Key Variables: Type of School, Buyer Characteristics Homes on busy streets typically fetch a discount. Is there an equivalent discount for homes located across from a school? (which, in a way, is really just a subset of “busy street” — call it, an “intermittently busy street”). I’ve never seen formal data on this, but I’d guess...Read More
“Screened Porches” vs. “3-Season Porches” vs. “4-Season Porches” [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced. If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney.]. Quick! Which kinds of porches are included in a home’s finished square...Read More
Ideal closing date would be June 2 with 24 hour possession.” –“Agent Remarks” field for a new listing on MLS (April 9, 2021). Put it this way: at the depths of the Housing Bust (actually, a double-bottom) more than a decade ago, Sellers were thrilled simply to get an offer. Never mind a good one,...Read More
The Virtue of a Well-Stocked Pipeline We will sell no wine before its time.” –Ad campaign for Paul Masson wine. [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway (“Berkshire”), or any other entity referenced. Edina Realty is a subsidiary of Berkshire.] If...Read More
Three Factors How much do you discount for a one-car garage? The short answer: “it depends.” Specifically, I think that the three most important variables are: One. What is the surrounding housing stock like? In close-in, older Minneapolis neighborhoods, many homes have one car garages (still). Detached, one car garages. When that’s the standard, the...Read More
“There Goes My Realtor!” Admittedly, the intended effect is for clients who see me in and around the neighborhood where I live (by Cedar Lake in Minneapolis) to see my car on the road and say, “There Goes My Realtor!” But, my custom license plate (above) is also a conversation-starter when I’m parked. Like yesterday...Read More
