Setting the Bar (Way) Too High One of my favorite Op-Ed page cartoons shows an unconscious patient being operated on by a team of doctors. Suddenly, there’s a spike in the patient’s vital signs, whereupon he bolts upright, and loudly announces to the laboring surgeons: “You should know that I’m the most successful personal injury...Read More
Meticulous Record Keeping = Meticulous Maintenance? One of the first questions on the standard Minnesota Seller Disclosure asks whether the owner is in possession of the previous owner’s Seller Disclosure, and if so, whether it’s attached. As a Buyer’s agent, I always like to see the previous Seller’s Disclosure, for two reasons: One. It provides a more...Read More
Not to Be Confused With “Dumpster Diving” “Dumpster diving” is when bargain hunters look for something salvageable (or edible — blechh!) in a dumpster. So, what’s “dumpster chasing?” When bargain hunters target the owner of the home behind the dumpster. Specifically, “dumpster chasers” solicit homeowners to find out if all that emptying out/updating is in anticipation of going...Read More
Telling Sellers What They Want to Hear . . . While Trolling for Other Business [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 aren’t a Realtor (and don’t have a magnifying glass), the photo above is...Read More
“Golden Door?” More Like Canary Yellow Not every change to a home’s curb appeal is necessarily an improvement. Personally, I prefer the more traditional version of this Fern Hill Colonial (below) to the more recent, minimalist look (above). With/Without The differences? (besides door color). Siding color (white vs. beige); shutters (without/with); and red lawn chairs...Read More
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” –Daniel Patrick Moynihan Substitute “Comp’s” — as in “Comparable Sold Properties” — for “facts,” and you’ve got a pretty good rule of thumb for pricing residential real estate. So, while prospective home sellers can (and do!) compare their home to any properties...Read More
