Whole > Sum of Parts [Editor’s Note: 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.] One of the (many) fringe benefits of working at the best office (City Lakes), at the...Read More
Doesn’t “FD” Stand for “Fire Department?” “Things should be made as simple as possible — but not simpler.” –Albert Einstein I’m all for making things simpler when it comes to real estate terminology. But, there comes a point where it . . . becomes kind of silly. Exhibit A: showing instructions that refer to the...Read More
Key Questions: 1) Will it fit in the elevator?; 2) IS THERE an elevator? When you see a crane outside a commercial property, it’s usually hoisting a piece of HVAC-related equipment (heating, cooling, electrical) onto the roof that’s too big to fit in an elevator. By contrast, when you see a crane outside a residential...Read More
In a supposedly paperless world, why does anyone still need something to correct paper mistakes? I know at least one, non-standard application: touch-up paint for Realtor sign riders. 🙂 It’s not as good as white nail polish, and not as water-repellent (or long-lived) as oil-based paint, but in a pinch . . . it’ll do!Read More
How to Tell, Early On, if a Home is Likely to Appraise The listing agent (representing the Seller) is meeting the Appraiser — representing the Buyer’s mortgage lender — at the house (note: the listing agent should always meet the Appraiser at the house). What should they have with them, to provide to the Appraiser? A. Hard...Read More
Alternative Headlines, or, Putting Financial Penalties in Context “Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC on Wednesday agreed to pay $5.5 billion to the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency to settle a probe into its sale of toxic mortgage-backed securities in the run up to the financial crisis.” —The Wall Street Journal (July 12, 2017). Shelling...Read More
