by Ross Kaplan on March 26, 2012
Layout Problem . . . Solved!
“One nerd is an island. Two are a club. Three are a clique.”
–Ross Kaplan, based on observing my 12 year-old son and his friends.
Non-Realtors would have no reason to know this, but photos on MLS are designed to lay out horizontally.
So, if you input 17 horizontal photos and one vertical one (18 is the max allowed), the result is unaesthetic and odd-looking.
The solution?
Input two such photos, side by side.
That creates a symmetric — and appealing — layout.
Thanks to Mare Sukov at Edina Realty’s front desk for figuring that one out.
P.S. The photos above are from my new listing at 4812 West 28th Street, in St. Louis Park’s Fern Hill neighborhood.
by Ross Kaplan on March 23, 2012
Fern Hill Value
Where: 4812 West 28th St. in St. Louis Park’s Fern Hill neighborhood (go to Minnetonka Blvd. east of 100; then 2 blocks north on Princeton to 28th st.)
What: 3 Bedroom/3 Bath walkout rambler with over 2,800 finished square feet. Listed this Monday (March 19); days on market: 5.
When: 2 p.m. to 4 .m. this Sunday, March 25.
How Much: $317,500.
Who: listed by Ross Kaplan; broker is Edina Realty. Sunday open house is hosted by Edina City Lakes agent Jim Hubal.
You’ll love all the 
possibilities of this spacious walkout rambler in the middle of high-demand Fern Hill.
The first floor has over 1,600 square feet of living space, including a Living Room with Fireplace and Picture Window (left); large Dining Room; and Den with a Deck. The lower level features a huge Family Room with Fireplace; extra space for an Office, Exercise Room, or 4th Bedroom (non-conforming); and opens to the huge, walkout lot (.3 acre).
The location is terrific: just west of Uptown and the Lakes; minutes to downtown Minneapolis.
Please stop by Sunday!
by Ross Kaplan on January 24, 2012
(More) Real Estate Cliches
Two of the more overused real estate cliches (redundant, I know) is “curb appeal is deceptive” and its first-cousin, “not a drive-by.”
So, are they ever true?
Usually, not.
However, there are exceptions to every rule.
Exceptions to the Rule
Once in awhile, you do see a listed home with a plain (or ugly!) exterior, where the inside is in fact smashing.
When that’s the case, there are usually lots of flattering interior photos (the maximum on MLS is 18) that back up the Realtor’s claim.
The other instance where the curb appeal is in fact deceptive is when the home is especially deep and/or it’s a walkout (it’s on a sloping lot, so the basement is all above grade).
Both of those are true of this split-level located in St. Louis Park’s Lake Forest neighborhood, as the front (above) and rear (below) photos make clear.
P.S.: For more real estate cliches, see “Real Estate Euphemisms; “Real Estate Cliches and How to Avoid Them“; “Show and Sell!”
by Ross Kaplan on July 17, 2011
Open House 1 to 3 p.m. Today
Where: 4200 Basswood Road, just west of Cedar Lake in St. Louis Park’s Fern Hill neighborhood.
What: 6 BR/4 Bath walkout rambler with over 6,000(!) square feet on .39 acre lot with in-ground pool (sixth BR is non-conforming).
How much: $699,900
When: on the market since May 6 (market time = just over 2 months).
Who: listing agent — Ross Kaplan, Edina Realty City Lakes.
Please stop by my air-conditioned open house at 4200 Basswood this afternoon.
This well-built home is perfect for someone who wants a canvas to create a truly exceptional Upper Bracket residence in a terrific location, or, a large or multi-
generation family — the neighborhood is studded with top-tier new construction and homes that have already had six-figure makeovers.
Well-built with fine materials and features including cherry millwork, cove moldings, and huge Living Room bay window, this is the first time 4200 Basswood has been offered for sale . . . ever!
Hope to see you!
