Client to Agent: “What Would You Do?” You break it, you own it.” —The Pottery Barn Rule. “You make it, you own it” (translation: if you make a decision for a client . . . you are responsible for the consequences). —Real estate corollary, Ross Kaplan. Whether it’s in the context of choosing a home,...Read More
Man Bites Dog — Real Estate Edition [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.] One of the odder Halloween anecdotes I’ve heard about was the hapless home...Read More
“Animal/Insect/Pest Infestation? Check “Yes’ or “No'” [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.] Do a cursory search online for “animal control,” “bat removal,” or similar, and you’ll...Read More
[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.] Consider this all-too-common scenario: the listing agent and their excited client, the Seller, have just carefully reviewed the Buyer’s offer together,...Read More
. . . and Isn’t Likely to Volunteer Fake it till you make it.” —Career advice to newbie real estate agents. In a hyper-competitive field where sales bluster is an ever-present temptation, real estate agents aren’t exactly the type to betray ignorance or confess a lack of confidence. And even consummate Realtors with years of...Read More
“The Overpriced Factor,” “The Hassle Factor,” Etc. Non-Realtors may be inclined to believe it’s some kind of conspiracy. But, in reality, there are multiple, rational reasons that experienced Buyers’ agents seldom show For Sale By Owner homes (“FSBO’s”). Here are just a couple: —FSBO’s are invariably mispriced (want to guess which direction??). —They’re poorly staged and...Read More