“Super-Duper High Gloss” (Or, Maybe They’re Just Wet??) When it comes to hardwood floor finishes, there’s “matte,” “semi-gloss,” and “gloss.”* And then there’s VERY high gloss ” in the case of the floors shown above. Rule of thumb: you’re supposed to see your reflection looking in the mirror. But, when you can see your reflection...Read More
Doubling Down on DIY (“Do It Yourself”), or, “If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again” “First law of holes”: ‘if you find yourself in a hole . . . stop digging.'” –Adage. One of the more interesting inspections I’ve handled recently involved a Minnetonka home Seller (I represented the Buyer) who clearly was...Read More
“Super-Duper High Gloss” (Or, Maybe They’re Just Wet?) When it comes to hardwood floor finishes, there’s “matte,” “semi-gloss,” and “gloss.”* And then there’s VERY high gloss ” in the case of the floors shown above. Rule of thumb: you’re supposed to see your reflection looking in the mirror. But, when you can see your reflection...Read More
DIY Home Buyers & Sellers The vast majority of Minnesota home Buyers and Sellers elect to settle any post-closing disputes thru arbitration rather than litigation. The explanation? It’s considered faster and cheaper. The occasional exception: Buyers who are lawyers, are related to lawyers, or otherwise think they can procure the required legal services at a...Read More
Professional vs. DIY Want a sure, umm . . . sign that Spring has finally arrived in the Twin Cities? The temps have warmed enough that the ground is finally thawing — and long frozen-in-place “For Sale” signs are listing, Tower of Pisa-like, towards the ground. The solution? For the listing agent (representing the...Read More
Outsource vs. Do-It-Yourself; Racing the Inspection Clock (or Not) True or false: the $10 home radon tests sold at home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc.) are less reliable than the $200+ tests performed by professional home inspectors (note: the do-it-yourself kits also charge a $35 lab fee for normal processing turnaround, for a total...Read More
