Identical or Fraternal? Look closely in the photo above, and you’ll see not one but two trunks at the base of this tree, located about 1/2 mile west of Minneapolis’ Cedar Lake in St. Louis Park’s Fern Hill neighborhood. The tree — make that tree(s) — command a key intersection, which give passing motorists (and...Read More
Contractual Assent . . . and a Veto Power [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced. If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney.] To successfully change the closing date of a home sale, which...Read More
“Wasn’t That House Interesting!” — Compliment or Dis? At least outside of Minnesota, “interesting” actually can mean . . . “Interesting.” As in, “unique” (in a good way), “provocative,” or “stimulating.” By contrast, when Minnesotans say it — especially in the context of house-hunting, and they enunciate the word slowing (“i-n-t-e-r-e-s-t-i-n-g”) — they invariably mean...Read More
Dual Agency Dilemma #14 [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced. If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney.] Never having represented both the Buyer and Seller in the same transaction (I consider it a...Read More
Advice to Would-Be Home Sellers on Dual Agency: “Don’t” [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced. If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney.] If your prospective Realtor won’t agree to adding the clause above...Read More
Cost to Move > Fair Market Value Once the Buyer and Seller have resolved any inspection issues — that is, assuming Buyer hasn’t waived their inspection, to prevail in multiple offers — it’s common for the two parties to discuss any personal property that the homeowner may want to sell. Like many negotiations, the party...Read More