“Out With the Old, In With the New” [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.] To laymen, December 31 is known as New Year’s Eve. To Realtors, December...Read More
“As Is” ≅ “Pass/Fail” [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.] It seems obvious: if the Seller isn’t going to correct anything — the definition of “As Is” —...Read More
Cash vs. Financed Deals Is 21 days enough time to buy a home? If two of those days are a holiday (Dec. 24 -25) AND the Buyer needs a mortgage . . . almost certainly not. That’s because, with a financed deal, it takes at least 10-12 business days just to secure a mortgage. In...Read More
“Buy a House in Minnesota in December?” “Are You %#&!$ Crazy?!?” Actually, no. In fact, I can think of three reasons why that’s actually a very good idea. Discount Shockers One. Best deals of the year. Every year I’ve been selling real estate ” and it’s now 17 ” the best deals of the year...Read More
“Ball & Chain” vs. Source of Stability/Emotional Support A “contronym” is word that is its own antonym. Examples include the word “left” (“the gentlemen have left and the ladies are left”); “off” (“to turn off,” but also “activate,” as in “the alarm went off”); and “sanction” (both “approve” and “punish”). So, what do you call...Read More
Relief at Gas Pump No, it doesn’t make up for the vertigo-inducing gyrations (mostly down) on Wall Street the last six weeks or so. But, it’s a little consolation: dramatically lower gas prices. At Costco, the price for regular (87) octane gas recently was $2.159. For Costco members (I am), it’s actually even lower: net...Read More