Avoiding (Seller) Guilt By Association Blue tarp is almost as ubiquitous in residential real estate as duct tape. Contractors use it to cover in-process projects. Homeowners use it to cover outdoor lawn furniture, firewood, and anything else that might be exposed to the elements. Unfortunately, at least in Minnesota after last year’s spate of Spring...Read More
Three Days on the Market vs. Three Months I don’t know about other Realtors, but my policy as a listing agent (representing Sellers) is to counsel that they leave Realtors’ business cards out the first few days their home is on the market (protocol is for agents who come through the Broker Open or do a private...Read More
“How Long Was the Home on the Market?” vs. “How Much Exposure Did the Home Get?” With multiple offers making a comeback in parts of the Twin Cities — I’ve been involved in three in just the last six weeks — it seems appropriate to ask, “Did that just-listed home sell TOO fast?” It’s certainly...Read More
“Life is Inspections are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” –Forest Gump (paraphrased) Why waste $300 or $400 inspecting a condo that doesn’t have a foundation, roof, or other structural elements? Why not just apply roughly the same amount towards a home warranty, that will protect the Buyer in...Read More
Long Live the (Hypertext) Link! If you write, I dunno . . a couple thousand words a month (a week?) on your blog, you’re naturally attuned to subtle shifts in the style and usage of the English language. Like . . . no one underlines anymore, because it’s confused for a hypertext link. See what I mean? What does...Read More
Housing Market’s “Babysitters” I have the names of over 500 contractors in my contact manager (no, I don’t use a Rolodex anymore; I doubt anyone under 25 even knows what they are). My database includes not just inspectors, lenders, and handymen, but also painters, carpenters, electricians, roofers, masons, odor remediators (by far the best: Dave Polley,...Read More
