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
Right Message, Wrong Messenger “Pick you up from school?!? When I was your age, nobody picked me up from school. I had to take two city buses, wait in the cold for a transfer, and sit in traffic for an hour to get home from school.” –Overheard at the Kaplan kitchen table around 7:30 a.m....Read More
What’s in a Name Label? After decades(?) buying Costco’s Kirkland (house) brand — slapped on its milk, eggs, toilet paper and dozens of other items — I’d always assumed Costco had its headquarters in Seattle suburb Kirkland, just north of the city. Unh-unh. Costco’s headquarters (pictured above) is in another suburb, Issaquah, located about 10 miles...Read More
Talking Your Way Out of $50 I imagine there are a lot of emotional appeals at this parking ramp, exactly 31 minutes (& 37 minutes, & 43 minutes, etc.) after unwitting customers — at least the first time — return to their cars: “But, I got stuck in a long Starbucks line!”; “My kid’s school bus was late!”;...Read More
Doesn’t “FD” Stand for “Fire Department?” “Things should be made as simple as possible — but not simpler.” –Albert Einstein I’m all for making things simpler when it comes to real estate terminology. But, there comes a point where it . . . becomes kind of silly. Exhibit A: showing instructions that refer to the...Read More
Listing Agent to Buyers’ Agents: “The Seller is Looking at an Offer Tomorrow Night at 7 p.m.” [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.] When the listing agent tells interested parties...Read More
