Make That, “Good for Whom?” Thanks to MLS protocol, home sellers typically have to “OK” overlapping showing requests — that is, when one or more Buyers want to see the home simultaneously (by convention, at least in Minnesota, showings are for one hour). Should the Seller give their permission? Absolutely! As I tell my selling...Read More
Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder Buyer When should a listing agent (representing the Seller) explicitly acknowledge in their marketing that a home “needs cosmetic updates” (or the equivalent)? Less often than you might guess. Here are my three reasons why: One. The pictures tell the story. For years, websites like EdinaRealty.com have allowed...Read More
3901 Sunset Blvd. in St. Louis Park [Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway (“Berkshire”), or any other entity referenced. Edina Realty is a subsidiary of Berkshire.] But for the fact that it’s on my (3 block) commute to work at Edina...Read More
Which “Hat” is the Other Agent Wearing? Well before a home comes on the market these days, good listing agents (representing the Seller) “prime the pump” with an aggressive, pre-list marketing campaign. That includes using the new “Coming Soon” status on MLS; exposing the home on Edina Realty’s agents-only “Network One” (note: be sure to...Read More
Conspicuously Missing: The “I-Want-To-Meet-My-Interior Decorator” Showing Once upon a time, Buyers’ agents who wanted to get their clients into a “For Sale” home simply logged onto MLS; selected the home they wanted to show and the requested time and date; and clicked “submit.” No more. Now, MLS has a pull-down menu (above) listing no fewer than nine types...Read More
Real Estate Photos & The “Bowling Alley” Effect Dining Room: 10′ x 12′ Living Room: 13′ x 23′ –MLS “Structure Information” That distant Dining Room bay window in the center of the photo above looks like it’s practically in a different zip code. How far away is it really? Add the 23′ length of the...Read More
