On Tour Today 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Lake Calhoun Condo Where: 3150 West Calhoun Parkway #402. What: stunning, Contemporary-influenced Condo overlooking Lake Calhoun and Minneapolis skyline. Over 2,700 FSF with two (huge!) Bedrooms and two Baths. When: listed yesterday (July 30). How much: $999,000. Who: listing agent — Ross Kaplan; Broker — Edina Realty...Read More
Straw Horse? How About, Straw Herd?? “Long before Sanford Weill suggested last week that big banks should split up, Bank of America executives and directors considered the idea and then decided against it, said people close to the nation’s second-biggest bank by assets.” –“Bank Breakups: Not So Fast“; The Wall Street Journal (July 29, 2012)...Read More
Two Theories I have two theories about why I saw so many cars pulled over, being ticketed on the side of Twin Cities roadways this weekend: One. With so much road construction — 494 between Penn and Highwy 100 was completely closed today, to pick just one example — once you’re finally free of congestion, you’re aggravated and/or...Read More
Who’s the ‘Knucklehead’?? “If one guy honks at you on the freeway, he’s a knucklehead. If five guys honk at you, you’re the knucklehead.’ –“Programmers Keeps Shows Prospects in Focus (Groups)”; The New York Times (5/11/2012) “Ten showings, $10,000.” –Real estate saying (translation: if a home has had 10 showings and no offers, it’s overpriced...Read More
Having failed at getting my 7 year-old daughter to: a) diversify her diet beyond macaroni and cheese; and b) use a napkin (instead of her shirt) while eating, my wife and I are seriously considering resorting to Plan C — dressing her in yellow t-shirts that at least camouflage the food stains. 😉 P.S.: Said...Read More
Lower Mortgage Rates Hike Affordability The big story in real estate this year — besides tightening inventory and rising prices in several market segments — is the effect (still) dropping mortgage rates are having on Buyers’ purchasing over. So, when 30-year rates were over 4% — what, six months ago? — a Buyer who could shoulder...Read More
