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Month: March 2015

  • Relocation brings a pay raise, and challenges.

    Reader Question: My relocation brings a pay raise and more opportunities, but because it involves a cross-country move, I am expecting this news will be unsettling to my family. Any insights on how to proceed are appreciated? James W. Monty’s Answer: It is normal that your family may be unsettled by this news. They are all…

  • Producing the best real estate agent referrals

    Reader Question: A close family member wants us to produce the best real estate agent referrals for them to pick a real estate agent. Their house has been for sale on-and-off for several years. They blame themselves for poor agent choices, but we are suspicious they may be the cause rather than the agents. They…

  • Ten tips for checking out a septic system

    Reader Question: We are interested in a foreclosed country home with a septic tank. Our agent wants us to do the research “on our own” as she knows little about septic systems. There is no seller we can ask about the septic tank. We want to make an offer, but this concerns us because we…

  • Successful rezoning property requires a plan

      Reader Question: I own a parcel of vacant residential land. I believe it would be more valuable rezoned to multifamily or commercial. What should I do, and not do, in the rezoning process? John K. Monty’s Answer: The first step is to confirm that rezoning creates additional value. While rezoning can bring additional value,…

  • Home bidding war is homeseller’s dream

     Reader Question: I am going to list my home. I am hoping to start a home bidding war to maximize the number of offers I receive. I want my broker to stipulate that we will start accepting bids five days after the house goes on the market, in order to get multiple bids on my…