Making the Same Arguments, But Shuffling the Order [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.] Connoisseurs of legal strategies — specifically, the “it’s not my dog” defense — can be...Read More
The OTHER Kind of Walk-Thru Inspection I don’t know about other listing agents (representing Sellers), but before I set out a “Please Remove Your Shoes” sign at one of my listings, especially if it’s vacant, I first do a run-through. A shoe-less run-through. If and only if I emerge unscathed do I ask Buyers and their agents...Read More
Sure, sure, Realtors show support for their colleagues any number of ways. They include: –Offering price opinions on about-to-be-listed homes; –Offering price opinions on homes that are already on the market (and not selling) — plus, ideally, some marketing suggestions. –Simply offering a sympathetic (and discreet) ear when a colleague is wrestling with a challenging...Read More
Divorce Settlement Screw-Up’s: Exhibit A Test your knowledge of mortgage finance, and answer the following question (aired at a continuing ed class yesterday): If a deed is given from an ex-husband to an ex-wife,** the ex-wife is automatically the sole owner of the real property and the sole obligor on the mortgage. A. True B....Read More
More Like, “The Witching Minute” At least when it comes to continuing education, the witching hour for Realtors is actually more of a minute: 9:16 a.m., to be specific. That’s when agents arriving for a course are told that they’ve missed the first 15 minutes, and won’t receive credit. Thankfully, me and several dozen Edina...Read More
Is it Halloween Yet? I’m a big fan of dramatically lit homes. And with the seasonal change, we’re heading into ever-shorter Fall days. And yet, the technique doesn’t work all the time ” and can even backfire: especially for smaller homes, interior lighting at night can produce an (unhelpful) “Jack-o-Lantern effect.” The (kind of) scientific...Read More
