during the eclipse,” Glasburn said.
She also prepares care packages for clients that include eclipse glasses and information about the eclipse itself and what’s happening in Indianapolis on the big day.
Mark Zuckerman | Anchor Sotheby’s International Realty
About two months ago, a broker with Encore Sotheby’s International Realty approached CEO Mark Zukerman about an upcoming solar event, hoping to host some kind of event to commemorate the important day.
“When my agent mentioned it to me, I didn’t understand the significance of it,” Zuckerman told Inman. Little did he know that Indianapolis was in the path of an upcoming total solar eclipse.
But the company owns a four-story office building in Carmel, a suburb north of the city. The building had a “really cool rooftop garden,” so Zuckerman began booking the space, which can accommodate about 100-150 people. Catering food and beverages, themed tablecloths and party supplies, and ISO certified eclipse glasses will complete the event.
Encore Sotheby’s International Realty Agents, clients, friends and family will gather on the rooftop to watch the solar eclipse on Monday | Courtesy of Encore Sotheby’s International Realty
Roxanne Taylor | Engel & Volks
Zuckerman said that by Wednesday, as he was returning to town from his trip, Indianapolis International Airport had begun to see heavy inbound traffic. He and his office staff continue to remind everyone to arrive early before totality occurs to avoid any unexpected traffic jams.
Luckily, the city’s weather forecast for Monday is currently in their favor: 70 degrees Fahrenheit and sunshine.
“I’m excited about it,” Zuckerman said. “I thought it would be fun to be a part of it – it’s really a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
Rita Petinaro | Keller Williams
“Most importantly, we just want to share it with our agents and their territories and clients,” he added.
Roxanne Taylor, who owns five Engel & Völkers stores in Dallas, is hosting tours at four of her stores for employees, agents, customers and their spheres of influence. Sparkling wine, canapés and prizes will all be part of the festivities.
Her office is hosting a Jelly Bean Can Counting Contest (individuals can donate $10 to Special Olympics to submit their guess of the number of jelly beans per can), and those who guess the closest number to the correct number will receive some prize money, like the Dallas Cowboys Team pre-season ticket – comes with parking.
Angela Stewart | Howard Hanna
In Rochester, N.Y., Rita Pettinaro of Keller Williams invited her team to gather in the town of Spencerport for drinks and snacks, and brought a bunch of food to those who came to visit Approved eclipse glasses.
However, not everyone is clamoring to party with the masses on Monday.
Angela Stewart, who operates a business with Howard Hanna in the suburbs outside Buffalo, said she’s not going anywhere.
“I scheduled the day to work from home just to keep things simple and safe,” Stewart told Inman in a text message.
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