Define, “Extreme Cold” There’s a simple reason you seldom see Realtor open houses in Minnesota in January cancelled due to cold: there’s no guaranty it will be warmer a week later. Case in point: exactly one week ago, when my client and I were wavering due to local temps in the single digits. We went...Read More
Shakespeare Must Not Have Known Any Economists* If you don’t know “econospeak,” let me translate what an economist recently said (headline above) about the early 2015 housing market: “Home prices went up last year, but are now leveling off.” There, that wasn’t so bad, was it? 🙂 See also, “If the Economists’ Forecast is Accurate...Read More
Virtual Staging Magic (See Below) Where: 1155 Ford Road #509 (“Westmarke”). What: 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo with an open floor plan, west-facing Deck, and deluxe Owner’s Suite with walk-in closet. Total square feet: 1,200. When: listed Dec. 4 (days on market: 10). How much: $169,900 Who: listed by Ross Kaplan, Edina Realty – City Lakes...Read More
Shift to a Buyer’s Market? “Told ‘Ya So” (Back in September!) Compare the Star Trib headline (above) — just published online — with the excerpt below from this blog: “The Twin Cities housing market experienced a shift over the Summer. From scarcity and multiple offers, we’ve now transitioned to a more balanced market ” or even one that...Read More
Man Bites Dog — Real Estate Edition The vast majority of the time — like 99% — when real estate statistics are off, they’re off on the, shally we say . . . “embellished” side.* So, the 1 1/2 story is billed as a 2 story, the 1,800 square foot home is billed as 2,000,...Read More
Getting to Deal Breakers (Like Projected Remodeling Costs), Faster Eighteen months ago, when Wall Street-backed Buyers were vacuuming up Twin Cities homes, the first showing was effectively the inspection. That’s because such corporate Buyers purchased sight unseen (for cash!), and used the inspection to decide if they really wanted the home. See, “Cash Buyers, Sight...Read More
