Square Pegs into Round Irregular Holes Due to unique shapes of rooms — measurements may vary — please measure if buyer wants exact measurements of L-shaped rooms.” –Excerpt, MLS “Agent Remarks” field. The input field on MLS for room sizes asks for two numbers: the room’s width and its length. Which works great if a...Read More
Fast Friends at Lake Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) About a zillion years ago at The Punchline nightclub in San Francisco, I heard a hilarious bit by (a then unknown) Rob Schneider recounting the various usages of the word “Dude.” As in . . . #1. Greeting (“Dude!”); #2. Approval (“Du-u-u-de!”, upbeat); #3. Disapproval (“d-u-d-e,” in a low tone);...Read More
Nominated for 13th(!) Straight Year Mpls. St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business typically notify local Realtors via letter in early May that they’ve been nominated as a “Super Real Estate Agent.” When I saw this year’s letters in colleagues’ in-boxes a month ago ” but not mine ” I dejectedly reconciled myself to the...Read More
Home Measurements & Real Estate Conventions Real estate marketing is all about “putting your best foot forward”: accentuating (but not lying) about a home’s strengths, while defusing any negatives (one of the best ways: tackle them head on, to get them out of the way). That applies to a home’s measurements, too. So, Realtors will...Read More
Standard for Buyer’s Walk-Through Inspection [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced. If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney.] “Buyer has the right to a walk-through review of the property prior to closing to...Read More
MLS Style Category Definitions 1. (SF) One Story (ONEST) One story single-family house 2. (SF) One 1/2 Stories (ONEHF) One 1/2 story single-family house. Second floor only has adequate ceiling height in a portion of it. 3. (SF) Two Stories (TWOST) Two story single-family house. Has adequate ceiling height throughout upper story. 4. (SF) More...Read More
