“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
Question #2: Good or Bad for Whom?? Is it good news or bad news that a home scheduled to be on “Broker Tour” ” essentially, open houses for local Realtors each Tuesday in the Twin Cities ” abruptly cancelled? Answer: it depends. It’s good news — at least for the Seller, if not frustrated Buyers — if...Read More
More than WHAT? My short answer to the question, “can I get more for my house if I put on a new roof?” is, “yes, you can.” That is, if by “more,” you mean, “more than what you could have gotten for the home without a new roof ” especially if the current one is...Read More
So, what’s the secret to keeping every single New Year’s resolution? Discipline, perhaps? How about persistence, fortitude, self-knowledge, or even realistic (read, “low”) expectations? Nope. Try, “timing.” My now 17 year-old son hit upon the idea, years ago, of waiting till the waning hours of New Year’s Eve (like, after 11 p.m.) to forswear various...Read More
Is the Buyer Short of Cash? Not Committed to Deal? [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.] Normally in Minnesota, the Buyer’s earnest money is due to the...Read More
1 Picture = 1,000 Words 2 Pictures = 2,000 Words If you ever wondered what “millwork” is, these pictures answer it. Specifically, it’s all the visible wood in the house except the hardwood floors. That includes: built-in’s (buffets, storage, etc.); crown and cove moldings; doors; arches and columns; the beams in a box-beam ceiling; and window framing...Read More
