Increasing Market Penetration? Realtors cast around for inspector referrals all the time. (Much) less common: a Buyer’s agent trying to turn up an inspector qualified to inspect a geothermal heating/cooling system (I received the first such email this am via Edina Realty’s “broadcast” feature). Good! First, homeowners have to install such systems, either as retrofits or...Read More
“Two Strikes and You’re Out” I just heard through the grapevine that a certain Twin Cities builder is now working with their third Realtor in four years (note: builders sometimes engage Realtors — occasionally on an exclusive basis — to rep their new homes). I’ve worked with both previous Realtors on past deals, and found...Read More
Better Than Angie’s List The best thing about cultivating and maintaining relationships with lots of good, local contractors* is that it’s a benefit to my clients who need one (or three). Runner-up benefit? I can pick up the phone and get the “scoop” (off-the-record) from an especially knowledgeable source. That proved invaluable in a recent...Read More
In the Middle Without Being In the Middle Most listing agents, myself included, take pains to avoid negotiating the sale of personal property. See, “And Repeat: ‘Never Negotiate Furniture.'” But that doesn’t mean I sidestep the issue altogether. When asked, I’m happy to provide Sellers with the names of reputable, local estate sale companies (yes,...Read More
Will Sell Homes for Food (& Appreciation) No, you can’t cash compliments. But, in over a decade selling homes, it’s hard to top the “Thank You” note (below) that I just received from a client (and friend) I’ve worked with on two deals over the last ten months (the second deal closed yesterday). “I’ve said it...Read More
Voting With Your Feet — or (Computer) Mouse The best sign of a satisfied customer? Repeat business. So, when it comes to things like groceries, gas, and dry cleaning — purveyors of such things can figure out pretty quickly how they’re doing. Ditto for the web sites (and blogs!) which people patronize regularly. Infrequent Transactions...Read More
