Test your knowledge of residential real estate, and take a crack at this multiple choice question. What are possible explanations for a home being “TNAS” (Temporarily Not Available for Showing”) on MLS: A. A pipe burst, and the owner is cleaning up the mess; B. The owner is out-of-town for a few days, and doesn’t...Read More
“So Done” vs. “Are You Done Yet?” For an unassuming four letter word, “done” sure has a lot of different connotations. I count at least eight (below), including two meanings — one good, one bad — popular in residential real estate. One. To perfection. Example: “That house is done. It’s not staged like a spec house.”...Read More
What’s the difference between a “Tudor” and a “Revival Tudor?” As far as I can tell . . . none. In fact, “Revival Tudor” appears to simply be the more formal name for what everyone commonly refers to as plain old “Tudor.” Here’s a good working definition: “The essential characteristics of a Tudor Revival house...Read More
Fast Friends at Lake Calhoun About a zillion years ago at The Punchline nightclub in San Francisco, I heard a hilarious bit by (a then unknown) Rob Schneider recounting the various usages of the word “Dude.” As in . . . #1. Greeting (“Dude!”); #2. Approval (“Du-u-u-de!”, upbeat); #3. Disapproval (“d-u-d-e,” in a low tone); #4. Warily,...Read More
“Real” vs. “Virtual” Staging Staging a home well invariably involves lots of fine-tuning and not a little trial-and-error. So, sofas get moved around, art work get hung (then removed, then re-hung), Oriental rugs get deployed in various locations, etc. Unbeknownst to home Buyers and Sellers, the same process applies to what’s called “virtual staging” — that is,...Read More
The Case of the Downgraded Updated Windows What’s the difference between an “update” and an “upgrade?” Put it this way: it’s subtle enough that even lots of Realtors who should know better get it wrong. So, here are my definitions: An upgrade is a home feature that builders and remodelers charge extra for. Things like...Read More
