“A” for Honesty freeze damage to plumbing and boiler heat systems! –excerpt, new MLS listing Normally, you associate exclamation marks in real estate marketing with superlatives. Such as: “Gorgeous new Kitchen!” “Amazing lot and setting!” “Beautiful built-in’s and mill work!” So, “freeze damage to plumbing and boiler heat systems!” comes across as a bit ....Read More
Four Two for the Price of One Checking online for a rental car in the Bay Area this summer, I’ve been shocked at what appears to be the going rate for a minivan for a week: anywhere from $850 to more than $1,200(!). Really. Which inspired Plan B. Namely, rent two economy cars instead. The...Read More
Penny Wise Foolish, Pound Foolish, or, “Minnesota Not-Nice” When it comes to real estate transactions, graciousness begets graciousness, and pettiness begets . . . lack of graciousness. In the vast majority of deals, whatever tensions may have accompanied the negotiations are long forgotten, clearing the way for a warm and amicable closing. Which is only natural: ...Read More
Obama: More Like Kevin Garnett — or Kwame Brown (Kwame who??) [Editor’s Note: this post originally ran a year ago, right after the 2010 NFL draft. The day after the start of the 2011 draft, it still seems topical — plus, I’m too swamped to otherwise post right now. And yes, I saw that Auburn QB Cam Newton went first,...Read More
Identifying with the Home You Sell Great House = Great Agent. Gross Listing = Gross Agent –Matt Loskota, City Lakes Office Manager Reason #34 not to take an overpriced, under-prepped listing: it reflects on you. Badly. Not only do prospective Buyers associate you with the home’s underwhelming appeal, but inexorably, over time . . ....Read More
Shopping for a New (Leased) Car It dawned on me the other week at a showing: me, Mr. Client, and Mrs. Client all arrived in our own cars, coming from 3 different locations — and 45 minutes later left in 3 separate cars, heading 3 different places. Energy-efficient or not, that’s how busy Buyers (and...Read More