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Category: Choosing a Broker

  • Eleven reasons to interview real estate agents when buying a home

    Many home buyers pick an agent because they are relatives, co-workers, referred by a friend, or met at an open house. While they are likely all nice people, none of these connections by themselves is a good reason to pick a real estate agent. There are good real estate agents, but they are not easy…

  • When you engage an incompetent real estate agent

    Reader Question: We used an incompetent real estate agent. We bought a home subject to obtaining a mortgage. Our Realtor drafted the contract with a twenty-day drop-dead date on the inspection and the appraisal. She pointed out we could jeopardize our ten-thousand dollar deposit if we missed these dates. Then she delivered the documents to…

  • Buyer lost a dream home and seller loses equity

      Reader Comment: ​We lost a dream home when we didn’t understand the significance of what you recently wrote that there are “…no standardized rules in the industry” and that “the nature of the real estate transaction and how the sales develop is very fluid.” We had first made a written offer on the house…

  • How to pick the best real estate agent from three finalists

    Reader Question: We want to pick the best real estate agent from three finalists. Each agent chose three different comparables, and there is a thirty percent difference between the best price and lowest price when including all nine comparables. This difference equates to over $60,000. How do we know which estimate is the most accurate comparison…

  • Six essential qualities of a real estate agent

      Reader Question: We will be looking for our first home in the next year. We are novices and want to know the essential qualities of a real estate agent to look for and also how to identify agents with these qualities. Can you help us? Monty’s Answer: When seeking real estate agents, experts agree…

  • Hot market changes agent behavior

    Reader Question: Our work took us to a new city. We chose to wait to buy again until we were familiar with the neighborhoods. We know now where we want to live, but have yet to find an agent who is proactive. We don’t understand why we are not getting their attention, as we are…

  • Multi-area home search requires work

    Reader Question: Monty, I am pre-qualified by a lender for a mortgage loan for $200,000. I work in one of the country’s largest cities and commute to work. I have a good and secure job. I want to look at cost, safety, neighborhood amenities and convenience to public transportation, as they are different in every suburb.…

  • 5 “pick a broker” tips for new agents.

    Reader Question: I am considering getting my real estate license. Is it better taking a course by a real estate company in hopes of getting hired by them or take a course online? Do the companies hire as many people as they can (to bring in more commission) or are they selective? How does that work?  Patricia…

  • Todays three choices to find your real estate agent.

    Reader Question: I need to locate a reliable, and trustworthy real estate agent in my area qualified to submit a bid on a HUD home. What’s your suggestion? The property is in Roseville, CA. – N.A. Monty’s Answer: Notice:This 10 year old article has been updated on December 4, 2023, with a fourth option: Hello N.A…

  • What To Expect From Your Agent As A Buyer

    Reader Question: Monty, we are thinking of “buying up” to a larger home. We have a suggestion about the article titled “What To Expect From Your Real Estate Agent”. While it is helpful, and we see the value in understanding the agent’s job (it was a rocky road with our present house), it seemed to…

  • Terminate a listing agreement

    Reader Question: To terminate a listing agreement may not be easy. We just listed our home with a company 3 weeks ago and we have some concerns on the Realtors marketing of our home. I emailed him ( so as to document it) and voiced my concerns in the method being used, MLS only. There are…

  • Real Estate Agent Refuses To Cooperate

    Reader Question: Our real estate agent has told us the listing agent on a home we like is difficult to deal with and has made it clear they would prefer not to deal that person. Is this a red flag if we decide this is the home we want to pursue? Amber and Josh H.…

  • The real estate agent working environment

    Understanding the real estate agent working environment Your success with your real estate experience is in direct proportion to what you know about real estate. This short primer will help you better understand the agent and their playing field. Here are some facts to help shape your perspective. The more you know, the better your…

  • Finding the right real estate agent

    Which Agent Will It Be? Finding the right real estate agent can make the difference in the quality of the experience.  Because searching for a home, or selling a home, may be the largest single financial decision you make, interviewing three agents is a wise exercise for you to undertake. If you had been attending…

  • How to get good referrals in real estate

    What are good referrals in real estate? Webster’s Dictionary says, “To direct for information or anything required.” That seems straightforward enough on the surface, but let’s take a closer look. In my first year selling real estate, I had an experience that taught me a valuable lesson. A true confession The community I served had…