(Adult) Kids Who Recommend Their Realtor to Their Parents As Millennials become more active in the housing market (yay!), their Realtors (myself included) are enjoying a fringe benefit: a leg up marketing to their Baby Boomer parents. I see two reasons why “the kids’ Realtor” has the inside track landing their parents’ business — often,...Read More
“Showing 1.5” What’s a “1.5 showing?” When one partner in a couple has seen the house and likes it, and gives their partner a green light to take a look. Rules & Exceptions As a general rule, Realtors acting as a Buyer’s agent prefer that both (all**) decision-makers be present at all showings. That’s not only...Read More
“Actions > Words Dept.” How do you know, as a listing agent (representing the Seller), that a Buyer has serious interest? A. They gushed about how much they loved the home at the Sunday open house. B. They asked the listing agent to find out how quickly the Seller can close. C. The showing feedback...Read More
Getting to Deal Breakers (Like Projected Remodeling Costs), Faster Eighteen months ago, when Wall Street-backed Buyers were vacuuming up Twin Cities homes, the first showing was effectively the inspection. That’s because such corporate Buyers purchased sight unseen (for cash!), and used the inspection to decide if they really wanted the home. See, “Cash Buyers, Sight...Read More
When One Showing = Three The evidence is mixed about whether a quick jury verdict is good or bad for the defendant. But in residential real estate, there’s no such ambiguity: a quick showing is invariably bad for the owner, while a long one is very, very good. In fact, the longer the better. I...Read More
Obstacle: “The Creepiness Factor” “After a quick scan of his Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pintarest, and Instagram, here’s what I know: “Likes” — Chicago Blackhawks, kickboxing, the movie “Die Hard,” and beer. He meditates, he loves Indian food, and he’s crazy about his dog, Otis.” –Haley Dunphy, reporting the results of her online reconnaissance on prospective home...Read More
