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Author: Monty

  • Solving a real estate “Cold Case”.

    Reader Question: Hi, I’m trying to buy a piece of land from a private owner. Apparently he got the property at auction several years ago. My title company found an unsatisfied mortgage from 27 years ago. It seems that the company that held the loan had gone out of business. No information can be found…

  • Making a home offer right the first time.

    Reader Question: When putting a bid on a home, how much below the asking price is a reasonable first bid?  Christina H. Monty’s Answer: Hello Christina, that is a good question. It is not an easy question to answer because with each property the circumstances of the seller are unique and your circumstances are also unique.…

  • Land Contracts are a viable home financing option

    Reader Question: Hello Monty, I have a question on a method of buying, what it is called and if it is legal. I would like to buy a house that the owner owns free and clear. Let’s say the sales price is $48,000. I would like to come to an agreement with the owner that…

  • 3 Tips To Master Evaluating A Home

    Reader Question: Monty, I am a first time homebuyer. I have been saving for several years and have a good down payment, but I am in no hurry. I like your column, but there are so many topics to consider. Is there is one single subject that I could focus on to simplify the home buying…

  • Tips To Make Finishing Your Basement Pay

    Reader Question: I have seen estimates and rules of thumb regarding the value added to a home by finishing the basement. They vary widely, from $20.00 to $90.00 per square foot. An online website values my home for $150 per square foot. At a $20.00 per square foot return, finishing the basement isn’t worth my…

  • Tips For Evaluating Vacant Land

    Reader Question: I have 39.75 acres off I-40. What is it worth? Mike Monty’s Answer:  Hello Mike. I cannot answer the question without walking the land. I-40 is a 2,559 miles long highway. It goes through 8 states; from large metro areas to very isolated rural places. The property values along the highway vary like…

  • The Mystery Of The Defective Dryer Vent

    Reader Question: I just sold a home that I have been living in since 1996. The home inspector informs me that whoever built this home installed 40 feet of PVC pipe for the dryer vent. He says it is not up to the code now, and never was. I now have to replace the venting,…

  • Home Seller Not Obligated To Home Buyer Offer

    Reader Question: If I make an offer, is it binding on the seller until I have a chance to make a higher offer? Can someone else make a higher offer before mine is accepted or rejected? Joe D. Monty’s Answer: Joe, no offer is binding on the seller. No offer is binding upon the buyer until such time as the seller…

  • Reaffirming A Mortgage After Bankruptcy

    Reader Question: My daughter and son-in-law (the kids) went through bankruptcy a couple of years ago, but did not include their home in bankruptcy. The judge approved their decision to do so. Now they are trying to refinance their home to get a better interest rate, but they were informed they did not do the paperwork…

  • Strategies On Choosing A General Contractor

    Reader Question: Monty, our company is expanding. We have an eye on a 10,000 square foot all-brick warehouse built in the 50’s. We want to gut it and turn it into an edgy-high tech office. We expect we can invest about 1.3M including 500T for improvements, based on the market rents in the neighborhood. What is the…

  • The Respectable Outcome For Homeowners In The Real Estate Meltdown

    Reader Question: I purchased my home 8 years ago expecting some appreciation in the value before I retire within the next year. However, now my home is worth 35-50 thousand less than I owe. What choices do I have, since at retirement I am not sure if I will any longer be able to afford…

  • 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…

  • A Remodel Can Create An Undesirable Floor Plan

    Reader Question: We are about to remodel the upstairs bathroom, which is quite small (9 feet x 6 feet). We currently have a 30-inch shower stall, 30-inch by 19-inch vanity, toilet and a small linen closet. There is also an entry door in the hallway for all bedrooms to access the bathroom and a private entry door…

  • New Home Buyer Frustrated With Sewer Problems

    Reader Question: Monty, I am seeking a resource that might be able to help a client with a unique problem. They entered into a contract for the construction of a home near the local university. The initial contract was with a building contractor, who sold out to another building contractor that finished the home. They moved into the…

  • Buying Homes With Prices This Low

    Reader Question: Monty,houses are selling at one third of what their market value was five years ago. Should I buy one, two or more? Monty’s Answer: The answer to your question will be different for different people. There is no “right” answer. Most of us have circumstances that are unique that others do not share.…

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