The More, The Merrier? One of the weird things about the local housing market at the moment is that small, entry-level homes are hard to find — and (therefore) seem to be fetching a healthy premium. Meanwhile, north of seven figures, there seem to be TONS of choices, many steeply discounted. That disconnect suggests a...Read More
Geithner: ‘Increase Financial Literacy’ I wish it were from The Onion, but unfortunately, it’s not: While Americans from Wall Street to Main Street focus on much-needed financial reforms that will set and enforce clear rules across the financial marketplace, we also need to recognize that most Americans don’t have the knowledge and skills they need...Read More
Northeast Minneapolis’ 13th Ave. What’s the difference between a neighborhood that’s down-and-out vs. up-and-coming? Or, in the case of a Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood long anchored by the Modern Cafe, the difference between warm and hot? One or two new restaurants, a popular new bar — and a profile in The New York Times’ Sunday travel...Read More
No Change in Mortgage Rates (Yet) I have just received the following telegram from my generous daddy. It says, ‘Dear Jack: Don’t buy a single vote more than necessary. I’ll be damned if I’m going to pay for a landslide. –John F. Kennedy Almost a month after The Federal Reserve completed its massive, $1.2 trillion...Read More
Who’s That Woman on the Cell Phone in Front of the Broker Open? I noticed the woman on the cell phone in front of the broker open as I was looking for a parking space. Hmm, I thought — must be a hot new listing if the agent is on the phone to a client...Read More
Prepping For Sale You can pay me now, or pay me later. –Oil filter commercial, circa 1970’s One of the more difficult conversations listing agents can have with their Sellers concerns spending (some) money to prep their home for sale. That’s an especially sensitive topic if some (or all) of the homeowner’s motivation for selling...Read More
