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Author: Monty

  • Best start for first-time homebuyers

    Reader Question: We are first-time homebuyers. There is a ton of information available, but it feels conflicting and confusing. We want this to be a fun and exciting time in our lives, but we need some advice. Can you share your thoughts about how we should go about buying our first home? John and Terrie…

  • Can a rookie real estate agent be a good choice?

    Reader Question: We are selling our home with an experienced agent. Several occurrences have us questioning the agent’s value; missed or late for appointments, pricing advice refuted by a professional appraiser and more. Our question is this, we have read and been told only to deal with an experienced agent; that we shouldn’t let rookie…

  • Siblings dispute inherited real estate

    Reader Question: Our mother left my brother and me a house. He is living in the house on the east coast. I live on the west coast. He changed the locks, and I do not have access to the house. What can I do if he refuses to give me a key or let me into…

  • When a lawyer’s fee is four times higher than quoted

    Reader Question: Monty, recently you advised readers how to choose a real estate lawyer. It came too late for me. My attorney initially said his fee to settle a property dispute was $15,000. Three years, $75,000 and many mishandled opportunities later, he acts like he is doing me a favor by advising me to settle…

  • Ten helpful listing contract tips

    Reader Question: We are interviewing agents to sell our home but have not decided on one. We know real estate is more complicated than forty years ago. Do you have any advice regarding the listing contract itself? Tony W. Monty’s Answer: The listing agreement is a legal contract that lays out a roadmap of both…

  • 8 tips to find a good real estate attorney

    Reader Question: How do we find a good real estate attorney? Rob and Mary P. Monty’s Answer: Here are 8 tips to find a good real estate attorney or other service provider through due diligence. Skill levels, personalities, specialty focus, workload, energy, expectations and more, impact personal service delivery models. Then, add in the human condition’s…

  • Violation of HOA rules creates conflict

    Reader Question: I am a resident homeowner in an HOA with 88 homes. Some months ago a homeowner installed new windows with a green-tone trim. The other 87 homes have white window trim as originally constructed. Our HOA Declarations require any changes to be consistent with the “harmony of external design in relation to surrounding…

  • How to pick the right custom home builder

      Reader Question: We have been looking for a new home for months. Now we are thinking of custom building. We have heard many horror stories about missed deadlines, poor quality and construction flaws. How do we pick the right custom home builder? Shaun and Alyssa D. Monty’s Answer: You have already identified a number…

  • When a condominium is not a condominium

    Reader Question: My mother owns (or owned) one unit of a two-unit duplex condominium. The two units shared one lot but never created a condominium ownership agreement. My mother was the original owner; the other unit has sold four times. During the recent sale, the buyer requested the single lot be broken into two separate…

  • Ten tips toward a quality offer on a home

    Reader Question: While attending an open house, the agent had a contract form displayed on the kitchen counter. They explained it as “what we sign if we want to buy the house.” We thought it was high pressure or presumptive because we showed no interest in the house. We are curious to why they displayed…

  • Rent-back clause prevents financial disaster

    Reader ​Question: The buyer backed out just days before closing which left me in a financial disaster. I made my income out of my home renting rooms. I had to give them notice to move prior to the closing date. Is there anything I can do? Meredith P. ​Monty’s Answer: Hello Meredith, and thanks for…

  • Agency concept in law. Is your real estate agent a secret agent?

    Reader Question: We have been looking at homes with a real estate agent friend. We saw one we like and asked her what is it worth. She told us she couldn’t offer an opinion on anything but the listed price. She explained agency, but it did not make sense to us. What can you tell…

  • 7 prepping tips for home showings

    Reader Question: We recently put our home on the market and our first showing is scheduled for tomorrow. We asked our agent what we should do to get ready and the response was, “Just make sure to tidy up a bit.” It seemed to us that there must be more to home showings. Is that…

  • 7 reasons loan pre-approval is smart strategy

    Reader Question: I want to start looking for a home, but several people suggested agents won’t take me seriously without a pre-approval letter. I understand the pre-approval must be updated every 30 days, and a credit check hurts my credit score. How do I avoid being punished for planning ahead and beginning my search far…

  • Home seller seeks move-out advice

    Reader Question: We are expecting an offer on our home this week. It is our first time selling a home, but over the years we have heard a few horror stories about move-out day. Do you have any advice about how to prevent move-out day problems? Rick and Angie B. Monty’s Answer: This is the…