“Not a Foreclosure! Not a Short Sale!” Sellers don’t usually start out proclaiming what they’re not. But this isn’t a usual market. In some Twin Cities neighborhoods, the normal ratio of “traditional” sales relative to lender-mediated sales (foreclosures, short sales) has inverted. Furthermore, many Buyers have come to associate lender-mediated deals with extra risk and...Read More
“If you hit a wrong note once, then shame on you, but if you hit it twice then you’re playing Jazz.” –old joke amongst musicians As the parent of a 9 year-old boy, I’ve observed how one (slightly) nerdy kid can be a lonely island, but two is suddenly . . . a club! (It’s...Read More
Good vs. Not So Good Contractors[Editor’s Note: see “Giving Good Invoice” for an update to this post.] In my various capacities as a Realtor, remodeler/rehabber, homeowner, and neighbor, I’ve witnessed a wide range of contractor etiquette. At one extreme, there are contractors who show up late, leave early, and seem to spend the time in...Read More
Realtors & the Rental Market If you are a prospective home seller who is convinced that prices are temporarily depressed, what do you do? Contemplate renting. If you are a prospective home buyer who is convinced that prices have further to fall, what do you do? Contemplate renting. For the above-mentioned reasons, Realtors — myself...Read More
The Mysteriously Disappearing FSBO One of the less-remarked developments in today’s housing market is the relative absence of FSBO’s (“for sale by owner” homes). As recently as two years ago, more than 10% of all listings were; now, I’d guess that number is less than 5%. (Note: there are actually two kinds of FSBO’s: the...Read More
Considering an Auction? Buyer Beware (Very) I have had more clients ask about — and have noticed myself — that more distressed property is now being sold through auctions locally (see my post discussing wwww.AuctionToday.com). I don’t handle those — such auctions typically are an alternative to selling through Realtors. However, I feel I’d be...Read More
