“Top 10 12(!)” Definitions One. A large or lavish meal or social gathering (remember those, pre-pandemic??). “Sarah & Fred’s 50th anniversary party was an absolute blow out!” Two. An event at which goods are sold at heavily discounted prices. Clothing store: “Our Halloween blowout sale has hundreds of items starting at under $10!!” Three. A lopsided...Read More
Property Tax Assessed Value vs. Fair Market Value Hard as it might be to imagine, there’s actually one scenario where a home’s property tax value can be too low: when it’s about to go on the market. While the assessed value isn’t something that Realtors and Appraisers take into account to determine market value ”...Read More
Real Estate Synonyms — and Antonyms True or false: “Meticulously maintained” means the same thing as “updated.” Give up? The correct answer is “False.” In fact, “meticulously maintained” is almost always Realtor code for not updated. Ditto for synonyms such as “well-loved,” “quaint,” “vintage,” “long-time owner,” etc. (all very nice things, by the way — just...Read More
Cost-Benefit Analysis [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. If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney.] Homeowner’s title insurance really isn’t like any other insurance consumers buy. Unlike health or life insurance, it doesn’t protect...Read More
Calculating Premiums & Discounts in a Comparative Market Analysis (“CMA”) How much value do Realtors and Appraisers assign to an upstairs Laundry when estimating a home’s fair market value? The honest answer is, I’ve never seen it broken out as a specific adjustment, with a corresponding price tag (or even range) assigned to it. That’s...Read More
Before . . . and After(!) Staging a home’s interior is usually more about subtraction than addition. Key steps include reducing clutter; showcasing desirable features like windows and any fireplaces (rule #1: don’t block them); and generally making the home as clean and light as possible. Improving a home’s exterior — and specifically, its curb...Read More
