“As Is” ≅ “Pass/Fail” [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.] It seems obvious: if the Seller isn’t going to correct anything — the definition of “As Is” —...Read More
Relief at Gas Pump No, it doesn’t make up for the vertigo-inducing gyrations (mostly down) on Wall Street the last six weeks or so. But, it’s a little consolation: dramatically lower gas prices. At Costco, the price for regular (87) octane gas recently was $2.159. For Costco members (I am), it’s actually even lower: net...Read More
Chances of Selling: “Possibly” vs. “0%, 100% Guaranteed” “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is King.” —proverb The real estate corollary to the proverb above? “During a time of year when inventory of good homes is depleted, and lots of “For Sale” homes are temporarily off the market (“TNAS,” or Temporarily Not...Read More
Who Qualifies as a “Relative?” At least in Minnesota, licensed real estate agents must disclose if they’re related to their client. The logic, I assume, is that agents have a negotiating and knowledge edge over non-Realtor “civilians” — and therefore anyone closely aligned with them does, too. Definition Ahh, but that just begs the question:...Read More
Answer: “About 50°” In the middle of August, on an especially humid day, a nice breeze — if necessary, generated by a ceiling fan — is especially welcome. Fast forward six months (or three, if you live in Minnesota), when local temps are 40º to 60º(!) cooler. That same breeze is now officially a “draft”...Read More
What’s the Discount for a Haunted House? In almost 17 years selling real estate, I’ve yet to see an open house ” at least in real life ” on Halloween. The fictional Halloween open house? On TV sitcom “Modern Family,” where Realtor Phil Dunphy decides to capitalize on all the foot traffic in the neighborhood. It...Read More
