If you’re going to lose power, 5-7 p.m. on a beautiful Summer day isn’t a bad time to do it (minus the “making dinner” part). In my case, there was even a silver lining: an extra 10-15 minutes in an otherwise tightly packed day. The explanation? No point running over to get lights for a...Read More
“Animal/Insect/Pest Infestation? Check ‘Yes’ or ‘No'” Do a cursory search online for “animal control,” “bat removal,” or similar, and you’ll find at least a dozen Twin Cities contractors advertising their services. Meanwhile, something like 35,000 Twin Cities homes sell each year. Even if bats inhabit less than 1% of Twin Cities homes, there should be...Read More
“What’s Sauce for the Goose is Sauce for the Gander” I know of other agents — even some whom I consider excellent** — who use price opinions at least occasionally to inform the guidance they offer Sellers. Personally, I’m not a fan, for two reasons. Reason #1. Something like 90% of the time, price opinions...Read More
Level Playing Field — or Stacked Deck? Once a Buyer’s agent has determined that a home their client wants to buy is in multiple offers, the foremost question on every Buyer’s mind is, “What’s it going to take to get this house?” In turn, that depends on the Comp’s; the motivation and number of competing...Read More
The Doubled-Edged Sword Called “Potential” Although you wouldn’t necessarily believe it looking at all the MLS listings with the word “potential” in them, Realtors use the term carefully, if not reluctantly (or at least I do). That’s for two reasons: One. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ” at least to a point...Read More
What’s a “1.5 showing?” When one partner in a couple has seen the house and likes it, and gives their partner a green light to take a look. Rules & Exceptions As a general rule, Realtors acting as a Buyer’s agent prefer that both (all**) decision-makers be present at all showings. That’s not only more efficient,...Read More
