Not Measuring Up? There’s no harm in touting that a home has an especially nice backyard, sits on a large or impressive piece of land, etc. However, the term “double lot” ” at least to me ” has a specific, defined meaning. Namely, it’s a least twice the size of a standard city lot. In...Read More
Thinking Outside the (Refrigerator) Box What do you do when your fridge ” and your extra fridge ” are overflowing with to-be-prepared Thanksgiving food? This time of year ” at least in Minnesota ” there’s literally an infinite “extra fridge” . . . . outside your door. Or in our case, inside the garage. After...Read More
Items that Trigger a Purchase Agreement Amendment, Post-Inspection Want to know how much it costs to fix a cracked chimney cap? A veteran Realtor probably does. Ditto for a new roof, boiler, electric service panel, or central a/c. However, it’s a good bet that the same agent has only a rough idea how much it costs to...Read More
Perplexed by “Plex” Here in the Midwest, a “triplex” has a specific, defined meaning: it’s an apartment building with three, legally separate rental units. Ergo, a duplex consists of two units, a fourplex, four, and so on. The units may either be side-by-side or stacked vertically — same (legal) difference. Number of Floors vs. Units...Read More
Realtor: “Don’t Call Me, I’ll Call You” “How about never? Is never good for you?” —New Yorker cartoon, showing two people scheduling a get-together. About 2-3 times a year, I handle a deal opposite an agent who seems to have a perpetually full voicemail box. Which begs the question: “is that on purpose, or are...Read More
What, No Security Alarm? “Code to enter the building is *76521. The lockbox is located in the dry cleaning closet which is to your left once you enter the lobby. The code to the closet is 3149#. The lockbox is marked. The code is 8147.” –Excerpt, MLS showing instructions If you’re a Buyer’s agent planning...Read More
