Easier Sell in Summer? The problem with tuckunder garages is what’s “over” the “under”: usually, a bedroom. If that bedroom happens to have hardwood floors, and it’s Minnesota in the winter . . . it can be unpleasantly cold. The two other problems with tuck under garages: 1) they tend to be single stall; and...Read More
Home Buyer Dis: “Looks Like Too Many Trips to Home Depot” What makes a home “stuck in Pergatory?” Too much Pergo, for one thing (sorry, bad pun). For those who don’t know, Pergo is a laminate made to look like hardwood floors, and is about half the price per square foot as the real thing....Read More
Easier Sell in Summer? The problem with tuck under garages is what’s “over” the “under”: usually, a bedroom. If that bedroom happens to have hardwood floors, and it’s Minnesota in the winter . . . it can be unpleasantly cold. The two other problems with tuck under garages: 1) they tend to be single stall;...Read More
Man Bites Dog — Real Estate Version It’s hardly the funniest line in “The 40 Year-Old Virgin” (I watched a re-run the other night) . . . but it is a good real estate line. The setup: Andy just refinished his hardwood floors, and is showing new girlfriend Trish (Catherine Keener) his very empty place for...Read More
Home Buyers Who Get a Post-Closing Lump of Coal When there are hardwood floors in the closets, you usually expect to find them under the carpet in the adjoining room. Usually. The exception, in my experience: 1950’s construction — often ramblers — that were built just as high-quality, affordable carpeting took the housing market by storm (think...Read More
Hardwood Floor Favorites (Still): Oak, Maple Once upon a time — like 5 years ago — it seemed like bamboo floors were The Next Big Thing. Bamboo was touted as cheap, long-lasting, aesthetic, and — best of all — environmentally friendly (technically, it’s a grass, not a tree, and grows much faster). Marketplace as Ultimate...Read More
