Staging a home well invariably involves lots of fine-tuning and not a little trial-and-error. So, sofas get moved around, art work get hung (then removed, then re-hung), Oriental rugs get deployed in various locations, etc. Unbeknownst to home Buyers and Sellers, the same process applies to what’s called “virtual staging” ” that is, using software to show...Read More
In residential real estate, the competition for business never stops. It’s especially intense during the interviewing stage, before home Buyers and Sellers decide who to hire. But, it continues even after the sale, when agents vie to claim sales credit on MLS, in their marketing materials, etc. All of which is why Buyer’s agents are well-advised to...Read More
Let’s be honest: there’s ultimately just one reason Realtors keep copies of their records once a transaction has closed. It’s not because they’re nostalgic, pack rats, or simply too busy to shred or toss old files. Realtors keep their notes and records – ideally, for six years — in case they’re sued. Then, all those contemporaneous notes and...Read More
[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.] Clients may not know, but their Realtors do (or should): what the statute of limitations is for bringing an action, post-closing,...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
Keeping Calm and Carrying On, Circa 2017 As world views go, I always especially liked this one: “Every morning I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I’m not there, I go to work.” –Robert Orben With a little bit of re-tooling, I think it still works...Read More
