Why the Homestead Exemption Matters “If the Property Tax status is part- or non-homestead classification in the year of closing, Seller __ Shall __ Shall Not pay the difference between the homestead and non-homestead.” –lines 78. – 79.; 2015 MAAR-approved Purchase Agreement At least for more expensive Minnesota homes, the rule on non-homestead taxes is blissfully simple:...Read More
What’s a Little Didacticism in a Movie With Margot Robbie & Brad Pitt? Are collateralized debt obligations (“CDO’s”) easier to understand when a gorgeous Margot Robbie — enjoying a champagne bubble bath — explains them? (maybe, if you’re not too distracted). How about when the teacher is Selena Gomez or Chef Anthony Bourdain? That’s the...Read More
The Opposite of “Easier Said Than Done” Real estate sales is a field (like many others, I’m sure) where a lot of things are “easier said than done.” Get Sellers to price realistically? “Easier said than done.” Persuade homeowners to spend a relatively nominal amount on staging, that will help sell their home faster, for...Read More
3,000 Bonus Points vs. $60 Quick! Which sounds more valuable? Sixty dollars, or 3,000 bonus points? If you guessed the latter, you’d have lots of company — and be flat wrong (at least, according to the terms of a year-end credit card promotion I just received). Conversion Confusion Assuming 15,000 points converts into a $300...Read More
Economist: “Assume You Have a Can Opener”* Everything I learned about economics at Stanford turned out to be useless. In fact, worse than useless, because it was wrong, and therefore had to be flushed (unlearned). (Sorry, Mom; sorry, Dad. Thankfully, not everything I learned in college was for naught.) Economics’ Dark Age In Stanford’s defense,...Read More
“Charm Galore?” Where? Sorry, I don’t see “charm galore” in the MLS photo (above). I see an empty, darkish room with shadows from one of the windows. Just because the caption (listing agent) says it, doesn’t make it so.Read More
