Double Whammy: Zillow’s Revenue, Realtors’ Expense* [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.] One of the biggest reasons that Zillow and Trulia — Websites that aggregate real estate listings and whose stocks are publicly-traded — make a...Read More
Keys, Keys, Keys I don’t recall ever being confronted with 3(!) deadbolt locks before — the case at an Edina duplex I showed earlier this week. Figuring out which one worked is just one of the challenges that Buyers’ agents face. First, they need to pop open the lockbox that contains all those keys. Step...Read More
“Actions > Words Dept.” How do you know, as a listing agent (representing the Seller), that a Buyer has serious interest? A. They gushed about how much they loved the home at the Sunday open house. B. They asked the listing agent to find out how quickly the Seller can close. C. The showing feedback...Read More
“April showers bring May flowers.” —old saying “July deals bring (late) August closings.” —real estate corollary Combine a (very) busy late Spring market, surprisingly low interest rates, and a looming month-end, and what do you get? An exceptionally crowded end of August closing docket. Meanwhile, as for Realtors . . . not so much. At...Read More
Bad Behavior, Bad Actor It doesn’t happen often, but I’ve certainly handled deals where a party I’m representing in a real estate transaction has been on the receiving end of, shall we say . . . “bad behavior.” What to do? The conventional choices are: 1) get mad; or 2) get even. Option #3 But,...Read More
“Relationship Shorthand” What’s the opposite of “guilt by association?” “Honor by association.” How does that play out in residential real estate? When, as a listing agent (representing the Seller), the Buyer’s agent, lender, inspector, and title company all check out with flying colors . . . it’s highly likely that the Buyer ultimately will, too. Of...Read More
