Reader Question: We are considering buying a home. My husband and I both have good jobs, no debt, and more than an adequate downpayment. We have spent several years saving, and now we feel ready financially. There are many distractions today; we wonder if buying in the pandemic is the right time? Monty’s Answer: […]

  Reader Question: I bought a house a year ago with some permitted room additions. However, the flipper replaced the electrical box from 100 amp to 200 amp non-permitted. This work was not disclosed to me or caught in the homeowner’s inspection. So now, I have been experiencing electrical issues at my house. The utility […]

Reader Question: What’s wrong with the real estate industry? We have a large family by today’s standards—five grown children with children. At a recent family reunion, we discussed real estate and ended up taking a poll. Transaction number ten started the conversation. Together they have concluded nine transactions, with number ten now pending. Only one […]

  Reader Question: We recently purchased a home. We used a buyer agent because we understood that a buyer agent works for the buyer instead of the seller. Our friends also bought a house recently, and they used a buyer agent. We just learned that our friends signed a buyer agent contract when they started […]

Reader Question: We like a home and want to make an offer. The seller is offering the home in “as is” condition and did not complete a seller condition report. While we do see conditions that will require repair or replacements, those repairs do not seem severe enough to go “as is” on us. Our […]

Reader Question: We are thinking of buying a home. We have saved a substantial down payment by living frugally for 15 years. We both have good jobs. The thought of taking on a mortgage is a bit frightening to us. It feels like there is much uncertainty with the economy, COVID, and more. Do you […]

Reader Question: Just put an offer on a house, and we are under contract. The listing agent and seller are great friends, live on the same street, and have known each other for many years. They are friends with a contractor who does work for them. Following my home inspection, some items came up. The […]

When buying a home it is important to verify lot lines. Avoid angst in the future when you build a fence on your neighbors property.

Our reader this week asks about a deadline for receiving an answer to an offer to purchase a home. It is a simple question but leads to the realization that potentially there are many deadlines to follow. This instant is where planning is required up-front to avoid a stressful and frustration filled experience. The expression “the devil’s in the details” may have originated in a real estate transaction.

A brief overview of the issues involved in rising home prices in new developments. Is America pricing the middle class out of home ownership? Zoning is a fractured and complicated issue.

Our reader wants to know if he can use a quitclaim deed to buy property from a sibling. He can likely do so, but needs to educate himself about the cons of doing so.

Home sellers and buyers need to be cautious using online home valuations websites that do not disclose accurate PSF costs. In real estate, cost sets the upper limit of value and understanding why is important.

Our reader this week views appraisals as obsolete. While there is some credence to his opinion, the better mousetrap remains elusive particularly, when the experts are expecting to conquer the challenge without even inspecting the property. I, for one, believe a set of knowledgeable eyeballs physically observing the property will be challenging to eliminate. Online estimates are a prime example.

Reader Question: We are looking to buy our first home. We have seen a house we like, but it needs renovation. The house has been neglected but has a solid structure. We have a down-payment and good credit. Twenty-percent down at our price point, but not enough cash to make the down payment and do […]

The seller now wants to back out of the contract. Can they force us to release them from the contract?