City Lakes Real Estate Blog Tops the List (Google’s) So, how do you get to be the best Realtor blog in America? Start with a daily post featuring a topical bit of real estate-related news or analysis (usually). Then, write 6-8 more such pieces the same week. Finally ” and here’s the hard part ”...Read More
Market Appreciation vs. Home Depreciation “In all cases in which work is produced by the agency of heat, a quantity of heat is consumed which is proportional to the work done.” —Rudolf Clausius, first law of thermodynamics. “An overpriced, “For Sale” home depreciates in value faster than an appreciating housing market rises.” —Ross Kaplan, first...Read More
Law of Diminishing Returns Past Three or More Showings Want to handicap the odds of any given Buyer purchasing a home, especially at higher price points that fewer Buyers can reach? Think of a Bell Curve, with the peak corresponding to 2-3 showings (call it “2.5”); the left tail represents one showing, and the right...Read More
Translating “Minnesota Nice” I’ve got to remind myself when I work with out-of-town Buyers that, at least outside of Minnesota, “interesting” can literally mean . . . “interesting.” As in, “unique” (in a good way), “provocative,” or “stimulating.” When Minnesotans say it ” especially in the context of house-hunting, and they enunciate the word slowly...Read More
Cure for Dirty Central Air Conditioner: Soap & Water (Minus the Soap) Unlike an exceptionally dirty car, no one ever wrote “wash me” on a filthy central a/c unit. But, maybe they should. A clogged a/c grill decreases the unit’s air flow, which makes it run hotter . . . which decreases its life expectancy....Read More
Negotiate Formally or Informally? It Depends [Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced. If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney.] OK, so “Written vs. Verbal Counter-Offers” isn’t a very sexy title. But it’s a fascinating...Read More
