Elevator Pitches for Realtors “A Recession is when your neighbor loses their job. A Depression is when you lose yours.” –Anonymous Yeah, Yeah, when acquaintances ask, “How’s the market?,” they usually mean the overall market — not, how I’m doing personally. Still, it’s hard not to let your personal circumstances color your take on things...Read More
Housing Winners & Losers in Sellers’ Markets & Buyers’ Markets Every housing market has its winners and losers. Every housing market. So, 7-8 years ago, when the market was tanking, the big winners were first-time Buyers — at least ones with (good) jobs and unblemished credit. With rock-bottom prices and an ocean of inventory, many...Read More
Ongoing Seller’s Market Tests Buyers’ Resolve, Patience Every housing market poses its own “gut check” question. In a Seller’s market like today’s, the “gut check” question Buyers must wrestle with is, “how much do I really want this particular house?” That’s especially true if there are multiple offers, and the winning offer is likely to...Read More
Listing Agent to Buyers’ Agents: “The Seller is Looking at an Offer Tomorrow Night at 7 p.m.” [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.] When the listing agent tells interested parties...Read More
Should Buyers and Sellers Waive Arbitration? Hopefully, It’s a Moot Point [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.] Unbeknownst to most home buyers and sellers, modern residential real estate...Read More
Worst-Case Scenario Don’t feel too sorry for homeowners: in today’s Seller’s market, they’re calling the shots (and getting top dollar). But, if you want to see Sellers in a more sympathetic light, consider this: selling a home now can involve not one inspection, but — including required re-inspections — eight to ten(!) separate visits, depending on the Buyer’s financing;...Read More
