“Free at 1 p.m?” This anecdote is courtesy of Stefan Swanepoel, keynote speaker at Edina Realty’s 2011 annual meeting held last week: A Baby Boomer who wants to have lunch with an acquaintance will call or email two weeks in advance, then exchange multiple emails/phone calls over the ensuing two weeks to fine-tune the time and location. The Millennial (“Gen Y’er”)?...Read More
“Don’t be a secret agent.” –Marketing advice to all new Realtors It’s drummed into your head from your first day as a Realtor (actually before, at pre-Realtor training classes): ‘Don’t be a secret agent” — invariably followed by, “identify and regularly communicate with your ‘sphere of influence'” (also referred to as your “farm”). It doesn’t have to be geographic —...Read More
“Would You Like Fries With That . . . Program?” So, who just got the $1.99 I paid last night to watch a Season 3 episode of “Breaking Bad,” the terrific (dare I say addictive?) AMC series about a chemistry teacher-turned-meth dealer: A. Netflix B. Amazon.com C. Blockbuster Video D. DISH (pay-per-view) Answer: B Once upon a...Read More
Why does that Realtor you know look so tired? In today’s market, it’s likely that they’re actually selling each listing three times. The first time is to the prospective Seller, whose market expectations . . shall we say . . . may be a little out of date. That means patiently educating them about Comp’s; helping them...Read More
Hire a Realtor, and you get an attorney for free. That’s right: Minnesota Realtors have an express, statutory exemption to practice law without a license. And they do. The garden variety Minnesota residential Purchase Agreement, Addenda, and related disclosures now trip 25 pages; a complicated deal can easily add another 10 pages. All single-spaced, by...Read More
Too Much — and Little – of a Good Thing Nobody goes their anymore; it’s too crowded. –Yogi Berra Twice just this week, I’ve given up circling the parking lot at the 50th & France Lunds; with perhaps only 150 spaces in front and at least 6-8 cars also prowling for a spot, my odds...Read More
