Nightmare Inspection Addendum: ‘Seller to Tighten Doorknobs, Dust Counters, etc.’ To the, oh, I dunno, 37 reasons why Buyers shouldn’t nitpick on the Inspection (it can cost them the deal, it jeopardizes Sellers’ good will (and assistance) post-closing, the scope of the inspection is supposed to be limited to material items, etc., etc.), add reason #38: anything on the Buyer’s list...Read More
Compromised Curb Appeal It’s a tough call: do you recommend that a prospective home Seller replace a still-functioning — but aesthetically challenged — capital item? As they say, it all depends: –on the price point; –on the condition of the rest of the home; –on how large the item looms in the home’s marketing and overall...Read More
Cost-Effective Home Improvements What are the most cost-effective home improvements? Actually, homeowners’ biggest bang for the buck isn’t improving anything — it’s fixing something that’s broken. As a listing agent, I’ve seen Buyers deduct $3 (or more) for every $1 in needed repairs. Why so much? A) because it’s a hassle; B) because the amount...Read More
Now? Is it Warm Enough Now? In a post this Spring titled, “The Strategic Use of ‘Coming Soon!’,” I discussed listing agents who alert prospective Buyers about prospective fixes that will be done when weather permits. The obvious corollary to that post: such tactics are time-limited. So, informing prospective Buyers that “The Garage Door Will be Painted When...Read More
It won’t really work with an entire home that needs fix-up. But when there’s a lone, seasonal repair that’s waiting (and waiting) for warmer weather, telling prospective Buyers that the fix is “Coming Soon!” is a terrific idea. I just saw a $1 million Edina home where just such a sign was prominently displayed on the rather rough-looking...Read More
Where’s the Beef Inventory? In a post last month titled, “Inventory Glut? Not in These Twin Cities Neighborhoods,” I related the surprising (and growing) lament amongst would-be Buyers and Buyers’ agents scouring various high-demand, local neighborhoods, only to find slim (or no) pickings. What accounts for that? Part of the explanation is that this year’s...Read More
