Disclosure Standard: “To the Best of Seller’s Knowledge” [Editor’s Note: if you’re tired of Halloween-themed posts . . . skip this. Back to non-Halloween subject matter soon, promise. The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced.] Do a cursory search...Read More
“Hello, Mortgage Loan Department? Can I Please Speak to a Human Being?!?” “Big companies and start-ups are beginning to use learning software in higher-stakes decisions like medical diagnosis, crime prevention, hiring selections and loan approvals. The idea is that an A.I. turbocharger can be applied to all kinds of decisions, making them smarter, fairer and...Read More
The Twin Cities’ Best Real Estate Blog? You’re Reading It! As streaks go, I’d much rather have Joe DiMaggio’s (for hits in consecutive baseball games — 56) or Cal Ripken’s (for consecutive games played — 2,632). But, next month will mark the 8th(!) anniversary of the “City Lakes Real Estate Blog.” During that time, I’ve published...Read More
(Adult) Kids Who Recommend Their Realtor to Their Parents As Millennials become more active in the housing market (yay!), their Realtors (myself included) are enjoying a fringe benefit: a leg up marketing to their Baby Boomer parents. I see two reasons why “the kids’ Realtor” has the inside track landing their parents’ business — often,...Read More
From Highway On-Ramp to Private Cul-de-Sac The Highway 100 construction “losers” (at least short-term)? Easy: all the fuming drivers stuck in 100 traffic (especially south), not to mention the ones caught on clogged side roads like Cedar Lake Road, and now — with Highway 7 partially closed — nearby 36th Street in St. Louis Park. But, there are...Read More
Only 2 Ways to Wipe the Slate Clean on an Old(er) Listing Once upon a time, misbehaving kids in high school were told that, if they didn’t shape up, their misdeeds “would go on their ‘permanent record.'” Adults know that there’s no such thing (unless you count credit scores). But, there’s something very much like a...Read More
