Record Warmth May Mean Record Year For Some Businesses

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- March will likely go down as the warmest on record in more than 100 years. That's also bringing record years for all sorts of businesses, too.

When you are a roofer, the sky usually brings the limit in March. It is the limit this year.

"We are definitely picking up, we can get ahead of the game," said Jake Woodruff, lead carpenter at SELA roofing and remodeling, where crews have been busy at time ice usually covers roofs.

Woodruff remembers removing ice dams at this time last year. Some contractors report an uptick in business that's created a wait list for jobs.

On neighborhoods, SOLD signs also show promise of an early spring. This season has opened a new door in real estate.

"It's been huge," said Cotty Lowry, Keller Williams Integrity Realty realtor. "Pretty much everything I got is sold, I'm looking for listings."

He estimates the first half of 2012, he'll bring in more profits than all of last year.

"I sold a house last night. It went on the market at noon yesterday -- sold it at 7:30 last night," said Lowry, who believes February was the busiest month for most realtors in his industry during the past five years.

"Almost everyone I talked to in different offices has had the best month they've had in years in this past February, many of us had the best Februrary since 2007 I would say," he said.

It's not just business, however. The warm weather brings a net gain for just about all of us.

On March 28, at Lake Calhoun, Dale Hoogeveen reeled in the biggest bass he's ever caught – 20.5 inches.

It's just one more way the spring has cast optimism just about everywhere you look.