Property Premiums — and Discounts It’s certainly a logical strategy: buy a discounted home just outside a stellar school district, then open enroll your child(ren). The hitch? Actually, there are three: One. Most districts determine open enrollment on a year-to-year, school-by-school basis. So, an elementary school in a particular school district might have openings, the...Read More
Vetting the Buyer’s Finances Prior to closing, at least, the best evidence that a (non-cash) Buyer can financially perform is a Written Statement from a reputable lender. Typically given by the Buyer to the Seller a couple weeks after the deal has been struck, it says that the lender has: a) completed vetting the Buyer’s finances,...Read More
When Less is More Things should be made as simple as possible — but not simpler. –Albert Einstein Listing agents should use as many photos as necessary to convey a sense of the home — but not more. –Real estate corollary; Ross Kaplan Just because MLS allows listing agents to include up to 18 photos...Read More
Real Estate Synonyms — and Antonyms Test your knowledge of real estate marketing and answer the following “True or False” question: “Meticulously maintained” means the same thing as “updated”: A. True B. False Answer: False In fact, “meticulously maintained” is almost always Realtor code for not updated. P.S. : Ditto for synonyms such as “well-loved,”...Read More
That doesn’t mean that it’s on top of the neighbor’s house, does it? (Sorry, not enough sleep last night and I’m a little punchy — does it show??).Read More
Does it “Just Need Cosmetics?” How do you know when you’ve found a home that’s a good candidate for rehab/remodeling? In the words of one of my favorite contractors, Phil Raskin, “it has the right things wrong.” Definition: the home has good bones and a nice floor plan, but discrete, correctable problems. Black, White —...Read More
