Client Testimonials Selling residential real estate is not without its trials. The hours stink, clients can be demanding, and — at least earlier this week — listing a home in Minnesota means traipsing outside in below zero temps to take measurements. On the other hand, every so often you handle a transaction that (more than)...Read More
Location of Closing I paid for that mike! –Ronald Reagan, 1984 Presidential debate You’d think that the home seller — who’s invariably footing most of the closing bill, starting with the Realtors’ commissions — would get to choose where to hold the closing. But by convention, it’s the Buyer’s call. Why’s that? I’d guess it’s...Read More
Don’t Fight the Fed — Housing Edition “I am still aware of the inorganic nature of the improvement [in housing], but the key takeaway is a) US housing market down 35% eventually stabilizes; 2) do not under-estimate the ability of a determined Central Bank to impact any specific market it chooses.” –Barry Ritholtz, “Mea Culpas...Read More
Moist Eyes: Setting the Record Straight My wife thinks I was tearing up because of how heart-wrenching the movie was. That, it was. However, after almost 3 continuous hours in my seat, my eyes were moist for a completely different reason: I really, really had to go the bathroom. P.S.: My favorite jab at thrice-married...Read More
Thinking Outside the Box Inside the Circle [Editor’s Note: I like to (re)run this post, originally titled “Winter Walk Shortcut,” on or around the coldest day each winter. That would certainly appear to be sometime this week, when the high temperature for several consecutive days is forecast to be below zero.] I definitely prefer walking...Read More
Housing Market, 2011 vs. 2013 I’m sure I’m not the only veteran Twin Cities Realtor who lost — at least temporarily — a prospective Seller sometime in the last 18-24 months relaying unwelcome housing market news. When I delivered the shocking — but accurate — information about prevailing prices at the time, the reaction I...Read More
