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Author: Monty

  • A home inspection is not always enough

    A home inspection does not reveal defects that are not visible. Occasionally, additional testing can provide information you need to proceed.

  • 3 tips for a great kitchen remodel

    Reader Question: We are wondering about a kitchen remodel. My family is considering selling my mother’s home. The wood floors and bathrooms were recently redone; only the kitchen is old. Do you recommend putting $10,000 into replacing the kitchen cabinets and updating some of the appliances before selling? I have heard that the buyer often wants…

  • Make certain to include a contingency in the real estate contract

    Reader Question: We consistently told our Realtor that we wanted a swimming pool or a house where the backyard was big enough to put a swimming pool. We bought a house that had a yard big enough to put a swimming pool, and we find out from the pool company that there’s an easement in…

  • Six tips for out-of-state landlords with a trashed home

    Reader Question: We have a trashed home. My husband and I live on the east coast. Our son attended school in the Midwest, and we bought a home there. We completely renovated it like a new home. After graduation, we hired a management company to rent and oversee the home. Our manager informed us the tenant…

  • Five tips for a good buy on a home

    Reader Question: If I make an offer on a home, and don’t bring a Realtor with me, can I ask for a rebate from the agent, and if I did, how much? I live in CA and want to get a good buy here. Monty’s Answer: You are asking if the listing agent will negotiate…

  • How do I convince agents my home is worth $292,000?

    Reader Question: You have answered questions for me in the past and I found you reassuring in the complex world we live in, so here I go again. I need to sell my home for $276,000.00 net to me after commissions. So how do I present my case that my asking price is sound and…

  • Question your motives buying investment property

    Reader Question: My husband and I have the chance to purchase a second home. We value our home at approximately $265,000. We owe about $130,000 on the mortgage. Our monthly mortgage payment for our house is $1,100. That plus all of our other monthly bills comes to approximately $2,300 to $2,800 per month. We want…

  • Dad’s broken promise sours home renovation

    Reader Question: My wife and I renovated a home owned by my father under the condition that the house would eventually be signed over to both of us. He does not want to sign the house over to us now that we have completed the project. He only wants it in my name and his.…

  • The best way to sell your share of inherited property

    Reader Question: My father and stepmother have both passed away and left my stepsister and stepbrothers and me and my two sisters equal parts of the house and land. My stepsister was in charge of her mom’s affairs before she passed and she wants to do something with the property but we don’t. What can…

  • Three most common home inspection misses

    Reader Question: We are preparing to sell our home to downsize. We hear stories about home inspection misses. We will soon be dealing with two inspections. What items do home inspectors most often overlook? Harold W. Monty’s Answer: This question requires some background to explain efficiently. There are three facts centered around home inspections often…

  • Six questions to ask when choosing a mortgage counselor

    Reader Question: I am retired, and our Social Security is all we have coming in. We recently applied for refinancing, and we did not qualify because of our neighborhood (no houses around worth enough according to our online lender). Our interest rate is 7.795 percent. What can we do? Monty’s Answer: With the information you…

  • Five tips to protect your home from chipmunk damage

    Reader Question: We own a townhome, and our paver patio is collapsing due to chipmunk damage. We have seen the chipmunks and their tunnels, so we know that is the issue. We installed the patio with homeowner association (HOA) approval. We don’t wish to do any repairs until we are aware who is liable for…

  • Six tips to improve your real estate outcomes

    Reader Question: I signed a contract with a buyer agent. We found a house and made an offer. The house failed the inspection, but the seller had the right to cure. I was not comfortable and walked away. Now my agent wants to enforce the buyer agency agreement. I talked to my attorney, and she…

  • Save big frustrations, time and money – read the contract

    Reader Question: I signed a contract with a buyer agent. We found a house and made an offer. The house failed the inspection, but the seller had the right to cure. I was not comfortable and walked away. Now my agent wants to enforce the buyer agency agreement. I talked to my attorney, and she…

  • Are small additions to a home practical?

    Reader Question: Will a $15,000 to $19,000 laundry room added to the back of my home add enough value to be justifiable? The house is worth about $150,000. It is a three-bedroom ranch built in 1997 with a gas fireplace and a remodeled kitchen. It would be something my wife would enjoy and make good…