Setting the Bar (Way) Too High One of my favorite Op-Ed page cartoons shows an unconscious patient being operated on by a team of doctors. Suddenly, there’s a spike in the patient’s vital signs, whereupon he bolts upright, and loudly announces to the laboring surgeons: “You should know that I’m the most successful personal injury...Read More
More than WHAT? My short answer to the question, “can I get more for my house if I put on a new roof?” is, “yes, you can.” That is, if by “more,” you mean, “more than what you could have gotten for the home without a new roof — especially if the current one is...Read More
I’m (very) pleased to report that I’m on Mpls St Paul Magazine’s list of 2016 “Super Real Estate Agents.” For the ninth straight year! The list — in the current (November) issue — identifies the top 2% to 3% of area Realtors based on detailed surveys of magazine readers, as well as recent Twin Cities home...Read More
4th Quarter Spike in Relocation Sales Yes, eventually the leaves will all be down, truly cold weather will arrive . . . and the seasonal Holiday slow-down will be upon us. But, not yet. In the meantime, the Twin Cities housing market continues to be characterized by a shortage of inventory and brisk activity. In...Read More
“What Will Buyers Pay?” vs. “What Value Does a Bank Need to Refinance the Current Mortgage?” [Editor’s Note: 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’re an appraiser or mortgage lender, stop reading now. No? Good. One of...Read More
Discounting(?) for a Conservation Easement NimbÄ“ noun: “a person who objects to the siting of something perceived as unpleasant or potentially dangerous in their own neighborhood, such as a landfill or hazardous waste facility, especially while raising no such objections to similar developments elsewhere.” –definition, “Not in My Backyard.” In contrast to the traditional definition of...Read More
