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housing market

How to Tell if a Home Has a Converted, 1-Car Garage Without Going Inside

“The Curb Cut Clue” ” and the Clincher It’s not always the case. But, +90% of the time, when there’s a curb cut (and possibly driveway) in front of a home that leads nowhere . . . the owner (or a previous one) converted what had been a 1-car garage into finished square feet. Clue...
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“Without a Platform, Trump Falls” — Wall Street Journal Columnist

The Ultimate Platform in a Virtual World: The U.S. Presidency [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.] Under the heading, “truer words have never been spoken,” The Wall...
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The “Non-Conforming Bedroom” Catch-all

Missing by a Little ” or a Lot? What does a “non-conforming bedroom” look like? When it comes to “For Sale” homes, it could mean a lot of things. At one extreme, a Realtor might list a bedroom as “non-conforming” because the egress window is smaller than allowed by code, or there’s no closet. At...
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“The Pottery Barn Rule” — Realtor Version

Client to Agent: “What Would You Do?” You break it, you own it.” —The Pottery Barn Rule. “You make it, you own it” (translation: if you make a decision for a client . . . you are responsible for the consequences). —Real estate corollary, Ross Kaplan. Whether it’s in the context of choosing a home,...
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After the Harvest, Before Winter*: The Connection Between Oct. 15 and November 3 (at least in Minnesota)

Nod to Colder Climate So, what IS the connection (you ask)? Both dates were chosen with farmers and an agrarian economy in mind, literally two centuries ago.** Here’s the explanation: When Congress in 1845 set Election Day on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, however, lawmakers were thinking of weather rather than...
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“You Mean the House ISN’T Haunted?!? I’m Suing!”

Man Bites Dog — Real Estate Edition [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.] One of the odder Halloween anecdotes I’ve heard about was the hapless home...
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