Learning the Market — Twice; or Rinse “Flush and Repeat” What’s the worst thing about a short sale that doesn’t work out (depending on who you ask, the result 50% to 70% of the time)? From the would-be Buyer’s perspective, it’s the frustration and disappointment associated with having flushed months waiting on a home that, ultimately, wasn’t...Read More
Property Premiums — and Discounts It’s certainly a logical strategy: buy a discounted home just outside a stellar school district, then open enroll your child(ren). The hitch? Actually, there are three: One. Most districts determine open enrollment on a year-to-year, school-by-school basis. So, an elementary school in a particular school district might have openings, the...Read More
Vetting the Buyer’s Finances Prior to closing, at least, the best evidence that a (non-cash) Buyer can financially perform is a Written Statement from a reputable lender. Typically given by the Buyer to the Seller a couple weeks after the deal has been struck, it says that the lender has: a) completed vetting the Buyer’s finances,...Read More
When Less is More Things should be made as simple as possible — but not simpler. –Albert Einstein Listing agents should use as many photos as necessary to convey a sense of the home — but not more. –Real estate corollary; Ross Kaplan Just because MLS allows listing agents to include up to 18 photos...Read More
What is the Opposite of “Plastic” (circa 1967)? It may be hard to believe if you’re under 50 years old (60?), but once upon a time, Eastman Kodak — along with other technology pioneers like Polaroid, Xerox, and Motorola — held the same place in the American corporate pantheon now occupied by such companies as Apple,...Read More
Greek Deja Vu See if you can guess what I’m talking about: –It’s from Greece. –Leading American companies are playing a central role in creating and exporting it. –It’s likely to affect every American household. Give up? Greek . . . . yogurt!! (what did you think I was going to say, “sovereign debt?” “Financial...Read More
