Life Preserver? Noodle?* Neither That’s not a yellow life-preserver about to go around the neck (and wind pipe) of my 12 year-old son. On the contrary. That’s a 10-foot long, 45 pound python. It was just one of 60 or so snakes — and dozens of exotic/tropical animals — on display at McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary in South Florida. My...Read More
New Listing — Or Is It?? Would-be home Sellers who pulled their listing over the holidays typically wait for two things: 1) for the post-holiday period to pass, usually a few weeks into the New Year; and 2) mild weather (defined as mid-teen’s or higher in Minnesota in January). The last few days qualify, which...Read More
Practicing an Ounce of Prevention If the answer to that question is “no one” — or at least, not regularly — it’s imperative that the owner do one of the following (at least if their home happens to be located in Minnesota and it’s winter): –Winterize the home (shut off the water and drain the...Read More
“Buy a House in Minnesota in December?” “Are You %#&!$ Crazy?!?” Actually, no. In fact, I can think of three reasons why that’s actually a very good idea. Discount Shockers One. Best deals of the year. Every year I’ve been selling real estate — and it’s now 13 — the best deals of the year...Read More
Standard for Buyer’s Walk-Through Inspection “I know it when I see it.” –United States Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s threshold test for defining obscenity. What’s fair game for raising issues during the Buyer’s walk-through inspection? (typically, conducted within 48 hours of closing). At least in Minnesota, any changes to the home since the Buyer’s inspection that substantially alter its...Read More
Giving Agents a Green Light to Go to Bat for Their Clients “No man can serve two masters.” –New Testament [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.] Unlike, say, many financial advisors, Realtors owe their clients a...Read More
