Deal Insurance for Home Sellers, or, “The Art of the Backup Offer” [Editor’s Note: one of the perks — and pleasures — of working for a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate like Edina Realty is having office privileges in hundreds of locations around the U.S. Like in Scottsdale, AZ, where I recently visited. The post below was...Read More
Counting Down to December 31 December 29 At least for Buyers’ agents, the answer to the question, “should I close on my home purchase in 2017, before any new tax laws take effect?” is easy: “consult your tax advisor.” Fortunately, agents are able to field a related question: “is it still possible to close in 2017?” Closing Hurdles Whether a 2017 close...Read More
Star-Crossed Condo Building by Lake Calhoun [Editor’s Note: 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.] “Roaches check in, but they don’t check out!” –1981 TV commercial for the “Black Flag...Read More
Getting to Deal Breakers (Like Projected Remodeling Costs), Faster Eighteen months ago, when Wall Street-backed Buyers were vacuuming up Twin Cities homes, the first showing was effectively the inspection. That’s because such corporate Buyers purchased sight unseen (for cash!), and used the inspection to decide if they really wanted the home. See, “Cash Buyers, Sight...Read More
Your client is interested in a Downtown Minneapolis loft (or condo); as their Realtor, what do you do first? A. Show them the unit, to see if they like it; B. Review the Association doc’s, to look for pet restrictions, prospective capital improvements, etc.; C. Check out the MLS price history, to see how long...Read More
Where’s All the Cash Coming From? “Using cash allows real estate investor Jeremy Rupp to pay less than the asking price, then after the deal closes, he gets a mortgage on the home to free up more cash to keep buying.” –Jim Buchta, “Cash is Still King“; The Star Trib (11/3/2013) Call it the real estate version...Read More