The Problem(s) With Blind Solicitations In a housing market characterized by still-scarce inventory and frustrated Buyers (especially at lower price points), it seems like an obvious tactic if not smart Realtor marketing: proactive Buyers’ agents who send a blind letter to a targeted block or neighborhood inquiring whether anyone is contemplating selling. While I know...Read More
Bonus Question: “What Can You Skip?” I don’t know that there’s a rule of thumb — or a formula — for determining exactly when a home is (very) well-staged. The closest I’ve got is this: “A home is well-staged when all of its unique attributes are identified and optimally showcased, and any Achilles’ Heels have...Read More
Is it good news or bad news that a home scheduled to be on “Broker Tour” — essentially, open houses for local Realtors each Tuesday in the Twin Cities — abruptly cancelled? Answer: it depends. It’s good news if the reason is that the home received multiple offers, and sold at 11 p.m. Monday night. It’s bad if...Read More
For the (real estate) uninitiated, the MLS status “TNAS” stands for “Temporarily Not Available for Showing.” That can be the case when a home is already under contract, and being inspected by the Buyer; someone is home sick; or, the Seller simply doesn’t want intrusions over the holidays. But, what do listing agents disclose when the...Read More
Four Logistical Hurdles Of course, the prospective Buyer still has to like the house enough to want to make an offer. But, over very long holiday weekends — like this year’s July 4th-on-a-Tuesday — there are a couple extra hurdles as well. Specifically, these four: One. Can you get in? If the house is vacant,...Read More
How Sellers Can Avoid Wear & Tear From Buyer Showings, or, “The 96 Hour Listing” Not every new-to-market home seller has such an accommodating schedule — or a home positioned to sell so fast. But, for those who do, the following timetable is next to ideal: Thursday a.m.: debut house on MLS. Thursday afternoon: leave town...Read More
