The Easy Way . . . and the Hard Way The Buyer’s inspection revealed a material defect in the home that the Seller doesn’t dispute. Both parties want to stay in the deal. What are their options? Option #1: the Seller fixes the problem, prior to closing. Here are the related steps: Buyer and Seller...Read More
Doubling Down on DIY (“Do It Yourself”), or, “If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again” “First law of holes”: ‘if you find yourself in a hole . . . stop digging.'” –Adage. One of the more interesting inspections I’ve handled recently involved a Minnetonka home Seller (I represented the Buyer) who clearly was...Read More
Dangerous Default Language (at least for Buyers) [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.] Once upon at time (OK, till 2016), Minnesota home buyers who discovered inspection issues that required...Read More
Winter 2018-2019: Twin Cities Goes From Bare Ground to +6′ Snow Banks in a Few Weeks [Editor’s Note: Seller liability for ice dams and other home issues is case-specific, and affected by local and state law. For legal advice, please contact an attorney.] At least until a few weeks ago, it looked like the Twin...Read More
“As Is” ≅ “Pass/Fail” [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.] It seems obvious: if the Seller isn’t going to correct anything — the definition of “As Is” —...Read More
Wielding Veto Power Over Buyer’s Lender, Inspector [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.] “Whoever has the gold, make the rules.” –“Golden Rule” (at least, one version). “Whoever...Read More