Robert Guthridge's Blog

So much for the spring and early summer bounce.  Southern California is seeing a large increase of inventory.  And some of this inventory is coming in the form of new condos and homes.  The housing bull market was so good that builders jumped back into the mix to get top price for properties.  But of […] from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2RHojmQ via IFTTT

“I wonder where THAT is?!?,” I mused, studying the painting of the gorgeous Colorado mountain (above) while eating lunch at local restaurant. Then I looked up. Give the painter credit for perfectly capturing 11,400 foot Mount Lamborn, looming over Paonia from about 10 miles to the northeast (photo, left). The town was a welcome, albeit brief, respite from the crowds and traffic in Denver and Colorado Springs ( yup , Colorado Springs — at least during rush hour). P.S.: I visited briefly a few weeks ago as part of an epic, 3-day solo road trip. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2YjrnI9 via IFTTT

Summer in the ‘Cities Win-Win, or, “Worshipping False Idylls” [ Editor’s Note : I originally ran this post over the 4th of July weekend two years ago. With the heat index in the Twin Cities this weekend expected to be over 100 degrees, I’ll allow that there’s a little more reason to seek cooler temps up north. Just not enough to offset the hassle factor ]. This will no doubt come as sacrilege to many Minnesotans — and isn’t going to endear me to my colleagues who specialize in selling 2nd homes up north — but here goes: my theory about why so many of my fellow Twin Citians cherish a weekend — typically up north and on a lake — at their 2nd (cabin) home is that . . . they’ve all been brainwashed. Yes , brainwashed. By whom, you may ask? By a city-dweller who desperately wanted a way to empty out the beautiful City Lakes on Summer weekends, shorten restaurant lines, and generally have some urban peace and quiet, however temporary. 2x . . . Everything Why else would hundreds of ...

City Lakes Real Estate Blog Tops the List (Google’s) So, how do you get to be the best Realtor blog in America? Start with a daily post featuring a topical bit of real estate-related news or analysis (usually). Then, write 6-8 more such pieces the same week. Finally — and here’s the hard part — repeat weekly . . . for 12 years(!). Really . . .   Thanks for visiting! *According to Google, “City Lakes Real Estate Blog” is the highest-ranked individual Realtor blog (vs. list of blogs) in the U.S., searching under these terms: “best U.S. Realtor blog,” “best Realtor blog,” “top U.S. Realtor blog,” and “best U.S. real estate agent blog.” from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2KJByTm via IFTTT

Market Appreciation vs. Home Depreciation “In all cases in which work is produced by the agency of heat, a quantity of heat is consumed which is proportional to the work done.” –Rudolf Clausius, first law of thermodynamics. “An overpriced, “For Sale” home depreciates in value faster than an appreciating housing market rises.” –Ross Kaplan, first law of real estate. It’s strictly anecdotal, but I’d guess that there’s more — not less — overpricing in a rising housing market than in a falling market. My theory? Sellers hear that home prices are rising . . . and overdo it. Result: their home sits, accumulating damaging market time, and not infrequently sells for less than what they would have gotten if they’d set a more realistic, initial asking price.* Effect of Rising Market That’s true even in a rising market. The explanation is that an overpriced home sitting on the market depreciates faster than all but the most feverish housing markets rise. The following example illustr...

Law of Diminishing Returns Past Three or More Showings Want to handicap the odds of any given Buyer purchasing a home, especially at higher price points that fewer Buyers can reach? Think of a Bell Curve, with the peak corresponding to 2-3 showings (call it “2.5”); the left tail represents one showing, and the right tail indicates four or more showings. In other words . . . the chances of a prospective Buyer making an offer after only one showing are relatively low (empirically, I estimate the odds are no better than 10%). They increase dramatically once the Buyer returns for second showing, to 33% or even 50%. Bigger Homes and/or More Work = More Showings Of course, if the home is bigger and/or needs substantial remodeling, a third showing — often with a contractor — may be appropriate before deciding to write an offer. However, once someone returns a fourth, fifth, or even sixth(!) time, the odds plummet. Either the Buyer is too ambivalent about the specific home to mak...

Translating “Minnesota Nice” I’ve got to remind myself when I work with out-of-town Buyers that outside of Minnesota, “interesting” actually can mean “interesting.” As in “unique” (in a good way), “provocative,” or “stimulating.” When Minnesotans say it — especially in the context of house-hunting, and they enunciate the word slowing (“i-n-t-e-r-e-s-t-i-n-g”) — they invariably mean “unique” (in a bad way), “peculiar,” or “unusual” (also in a bad way). See also , “ Minnesota Nice for “Back Off!”?? “; “ Sunday Open Houses & “Minnesota Nice” “; and “ Showing Feedback & “Minnesota Nice. “ from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2Nf2tbU via IFTTT

Cure for Dirty Central Air Conditioner:  Soap & Water (Minus the Soap) Unlike an exceptionally dirty car, no one ever wrote “wash me” on a filthy central a/c unit. But, maybe they should. A clogged a/c grill decreases the unit’s air flow, which makes it run hotter . . . which decreases its life expectancy. Fortunately, the solution is cheap and simple: 1) turn off the unit (to avoid an electrical issue); then 2) aim a garden hose at the clogged grill to wash away the accumulated debris. P.S.: As a Buyer’s agent, whenever I see a neglected a/c unit, I wonder what else the Seller has neglected that I can’t see. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 https://ift.tt/2FuuhCv via IFTTT

Negotiate Formally or Informally?  It Depends [ 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.] OK, so “Written vs. Verbal Counter-Offers” isn’t a very sexy title. But it’s a fascinating subject. While everyone knows (or should) that there’s no such thing as a verbal contract to sell real estate, negotiations often are conducted verbally, then committed to writing only if/when the terms solidify. There are certainly situations where that’s appropriate, but in general I prefer a written trail, for two reasons, one tactical, one more technical/legal.** Live Ammunition vs. Firing Blanks First , the tactical reason. A verbally accepted (counter)offer, technically, is meaningless; until it’s agreed to in writing, it’s unenforceable. A good negotiation is an efficient one, that’s binding on all partie...

Debits & Credits, Credits & Debits In the vast majority of real estate closings in Minnesota — 99.45%**, to be exact — the title companies doing the closing have to calculate a  pro rata property tax adjustment between the Buyer and Seller That’s because in Minnesota, homeowners pay property taxes twice a year (May 15 and October 15), with the payments covering the first and second halves of the year, respectively. When closing occurs in the middle of those intervals, either the Buyer owes the Seller (if they paid for a portion of the six months that they’re not living in the house); or, the Seller owes the Buyer (if latter is making a semi-annual payment, but living in the home less than that). Total Adjustment:  $0 Which leaves the 2 days of the year — June 30 and December 31 — that fall at the exact end of the semi-annual tax periods. Assuming the Seller made the most recent payment, no adjustment is necessary, because the Seller lived in the home ...

Booster Shot for Housing Market “10-Year Treasury Yield Falls Below 2%, Defying Expectations.” — Wall Street Journal headline (6/20/19). Thanks to diving interest rates, the housing market is getting a booster shot during a time of year (mid-Summer) when things customarily start to slow down a bit. How dramatically have rates fallen? In just six weeks, 30-year mortgages have dropped almost 75 basis points, from close to 4.5% to 3.75% — and may be headed even lower. Purchasing Power Boost That drop may not sound like much, but it translates into a surprisingly hefty pop in Buyers’ purchasing power. That’s because most home buyers use borrowed money — called a “mortgage” — to finance their purchase. So, with rates at 4.5%, a prospective home buyer looking for a $400k home with 20% down (= $320k mortgage) could expect to pay just over $1,600/monthly in principal and interest on a 30 year mortgage. By contrast, if rates drop to 3.5%, that same $1,600 payment now supports a $360...

Housing Deal Deadlines & Other Key Terms No , I don’t recall ever handling a real estate deal where the Buyer or Seller omitted to fill in the purchase price or the closing date. But, I have handled multiple deals where the other side left blank something almost as significant. The three biggest — and most common — omissions: One . Final Acceptance Date. Near the end of the Purchase Agreement on page 12, this blank line is supposed to be filled in when the contract is fully executed.  See , “ When is a Deal Officially a Deal?”  Its significance:  it starts the clock running on the Buyer’s inspection period, which typically must be completed — with any issues resolved — within 10 calendar of Final Acceptance. A Buyer who misses that window is deemed to have waived their inspection. Two . Written Statement deadline. As opposed to a Buyer Pre-Approval Letter, a Written Statement actually signifies something — namely, that the home has appraise...

Buying a Lamborghini has been a goal of mine since I was a little kid. Thanks to my real estate business, I was able to buy a 1999 Lamborghini Diablo Alpine Edition May of 2014, and it was delivered to me on Father’s Day that year. It has been five years since I bought the ... Read more The post How I Was Able to Afford a Lamborghini Thanks To Real Estate appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 http://bit.ly/2X4mEhf via IFTTT

Doubling Down on DIY (“Do It Yourself”) “First law of holes: ‘if you find yourself in a hole . . . stop digging .'” –Adage. One of the more interesting inspections I’ve handled recently involved a Minnetonka home Seller (I represented the Buyer) who clearly was unacquainted with the “first law of holes.” Namely, “when you find yourself in one . . . stop digging! Inspection Issues So, while the 1950’s rambler was in overall good condition and basically inspected fine, the report did flag a pattern of, shall we say , “amateurish” plumbing and electrical repairs — clearly done by none other than the Seller himself. When my client raised their concerns with the Seller, after documenting same, what do you suppose their response was? “No problem, I’ll fix it!” Umm , no thanks. After contractually stipulating that the repairs were to be done by a licensed electrician and plumber, respectively — with documentation of same to be provided to the Buyer — the Buyer agreed to remove ...

Also Known as “Splash Stick,” “Lid Sip Hole Plug,” & “Green Thing” (Just Don’t Call it a “Swizzle Stick”) Want to know why you can get one of those “dip sticks” (my term) at Starbucks — but not at Caribou, Dunn Bros., or other coffee chain? Starbucks has a patent on it. Or more specifically, one of their customers does. Adding salt creamer to the wound:  according to at least one Starbucks barista (server), the inventor made a fortune on it. Invention #2 My other “Why didn’t I think of that??” invention: highway “median strips” — those things that make you think you have a flat tire when you cross the median or veer onto the shoulder. How many of those do you suppose have been sold to state and federal highway departments? Coming next:  “smart” median strips, that communicate with driver-less, high-tech cars.   I See also , “Is That a Rorschach Ink Blot in My Starbucks Marble Cake? “ from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 http://bit.ly/2xbGjfQ via IFTTT

Deafening Silence:  When Hours Seem Like Days The inspection was completed, but the Buyer has been uncharacteristically incommunicado. What’s the likeliest explanation? A. The inspection was a disaster, and the Buyer intends to back out. B. The inspection went fine, but the Buyer got cold feet anyways  . . . and intends to back out . C.  The Buyer is busy documenting a major defect (cracked foundation, worn-out roof, etc.).  Or several(!) of them. D. The Buyer is cooking up a long list of bogus issues, in an effort to renegotiate the sales price. E. The Buyer’s agent is taking care of a sick kid, has out-of-town guests, or ??? and turned off their cell phone. Answer :  “E.” While the wait can be agonizing for Sellers, the vast majority of the time, any delay in hearing from the Buyer, post-inspection, is usually benign. Other frequent explanations:  it is the Buyer’s agent (not their kid) who’s sick; the Buyer’s agent is tied up with other ...

Proof That High Pressure Sales Tactics Don’t Work At least in my experience, the odds of a first showing leading to a consummated transaction are perhaps 1 in 10. The exception to that? If the Buyer’s agent is headed to the airport, or otherwise under acute time pressure. When that’s the case, I’d estimate that the odds of the showing leading to a deal conservatively double (to a still-low 2-in-10). Reverse Psychology What might account for that? I can think of two reasons: One . Realtor on a time deadline = no sales pressure. In contrast to a “regular” showing, a Realtor who needs to be someplace else wants the showing to go badly — so they can lock up the house and get out of there! So, there’s no extolling the updated Kitchen, pointing out the beautiful backyard, or the lovely block. Instead, the subliminal message clients get is: ‘don’t buy this home.’ It’s amazing how, when that’s the agent’s mindset, clients suddenly want to make sure they’re not overlooking any ...

Want the science art of doing Comp’s (“Comparable Sold Properties”) in a nutshell? It’s placing a given (“subject”) property on a continuum, between the home just below it in price, and the one immediately above. What could be simpler, right? “This and That” Ahhh , but which two homes are those — and exactly how much above or below the subject home are they? (In Realtor-speak, what are the adjustments?). Further muddying the waters:  sometimes the upper and lower Comp’s are really composites of multiple properties, because no one property is similar enough. Of course, if a property is sufficiently dissimilar, it’s not a Comp at all. As I like to put it, “you can compare a Braeburn apple to a Granny Smith . . . but not to an orange .”  (sorry) See also , “ Why the Neighbor’s Home Isn’t a Comp “; “ Real Estate Bracketing — Advanced Beginner Version ;” “ The Science — and Art — of Doing Comp’s “; and “ ‘Bracketing,’ Explained .” from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 ht...

Learning to Love (OK, Like) Split-Level’s What’s so great about opening the front door of a home and finding yourself standing in the middle of the Living Room? Or maybe Kitchen? That’s been my experience in any number of newer, upper bracket homes — homes that supposedly boast the latest and greatest of everything, and reflect the latest trends. By contrast, no one seems to want a Split-Level. The floor plan strikes some as awkward. The curb appeal can be underwhelming. Plus, there’s no grand entry. On the contrary, if the Split-Level is also a Split-Entry . . . . you have to decide whether to go up . . . or down! Advice to Home Buyers So what? What Split-Level’s lack in sex appeal, they often make up in functionality. And price (as in value). And construction quality:  the majority of the Split-Levels in the Twin Cities were built in the 50’s and ’60’s — a golden era for home construction quality if there ever was one. Which is another reason to love (OK, like) the...

Cost to Move > Fair Market Value Once the Buyer and Seller have resolved any inspection issues, it’s common for the two parties to discuss any personal property that the homeowner may want to sell. Like many negotiations, the party who speaks first often loses. So, at least in my experience, a Buyer who expresses interest in specific items is likely to have to pay more. By contrast, by simply being quiet, the Buyer can often score one or more items gratis . Exhibit A: that extra freezer in the basement. Free Freezer? Maybe Especially if the freezer is older, it can very well cost more to move than it’s worth. Because the Seller is contractually obliged to remove all personal property prior to closing, it’s in their interest to get the Buyer’s permission to leave the item. At least if the basement freezer is working, it’s hard to say no to “free.” See also , “ And Repeat: “Never Negotiate Furniture,” “Never Negotiate Furniture . . .” from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 h...

The RPR New User Series is eight straightforward “how-to’s” covering everything from simple searches, to gathering data on schools and neighborhoods, mapping, and our ever-popular RPR reports from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 http://bit.ly/2Im6ZRa via IFTTT

One of the most important and difficult parts of home ownership or investing in real estate is finding a great contractor. Contractors can be hard to find, very expensive, take a long time to finish a job, or even quit on you. If you can find a good contractor with clear and detailed bids, great ... Read more The post How to Find a Contractor for Home Improvement and Repairs appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 http://bit.ly/2WRh396 via IFTTT

True or false:  what Realtors call “the selling agent” once a deal closes represents the Seller (no, this isn’t another “Grant’s Tomb” question). Answer:  false. The agent who represents the owner/seller is called “the listing agent”; post-closing, the Buyer’s agent is referred to as “the selling agent.” Nomenclature Once you work in real estate sales for a while, it all kind of makes sense (kind of). The selling agent really does sell the home — to their client. First, they flag it on MLS, as having many of the attributes their client is looking for. Then, they show it to their client once (or three times), sizing up its pluses and minuses; analyzing how well-priced and marketed the home is; comparing it to others the client is considering; noting the home’s location, condition and updates (or lack thereof); potential (or lack thereof); and ultimately preparing their client to write an offer. Finally, they sell the Seller on the Buyer’s offer ( got that ?),...

3901 Sunset Blvd. in St. Louis Park [ 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.] But for the fact that it’s on my (3 block) commute to work at Edina Realty – City Lakes, I probably would never have noticed the nondescript home at 3901 Sunset Blvd. On the other hand, the house does command a high profile lot at the corner of France Ave. and Sunset Blvd, just north of Minnetonka Blvd. Which is why it’s nice to see what had formerly been the neighborhood eyesore get transformed into something . . . much better (I especially like the gable over the front door). P.S.: Based on the absence of any marketing (“Coming Soon” on MLS, direct email, Realtor networking, etc.), I’m guessing that the renovation/remodel is being done by the current owner vs. on a “spec” basis (for resale). from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8...

How do you spell “ice dam?” I know more than a few local homeowners filling out their Seller Disclosure this Spring — or maybe just bad spellers — tempted to add an “n.” And if you had one this past Winter, you’d better disclose it. Either that, or hope that:  a) the Buyer’s inspector is oblivious; and b) the Buyer never has a recurrence. Se e also, “ How Do You Abbreviate “Assessments?” ; “ Realtor Gaffes — Listing Presentation Edition “; “ Realtor Gaffes & Bloopers “; “ Buyer Freudian Slips “; “ Realtor Freudian Slips “; and “How’s THAT For Seller Candor .” from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 http://bit.ly/2K5I5re via IFTTT

 . . . . Or One Realtors representing Sellers (better known as “listing agents”) tend to be a lot more focused on Written Statements — and specifically, Written Statement deadlines — than their clients. There are two reasons for that:  1) it can be a technical subject (see below); and 2) most Buyers’ lenders meet the deadline, so there’s no problem — and no need to concern the Seller. However, that hardly means that the Written Statement deadline is trivial. On the contrary, I refer to it as “the second most important date in the Purchase Agreement” — at least in a financed (non-cash) deal. That’s because it signifies when the Buyer has received final underwriting approval from their lender. Not incidentally, it’s also the point in a deal when the Buyer’s earnest money become non-refundable — that is, if the Buyer subsequently fails to close, the Seller keeps the money as liquidated damages. Two Criteria; “The Golden Rule” At least in Minnesota, the Written Statement...

The housing market now sputters into the summer selling season with very little momentum.  Home sales are at post-recession lows and the labor force participation rate is collapsing because you have an army of Taco Tuesday baby boomers roaming the streets of California enjoying inflated real estate values while enjoying Whole Foods delivered to their […] from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 http://bit.ly/2ZiYn3F via IFTTT

Getting You More Money For Your Home & More Home For Your Money “A great football coach can take his’n and beat your’n, and then he can turn around and take your’n and beat his’n.” –Long-time football coach Bum Phillips (my paraphrase). Entering my 18th(!) year selling homes, I think I finally have come up with a succinct definition of what a good Realtor does: they maximize what you get. The sales side of that equation is straightforward:  a good Realtor maximizes the money you get, net of commission, for your home. They do that by helping to get your home in optimal condition for sale; energetically marketing your home to prospective Buyers and their Realtors; and protecting your interests throughout the negotiation and legal stage of the deal. Representing Buyers So, what does a Buyer’s agent maximize? The home you get for your money. Of course, given that tastes are subjective, sometimes that means helping Buyers find a home in a particular locati...

Dried Up I’m starting to think the manufacturer of Sharpie pens (my favored writing device, along with a blue ink, .50 micron Uni-ball pen) has stumbled upon an especially clever — and diabolical — way to sell more pens: design a too-loose pen cap. When it invariably falls off, the pen dries up — and users have to grumblingly toss it, and grab another. Theory #2 I certainly prefer that explanation to the alternative: yours truly is becoming more absent-minded, and leaving a trail of uncapped Sharpies behind me everywhere I go, then concocting paranoid theories to explain the pattern . . . P.S.: Speaking of theories . . . I’ve devised a way to ensure that my now very independent 16 year-old son interacts with me more regularly: swap out the 13 gallon(?) gas tank on our family’s well-traveled Honda Element (and said son’s regular wheels) for a much smaller tank. That way, he needs to re-fill it more frequently . . . which means he needs to track me down to get my credit card (h...

Realtor-Client Double Standard There are really only two rules when it comes to proper attire for a home closing: 1) the Realtors and other professionals (closers and lender) should wear formal business attire (sorry, no “business casual”); 2) clients can wear whatever they want. Which I guess means there’s only one rule. For men, at least, “business attire” translates into business slacks and shirt (my usual uniform), if not a sport coat and tie, or even suit(!). P.S.: In fact, there seems to be a trend back to more formal Realtor attire generally.  See , “ Back in (Realtor) Fashion:  Ties, Sport Coats, and Scarves. ” See also , “ Will You Be at Closing?” (and Other Silly Questions)” ; “Cleared for . . . Closing “ ; “ The Most Important Closing Detail of All “; and “Passed Across the Closing Table:  Keys, Garage Door Openers, Bike Chains ( Bike Chains?? ) .” **When the Seller receives the money and the Buyer receives the title to the home (at least in Minnesota and...

12 Year “Super Real Estate Agent” Streak Intact (Phew!!) “Hi Ross: You are a super agent. Go forth and brag.” –Danny Della Lana; Mpls. St. Paul Magazine (6/5/19). Mpls. St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business typically notifies local Realtors via letter in early May that they’ve been nominated as a “Super Real Estate Agent.” When I saw this year’s letters in colleagues’ in-boxes a month ago — but not mine — I dejectedly reconciled myself to the notion that my 11-year streak had come to an end. That is, until yesterday. That’s when I received an email reminder from the magazines informing me that I’d yet to complete my 2019 Super Real Estate Agent application. It turns out that I AM on this year’s list, which means somehow my announcement letter was misdirected. Just as proof, though, I did print out a copy of Mr. Della Lana’s email (above), confirming that I do indeed have bragging rights for another year. P.S.: Thanks to Mr. Della Lana for quickly checking into the ma...

Naturally Occurring Shapes — and Numbers Supposedly, there’s no such thing as a naturally-occurring perfect square or rectangle (vs., say , a sphere). Similarly, I’d venture that there’s no such thing as a house that’s worth exactly $500,000 or $1 million (on the coasts, add a zero). The Lure of Round Numbers So, why does it seem that an inordinate number of homes are priced at $500,000 instead of $519,900 — or, more realistically, $479,900? I attribute it mainly to the lure of round numbers. Sort of like gravity, century marks — and particularly big ones like $500k and $1M — exert a strong psychological pull on home Buyers and Sellers. As a result, homes that are in the general vicinity of those numbers sometimes stretch for the “marquee” number. Overlapping Searches Reason #2 Sellers often pick round numbers:  they know that Buyers frequently search in increments of $50k to $100k. So, common price ranges are “$450k – $500k”; “$500k – ...

The Opposite of “The Birthday Paradox” According to The Birthday Paradox, in a room of just 23 people, there’s a 50-50 chance of at least two people having the same birthday. In the world of residential real estate sales — at least in a bigger city — there seems to be something of an anti- Birthday Paradox at play. Namely, it’s surprising how seldom veteran Realtors — even long-time colleagues in the same office — do a transaction together.** Few Three-peats It wasn’t until I’d been in real estate sales for over a decade (I’m now in year #18(!)) that I did a second transaction with the same agent (note: I’ve since done repeat and even “three-peat” deals with about half a dozen Realtors). As your area(s) of focus become more defined, and you’re on the scene longer, you naturally cross paths with the same Realtors. It’s just that, with over 10,000 Twin Cities agents and what seems like almost as many brokers, the overwhelming odds are that the agent sitting across the negotiati...

Before and After Pix Painting stucco used to be a “no-no”:  the exterior paint didn’t adhere well, which meant that, forever after, the home needed frequent re -painting. Which sort of defeated the purpose of stucco in the first place:  its famously low maintenance. Now, thanks to more stucco-friendly products, the interval between re-painting is much longer, giving homeowners more options. P.S.:  the home pictured above and below is on Sunset Boulevard just southwest of Cedar Lake in Minneapolis. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 http://bit.ly/2WmZ1jA via IFTTT

Many people use Zillow to value a home, but how accurate is Zillow? Zillow uses what they call a Zestimate to give values on homes for almost every house in the United States. The problem with the Zestimate is it uses a computer algorithm to come up with a value. When valuing real estate you ... Read more The post How Accurate is Zillow’s Zestimate? appeared first on InvestFourMore . from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 http://bit.ly/2HKdLQy via IFTTT

“Do You Have the Thyme?” Berkeley Restaurateur and Chez Panisse founder Alice Waters has a famously organic, “bottoms-up” approach to cooking. Namely, she goes to the local farmer’s market, and hones in on whatever catches her eye (and I suppose, nose). It’s easy to guess what Waters would have noticed at the Minneapolis Farmer’s market today: rhubarb! Surprisingly Seasonal Notwithstanding the barely-June date — plus a memorably cool, soggy Spring locally — the market was awash in freshly harvested rhubarb. Surprise #2: asparagus also grows and ripens very early in the season. P.S.: When you go to the market with your daughter, and divvy up the shopping list (veggies, fresh herbs, etc.), what do you say to her when you meet up? “Do you have the thyme?” ( really ). See also , “You Take the Cake!” (& Other Ruined Expressions) .” from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 http://bit.ly/2HRrJA8 via IFTTT

Being There — Literally — For Clients Would you miss a child’s graduation? A family member’s birthday party? OK, so a real estate closing may not be quite so momentous. But, after working side by side with someone closely for months (years?), riding the emotional highs & lows that can accompany the sales process (more like , trying to even out the highs & lows), etc., it only seems fitting for the Realtor(s) to be there at the conclusion.* Riding Shotgun While the title company closers representing the Buyer and Seller are formally in charge, I’ve yet to be at a closing where my client didn’t have at least one question for me that no one else in the room was able to field. Sometimes, it’s explaining that there is a second Arbitration agreement specifically for closing (vs. the one that’s part of the Purchase Agreement). Other times, it’s reassuring the client that property taxes have been properly pro rated (I always recalculate them), that they got credit for Seller-...