Why Aren’t Contracts for Deed More Popular? With interest rates in the toilet and the stock market having already almost doubled from its 2009 low, you’d think that there’d be more takers for contracts for deed. An alternative to bank-financed mortgages, they allow Buyers with tarnished (or too-brief) credit histories to buy, and Sellers to sell...Read More
As a public service for anyone else out there dealing with excessive window condensation this (very cold) Minnesota winter, here’s what to do: Assuming that the windows are in good repair (no broken seals, etc.), the issue is excessive humidity. Ergo . . . identify and remove the source of the humidity! If that’s temporarily...Read More
Misleading Realtor Ads You’ve seen the ads. The catchy headline says “Signs of the Times” (or something similar), followed by rows — and rows — of homes with “Sold signs” proudly splashed on them. At the bottom is the Realtor’s picture and a greeting: “Thank You For Your Business! We’re Looking Forward to 2011.” There’s only one...Read More
To the untrained (non-Realtor) eye, the picture at left may resemble a heap of collapsed cardboard boxes headed for recycling. To a Realtor, though, they’re . . . . “Open House” sign protectors. I don’t know about other Realtors, but I extend the life of my (very expensive) “Open House” signs by sandwiching them in...Read More
Beginning about six weeks ago, the windows in my Master Bedroom and Bath began to collect major condensation — to the point where they literally needed to be toweled off daily, lest the wood frames start to rot. What’s going on? The (4 year-old) windows have gone through three previous Minnesota winters, so I ruled out...Read More
Does your Realtor practice good “deal hygiene?” By that, I mean: –They don’t discuss deal details in public areas (most likely, on their cell phone) –They make sure that they don’t leave any sensitive contracts or addenda on office faxes, printers, or copiers. –The only people they consult while a deal is in progress — other...Read More
