“Powell Doctrine” vs. “Kaplan Doctrine” Military action should be used only as a last resort. However, when it is used, it should be overwhelming and disproportionate to the force used by the enemy. –Powell Doctrine (my paraphrase) Buyers who have serious interest in a home should stay off the listing agent’s radar until such time...Read More
March February Madness 24. 31. 17. 28. Football snap count? Try, attendance at open houses hosted by myself and colleagues the last few weekends. By way of comparison, a dozen people at an open house is considered to be a good turnout, and I’ve certainly had my share where I felt like the Maytag repairman. Does...Read More
Guilt By Association When agents see a listing — on February 14, in Minnesota — with leafy trees and a bright, green lawn (like the one above), their knee-jerk response isn’t to say to themselves, “My, what gorgeous landscaping.” It’s to click on “History” on MLS to see how long the home’s been on the market —...Read More
“So, How’s the Market?” People don’t say “How are you?” to Realtors; they say, “How’s the market?” So, it was fun — kind of — to watch TV’s best-known Realtor, Phil Dunphy of sitcom “Modern Family,” field that question in his doctor’s office on a recent episode: Doctor [making small talk while examining Phil]: ‘So,...Read More
Season Confusion Once upon a time, Iowa and New Hampshire held their Presidential primaries in February — and the Twin Cities housing market kicked off after the Super Bowl (or whenever the weather cooperated, whichever came later). Today? Iowa and New Hampshire voters go to the polls in January — and at least some Twin Cities home...Read More
What Did the Seller Know? Newlyweds Scott Strand and KK Thomson were delighted to close last fall on a modest rambler in Edina, where they both grew up and wanted to live after they got married. At the end of the year, though, the young couple got what Strand calls “a New Year’s surprise” —...Read More
