"Th-th-th-that's All Folks!"

See you in 2011!
Even before today's snow, I was wavering about holding a Broker Open tomorrow for my new listing in Minnetonka.

According to my Office Administrator ("OA"), I would have been the only Realtor in the Edina Realty-City Lakes office on tour (vs. the average 4-6 new listings -- and as many as 10 -- on a busier day).

And that was on the heels of my very sparsely attended Open House in Golden Valley yesterday.

So, that's it for Open House and Broker Tours for 2010!

Don't worry, I'm not done for the year, though.

I'm still working with 3 Buyers, and getting new listings ready for after the first.

Broker Open Today 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

One Block to Cedar Lake!

Where: 2705 France Ave. South, in Minneapolis' Sunset Gables neighborhood
What: 3 BR/2 Bath Cape Cod with almost 2,200 FSF, including a huge first-floor Family Room.
How much: $439,900
Who: listed by Ross Kaplan, Edina Realty City Lakes
When: on market yesterday (Nov. 15).

If you're anywhere Cedar Lake over lunch hour today, please feel free to stop by my Broker Open at 2705 France (even if you're not a Realtor).

You'll be impressed by this home's fine construction, period details like cove moldings and a Dining Room arch, and the spacious, eat-in Kitchen.

Oh . . . . and there's a 600 square foot, 2 1/2 car garage (detached) in back to go with the one car attached -- not something you commonly find with 1938 Cape Cod's in such a great location.

P.S.: in keeping with the "man plans, God laughs" theme a few posts back, my gorgeous Fall shots (including the one above) turned out to have a shelf life of 48 hours: taken last Thursday, the Twin Cities almost immediately turned white with the arrival of the season's first big storm Friday.

Pre-List: 27xx France Ave. South

Sunset Gables Sneak Peak

Where: 27xx France Ave South, in Minneapolis' Sunset Gable neighborhood (and just one block to Cedar Lake, pictured above)
What: 3 BR/2 BA Colonial with eat-in Kitchen, updated mechanicals and 3 1 /2 (!) parking spaces (detached 2 1/2 car, and attached one car)
How (much): $439,900
When: on market early Nov.
Who: listed by Ross Kaplan, Edina Realty-City Lakes

Want an early peek at a terrific Colonial just one-half block to Cedar Lake?

Please call (612-925-7701) or email me (rosskaplan@edinarealty.com) to set up a showing, in advance of the formal market debut in a couple weeks.

Coming Soon!

Huge, Updated Condo in
Great Edina Location!

Where: Point of France, 6566 France Ave. South (140 unit, high-end condo building just NW of Southdale)
What: huge updated condo with 2,600 FSF close to everything
When: Broker tour Tues, 9/14; private showings beginning late next week
How (much): under $400k
Who: listed by Ross Kaplan, Edina Realty City Lakes

The finishing (staging) touches are just being made now on this sweeping, 2,600 square foot Point of France condo.

You'll love the light and flowing space, Contemporary flair, updated Kitchen, and 3 (!) balconies.

The Owner's Suite features 2(!) walk-in closets; the second bedroom has its own, private wing and full Bath (also makes an ideal home office) -- all in a full-service, amenity-rich building in a great Edina location.

Freshly painted and primped throughout, this one's a knockout!

Hint of Mid-Century Modern

See It?

Mid-Century Modern: A design style that emerged in the mid 20th century characterized by clean, simple lines, whether geometric or organic. The movement embraced modern technology and focused on a very livable style.

--Aurora Antique Pavillion

My listing at 601 Drillane in Hopkins (pictured above) has been attracting attention from Buyers interested in Mid-Century Modern architecture.

The home, a California rambler built in 1953, has over 1,800 finished square feet on one level, and sits on a gorgeous, park-like .55 acre near Oakridge in Hopkins. It's listed -- by me! -- for $289k (it's been on the market two weeks).

See the influence?

If you'd like more info, or want to set up a private showing, please call me at 612-925-7701.

425 Idaho Ave. North in Golden Valley

New Lions Park Listing

Where: 425 Idaho Ave. North, Golden Valley (Hopkins schools)

When: new on the market this morning! First open this Saturday, 1-3 p.m.

What: Well-appointed 3 BR/3 Bath Split-Level with 2,100 FSF on .35 acre

Who: listed by Ross Kaplan, Edina Realty City Lakes (broker)

Please stop by my open house this Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 425 Idaho in Golden Valley (just west of Highway 55 and 100).

This nicely updated Split-Entry features beautiful hardwood floors; a vaulted Master Bedroom with 3/4 Bath; and a spacious lower level great for kids -- or a home office.

Great setting and location, too: a gorgeous, .35 acre lot in in private Windor Woods. Walking distance to Lion Park and Golden Valley Commons; minutes to downtown Minneapolis, Uptown, and the city lakes.

Real Estate's Invisible Hand

Lots of Hats: The Office Manager's Role

What makes you think I got out of social work?

--Josh Kaplan, Edina Realty- City Lakes Office Manager (and former social worker)

If you've ever bought or sold a home through an agent who works for a big broker (Edina Realty, Coldwell Banker Burnet, etc.), your deal was very likely guided -- at least a little bit -- by someone completely unknown to you.

(If your deal was especially challenging, make that guided a lot.)

Who?

Your agent's office manager.

All those bathroom breaks your agent took during that complicated closing?

It's a fair bet that they were actually on the phone with their office manager, getting direction.

(In my own case, I vividly recall frantically speed-dialing Josh Kaplan, my office manager, in the middle of a closing involving a South Minneapolis duplex. The buyer -- yours truly! -- had neglected to require that the tenants' security deposits be assigned as part of the Purchase Agreement.)

Even if your agent is a veteran, it's still likely that their office manager influences how they conduct their real estate practice.

Here's a (partial) list of all the hats that the office manager wears:

Recruiter. The office manager decides who your colleagues will be.

The reason that the City Lakes office is one of the most diverse, interesting (and productive) in town is because Josh picked the Realtors in it (and vice versa).

Referee/Umpire. Real estate is a competitive business, full of big ego's, turf battles, and occasionally (too) sharp elbows -- and that's just the Realtors!

The office manager gets to sort them all out.

Business Coach. Even excellent agents go through slumps, have the occasional tough deal (or a string of them), can get burned out, etc. The first door they knock on is usually their office manager's (see next).

Psychologist/Social Worker. The reason real estate agents seem so unflappable is that they do all their venting behind closed doors (their office manager's).

Trainer. No one learns how to sell real estate in a classroom. You learn by doing it, and by being in an office where the culture is cooperative and dedicated to continuous skill-building.

Ethical Guidepost. The office manager sets the tone for what is and isn't acceptable. The Realtors in the City Lakes office are known for their professionalism and ethics, because Josh makes those priorities.

Businessperson. At the end of the day, the office manager's ultimate responsibility is to make sure that their office is profitable . . . so that it STAYS OPEN.

The City Lakes office is consistently one of Edina Realty's most profitable -- and has been a standout the last few years.

Thanks, Josh! (Do I get that vacant corner office now?)

P.S.: One last office manager "hat," at least in my own case: proof-reading and vetting (sensitive) blog posts.

1st Open Sunday!

South Tyrol Hills Sleeper!

Where: 1340 Fairlawn Way, in Golden Valley's South Tyrol Hills neighborhood
What: Sprawling 4 BR/3 Bath Mid-Century Split-Entry with almost 3,600 finished square feet -- including a 600 (!) sq. ft. Great Room.
How much: $444,900
When: market time -- 3 days
Who: listed by Ross Kaplan, Edina Realty - City Lakes

If you're looking for a dynamite, well-built family home in a close-in location, please come by my open house this Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The highlight of the home?

The huge Great Room, featuring vaulted ceilings, an (Italian) granite Fireplace, and skylights.

A great family home -- and a great value!

(If you don't know the area, South Tyrol Hills is south of 394 and east of 100).