Preparing for an Empty Emptier Nest “At first you go bankrupt slowly, then all at once.” –Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, others. Somehow, the quote above seems to (also) describe the experience of preparing for the imminent departure of our 18 year-old for college in California this Fall. It creeps up slowly . . . then...Read More
High Profile Agents (and Their Business Models) If working with a Realtor with a huge ego is a deal breaker, you’re in luck: there’s an easy way to identify such agents. Just look up when you’re out and about driving (but only for a second 🙂 ). Hands Off (or is that, “Hand Off??”) At least...Read More
Looking for Signs of a Market Top Once upon a time, a sure-fire yellow (or red!) flag for frothy home prices was Realtors buying homes for themselves, either as investments, or to fix up and flip. See, “Insider Buying & the Housing Market: Why Realtors are a CONTRARIAN Indicator.” The logic: agents were most bullish...Read More
True or false: what Realtors call “the selling agent” once a deal closes represents the Seller (no, this isn’t another “Grant’s Tomb” question). Answer: false. The agent who represents the owner/seller is called “the listing agent”; post-closing, the Buyer’s agent is referred to as “the selling agent.” Nomenclature Once you work in real estate sales...Read More
Biting the Bullet vs. Discounting the Sales Price Can Minnesota homeowners sell a house with a red-tagged furnace? The somewhat surprising answer: “You betcha!”** Ahhh, but is it smart to sell a home that needs a new furnace? The answer to that is more nuanced. Here’s mine: “Usually not — but it depends on the home’s...Read More
Buyer: “My Offer is (WAY) Below Your Asking Price Because . . .” It’s no sin trying to buy a home at a discount. Of course, especially in a strong Seller’s market, such a strategy has almost no chance of succeeding . . . but there’s no harm in trying (as they say). What I wouldn’t recommend...Read More
