Why the Homestead Exemption Matters “If the Property Tax status is part- or non-homestead classification in the year of closing, Seller __ Shall __ Shall Not pay the difference between the homestead and non-homestead.” –lines 78. – 79.; 2015 MAAR-approved Purchase Agreement At least for more expensive Minnesota homes, the rule on non-homestead taxes is blissfully simple:...Read More
Exhibit A: Late 2015 Gas Prices Still believe in economic forecasting? Find me one analyst, less than 3 years ago, who got both or just one of the following right — and correctly forecast the economic effect of same: One. Wholesale gas prices will collapse. Retail prices (what consumers pay at the pump) will plummet more...Read More
The Opposite of “Easier Said Than Done” Real estate sales is a field (like many others, I’m sure) where a lot of things are “easier said than done.” Get Sellers to price realistically? “Easier said than done.” Persuade homeowners to spend a relatively nominal amount on staging, that will help sell their home faster, for...Read More
Real Estate Marketing Rule of Thumb: Play Down the Garage, Driveway Just like people often have a more and less flattering side for photos, so do homes. Looking at the photos of this currently “For Sale” Minnetonka house (not my listing), it’s pretty obvious which is which. The top photo is from the current listing; photo...Read More
Monetizing a Mother-in-Law Apartment (Maybe) Are Twin Cities homeowners renting out their homes and extra bedrooms on Airbnb? Undoubtedly. In their capacity as listing agent (representing the Seller), should Realtors be touting a home’s (short-term) rental potential? I’m not so sure. Municipal Zoning That’s because I have no idea what local zoning codes say about weekly or...Read More
Gas < $2 Gallon “The U.S. Energy Information Administration said this week that the country’s proved reserves of natural gas rose 10% in 2014 to a record of 388.8 trillion cubic feet.” –“Gas Driller Hits a Gusher — and Sinks Its Own Stock“; The Wall Street Journal (11/26/2015) If gas at discounters like Sam’s Club...Read More
