Handling an estate sale, depending on the circumstances, can be (very) hard for Realtors. That’s especially true if they are close to the family. But, at least one part is easy: setting a price on the home’s value as of the date the former owner (“decedent”) passed away. The heirs typically need that value for...Read More
Wrestling With Realtor Guilt Just like it’s always a good time to buy, some Realtors (and Brokers 🙂 ) say it’s always a good time to hold an open (house, that is). Like today, Easter Sunday. See, “Open Houses on Easter Sunday.” I disagree. Realtors need down time and family time, too (and dare I...Read More
Your client is interested in a Downtown Minneapolis loft (or condo); as their Realtor, what do you do first? A. Show them the unit, to see if they like it; B. Review the Association doc’s, to look for pet restrictions, prospective capital improvements, etc.; C. Check out the MLS price history, to see how long...Read More
If You Can’t . . . a Queen Bed Won’t Fit, Either Q: “How do you double your money?” A: “Fold it in half.” When Buyers pose the “will it fit?” question, they’re often really asking two questions: 1) will a King-sized bed be too crowded in the (smallish) bedroom?; and 2) can they physically get a King-sized...Read More
But Watch Out For That Clawback Provision If you want to get the attention of Buyers’ agents, offer to pay them more. Or faster. That’s the strategy of at least one local (Golden Valley) builder, whose yet-to-be built new construction homes are listed on MLS now, but won’t be ready for occupancy until closer to...Read More
“Those who know, don’t talk; and those who talk, don’t know.” –stock market saying What’s true in the stock market is also true in real estate. Namely, the value of what Realtors call a “Comparative Market Analysis” (“CMA”) that can be had for free is . . . about what you pay for it. As...Read More
