The Folly of Forecasting “It will fluctuate.” –Financier JP Morgan, when asked what the stock market will do. At least to me, forecasts by so-called experts invariably fall into one of three categories. One. Extrapolations of current trends (“same old, same old”). So, if housing prices nationally went up an average of 6% the previous...Read More
“An Bird Offer in Hand is Worth Two in the Bush” It certainly seems like a reasonable request over Thanksgiving — or any other long holiday weekend, for that matter: a Buyer’s agent who connects with the listing agent (representing the Seller) to make sure that the Seller is available and able to respond to an...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
Contractor: “Uh-oh, I Think I Just Hit Some Kind of Line!” When someone lists their home, their Realtor is responsible for having the utilities (gas, electric) marked before the “For Sale” sign is installed (confession: at bigger brokers, our front desk automatically takes care of that for us). But, what if the owner is (re)doing their...Read More
“Something-for-Nothing” vs. “Nothing-for-Something” Editor’s Note: President-elect Trump has his negotiating secrets, I have mine. Or did — keep reading . . . 🙂 Ever wonder what the secret(s) to successful negotiation are? By definition, every deal is unique. And, when it comes to buying and selling homes, it’s always a negotiating advantage to know more about...Read More
