True or false: what Realtors call “the selling agent” once a deal closes represents the Seller (no, this isn’t another “Grant’s Tomb” question). Answer: false. The agent who represents the owner/seller is called “the listing agent”; post-closing, the Buyer’s agent is referred to as “the selling agent.” Nomenclature Once you work in real estate sales...Read More
Profile in Courage Competence When the virus hit, neither Mr. Trump nor the federal government were technically in charge. Most of the decisive constitutional powers ” closing schools or ordering people to stay home ” lay with U.S. governors and mayors. But the President immediately assumed a leading role, coordinating regular exchanges between the governors,...Read More
Low(er) Odds of Wet Basement Older may not be better when it comes to furnaces, roofs, and major appliances. However, if there’s any question about whether a home’s basement is wet, old is very good. Why’s that? Because carpeting that repeatedly gets wet and dries out becomes moldy, discolored, and generally starts to deteriorate. Ditto...Read More
Family Savings: $5,000(?) Even if I had a $1,000 per ticket to take my family to see Hamilton on Broadway . . . I wouldn’t have spent it that way (I would’ve popped for a vacation, or a Bathroom remodel). So, watching the musical on Disney Plus last night was a terrific — and economical...Read More
[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.] According to Feedspot’s latest “Top 40” list, the best Twin Cites real estate blog is Nick Leyendecker’s “Twin Cities Real Estate Blog,”...Read More
Waiting for More Shoes to Drop(??) As the U.S. prepares to celebrate its 244th(!) Independence Day this weekend, an unusual sense of uncertainty if not foreboding looms over much of the nation. Depending on who you are (Black or White, rich or poor, employed or not) and where you live (New York City, Houston, or...Read More
