“Showing 1.5” What’s a “1.5 showing?” When one partner in a couple has seen the house and likes it, and gives their partner a green light to take a look. Rules & Exceptions As a general rule, Realtors acting as a Buyer’s agent prefer that both (all**) decision-makers be present at all showings. That’s not only...Read More
Three Key Factors Besides Price Tag, Scope of Work Discounting for a home’s “vintage” condition is inherently subjective. Some Buyers don’t want to tackle anything more challenging than painting a Bedroom (if that). Others — especially if they have contracting skills (or access to them) — are up for remodeling the Kitchen, Bath’s and anything...Read More
Shift to a Buyer’s Market? “Told ‘Ya So” (Back in September!) Compare the Star Trib headline (above) — just published online — with the excerpt below from this blog: “The Twin Cities housing market experienced a shift over the Summer. From scarcity and multiple offers, we’ve now transitioned to a more balanced market ” or even one that...Read More
Lies, Damn Lies, and Housing Predictions “Government statistics are often questionable and sometimes turn out to have been highly misleading. Unfortunately for policy makers, such errors are most likely to be severe at precisely the time that the economy is turning around.” –Floyd Norris, “Doubting the Economic Data? Consider the Source”; The NYT (11/6/2014) “It’s...Read More
“Seller WILL Receive Feedback Directly” “You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.” –Warren Buffett The housing market equivalent of Buffett’s observation would be, “you only (especially?) find out who’s overpriced when the market shifts.” As local Realtors will tell you, the Twin Cities housing market experienced just such a shift over the Summer. From scarcity and...Read More
From a Seller’s to a Buyer’s Market? The catalyst(s) and pace may vary, but the dynamics of a housing market shift — most recently from a Seller’s market to a (nascent) Buyer’s market — are unvarying. And that’s regardless of locale or calendar (i.e., it describes Las Vegas 2007 as well as Orange County in...Read More
