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
Official Beginning of Winter 2017-2018 in Twin Cities: Yesterday! (Dec. 5) “Welcome to Stanford! Last year, 95% of you were in the top 5% of your class. Today, 95% of you are in the bottom 95% of your class.” –Stanford Dean of Admissions Fred Hargadon, to each year’s entering freshman class (including mine a long time...Read More
The Limits of Delectable Food I know the about-to-follow sentiments place me in a distinct minority of Realtors, but here goes: If scrumptious refreshments on Broker Tour** actually sold homes, then that nice Contemporary by Cedar Lake should have sold in a heartbeat. Proffered to visiting agents: home-cooked shish-kebab (delicious!), flutes of champagne, and chocolate...Read More
It may seem counter-intuitive, but just because two “For Sale” homes share the same block, are listed for the same price, and are the same size (have the same finished square feet), doesn’t necessarily mean they’re direct competitors. In fact, I can think of two scenarios where there’s virtually no overlap in the pool of...Read More
Aesthetic vs. Functional Ok, so pocket squares a generation ago (or two) had more sartorial flair. But, contemporary pocket squares — also known as “Post-it Notes” — are much more functional. And yes, I do try to color coordinate them with the shirt I’m wearing (button-down, of course) . . . 🙂 P.S.: Sorry, so-called...Read More
“Close Not Close But No Cigar” Department “Missed It By THAT Much.” –Catch phrase, Agent Maxwell Smart (“Get Smart” 1960’s TV sitcom). Maybe the developer meant “St. Louis Park West.” Because the new luxury apartment complex at 1511 Utica in St. Louis Park is nowhere near its namesake, or a park, or anything with...Read More
