“Agriculture is the New Golf” The sentiment is practically out of Thoreau: Why not line streets with almond and avocado trees, or replace shrubbery with cabbage and currants? Golf courses could plant their roughs with kale and corn. Lawns”where they must exist”could be edged with chives and herbs. –Stephanie Simon, “An Apple Tree Grows in...Read More
Cheaper More Expensive By the Dozen Usually, the more of something you have to sell, the cheaper it is. That’s just basic, “supply-and-demand” — Economics 101. So, when is that not the case? When it comes to rental properties in today’s housing market. Buyer’s vs. Seller’s Markets Currently, there is a huge disconnect between what duplexes and...Read More
Two Scenarios, One Result With the deadline to raise the federal debt ceiling looming, one of two outcomes appears likely: One. “The band-aid” solution (also known as “kicking the can down the road”). Under this scenario, Congress and President Obama reach some cosmetic, convoluted compromise that essentially buys (more) time. Two. The two parties’ philosophical differences...Read More
Well, yes, that’s one kind of off-road biking (pictured below). But the kind I had in mind was actually on Hennepin Ave. in Uptown. Biking from The Wedge to Lake of the Isles yesterday with my two sons, traffic on Hennepin Ave. was just a little too congested to compete with on our (non-mechanized) bikes. So, we switched...Read More
The Minnesota state government? Well, that, too (as of midnight last night). But the shut-down I was referring to is the Edina Realty City Lakes office, effectively closed by an out-of-commission A/C unit. In fact, the building’s a/c has been fitful for the most of the almost-decade I’ve been in the office. Just one more...Read More
Before . . . and After What’s the difference between the two photos (above)? Actually, surprisingly little. In place of ugly horizontal siding above the front door (upper photo), the new-and-improved curb appeal (lower photo) features diagonal half-timbers. Not only are those more consistent with the home’s Tudor style, but they create a dramatic focal point...Read More
