Sunrise, Sunset Realtors (and real estate photographers) call it “the magic hour”: the 30 minutes or so after sunset (or before sunrise) when the sky is a softer, darker shade of blue, there are no shadows or reflections, and the illuminated home in the foreground looks the most dramatic. Thanks to Jenny Terrell of Spacecrafting...Read More
“Double-Envelope” Construction Winter-savvy Minnesotans know that the key to keeping warm when the wind chill is -20° below is layering. Does the same principle apply to homes? “You betcha!” (as the locals are fond of saying). 3 BR/3 Bath Split-Level With 3,585 FSF The surprisingly spacious Eden Prairie split-level pictured above features “double-envelope” construction that...Read More
Quick! Guess where neighbors are likelier to have boundary disputes, typically involving the location of a fence? In the high-density city, where homes are close(r) to together, or in the relatively wide-open ‘burbs? Wrong: it’s the ‘burbs. At least, that’s according to two different fence contractors I worked with recently, both of whom said that...Read More
Canadian Camelot: The Son Also Rises If you’re old enough, and follow politics, you’ll likely remember Pierre and Margaret Trudeau — Canada’s answer to Jack and Jackie Kennedy. The Trudeaus’ son, Justin, was just elected Prime Minister, despite his thin resume and relative youth (he’s 43). In other words, no different from his Dad, once...Read More
Sometimes, a Rose Rider is Just a Rose Rider In addition to following multiple Twin Cities neighborhoods for various clients, I also watch home sales near where I live (natch). So about 10 days ago, when the “Sold” rider** disappeared from the vacant “For Sale” home down the street, I assumed that the deal hiccupped...Read More
Alternatives to Dropping the Price When a Home Doesn’t Sell Unfortunately for owners of “For Sale” homes that . . . aren’t (selling), the explanation is seldom just mediocre marketing. If that were the case, the solution would be simple: great marketing (supplied by a new and presumably better Realtor). Instead, at least in my experience,...Read More
