Pro’s & (Mostly) Con’s Don’t be a secret agent.” —Advice to new real estate agents just starting out. Why would the owner of a “For Sale” home skip putting up a “For Sale” sign in front? Search me. While I’m not aware of any statistics, my educated guess is that, at any given time, about...Read More
Realtors can’t ever go wrong buying champagne as a closing gift, right? Wrong. That’s the case if, unbeknownst to the agent, their client just finished a 12-step program (now presumably on Zoom, thanks to the Pandemic). Or hates the restaurant you bought them a gift certificate to. Or already has four kitchen knife sets (albeit,...Read More
(Un)Reality TV Aw’ right. Find people who are worth at least $250 million, even if they’re not looking for a house. This house will sell itself ” just get ’em up here.” —Selling Sunset, “If Looks Could Sell.” [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent...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
Definition, Please Realtors use the term “Chef Kitchen” all the time (sometimes further embellished with the adjective, “Gourmet” ” as in, “Gourmet Chef Kitchen”). But, after more than 17 years selling homes, I’m still not sure that I have a good definition, except that: a) it’s big; and b) it’s full of high-end features and...Read More
1st Woman of Color on Major Party Ticket [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway (“Berkshire”), or any other entity referenced. Edina Realty is a subsidiary of Berkshire.] When you get a chance to make history . . . take it!...Read More
