Want Neighborhood Scoop? Ask a Neighbor

I just sold my first “Petters home” today (“sold” is Realtor-speak for representing the Buyer).

The former owner apparently was burned in Tom Petters’ Ponzi scheme, and the financial fallout cost them their house. (Petters was a prominent Twin Cities businessman and now convicted felon serving a very long sentence for fraud.)

How’d I find out?

Not from the listing agent or Bank-Seller, neither of whom had a clue.

Rather, my clients introduced themselves to a (future) next-door neighbor, and found out from them.

P.S.: One of the best sources of neighborhood scoop is the local mailman (“mail delivery person?”). Just make sure they’re not new to the route.

About the author

Ross Kaplan has 19+ years experience selling real estate all over the Twin Cities. He is also a 12-time consecutive "Super Real Estate Agent," as determined by Mpls. - St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Magazine. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Ross was an attorney (corporate law), CPA, and entrepreneur. He holds an economics degree from Stanford.

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