“Ghost” For Sale Signs A “new listing” is self-explanatory. A “pre-list” is a Realtor drumming up interest in a soon-to-debut home (unfortunately, some Twin Cities agents now define “soon” as, “in the next six months”). So, what’s a “post-listing?” Answer (at least, mine): a “For Sale” sign post left in the front yard, after the house sale has closed. The depressing-but-true explanation: ...Read More
When it Makes Sense to “Quietly” Market a Home “Don’t be a secret agent.” –Advice to newbie Realtors. “If you’re going to put your home on the market . . . let the world know.” –Corollary, Ross Kaplan Looking for the four most expensive “For Sale” homes in St. Louis Park’s Fern Hill neighborhood right...Read More
“For Sale” Signs, Contractors, and Umbrellas (Umbrellas??) Neighbors — at least once upon a time — used to borrow a cup of sugar from one another. What do Realtors borrow from each other? Far and away, the number #1 request is for Open House signs (typically, the person requesting them is a newer agent who...Read More
Contractor: “Uh-oh, I Think I Just Hit Some Kind of Line!” When someone lists their home, their Realtor is responsible for having the utilities (gas, electric) marked before the “For Sale” sign is installed (confession: at bigger brokers, our front desk automatically takes care of that for us). But, what if the owner is (re)doing their...Read More
Pro’s & (Mostly) Con’s “Don’t be a secret agent.” –Advice to new real estate agents just starting out. Why would the owner of a “For Sale” home want to skip putting a “For Sale” sign in front? Search me. Here are the four most common reasons I hear — followed by my Realtor rebuttal (in...Read More
