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housing market

Keeping Emotion Out of the Deal: When the Seller & Listing Agent Are Related (or Friends)

When Does a “For Sale” Home Stop Being the Seller’s? Especially for newer, less established agents, it’s common to represent friends and relatives in the sale of their home (over time, successful Realtors’ sphere grows beyond those groups). Even veteran agents occasionally represent friends and family members. How do they (we) keep emotion out of...
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Homes on Corner Lots: Premium or Discount?

Real Estate Marketing and the Art of Self-Selection Realtor conventional wisdom is that some Buyers prefer homes on corner lots, because of the extra light (and one less neighbor). Meanwhile, others avoid corner lots, because of the additional street exposure, potential loss of privacy, and ” at least in Minnesota ” 4-5 months of extra sidewalk to...
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Wet Basement the Month (Day??) After Closing: Who’s Responsible?

High Winds, +3″ Rain in Twin Cities Last Night [Note to Readers: 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.] A LOT of recent Twin Cities home buyers will be asking...
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“Republican Energy” and “Democratic Energy” — and the Politicization of Everything Else

“Rule or Die” Mentality Comes to U.S. Politics [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.] Minnesota Native Son (and fellow St. Louis Park High School grad) Thomas Friedman...
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“Starter Home,” Defined

“Starter home“: a relatively small, economical house or condominium that meets the requirements of young people buying their first home. While there’s no precise definition, I have two associations with “starter home”: One. Price Point. Starter homes are (well) below the average price for homes in the local market ” whatever that may be. So,...
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Multiple Offers and Asterisk Clauses (aka “Escalation Clauses”)

How to Suddenly Go From Two (or More) Buyers to None [Note to Readers: 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.] Thanks to practically zero inventory — and almost zero...
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