Resources for Industry Professionals

April 26, 2021

“Who Ya Gonna Call?” (When an Offer Comes In)

Listing Agents Who Call the Buyer’s Lender As a Buyer’s agent, how can you tell if the listing agent (representing the Seller) is taking your client’s offer seriously? They call the Buyer’s lender — specifically, the lender on the Buyer’s Pre-Approval letter — and verify key information. Like, whether they’ve previously worked with the Buyer;...

April 25, 2021

“True Minnesotan,” Exhibit #23: the (Too?) Helpful Clerk at the Neighborhood Hardware Store

What’s the Opposite of “Upselling?” Jeff Bezos didn’t grow up in Minneapolis. Or if he did, he certainly didn’t work at a local hardware store (yes, they still exist in the Twin Cities; amongst other things, it’s where lots of local youth get their first job). I know that because twice in two weeks now,...

April 15, 2021

Skylights vs. Solar Tubes

Quick! Find the Solar Tube (in the Photo above) From an energy and maintenance point of view, the perfect home is probably a cave: only one opening, deep underground or in the side of a mountain. But most people don’t want to live that way. So, modern homes have lots of (energy-leaking) doors and windows...

April 14, 2021

Anticipating Multiple Offers? Have Your Home Pre-Inspected

Going From a Royal Carriage Back to a Pumpkin [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.] Any Realtor who’s represented a Seller in multiple offers knows the...

April 13, 2021

The Case of The Far Away Fireplace (or is it??)

Fake News Photo “True or False” Quick! Is the photo (above) of a lower level Amusement Room real or enhanced (through a wide-angle lens, etc.)? Answer: it’s real. According to MLS, the room measures a whopping 45(!) feet long. The foundation size of the home — a rambler — is well over 2,000 square feet,...

April 13, 2021

Staging Secret #17 (Especially for Smaller Homes)

Better Than Mirrors** How do you make a home that may be smaller and/or have a challenging layout, feel bigger and more flowing? Pick one floor covering to use throughout. Depending on the size home, putting in a new, neutral-colored Berber carpet can cost $5,000 (or more). But, it can easily add 3x – 4x...

March 24, 2021

How Over-Aggressive Realtors Hurt Their Buyers in Multiple Offers

The Overzealous Agent: Asset or Liability? Don’t squeaky wheels get the grease? And in a hyper-competitive multiple offer situation, isn’t an aggressive agent an asset? (nice alliteration, huh?) Yes . . . to a point. Beyond that, however, hyper-aggressive behavior on the part of a Buyer’s agent can become a negative to the Seller (and...

March 23, 2021

“Are You a Realtor?” “Why, Yes I Am!”

“There Goes My Realtor!” Admittedly, the intended effect is for clients who see me in and around the neighborhood where I live (by Cedar Lake in Minneapolis) to see my car on the road and say, “There Goes My Realtor!” But, my custom license plate (above) is also a conversation-starter when I’m parked. Like yesterday...

March 21, 2021

Realtor Conflicts of Interest: Multiple Choice

High Quality Problems For an Agent to Have [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.] Which of the following roles pose a potential conflict of interest for...

March 21, 2021

What’s That Depression in the Yard?

Three Explanations for Sinking Soil (Two Good, One Bad) Good home inspectors don’t just check out the interior of a home. They also check the home’s exterior, and even the yard for clues that something “just isn’t right.” That includes getting to the bottom (sorry) of a conspicuous depression in the yard — back or...