Too Much of a Good Thing? I know there are Realtors who would disagree, but personally, I think it’s possible to have too many photos of a For Sale home. Since 2018, MLS has allowed an unlimited number photos. See, “Max Number of Photos on MLS Now? “The Sky’s the Limit”.” That’s in addition to...Read More
“Animal/Insect/Pest Infestation? Check “Yes’ or “No'” [Note to Readers: 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.] Do a cursory search online for “animal control,” “bat removal,” or similar, and you’ll...Read More
Realtors’ Investment: Skill, Time, & Marketing $$$ How long should a listing contract be? The short answer: “long enough to sell the property being listed.” How long that is ” assuming that the home is well-priced, staged, and marketed ” is typically a function of price. Under $250k in the Twin Cities today, you’d estimate...Read More
Universal Staging Principles How do you stage an outdoor, in-ground swimming pool in the backyard of a “For Sale” home? The same way you stage anything else: by adding accents, focal points, and color ” and removing clutter. For an outdoor pool, that means opening up any poolside umbrellas, arranging nearby lawn chairs, and throwing...Read More
Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder Buyer When should a listing agent (representing the Seller) explicitly acknowledge in their marketing that a home “needs cosmetic updates” (or the equivalent)? Less often than you might guess. Here are my three reasons why: One. The pictures tell the story. For years, websites like EdinaRealty.com have allowed...Read More
When Does a “For Sale” Home Stop Being the Seller’s? Especially for newer, less established agents, it’s common to represent friends and relatives in the sale of their home (over time, successful Realtors’ sphere grows beyond those groups). Even veteran agents occasionally represent friends and family members. How do they (we) keep emotion out of...Read More
