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Author: Monty

  • Four simple tips to improve home inspection outcomes

     Reader Question: We just lost a buyer over two inconsequential discoveries by the home inspector. Our agent told us the buyer was edgy, and were afraid they would inherit more problems in the future because the discovery created the impression we hadn’t taken care of the house. We have had other friends with inspection issues.…

  • Agent tells home seller not to attend the home inspection

    Reader Question: We accepted an offer on our home. The contract is subject to a satisfactory home inspection. Our agent called to set up a time for the inspection and asked us not to attend the home inspection. She asked that we not be home. My thinking is that if there is some discovery made…

  • Anxiety plagues first-time home buyers

    Reader Question: We are looking for homes we can afford through online real estate websites. We are not married. We have extreme anxiety about actually contacting real estate agents and starting to look “for real.” ➢   I have money to buy or down payment – she doesn’t. We could afford up to $600,000. I have…

  • What should a home seller disclose in the condition report?

    ​Reader Question: What must a home seller disclose and what are we not obliged to disclose? We are preparing to sell our home and want to know. ​What does the seller’s condition report cover and where does a homeowner’s responsibility to disclose end? ​Monty’s Answer: ​Most every state has laws and requirements for a home seller…

  • Homebuyer questions the value of a home inspection

    Reader Question: We don’t see the value of a home inspection. We are going to be buying another home soon. In the house we sold, the buyer’s inspector missed some items of which we were unaware. It created a few problems after they moved in, but we worked with them, and all turned out well.…

  • Our agent’s home pricing is confusing

    Reader Question: Our agent’s home pricing is confusing. The area we live developed with colonial style homes that all look the same. Our home is a craftsman style home that is custom-built. We built our home with branded concrete siding, expensive composite decking, and custom maple cabinets with built-ins throughout the home. We have heated…

  • Seller refuses to sign a mutual release

    Reader Question: We signed a contract on a home. In reviewing disclosures, everything seemed ok. We found out a week later that the city water and sewer was confirmed to run under the house and through the middle of the back yard and also services three properties to the south. We also learned the water…

  • Four tips to find a new church location

    Reader Question: How do we find a new church location? We have a long-standing fellowship group in a large established congregation. We have decided to break away and start a new congregation. Monty’s Answer: There are a variety of ways you can go about finding a new home for your flock. While there are often…

  • Eight important considerations with termite fumigation

    Reader Question: I need termite fumigation. ​I own property in located in Florida, where termites are a big part of the pest population. I will be selling the five unit building soon, and four units are rented currently. Two of the four units have leases expiring in July. The property has to be tented to exterminate…

  • Four steps to a tough negotiating stance

    Reader Question: A real estate agent approached us with a commercial client who would like to buy our property. The agent wants to list our property to get the process started. Why would we need to list the property if she already has the buyer? And what should we pay for commissions on this type…

  • Four steps to handle a broken trust

    Reader Question: We have a broken trust. We bought our first home last month. Our inspector found several problems, one of which was a rodent problem in our attic. We trusted our agent when she told us the rodent problem was taken care of when they fixed the roof. We did not know what to look…

  • Four tips to reduce home seller anxiety

    Reader Question: ​We are experiencing home seller anxiety. We have a contract on our home pending only an appraisal. Our closing date is two weeks away. The buyer asked for an inspection of the property. We also granted his request for an engineering inspection. Both of these inspections were satisfactory. He has had an hour-long,…

  • Defeating the vague home inspection comment

    Reader Question: We have a vague home inspection issue. I own a home inspection company of 21 years and my inspectors are ASHI Certified. During an office presentation, this issue was brought up: “Why are more inspectors’ comments more vague in how to diagnose the issues found. Instead, clients have to consult with additional professionals to…

  • Seven answers to a home inspector’s question

    Reader Question: Here is a home inspector’s question. Customers tell me I am a good inspector. I always want to improve my methods when I can. Your answer to this question may help focus my efforts. What are the main questions you get from consumers about home inspectors? Monty’s Answer: Incorporating the continuous improvement philosophy into…

  • Do homebuyers have a septic tank problem?

    Reader Question: We have a septic tank problem. We moved into our house two days ago. Yesterday, we came in from the yard to discover the toilet in the half bath overflowed and flooded the bathroom, laundry room and part of the kitchen. We searched the rest of the house and saw that the other two…