Can You Copy From Yourself?? I’m not sure I can explain what “the singularity” is in physics, artificial intelligence or technology generally. But, at least in blogging, my definition is: “having so much online material that there’s effectively an infinite archive of posts that can be recycled in perpetuity” (not that I would — or...Read More
Bret Stephens’ “Four Questions About American Greatness“ OK, so it’s barely Chanukah, let alone Passover (falls early this year, at the end of March). And, the four questions** at the center of the festive meal (“seder”) are supposed to be religious, not secular. But, it’s hard to read Bret Stephens’ piece in last week’s New...Read More
How to Tell Where the Fish Buyers are Biting (or at least, looking) As a listing agent counseling a Seller about where to initially price — or, if necessary — reduce to, a key step is to know where the competition is priced. The goal: position the client’s home to stand out. But, what if there was a way...Read More
MLS Agent Remarks: “$10,000 Agent Selling Bonus!” [Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway (“Berkshire”), or any other entity referenced. Edina Realty is a subsidiary of Berkshire.] After seeing virtually no sales incentives offered to Buyers’ agents seemingly for years, I’ve now...Read More
Structural, Not Psychological Explanation The years-long shortage of housing inventory has been a head-scratcher for many real estate experts (including this one). According to Econ 101, rising prices eventually elicit more supply, which cools off prices, which in turn reestablishes market equilibrium. Except that hasn’t happened the last few years. If anything, the shortage of...Read More
Real Estate Euphemisms 101 It’s purely anecdotal, but I don’t think I’m wrong: something like >95% of the time, when a listing agent touts that a home has a “low maintenance yard” . . . there isn’t a yard (or at least, not much of one). Of course, if there’s only a postage stamp-sized yard...Read More
