It Depends on What the Definition of “It” Is (and also “Fix”) “Fix“: Pronunciation /fiks/ /fɪks/ (Informal): Influence the outcome of (something, especially a race, contest, or election) by illegal or underhanded means. –Oxford Dictionary. [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway,...Read More
Dow Drops Almost 11,000(!) Points in < 6 Weeks If — If — the current stock market rally holds, the six weeks just transpired will qualify as history’s shortest — and most harrowing — bear market. Think, “bungee jump,” but with billions of people around the world partaking simultaneously. From its start on February 12,...Read More
Lower Interest Rates vs. Economic Uncertainty How will coronavirus affect the housing market? The answer likely depends on two questions: 1) which Buyers?; and 2) which segment(s) of the housing market — specifically, which price points? So, at the lower end of the market, especially in the Twin Cities, there remains an acute shortage of...Read More
Mistitled — & Misleading [Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway (“Berkshire”), or any other entity referenced. Edina Realty is a subsidiary of Berkshire.] “Tell me where I’m going go die, so I won’t go there.” –Berkshire Hathaway’s Charlie Munger. Sorry, notwithstanding...Read More
Is Apprehension About Rising Rates Misplaced? Conventional wisdom is that higher interest rates would be disastrous for a still-recovering economy. Is that mindset right? Maybe not. Whither Interest Rates? If rates are rising because the economy is stronger, that’s a positive, not a negative. As one loan officer I work with said, “If you’re hoping for dirt-cheap...Read More
Three (and one half) Theories One of the more confounding things about today’s — shall we say — “unusual” housing market is the conspicuous absence of what Realtors used to call the “sweat equity” Buyer. In no particular order, here are the three explanations I hear most often — and find most credible. One. Soft...Read More
