It Depends Who’s Talking “Have you ever noticed that their stuff is sh*t and your sh*t is stuff?” —George Carlin Part of real estate sales ” make that a big part ” is handling clients with sensitivity and respect. That’s especially true for elderly clients, who haven’t moved in decades and have strong emotional ties...Read More
Step #1: What Are the Local Setback Requirements? Robert Frost’s line is often quoted, but seldom defined: what is it exactly that makes a “good” fence good? Here are my four criteria: One. Aesthetic. Acceptable fence materials include wood, vinyl, aluminum, chain link, wrought iron, and wire. Any of the above can be attractive — or...Read More
Client to Agent: “What Would You Do?” “You break it, you own it.” —The Pottery Barn Rule. “You make it, you own it” (translation: if you make a decision for a client . . . you are responsible for the consequences). —Real estate corollary, Ross Kaplan. Whether it’s in the context of choosing a home,...Read More
So, Where Are All the Garages?? Guess which of the following statements about the Country Club district in Edina are true: A. Fruit trees may not be planted on the boulevards. B. Country Club is known for relatively small lots. C. Front-loading garages were originally prohibited (and are still rare). D. Homes in Country Club...Read More
“For Sale” Signs vs. “NOT For Sale” Signs I’ve got my own definition of what Realtors do. See, “Realtor Job Description 2019.” But, I’m mostly OK** with the one offered by standup comedian (and social critic) Colin Quinn, in his Netflix special “Red State Blue State”: “That was the genius of the Founding Fathers: they...Read More
Quality > Quantity The (Realtor) conventional wisdom about showing activity on holiday weekends, like the one coming up? That it’s a microcosm of the slower, Thanksgiving-to-New Year’s period. Namely, while there is a noticeable drop in traffic, the Buyers out there tend to be more serious and motivated. Call it “quality over quantity.” Practically, with...Read More
