Category: Miscellaneous
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New Home Nightmare
Dear Monty: We just bought a new house. Just before the sale, a heavy rain storm ruined the yard with deep gouges and washed away the new grass and topsoil. We will need to redo the yard with new topsoil and grass. Should it be the builder’s responsibility to bring the yard back? Monty’s Answer:…
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Could this secret stall real estate evolution?
Dear Monty: We have a significant problem with a real estate transaction. We ran across a state agency called a “real estate commission.” When we researched the commission, we discovered the commissioners are all real estate agents. We are reluctant to contact them. It seems like having a fox guarding a chicken coop. Do you…
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Seven Reasons to be wary of MLS
Be wary when using the MLS.
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The five-year rule risk for first time homebuyers
Dear Monty: I am writing to tell you my story. Please share it in your column to warn others. I know how the Five-Year Rule works because I lost my entire down payment. When we bought our home about three years ago, no one we dealt with mentioned the Five-Year Rule. Our real estate agent,…
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Negotiations are an important key
The best way to negotiate is to create a fair “win-win” agreement between buyer and seller.
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Agent wants to show my FSBO home
Dear Monty: My house is for-sale-by-owner. I want to avoid the commission. I got a call from an agent who wants to show the house but wants to know if I will pay the buyer’s commission. For all I know, the customer may be someone I have already shown the place to. I have had…
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How real estate forms enable negotiations
Dear Monty: We are going to buy our first home this year. We are investigating using an agent or buying directly from a for-sale-by-owner (FSBO). Some friends have used agents, while others have not. We want more information on any required contingencies and how real estate negotiating works. Do you have a checklist of contingencies…
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Ten ways to stay safe when selling your home
Dear Monty: I recently listed my home for sale. There have been several showings. Yesterday I had a showing that made me worry about safety. A couple came through with their agent. I thought it was unusual the way they looked at the house. While the agent asked me questions, they took it upon themselves…
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Eight unwanted small mammals that break into your home
Dear Monty: My dad needs help with the tax map for his property. There is a term that no one can tell him what it means. The word is fisher. Someone told him he has that on his property. Could you help us with this question? Monty’s Answer: I have been unable the find…
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Is a Do-It-Yourself major remodel a good idea
Reader Question: Is a do-it-yourself major remodel a good idea? We have outgrown our home as our children are growing up and need more room. We want to add about a twelve-hundred square foot addition and a full bath, plus update the kitchen and bathrooms with cabinets, plumber, and flooring. My husband worked construction in…
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Do open houses help find a buyer
Reader Question: Do open houses help find a buyer? We recently put our home up for sale. The presentation was very professional, and we both liked the agent. The emphasis was on how much the real estate business has changed. She mentioned the difficulty of keeping up with technology. She explained how their company was…
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Eight categories of real estate agent motives
Reader Question: A recent article you authored titled “What’s wrong with real estate” was insightful. The overview described conditions that contribute to the real estate sales environment. We will be selling our home soon and feel that expanding on the agents would help us understand real estate agent motives. Can you drill down to the…
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Different home pricing strategies when selling a home
Reader Question: We want to know the different home pricing strategies when selling a home. We will be selling our home in the spring. We have had an appraisal, two agent opinions, and done research ourselves. There is a range between the highest and the lowest estimate of 40K. We do not have a…
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Can Real Estate Agents Legally Go Door-to-Door
Reader Question: Can Real Estate Agents Legally Go Door-to-Door? Last night, about 7:30, a local real estate agent rang our doorbell to ask if we wanted to sell our house or knew anyone who wanted to sell. I was always under the impression that this sort of solicitation was considered inappropriate by real estate…