When the Neighbors are the Dealbreaker Prospective Buyer: “We love the house. But we could never live across the street from that pornographic statue.” Phil Dunphy: “Oh . . . huh . . . I never noticed it.” Prospective Buyer: “Yeah . . . you can see it from inside when you look out the...Read More
What to Do About the 5′ Tall Fiberglass Statue on the Front Lawn Should the Buyer of this 1950’s rambler just west of Cedar Lake expect the Lucy statue on the front lawn to come with the home? Step #1: determine whether it’s a fixture — Realtor-speak for, “is it permanently attached to the home?”...Read More
Striking While the Iron Housing Market is Hot “Seller would like to close in early-mid September.” –MLS Agent Remarks, 9228 Decatur Ave. in Bloomington. The normal lag time from consummated Purchase Agreement to closing is six to eight weeks — faster if the home is vacant, the Buyer is paying cash, or both parties are...Read More
“Second Bite of the Apple” — Housing Market Edition [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.] Due to a chronic, ongoing shortage of listings, the Twin Cities housing...Read More
“Upstairs Den?” “Family Room #2?” “Upper Level Lounge?” First, laundries migrated from dark, dingy basements to the upper level. Now, the home’s living spaces are following them upstairs. Versatile, Multi-Function Space (and Light!) Specifically, many new construction homes in the Twin Cities now feature an upstairs sitting area ” typically near the top of the...Read More
“Retail Winter” vs. “Meteorological Winter” Scarcely one week after local wind chills of minus 50°(!) below — and with overnight temps of minus 17° below forecast this Friday night — you might think it a tad, umm . . . premature to herald the end of Winter in the Twin Cities. But, it’s most certainly...Read More
