Example: Flying Chicago to Denver Roundtrip Ok, so I made up the “missed plane” statistic. But, I don’t think I’m wrong. Here’s the explanation: when a (over)busy professional books a round-trip ticket from Chicago to Denver, they’re invariably rushing/distracted, etc. when they input their flight times on their smartphone (assuming they do). So, they neglect...Read More
Breaking the (Email) Chain “As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Hitler approaches 1.” –Godwin’s Law. “As an email chain grows longer, the probability of one recipient saying something they wish another recipient hadn’t seen (and wish they could take back) approaches 1.” –Ross’ Corollary to Godwin’s Law (for email...Read More
The Folly of Forecasting “It will fluctuate.” –Financier JP Morgan, when asked what the stock market will do. At least to me, forecasts by so-called experts invariably fall into one of three categories. One. Extrapolations of current trends (“same old, same old”). So, if housing prices nationally went up an average of 6% the previous...Read More
Buyer’s Agent Pre-Closing Freakout, or “The 30 Minute Home Warranty Policy” What do you do as a Buyer’s agent (OK, me) when — proofing the closing worksheet just before closing** — you catch that the Purchase Agreement includes a Seller-paid home warranty from HSA . . . and you can’t confirm that one’s been ordered?...Read More
Good Thing No One Saw It. Not. My take on the meth disclosure on the standard Minnesota Seller Disclosure is the same as my view of accused murderers on the witness stand: if you’re potentially capable of murder, you’re certainly capable of (and motivated to) lie about it under oath. In the same vein, someone...Read More
At Least One Bullseye: “Hire a Good Realtor” Money Magazine is out with its 2016 Spring Real Estate Guide, subtitled “The 35 Best Moves for Buyers, Sellers, and Owners Now.” Do the authors know what they’re talking about? Here’s the magazine’s advice for first-time Buyers (“Starting Out”), followed by my running commentary in italics: Money Magazine:...Read More
