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Category: Negotiating

  • Contractual error costly for real estate agent

    Reader Question: My listing went under contract. The seller texted me and asked if I had remembered to exclude the exterior residential flagpole. I had forgotten. What can I do if the buyers insist on keeping the flagpole? This flagpole is the seller’s keepsake. Oh dear, please advise. Thanks. Arissa D. Monty’s Answer: Hello Arissa,…

  • Real estate rehab gone wild – the options?

    Reader Question: My son was buying a home that the owner/contractor was to rehab. The deal started in June 2013 and due to issues he still has not completed the building. In December, the new septic did not pass inspection; therefore we ended the deal. I put a deposit down on the house, paid for hardwood…

  • Developer track record important in housing projects

    Reader Question: A year ago I bought a town home in a condo project. I asked about parking and told that each homeowner would have one additional space outside to park as well as in their garage. The garage is built into the home. Since I moved in, the municipality painted one side of the…

  • To sue, or not to sue? A prickly decision

    Reader Question: My wife and I had a contract to sell our home for cash. The buyer gave us 3 weeks to vacate. All contracts were signed, the house passed inspection and all disclosure were made and understood by the buyer. We had a moving sale, selling the bedroom set, some furniture, garden tractor, etc. We also purchased another home…

  • Buying a home? Avoid risking your earnest money deposit.

    Reader Question: We sold a home in Feb 2013. We received a pre-approval letter from the buyer’s lender in March. Because of the buyers pre-approval, we went out and purchased a home and put a $5,000 deposit down. The “old” home sale did not close on the designated closing date because the lender dragged their…

  • The risk of borrowing money from your parents.

    Reader Question: Notice: This 2013 Article has been updated on December 4, 2023. There is a new alternative in real estate described in bold below.  Hello Monty, I purchased my home in 2011 for $400,000. To help with my interest rate, my folks took out a home equity loan for $80,0000. I am now regretting…

  • The Downside To Tough Negotiations

    Reader Question: If a buyer has a contract on a house, home inspection was done and the buyers attorney filed a letter to the seller’s attorney that all work has to be done by the seller and have not received a response can the listing agent put this property listed on the market with a lower amount…

  • Parties In Realty Contract Dispute

    Reader Question: Monty, is there a difference in an offer that reads: Sellers is to pay 3% closing costs for buyer’s allowable non allowable closing costs. And one that reads: Seller is to pay up to 3% of the purchase price for buyer’s allowable and non-allowable closing costs. Also, if a seller agree to pay up…

  • Real estate negotiation for home buyers

    Negotiations Are An Important Key So many times I have seen ego, misinformation or just downright stubbornness cost a sale unnecessarily. In most cases, one or both of the parties were not willing to consider the concern or objection of the other party. Many critical concerns will be  discussed and decided upon during the real…