“Buy on Bread, Sell on Cheese” In the wine industry (which I otherwise know nothing about), “buy on bread, sell on cheese” means that if you’re a wine buyer, you’d be well-advised to eat a piece of bread in between tastings. Because bread is neutral, it will clear your palate for the next wine. By...Read More
Establishing Credibility With Sellers I was on a (successful) listing appointment in Linden Hills last week, when the topic of neighborhood expertise came up (I had it to spare). It certainly helped that I had handled several recent transactions within a few blocks; used to live less than six blocks south, in the adjacent Fulton neighborhood;...Read More
Overpriced Home as Buyer Bait? Maybe, Maybe Not [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.] I know many of my colleagues vigorously disagree with me — especially in a seller’s market with crazy-tight inventory like today’s —...Read More
“No-No’s” for Would-Be Home Sellers, or “What’s the Opposite of an Achilles’ Heel?” My #1 piece of advice for would-be home sellers prepping for market this Spring (or any other time of year) is, “make everything consistent.” Which suggests this corollary: “don’t over-improve.” In fact, there are two kinds of over-improvements: 1) within the home; and...Read More
The Last Refuge of a Scoundrel Desperate Listing Agent When you see a Realtor trumpeting a home’s price per square foot, you can surmise which of the following? A. The home’s a bargain; B. It lacks emotional appeal; C. It’s big; D. The agent is desperate, inexperienced — or both. Correct answer: “B.” (the others are...Read More
“Do You Know a Good Lender/Home Inspector/Title Insurance Company?” “You better watch out You better not cry Better not pout I’m telling you why Santa Claus is coming to town He’s making a list And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who’s naughty and nice Santa Claus is coming to town.” Unlike Santa Claus, Realtors...Read More
