“Virtual” vs. “Analog” (In-Person) Showings I certainly understand the temptation — in a worsening Pandemic — to substitute a virtual home tour for the real thing.** But, prospective Buyers should be aware that there are some critical limitations. Here’s my “Top Ten” list of things that are difficult (if not impossible) to detect online: One....Read More

Explanations for Sinking Soil Good home inspectors don’t just check out the interior of a home; they check the exterior and even the yard for clues that something “just isn’t right.” So, when my client’s inspector noticed a depression in the backyard of their under-contract St. Louis Park home, he raised the possibility that the...Read More

Location, Location, Location (Again) Normally, when a house has a major foundation issue, standard Realtor advice to Buyers is “run, don’t walk” (to something else). What’s the exception to that? If the home in question is on desirable lot in a hot neighborhood for tear-downs — and the foundation issue translates into a sufficiently hefty discount. Exit...Read More