Seller Semantics According to my contacts at Edina Title, a couple recent closings have hiccupped over the Seller’s well disclosure. Make that, the lack of such a disclosure. In each case, the Seller was under the impression that, because the well on their property had been sealed, it was appropriate to check “No” in the...Read More
“Strike 1 3/4,” or, There’s Never Just One Cockroach When you pull up in front of a “For Sale” home with a visibly worn-out roof, what goes through Buyers’ — and Buyers’ agents’ — minds? Thoughts like: •“I wonder what other major, capital repairs are waiting for the next owner?” •“If the owner/seller couldn’t keep...Read More
Sellers’ Four Big Sins: Music, Mirrors, and Masking Scents & Paint It’s been a long time since Richard Nixon and Watergate, but it remains true — at least in real estate — that “the cover-up is worse than the crime.” In that vein, here are four things that home Sellers misguidedly do to throw Buyers (and...Read More
High Likelihood of Getting Busted It’s NEVER a good idea for a home seller to lie* in their Seller’s Disclosure Statement. But, it’s especially dumb to lie about hail damage sustained just before closing, even if the Buyer manages to miss it during their final walk-thru inspection (in Minnesota, Sellers have an ongoing duty to update...Read More
Bad Call? The best way to sell a house is to exceed Buyers’ expectations (plus dangle a tempting price, and stir up lots of “pre-list” and “new list” buzz). The corollary to that would be, “the best way to lose a Buyer is to disappoint them.” –Ross Kaplan, “Realtor Sales Secrets”; City Lakes Real Estate Blog (6/20/2011) Is...Read More
“Life is Inspections are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” –Forest Gump (paraphrased) Why waste $300 or $400 inspecting a condo that doesn’t have a foundation, roof, or other structural elements? Why not just apply roughly the same amount towards a home warranty, that will protect the Buyer in...Read More
