Will Scathing Feedback Lower the Seller’s Price? I’ve certainly taken my swipes at the seemingly ubiquitous showing feedback forms that Buyers’ agents receive after they show a home. The main knocks: they ask for information no good Buyer’s agent is going to provide — e.g., “what is the home worth?” — especially if they have a client...Read More
Consider This a Little Big Sign With the usual number of homes temporarily taken off the market over the holidays, plus “For Sale” homes that simply expire without selling (something like one-third of all listed homes), a home’s status this time of year can be a question mark. So, here’s a BIG hint: if there’s a large post...Read More
My Picks (vs. Most Popular) When you post — on average — twice a day for a couple years, they can’t all be zingers. But after some 3,000 or so posts and drafts (yes, I’ve got another couple hundred posts teed up), at least a few have been spot-on, as they say: well-written, insightful, and...Read More
“Go Northwest, Young Man” I’ve written recently how, 500 miles to the southeast, the Twin Cities labor market and economy generally are starting to feel ripples from North Dakota’s booming oil fields. See, $16 an Hour at McDonald’s; “Hanging Sheet Rock for $90k a Year.” When the conference organizers get in on the act (see above)...Read More
“Powell Doctrine” vs. “Kaplan Doctrine” Military action should be used only as a last resort. However, when it is used, it should be overwhelming and disproportionate to the force used by the enemy. –Powell Doctrine (my paraphrase) Buyers who have serious interest in a home should stay off the listing agent’s radar until such time...Read More
March February Madness 24. 31. 17. 28. Football snap count? Try, attendance at open houses hosted by myself and colleagues the last few weekends. By way of comparison, a dozen people at an open house is considered to be a good turnout, and I’ve certainly had my share where I felt like the Maytag repairman. Does...Read More
