K-Shaped State Minnesota’s northern and eastern regions have grown more conservative over the years, and Republicans won two House seats in the state during the 2018 midterm elections ” a rare bright spot during an election characterized by an anti-Trump wave.” –“Minnesota Seemed Ripe for a Trump Breakout. It Has Not Arrived”; The New York...Read More
What’s the plural form of “stir-fry?’ Stirs-fry?? Tricky, huh? Somehow, “stir-fries” ” as in, “this restaurant specializes in “stir-fries'” — just doesn’t sound right, either . . . . P.S.: The 150 or so attorneys who work in the Minnesota Attorney General’s office are known as “Assistant Attorneys General” (don’t ask me why it’s not...Read More
Meaningless Marketing Mumbo Jumbo: Exhibit A Somebody has to carry on the George Carlin tradition. In that vein . . . I’m sure he’d scratch his head about the difference between being “pre-selected” (for yet another credit card I don’t need), and just plain, old ordinary “selected.” Pre-what, exactly? Is there another group of prospective customers...Read More
Fall, 2020 Open House Multiple Choice Quick! Guess which of the following is liable to show up at Realtor open houses this Fall: A. “Nosy Neighbors.” B. Serious Buyers. C. People looking for interior decorating ideas. D. Prospective home sellers interviewing agents to sell their home next year (without telling the Realtor that’s what they’re...Read More
Electoral Illogic, or, “Has it Happened Yet?!? How About NOW??” [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced.] With less than two months until the election, not only is Donald Trump flailing, so are some of his usual...Read More
[Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced.] As a Realtor, I know better than to challenge an acquaintance who, almost sheepishly, explains that they would’ve liked to hire me, but instead were obliged to use their...Read More
