Explaining the Ghost “For Sale” Sign (Online, at least) Thanks to quirky (at least to me) MLS rules, home photos can’t include broker names or any other marketing information. Usually that’s not a problem, because the Realtor-ordered photos are taken before the “For Sale” sign is installed. Ahh, but when that’s not the case, to...Read More
Addition By Subtraction Just like staging a home’s interior is mostly about subtraction, not addition, improving a home’s curb appeal is usually about paring back. Most common task: cutting back overgrown landscaping that obscures the home’s curb appeal. In this case, removing this Fern Hill duplex’s window awnings (above) was a 2-for-1: 1) it punched...Read More
Grain vs. Stain If you can’t identify a food you’ve never tasted before, the cliché answer is that it “tastes like chicken.” That’s usually safe, because, depending on how it’s prepared, chicken can taste like anything. Oak floors are a bit the same way (at least to my eye). “Tastes Like Chicken” I recently previewed...Read More
Collecting (Mining?) a Treasure Trove of Personal Data on Home Buyers and Sellers (and their Realtors) [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway (“Berkshire”), or any other entity referenced. Edina Realty is a subsidiary of Berkshire.] To consumers and even...Read More
Home Buyer Strategy in a Seller’s Market Never negotiate hungry. Or tired. Or driving — especially driving.” –Ross Kaplan, “Negotiating Advice.” While most negotiating advice is focused on the “How” of negotiating, experience has taught me that that can be much less important than the “When” or the “Where.” As in, when to stop negotiating...Read More
Not Just Peace of Mind The most obvious reason to buy a home warranty? To avoid an unexpected, budget-busting home repair — or several of them. In return for an annual premium ranging from $500 – $1,000 (depending on coverage and home features), most such policies cap homeowners’ out-of-pocket expense for repairs at $100...Read More
