Tying Up Loose Ends & Open Offers Admittedly, there’s usually not much doubt. But if you want absolute, “case-closed” proof that a Buyer’s offer qualifies as a lowball, here it is: when the Seller rebuffs it*, they never even bother to withdraw it. Either the offered price is so preposterously low they know the Seller will never...Read More
A Tale of Two Cities Foundations At the end of an unexpectedly long day yesterday, I finally caught a break: my client’s 1950’s rambler (and my upcoming listing) in Edina had a blissfully straightforward, rectangular foundation that took me less than 10 minutes to measure. No additions, bump-outs, bay windows, or other nooks and crannies. In fact,...Read More
The Hilltop Home in a Flood Plain (Huh?!?) When a home appears on a Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) map showing its “flood zone designation,” you might assume that the home was located in a flood plain — and subject to (very expensive) flood insurance. Unh-unh. It turns out that ALL Minnesota homes have been assigned a flood...Read More
[Your Name Here] Award I have no idea for what, or who decided (actually, some organization called “American Registry” emailed this to me, along with a pitch to pay them money). But, it says so in the fine print on a plaque, so it must be right . . . 🙂Read More
Client to Agent: “What Would You Do?” “You break it, you own it.” –The Pottery Barn Rule “You make it, you own it” (translation: if you make a decision for a client . . . you are responsible for the consequences). –Real estate corollary, Ross Kaplan Whether it’s in the context of choosing a home, negotiating a deal,...Read More
Opportunity? Or Deal Breaker? Water damage in the lower level — explicitly disclosed by the Seller on MLS — represents which of the following: A. A deal breaker. B. An opportunity for the right Buyer. C. Both “A.” and “B.” Answer: “C.” At least in this case, Buyers decided that the Golden Valley rambler (pictured above) was...Read More
