Indoor Spiral Staircases vs. Outdoor Spiral Staircases Maybe it’s because I’m a 6’2″, 220 lb. male, but I’ve never particularly been a fan of spiral staircases. Too tight (at least for me) and occasionally, flimsy. Like overly-generous use of mirrors, they also suggest cramped quarters that somebody is trying not to make seem even smaller...Read More
“Priced to Sell?” Not Always Notwithstanding many a listing agent’s assurance to the contrary, not every home is “priced to sell.” When that’s the case, a price reduction is eventually in order. The catch with Minnesota homes that list now and turn out to be overpriced? Four to six weeks into the listing — the...Read More
Of Skating Rinks & Steep Driveways There are brilliant, sunny days, when every listing shows great, and the home’s physical setting and views are shown off to their best effect. And then there are days like today. If you’re reading this blog outside Minnesota, the Twin Cities awoke to a freezing rain and roads that...Read More
Minnesota: Global Warming Winner As Minnesotans enjoy a record-warm early November, one can at least daydream about what shorter, milder winters might mean for the local housing market (local farmers can already attest to the delayed frosts and earlier thaws — this year’s first hard freeze in the Twin Cities was late October!). Here are...Read More
Crying Wolf About April 30? Sales of existing homes in December fell 16.7 percent from November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.45 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Monday. –“Existing Home Sales Drop More Than Forecast“; The New York Times (1/25/2010) My take is that a big chunk of the drop...Read More
“Safe” Mortgage Pain Spreads to MN In the latest phase of the nation’s real estate disaster, the locus of trouble has shifted from subprime loans ” those extended to home buyers with troubled credit ” to the far more numerous prime loans issued to those with decent financial histories . . . Economists refer to...Read More
