Seller’s Market Side Effects “Twin Cities Housing Market Caught In A Supply Crunch As Demand Intensifies.” —Headline, Twin Cities Business (April 14, 2016) One of the side effects of a Seller’s market with very tight inventory is a surge in so-called “reverse contingencies,” whereby a homeowner agrees to sell only if they can find another...Read More
Real Estate Oxymorons Well, yes, that “new roof in 1998” would be a selling feature — if it were 1999 or 2000. Almost 20 years later, however, what the listing agent is really telling prospective Buyers is that the roof is close to if not past its expected life (20-25 years for most 3-tab asphalt...Read More
Why Hand Online Cranks a Megaphone?? “In the architecture of online media, comment sections are the septic tanks.” –“Still Kickin”; Mpls St. Paul Magazine (April 2016) I don’t know about other agents, but there’s not much doubt in my mind about whether or not to allow online consumer comments for a listing. In case it’s unclear,...Read More
Broker Open Pitch: “Drawing for Two $25 Gas Cards” With the hosting agent promising two gas $25 cards, and only five agents (including myself) through so far, I was very much liking my chances at the Broker Open near Cedar Lake yesterday. Then, two (very) full cars of City Lakes agents pulled up just as...Read More
Will the Backup House Sell in Time? In addition to the usual contingencies for Inspection and Financing, the Buyer making a Contingent offer for a house is adding a third, big one: that’ll they’ll be able to sell their current home — what Realtors call “the backup house” — within 60-90 days. In turn, the salability of...Read More
With fresh snow in the Twin Cities scarcely two days ago — and up to half a foot(!) further south — casual observers might think that the 2016 Spring housing market has yet to formally kick off. In fact, it’s closer to the mid-point. Spring Market Intermission Many years, depending on when it falls, Easter Sunday...Read More
