Big Rambler . . . Big Lot . . . Big Upside Where: 2508 Joppa Ave. South just west of Cedar Lake. What: 4 BR/3 Bath Rambler with over 3,500 finished square feet on a gorgeous, 80′ x 147′ lot. How much: $589,900. Who: listed by Ross Kaplan, Edina Realty – City Lakes. Create your...Read More
Renovated 1950’s Rambler by Cedar Lake Asking $825k(!) [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.] No one would be happier than me if 2518 Joppa — new on the market yesterday — fetches its $825k (really) asking...Read More
Not to Be Confused With “Dumpster Diving” “Dumpster diving” is when bargain hunters look for something salvageable (or edible — blechh!) in a dumpster. So, what’s “dumpster chasing?” When bargain hunters target the owner of the home behind the dumpster. Specifically, “dumpster chasers” solicit homeowners to find out if all that emptying out/updating is in anticipation of going...Read More
Housing Market Bellwether One dumpster on a block is meaningless. Two, and I start to pay attention. However, three or more dumpsters on a block — especially big ones — can only mean one thing: the housing stock in the neighborhood is getting a big upgrade, either from exiting homeowners or — more likely —...Read More
Nosy Neighbors, Take #14 Long before the Buyer’s home inspector lays eyes on it, or the Buyer’s title company checks for closed permits, wanna guess who (else) knows whether the Seller’s recent Kitchen Remodel is high-end? (or not, as the case may be). The neighbors. In the course of the months-long project, it’s a good...Read More
Avoiding “The Bowling Alley” Effect First, a caveat: unless there’s also a detached garage in the back of the house (typically, off an alley), converting a one-car garage into something else is a non-starter. That’s because going from a one-car garage to a no-car garage is guaranteed to destroy much more value than it creates. But, assuming that that’s not the...Read More
