What’s in a Name Label? After decades(?) buying Costco’s Kirkland (house) brand — slapped on its milk, eggs, toilet paper and dozens of other items — I’d always assumed Costco had its headquarters in Seattle suburb Kirkland, just north of the city. Unh-unh. Costco’s headquarters (pictured above) is in another suburb, Issaquah, located about 10 miles...Read More
“Quality vs. Quantity” Trade-Off Which side of that question you come down on — plus your own pre-Labor Day plans — likely govern whether you list your home before or after Labor Day weekend (or, advise your client to). In a nutshell, here’s the two-part “for” case: 1) with less housing market activity generally, new listings will...Read More
Summer in the ‘Cities Win-Win, or, “Worshipping False Idylls” This will no doubt come as sacrilege to many Minnesotans — and isn’t going to endear me to my colleagues who specialize in selling 2nd homes up north — but here goes: my theory about why so many of my fellow Twin Citians cherish a weekend —...Read More
New Inspection Contingency Timetable for Minnesota Home Buyers, Sellers [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.] The answer to the question, “when does 5+2+1 = 10?,” is, “when...Read More
Tweaks to 2016-2017 Inspection Contingency One of the more awkward moments in any Buyer’s home inspection is when the Buyer’s contractor finally succeeds in opening the ceiling panel accessing the attic or crawl space — only to have a pile of debris rain down on them (and perhaps, the Seller’s brand-new hall carpeting). Or, the...Read More
Ala Carte Disclosure vs. “All or Nothing” Unlike, say, Minnesota’s mandatory Seller Disclosure, home sellers in multiple offers have complete discretion over whom they tell. To be sure, the default is telling everyone: the more Buyers competing for a home, the higher the price (at least usually). That’s why Edina Realty’s standard listing contract states...Read More
