“This Offer is Only Valid Until Noon, January 16” [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.] At least in Minnesota, where I sell real estate, deadlines are incorporated...Read More
A Realtor’s Definition of a “7” (or a “3” or a “9”) vs. a Consumer’s [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.] Good Buyers’ agents don’t just qualify their clients financially, they also vet the Buyer’s selection criteria. Exhibit...Read More
Answer: It Depends on the Buyer — and the House* It may be a surprise to people who associate Minnesota with year-round Arctic cold, but summers here — while admittedly not long — can be hot and VERY sticky. Hence the locals’ preference for central air conditioning. Which raises the question: if a home lacks...Read More
The “I Decline to Initial” Buyer’s Initial Form: “Agency Relationships in Real Estate Transactions” Date signed by Buyer: June 22, 2017 Form: Purchase Agreement Date signed by Buyer: June 22, 2017 What’s wrong with this picture? It runs afoul of Minnesota Department of Commerce guidelines, which provide that prospective Buyers’ agents are supposed to discuss...Read More
Consumer Psychology and the Too-Precise Price When you see an oddly-priced “For Sale” home, there are two possible explanations (at least in my experience selling residential real estate): One. Drawing Attention. The way to stand out from homes listed at $389,900, $399,900, etc. is to price at $398,731 or some such (I haven’t seen a home...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
