Global Warming Fallout “High and Dry”: being in a helpless or abandoned position. –Definition, Merriam-Webster Dictionary Once upon a time, “high and dry” — as in being left high and dry — was decidedly a bad thing. Today? In an era of looming global warming and rising seas, “high & dry” seems likely to take...Read More
I doubt that the continuing education deadline for CPA’s is April 15. So, why is it that the deadline for Minnesota Realtors to complete their annual continuing ed is June 30? Especially for agents at bigger brokers (Edina Realty more than qualifies), that effectively pushes up the deadline to the end of May, so that...Read More
“YIMBY” sounds like it’s an updated version of “Yippie,” the ’60’s counter-cultural movement. In fact, it’s the (inevitable?) backlash to NIMBY, short for “Not in My Backyard” (replace the “N” with a “Y” for “Yes”). YIMBY’s proponents argue that stratospheric Bay Area housing prices are ultimately explained by too little supply, thanks to politics. Ergo,...Read More
What difference does it make if someone selling a home is a teacher, social worker, lawyer, or doctor? I’d say little or none: the home’s condition and features — plus the Seller’s Disclosure and Buyer’s inspection later on — speak for themselves. The exception? When the Seller is a master carpenter, and the home reflects their handiwork —...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
What’s in an Adjective? A LOT It may seem like a subtle distinction, but home sellers are a LOT safer billing their “new” Kitchen as simply “newer.” The difference? Buyers purchasing a new Kitchen might reasonably expect to see paid receipts. So might the appraiser representing the Buyer’s lender, once the deal advances from inspection...Read More
