“Ball & Chain” vs. Source of Stability/Emotional Support A “contronym” is word that is its own antonym. Examples include the word “left” (“the gentlemen have left and the ladies are left”); “off” (“to turn off,” but also “activate,” as in “the alarm went off”); and “sanction” (both “approve” and “punish”). So, what do you call...Read More
Two-Part Test [Note to Readers: Seller liability for ice dams and other home issues is case-specific, and affected by local and state law. For legal advice, please contact an attorney.] At least in Minnesota, there is a two-pronged legal standard for Buyers to recover from Sellers for damage caused by an ice dam (or any...Read More
Grain vs. Stain If you can’t identify a food you’ve never tasted before, the cliché answer is that it “tastes like chicken.” That’s usually safe, because, depending on how it’s prepared, chicken can taste like anything. Oak floors are a bit the same way (at least to my eye). “Tastes Like Chicken” I recently previewed...Read More
Before and After Pix Painting stucco, a cement-based siding, used to be a “no-no”: the exterior paint didn’t adhere well, which meant that, forever after, the home needed frequent re-painting. Which sort of defeated the purpose of stucco in the first place: its famously low maintenance. Now, thanks to more stucco-friendly products, the interval between re-painting...Read More
Home Buyer Strategy in a Seller’s Market Never negotiate hungry. Or tired. Or driving — especially driving.” –Ross Kaplan, “Negotiating Advice.” While most negotiating advice is focused on the “How” of negotiating, experience has taught me that that can be much less important than the “When” or the “Where.” As in, when to stop negotiating...Read More
Not Just Peace of Mind The most obvious reason to buy a home warranty? To avoid an unexpected, budget-busting home repair — or several of them. In return for an annual premium ranging from $500 – $1,000 (depending on coverage and home features), most such policies cap homeowners’ out-of-pocket expense for repairs at $100...Read More
