Home Maintenance “To Do” List, Late Fall Edition** At least from my perspective as a Realtor, less important than who takes responsibility for blowing out (winterizing) the sprinkler system in the Fall, is that someone does it. If not, the system can rupture due to freezing, causing both extensive flooding and expensive pipe repair. Common...Read More
TWO Duties to Disclose: Owner’s . . . and the Agent’s [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.] At least in Minnesota, it’s permissible for Sellers to tell...Read More
How Realtors Grade Clients Clients may have a select few words for their Realtors, but Realtors also have some favorite words for their clients. No, not “%!%#!” Rather, how “cooperative” they are. What do I mean by that? For Sellers, client cooperation boils down to these three things: 1. Pricing. A cooperative client picks a...Read More
“The Answer to the Seller’s Question, “Do You Think I Should [ _____ ] . . . ?” is Always “Yes”** Consider the rather provocative question — from a homeowner contemplating selling their home in a few years — posed to The Ethicist, an advice column in The New York Times: “We live in a large house...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
Pluses & Minuses (2 Apiece) At least in my experience, for every long-time homeowner who’s (overly) invested in their home, psychologically-speaking, and can only see it through rose-colored glasses, there are another 3 (or 10!) hoping their home is a teardown, especially if it’s located in a hot area. Ditto for the listing agent waiting in...Read More
