The Limits of Delectable Food I know the about-to-follow sentiments place me in a distinct minority of Realtors, but here goes: If scrumptious refreshments on Broker Tour** actually sold homes, then that nice Contemporary by Cedar Lake should have sold in a heartbeat. Proffered to visiting agents: home-cooked shish-kebab (delicious!), flutes of champagne, and chocolate...Read More
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
Tying Up Loose Ends & Open Offers Admittedly, there’s usually not much doubt. But if you want absolute, “case-closed” proof that a Buyer’s offer qualifies as a lowball, here it is: when the Seller rebuffs it*, they never even bother to withdraw it. Either the offered price is so preposterously low they know the Seller will never...Read More
Client to Agent: “What Would You Do?” “You break it, you own it.” –The Pottery Barn Rule “You make it, you own it” (translation: if you make a decision for a client . . . you are responsible for the consequences). –Real estate corollary, Ross Kaplan Whether it’s in the context of choosing a home, negotiating a deal,...Read More
“Did You Hear? Sue Got That Plumb Job in Marketing!” I actually got into an argument recently with my 14 year-old about whether the adjective “plumb” was a dictionary-approved synonym for “choice,” “desired,” or “sought after.” The rub? None of the alternative meanings under “plumb” matched my definition. A few days later, I realized what...Read More
Four Logistical Hurdles Of course, the prospective Buyer still has to like the house enough to want to make an offer. But, over very long holiday weekends — like this year’s July 4th-on-a-Tuesday — there are a couple extra hurdles as well. Specifically, these four: One. Can you get in? If the house is vacant,...Read More