Robert Guthridge's Blog

Normally, you’d expect a home with only a one-car, tuck-under garage to be steeply discounted. Except in this case, the homes that come with the less-than-ideal garages** are the “Painted Ladies” in San Francisco, a series of Victorian Homes in Alamo Square with spectacular views of the downtown skyline (pictured above). Most recent selling price:  $3.1 million, in 2014. **Best guess is that the garages are actually tandem — that is, two-car, with one stall immediately in front of the other. See also , “ Discounting For a One-Car Garage “; “ The Trouble With Tuck-Under’s ”; and “ Not ‘Fessing to a Tandem Garage .“ from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2RbmePg via IFTTT

I hear people use the term creative real estate investing all the time. Creative real estate investing can mean a lot of things, but I tend to see it when people are trying to make a deal out of a property that is not a deal. That may rub people the wrong way, but in my opinion, investing in real estate with basic fundamentals is better than creative real estate investing all day long. I am not talking about creative financing, which could include finding private money, or seller financing, but trying to make a deal out of a house that is The post What Is Creative Real Estate Investing? appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2N9UnvC via IFTTT

About a month ago I was checking out one of my house flips when I noticed something strange in the backyard. Someone had dropped off an extremely old and ugly camper in the backyard behind a garage. The house was being painted at the time and I thought maybe it was the painter’s camper at first. After some research, we realized that the camper was not theirs and someone had dropped it off. I did not know if anyone was living in it, if it was abandoned, or if it was a mobile meth lab. We called the city and then the The post Someone Left a Camper in the Backyard of my House Flip appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2xG7BeY via IFTTT

I have been successful in real estate, and I can thank books for much of that success. My father taught me how to flip houses, but books were what taught me about rental properties. While books may not be able to teach you everything you need to know about real estate investing, they can be an amazing resource and help you get started. I have heard from many people who were able to buy multiple rentals or start flipping houses because of the books they read. I also hear from people who don’t have time to read books or the The post Can Books Teach You How To Invest in Real Estate? appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2zrVNy2 via IFTTT

Definition, Please Realtors see the term “Chef Kitchen” all the time (sometimes further embellished with the adjective, “Gourmet” — as in , “Gourmet Chef Kitchen”). But, after almost 17 years selling homes, I’m still not sure that I have a good definition, except that:  a) it’s big; and b) it’s full of high-end features and appliances. That includes granite or similarly high-end countertops; appliances like Subzero or Wolf — often doubled up (e.g., two fridges, two dishwashers, etc.); double sinks; a separate stove top with 6 or even 8(!) gas burners; custom cabinetry, lighting and flooring (either tile or hardwood); plenty of storage, both cabinetry and a nearby Pantry; a deluxe exhaust hood and fan; and a generous eat-in area and center island. Plus, lots and lots of windows and natural light (of course) . . . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2NLSScd via IFTTT

I hear people use the term creative real estate investing all the time. Creative real estate investing can mean a lot of things, but I tend to see it when people are trying to make a deal out of a property that is not a deal. That may rub people the wrong way, but in my opinion, investing in real estate with basic fundamentals is better than creative real estate investing all day long. I am not talking about creative financing which could include finding private money, or seller financing, but trying to make a deal out of a house that is The post What is Creative Real Estate Investing? appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2N9UnvC via IFTTT

4 BR/3 Bath Colonial Just Blocks From City Lakes What : 4 Bedroom/3 Bath two-story Colonial with 2,650 finished square feet on a gorgeous, level .20 acre lot. Where : 2851 Huntington Avenue South in Fern Hill; about four blocks southwest of Cedar Lake, and one mile west of Lake Calhoun. When : closed Tuesday (Sept. 25); days on market = 37. How much :  sold for $575,000. Who : listed by Ross Kaplan, Edina Realty – City Lakes; selling (Buyer’s) agent was Melissa Birdsall, Schatz Real Estate Group. [Editor’s Note : Here the marketing (below) that helped sell the home. Congrats to both the Seller and Buyer!] Don’t miss your chance to own this stylish Colonial with four(!) Bedrooms up on one of Fern Hill’s prettiest blocks. You’ll love the blend of formal and informal spaces on the first floor, including the Living Room, Dining Room, Den, and Kitchen/Family Room overlooking the level, fenced backyard (screened Porch, too!). Hard-to-find 4 B...

About a month ago I was checking out one of my house flips when I noticed something strange in the backyard. Someone had dropped off an extremely old and ugly camper in the backyard behind a garage. The house was being painted at the time and I thought maybe it was the painter’s camper at first. After some research, we realized that the camper was not theirs and someone had dropped it off. I did not know if anyone was living in it, if it was abandoned, or if it was a mobile meth lab. We called the city and then the The post Someone Left a Camper in the Backyard of my House Flip appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2xG7BeY via IFTTT

Instant (Away From) Home Office My druthers when I’m on the road and need to work is to find the closest Berkshire Hathaway office. As a Realtor at Edina Realty, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, all I need to do is present my ID, sign in, and — Voila! — instant office. But, when that’s not possible — or it’s (well) after office hours — I need to make do in my hotel room. In that case, I’ve found that an ironing board doubles nicely as a work surface. You just need to adjust the height level (to very low). See also , “Look, Ma, No Hands!” from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2NOgcGA via IFTTT

Question #2:  How Realistic Is It That They Will? Normally, Minnesota home Buyers and Sellers decide when they negotiate the Purchase Agreement whether they will handle any post-closing disputes through arbitration or litigation. If the parties are amenable to arbitration, they both sign an Arbitration Addendum (their agents, too). Alternatively, if only one party — or neither party — wants arbitration, they’re deemed to waive it . . .  and litigation is the default choice (note: disputes below $15k in Minnesota are now settled in small claims court, also known as Conciliation Court). And that’s usually the end of it: the vast majority of the time, there are no major issues after closing, and it’s a moot point. Un-Waiving Arbitration Which leaves the small % of home sales where there IS a post-closing dispute. When that’s the case, can a Buyer and Seller who earlier waived arbitration now choose it? The technical answer:  “yes.” The practical answer? ...

TWO Duties to Disclose:  Owner’s . . . and the Agent’s [ 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 need legal advice, please consult an attorney.] At least in Minnesota, it’s permissible for Sellers to tell Buyers nothing at all about the home they’re selling. Called a “waiver,” that’s an alternative to:  a) completing the standard Minnesota Seller Disclosure; or b) hiring a third-party to do a home inspection (and yes , Sellers should expect Buyers to discount for buying “as is”). Pre-Closing Confessions But, Sellers opting to waive their disclosure need to be consistent. So, if the Seller isn’t telling Buyers anything  about the house, they don’t have an obligation to later report that something broke.** Or flooded. Or leaked. Or was damaged in a storm. You get the idea . . . “You Don’t . . . But I Do” The catch fo...

Is There a Statute of Limitations on Asterisk Clauses? For the uninitiated, an “asterisk clause” Purchase Agreement — invariably for a home that’s in multiple offers — is called that because, instead of filling in an offer price, the would-be Buyer literally puts in an asterisk. In the margin next to the asterisk at the bottom of the page, there’s some variation of this language: “Buyer will exceed the highest offer by $5k (or some other increment), up to a maximum of [$_______ ].” Home Seller to Buyer: “the Price Just Went Up” Implicit in an asterisk clause offer is the understanding that the asterisk clause Buyer will beat the highest offer currently on the table . But, what happens if, long after the dust has settled on multiple offers — indeed, after the asterisk clause Buyer and Seller have entered into an executed Purchase Agreement, and even after the Buyer’s Inspection Contingency has been removed — another, higher bidder for the home emerges? Can...

Good Journalistic — and Realtor — Technique (vs. Parent of New College Student) Good journalists — and Realtors! — know that the key to eliciting information is to ask open-ended questions rather than closed-ended questions. So, good listing agents debriefing Buyers’ agents ask questions like, “What did your client like most/least about the home?,” not, “How did the showing go?” Similarly, Buyers’ agents trying to better understand their clients’ purchasing criteria are better advised to ask, “What features in a home are important to you (and why)?,” instead of “How many Bedrooms and Baths are you looking for?” Settling for “Yes” and “No” Of course, every rule has its exception(s). Exhibit A: communicating with a now very far-from-home young adult (in this case, my son) who just started college. Then, the key to eliciting a response is framing closed-ended questions — presumably via text — that can be quickly answered with a “Yes,” “No,” or “Maybe.” Suggested queries: “Did yo...

“The More Things Change” Department Once upon a time, when I started selling real estate in 2002, the worksheet that Buyers and Sellers signed at closing was simply known as . . .  the settlement statement  (or just the closing worksheet, to avoid any jargon). Then it became the “HUD-1” (HUD stands for “Housing and Urban Development,” the federal agency — soon to be led by Ben Carson — that oversees the form). Most recently, it morphed into the “ALTA” (short for “American Land Title Association”). All of which leaves veterans such as myself referring to the form, once again, as “the settlement statement.” Format Tweaks Does the name matter? Not really. While there have been modest changes in format along the way, the constants remain a summary first page, followed by a second page that breaks out expenses. For Sellers, the key items to track are the Sales price; any Seller-paid’s; commission; closing fees; transfer taxes; and pro rata adjustments ...

Loose Door Knobs and Caviar-Stocked Fridges Test your knowledge of today’s housing market, and answer the following question: Which of the following issues are properly raised by a Buyer’s home inspection, and resolved either by a Seller price concession, or the Seller assuming responsibility for repair(s)? A. The dated Kitchen; B. A concrete driveway with multiple cracks; C. Peeling paint on the outside of the home; D. The old-but-still-working boiler or forced air furnace; E. A plainly visible scratch in the middle of the Dining Room hardwood floor; F. The dilapidated (but structurally sound) detached Garage. Answer :  none of the above (unless the Buyer is getting an FHA loan, in which case “C.” may be correct). The explanation? In each case, the “issue” was plainly visible before the Buyer made their offer. By contrast, a legitimate inspection issue is typically:  a) not apparent prior to the inspection; b) pertains to a genuine home defect and/...

I have been successful in real estate, and I can thank books for much of that success. My father taught me how to flip houses, but books were what taught me about rental properties. While books may not be able to teach you everything you need to know about real estate investing, they can be an amazing resource and help you get started. I have heard from many people who were able to buy multiple rentals or start flipping houses because of the books they read. I also hear from people who don’t have time to read books or the The post Can Books Teach You How To Invest in Real Estate? appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2zrVNy2 via IFTTT

Everything You Wanted to Know About Ceiling Finishes As best I can tell, the reason it’s called a “knockdown ceiling” is because calling it a “knock- off ceiling” would have been too confusing. What gets knocked off — er , knocked down — is the joint compound that’s first applied to the ceiling, and allowed to partially dry. According to Wikipedia, “the joint compound will begin to form stalactites as it dries. A trowel is then run over the surface of the drywall, knocking off the stalactites and leaving the mottled finish.” It’s Not Popcorn . . . It’s Acoustical!” Knockdown ceilings are distinguished from “flat” and “popcorn” ceilings, the two other most popular ceiling finishes. At least in some circles, popcorn ceilings have a slight stigma, because they’re cheaper and easier to do than flat ceilings. Some people (the same ones??) also consider them less aesthetic. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2OITuM5 via IFTTT

Give credit to the vendor at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market this morning:  better to proactively address Buyers’ objections, than play defense reacting — assuming they get the chance. Of course, when it comes to food, “the proof is in the pudding,” as they say. I’m happy to report that the tomatoes were delicious! See also , “ Low-Tech Lost & Found at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market “; and “ Good News & Bad News About Parking at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market .” from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2NiUmuv via IFTTT

This year has been a little slow with the number of rentals I have bought, but I did buy a $2.1 million dollar rental earlier this year with 68,000 square feet. I just got my second rental property of the year under contract which is a much smaller property with only 1,200 square feet. They are both commercial properties as I have not bought a residential rental since 2015. The property I got under contract is a 1,200 square foot property that was used as a restaurant. The property was listed for $110,000 and I made an offer on it the The post Rental Property Number 22 is Under Contract appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2MQwucB via IFTTT

When I talk about investing in the stock market versus investing in real estate, I often hear that the stock market is a better investment because of what Warren Buffet has done. Warren Buffet has made billions of dollars in his career, but was it because he invested in stocks? I think Warren Buffet has made his billions from the stock market but not in the traditional way most people invest. Warren Buffet is a very smart man and utilized not only his money but other people’s money as well. He was also a very active investor: he did not The post Did Warren Buffet Get Rich by Investing in Stocks? appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2OJx9Os via IFTTT

Edina Realty’s Proactive Approach to Avoiding Litigation [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.] Just to be clear:  “The Grim Reaper” isn’t my name for Mr. Hill — that’s what he calls himself.  That’s because no Realtor wants to be on a first-name (or any name!) basis with him. If you are, it means you’re a defendant in a lawsuit, and Mr. Hill has been retained to represent you (note:  Edina Realty engages Mr. Hill as its outside counsel). 3D (“Discover, Disclose, Document”) The good news for agents is that litigation is almost entirely preventable. How? By practicing what Mr. Hill calls “3D”:  “Discover, Disclose, and Document.” Step #2:  dispatching Mr. Hill to speak to hundreds of Edina Realty agents annually, educating them (Mr. Hill was the featured speaker this Tuesday at Edina Realty – City Lakes’ weekly meeting). Smar...

I completed 26 house flips last year, and we have sold 19 this year. I have compiled many before-and-after videos of our house flips and many before-and-after pictures as well. I put this post together to show some of the better transformations on recent flips we have done. I will also try to tell a story or two about the properties. There always seems to be something that goes wrong or not quite as planned with the house flips. Before-and-after pictures and video on restored a 1918 house flip I just sold a flip last month that was more a The post House Flipping Before and After Pictures and Videos appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2NjY6Mf via IFTTT

Give credit to the vendor at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market this morning:  better to proactively address Buyers’ objections, than play defense reacting — assuming they get the chance. Of course, when it comes to food, “the proof is in the pudding,” as they say. I’m happy to report that the tomatoes were delicious! See also , “ Low-Tech Lost & Found at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market “; and “ Good News & Bad News About Parking at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market .” from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2NiUmuv via IFTTT

Single Family Home, Multi-Generation Living A home elevator doesn’t come cheap:  it can easily cost $40k or more.** But, neither does assisted living. Cost-Benefit Analysis Assuming that a nursing home costs $10k a month , the pay-back period for an in-home elevator can be as short as 4 months. Which is why at least a few homeowners with the means are opting for the former. Fringe benefit:  a substantially better quality of life for the aged family member . . . **That’s when the elevator is incorporated into new construction; retrofitting an existing home to include an elevator can be significantly more. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2MwlLUr via IFTTT

Robert Kiyosaki’s book Rich Dad Poor Dad was a huge motivator for me to invest in real estate. However, it did not teach me how to actually invest, just that I needed to. I hear all the time how great the book is, and I agree that it was a great book, but I don’t think it did a good job of actually teaching how to invest. There is also the issue that Rich Dad Real Estate training can cost up to $40,000 and they do not use the most ethical marketing techniques. If you want to be motivated, I The post Does the Book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” Teach How to Invest in Real Estate? appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2MsHcFL via IFTTT

Surprisingly Spacious 6 Bedroom (!) Home with > 4,000 Square Feet Where :  4709 40th Lane, St. Louis Park. What :  Modified two-story with 6 Bedrooms and 4 Full Baths; total finished square feet = 4,068. When : open house this Sunday (Sept. 16) from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. How much :  $719,900. Who : listed by Ross Kaplan, Edina Realty – City Lakes. You’ll love this beautifully updated and expanded home on an oversized, .23 acre lot in the heart of high-demand Minikahda Vista. Highlights included the newer eat-in Kitchen with granite countertops; a deluxe upper level Owner’s Suite including steam bath and walk-in closet; and the huge, finished lower level perfect for teens, guests, or exercise/work. Other nice features you’ll appreciate: 4(!) full Baths, a Mud Room with tons of storage, and the convenient attached Garage. This home is extra-spacious outside, too:  the lot is 168′ deep, including a huge, level backyard. Please cal...

3920 Thomas Ave. South in Minneapolis’ Linden Hills Neighborhood One of the best signs for a “For Sale” home is a well-attended Broker Tour (an open house for Realtors, held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Tuesday in the Twin Cities). What’s another? When a just-completed new home — in this case, Morgan Clawson’s listing on 3920 Thomas — draws an unusually big crowd at Edina Realty’s weekly Exceptional Properties meeting (held each Thursday). Even better:  when that crowd includes a disproportionately large of number of top-selling Edina Realty agents — also true this morning. My theory:  the top-producing agents turn out for homes that pique their curiosity, feature cutting edge features, are located in especially hot neighborhoods — or all three! The truly stunning, urban farmhouse-style home features 4 Bedrooms, 5 Baths, and over 4,300 finished square feet on a 75 foot wide lot. List price is $1.85 million. See also , “ Realtor Compliments on B...

1 Picture = 1,000 Words   2 Pictures = 2,000 Words If you ever wondered what “millwork” is, these pictures answer it. Specifically, it’s all the visible wood in the house except the hardwood floors. That includes: built-in’s (buffets, storage, etc.); crown and cove moldings; doors; arches and columns; the beams in a box-beam ceiling; and window framing (a particular favorite of mine are transom windows, which let in additional light). See also , “ Beautiful Built-in’s, Buffet, Millwork .” P.S.:  “mill work” (with a space) is done by workers in a mill (steel, textile, etc.). from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2OpE9jm via IFTTT

I’ve certainly seen a staged Bathroom before. You know , with decorative hand towels, boutique ( I mean , “artisanal”) soaps, tasteful accents (like candles and wall art), and perhaps even a matching floor mat. But, I’d never seen a staged toilet until I showed an upper bracket, new Edina home the other week. I think the tied ribbon is just the right touch! See also , “ How to Stage a Closet (at least, in a vacant home) .” from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2xgeYJV via IFTTT

Slang vs. Literal According to Urban Dictionary, the slang meaning of “taking someone to school” is, “beating someone in a competition badly and thereby teaching them how it’s really done.” Ahh , but what if that someone is your 18 year-old son, and you really ARE “taking him to school” — in this case, to college halfway across the country in the Bay Area? Alternatives “Dropping him off” sounds like he’s going to a friend’s house in the neighborhood. Meanwhile, “delivering him” makes it sound like he’s a package. Sometimes, there really are no words . . . See also , “ “You Take the Cake!” (& Other Ruined Expressions) .” from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2NaJ0bC via IFTTT

Golden Retrievers & Economists Every time I start to think our family Golden Retriever, Raffy, is an actual person, he predictably does something to remind us that he’s  . . . very much not. Like catch (and eat) a frog he found in our backyard, or — more horrifyingly the other week — killing a baby bunny rabbit (Raffy was actually quite proud of that accomplishment — and completely oblivious to his blood-streaked muzzle). Somewhat similarly, every time I think economists are, umm , normal people . . . they do something like refer to clean air and water as “un-priced shared goods.” As opposed to, say , “the key(s) to life on earth,” or “the essential building blocks for human civilization.” See , “ Silicon Valley Needs Regulation “; The NYT (9/11/2018). from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2CQeCic via IFTTT

Apartment syndication, which is the pooling of money from numerous investors that will be used to buy an apartment building, is a complex real estate investment strategy with one of the highest barriers of entry. In fact, before even searching for your first apartment deal, you’ll likely require years of preparation in order to set yourself up for success. This post is provided by Joe Fairless, the creator of the Best Ever Real Estate Investing Advice Podcast. How did I start investing in real estate?   After leaving a $30,000 a year advertising job and acquiring four single-family rental houses, I The post How to Create a $400 Million Apartment Syndication Business from Scratch appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2OefXRf via IFTTT

Worst — and Best — Case Scenarios The worst possible explanation — and the one I immediately feared — was that the very long trailer full of PVC pipes that suddenly appeared in front of my Southwest Minneapolis listing the other week meant that the city was about to undertake a protracted repair. So much for my client’s quiet residential street, at least in the short run — never mind prospective Buyers’ access to the home, the issue of looming special assessments to pay for the work, and various other headaches associated with ongoing construction. “Now You See It . . . “ Which leaves the best case scenario: the location of the street/plumbing repair was actually two blocks south , and the trailer was temporarily parked across from my client’s home because there wasn’t room closer to the work site. In fact, it turned out to be the latter explanation:  scarcely three hours later, the trailer was gone. All together:  Phew!! See also , “Pending” vs. “Assessed” ...

House flipping can be a lucrative and fun business, but it is not easy. A lot of people get stuck trying to figure out how to flip a house for the first time. It takes a lot of money and resources to flip your first house, and many people don’t know where to start. It takes money, education, connections, and determination to get through a house flip. I flipped my first house in 2001 and have since flipped more than 155 houses. I had help on my first flip, which I will go over along with other ideas on how The post How to Flip a House for the First Time appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2NvNc5q via IFTTT

I bought a house last year that was built in 1918. I shot a video right after I bought it, one during the rehab, and one after we finished everything. I just posted a video today on the complete process with all the numbers on our expenses and profit. The houses needed a lot of work, and I knew I was making an emotional purchase. However, I thought it would be really cool to buy the house and restore it instead of completing one of my normal fix and flips. We bought it for $178,000, put about $100,000 into the house, The post Before and After Video on a 1918 House-Flip Restoration appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2oNgE8L via IFTTT

I have been a very successful real estate agent, broker, and investor. There is no way I could have done what I have done without help and a real estate assistant or assistants. I began making good money in real estate as an REO broker, but I also flip houses, own rentals, started a brokerage, and run this blog. I realized early on that one of the keys to success is hiring good people to help you succeed. It is possible to be successful without help, but it takes a lot longer and is not nearly as much fun. When I The post When Should You Hire a Real Estate Assistant? appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2NhetrZ via IFTTT

There are many ways to invest in real estate with fix-and-flips, long-term rentals, vacation rentals, REITs, short-term rentals, crowdfunding, nonperforming loans, wholesaling, and your personal residence. I invest in real estate with long-term rentals and house flips, although I also own a real estate brokerage. I love long-term rentals because they offer great returns which continue to pay you as long as you own the property. I also love to flip houses because of the money you can make, and it is a lot of fun to transform old houses into something new. What is considered real estate investing? I The post What are the Best Ways to Invest in Real Estate? appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2oBTL8t via IFTTT

Practicing Gender Diversity in the Restroom Oh , to go back to a simpler, more innocent time — like three(?) years ago — when bathroom gender battles occupied the nation’s spare moments. You know , not subjects like border walls, Trump tweets, environmental plundering, and Russian collusion. So, who should be able to use public bathrooms? Correct answer: A-N-Y-O-N-E! Any psychic discomfort that may cause someone pales in comparison to other kinds of discomfort ( like , holding it). from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2oTumY3 via IFTTT

I bought a house last year that was built in 1918. I shot a video right after I bought it, one during the rehab, and one after we finished everything. I just posted a video today on the complete process with all the numbers on our expenses and profit. The houses needed a lot of work, and I knew I was making an emotional purchase. However, I thought it would be really cool to buy the house and restore it instead of completing one of my normal fix and flips. We bought it for $178,000, put about $100,000 into the house, The post Before and After Video on a 1918 House-Flip Restoration appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2oNgE8L via IFTTT

I have been a very successful real estate agent, broker, and investor. There is no way I could have done what I have done without help and a real estate assistant or assistants. I began making good money in real estate as an REO broker, but I also flip houses, own rentals, started a brokerage, and run this blog. I realized early on that one of the keys to success is hiring good people to help you succeed. It is possible to be successful without help, but it takes a lot longer and is not nearly as much fun. When I The post When Should You Hire a Real Estate Assistant? appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2NhetrZ via IFTTT

There are many ways to invest in real estate with fix-and-flips, long-term rentals, vacation rentals, REITs, short-term rentals, crowdfunding, nonperforming loans, wholesaling, and your personal residence. I invest in real estate with long-term rentals and house flips, although I also own a real estate brokerage. I love long-term rentals because they offer great returns which continue to pay you as long as you own the property. I also love to flip houses because of the money you can make, and it is a lot of fun to transform old houses into something new. What is considered real estate investing? I The post What are the Best Ways to Invest in Real Estate? appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2oBTL8t via IFTTT

Bonus Question:  Who SHOULD Pay the State Deed Tax? Like most (all?) veteran Minnesota Realtors, I assumed that home sellers paid the state deed tax at closing — .34% of the sales price**, at least in Hennepin County — because that’s what state law prescribed. Unh-unh. Apparently, that’s merely a custom, albeit a universally observed one. Which is why savvy new home Buyers — and their agents! — need to be vigilant that their builder is indeed paying it. Through the grapevine, I’ve now heard of two Twin Cities builders who are shifting responsibility for the state deed tax to Buyers in the fine print of their contract. By the time the Buyer discovered that . . . it was too late. **On a $500,000 home sale, that comes to $1,700. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2NX7aTr via IFTTT

Practice Tips for Newer — and Not-So-New — Twin Cities Buyers’ Agents What does the Fall 2018 Parade of Homes — set to start this Saturday (September 8) in the Twin Cities — have to do with passing out Realtor business cards? Just this:  if a Buyer you’re working with goes through a Parade home and decides to buy it, you may have a “procuring cause” issue with the property’s builder and/or the agent representing them. Translation for laymen:  you may not get paid. “Procuring Cause 101” That’s because the “payout” commission — the part of the commission offered to the Buyer’s agent — is technically payable to the agent who’s responsible for the sale. That’s usually the Buyer’s agent, but there’s a multi-factor test including such criteria as, “who introduced the Buyer to the property?” “Who had control of the Buyer?” and “Who wrote the offer?” Rather than get into a messy debate over a commission, most veteran agents — myself included — simply instruct t...

I bought a house last year that was built in 1918. I shot a video right after I bought it, one during the rehab, and one after we finished everything. I just posted a video today on the complete process with all the numbers on our expenses and profit. The houses needed a lot of work, and I knew I was making an emotional purchase. However, I thought it would be really cool to buy the house and restore it instead of completing one of my normal fix and flips. We bought it for $178,000, put about $100,000 into the house, The post Before and After Video on a 1918 House-Flip Restoration appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2oNgE8L via IFTTT

Fine Print: You ‘May or May Not’ Get an Offer  [ Editor’s Note : 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.] It turns out there are three main catches (at least) with Twin Cities real estate agent Kris Lindahl’s pitch to would-be home Sellers to receive a “guaranteed offer” for their home — with “no showings and no open houses,” to boot! — in 48 hours or less. One . Price range. According to Lindahl’s “terms and conditions,” the program only applies to homes with a market value of $100,00 – $500,000. Two . The offer excludes homes in cities that have required municipal inspections, except for St. Paul, West St. Paul, Maplewood, and Golden Valley. That leaves out homeowners in such cities as Minneapolis, Bloomington, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Richfield, and Robbinsdale. Three .  The “G...

Great Home, Spectacular Price (More Than $400k(!) Below Tax Assessed Value) Where : 3515 Cedar Lake Ave. in Southwest Minneapolis, overlooking Cedar Lake and the downtown skyline. What : 5 Bedroom, 4 Bath Italianate Style, 3-story home with 4,200 finished square feet on a gorgeous double lot. When :  Open this Sunday (9/9) from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Who : Hosted by Ross Kaplan of Edina Realty – City Lakes, listing agent. How much : $925k. You’ll be wowed(!) by this stately , 3-story Italianate-style home with stunning skyline views on a gorgeous double lot overlooking Cedar Lake. Highlights include the bright & cheerful, updated L-shaped Kitchen with Canadian granite and stainless appliances; gracious Living and Dining Rooms made for entertaining; the barrel-vaulted Mezzanine-level Family Room; and a versatile 3rd level perfect for teenage kids, guests, or Studio/Office space.   Architecture buffs will appreciate this home’s fine details bo...

Surprisingly Spacious 6 BR(!) Home with > 4,000 Sq. Feet Where :  4709 40th Lane, St. Louis Park. What :  Modified two-story with 6 Bedrooms and 4 Full Baths; total finished square feet = 4,068. When : open house this Sunday (Sept. 9) from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. How much :  $750k. Who : listed by Ross Kaplan, Edina Realty – City Lakes. You’ll love this beautifully updated and expanded home on an oversized, .23 acre lot in the heart of high-demand Minikahda Vista. Highlights included the newer eat-in Kitchen with granite countertops; a deluxe upper level Owner’s Suite including steam bath and walk-in closet; and the huge, finished lower level perfect for teens, guests, or exercise/work. Other nice features you’ll appreciate: 4(!) full Baths, a Mud Room with tons of storage, and the convenient attached Garage. This home is extra-spacious outside, too:  the lot is 168′ deep, including a huge, level backyard. Please call (952-285-3182) or e...

I have been a very successful real estate agent, broker, and investor. There is no way I could have done what I have done without help and a real estate assistant or assistants. I began making good money in real estate as an REO broker, but I also flip houses, own rentals, started a brokerage, and run this blog. I realized early on that one of the keys to success is hiring good people to help you succeed. It is possible to be successful without help, but it takes a lot longer and is not nearly as much fun. When I The post When Should You Hire a Real Estate Assistant? appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2NhetrZ via IFTTT

“Find Your Place” . . . in Between a Future Construction Site and Demonic Neighbors (Huh?!?) Let me see if I understand StreetEasy’s pitch** for a New York City loft (above) correctly. The unit above (“NEEDS RENOVATION”) is likely to become a construction site for some unknown period of time. The unit below (“NEED EXORCISM”) was (is?) owned by a devil worshipper. I get that the ad is supposed to be whimsical, but it still bears asking: what Buyer in their right mind would want to be sandwiched between such neighbors?? Maybe deaf ones, or fellow cult members . . .  See also , “ Lenny Kravitz’s “Highly Curated” Homes .” **The ad above appeared on a New York City subway. The highlighted unit is labeled “Find Your Place”; the units just above and below are titled “Needs Renovation” and “Needs Exorcism,” respectively. On the rooftop of the building — labeled “Moving & Storage” — is a photographer shooting a twirling model. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8...