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There are two sides of every real estate transaction, buying and selling. Learn both.
Everyone who has bought or sold a home can remember that one moment when it seemed like there was too much to consider, worry about, remember, and respond to. It’s true that the purchasing of a home is a significant investment and you probably should give it time and attention. Equally as important for those looking to sell your home, you want to everything within your educated power to get the most fair value out of what is probably your largest asset. To help make the process more reasonable, DearMonty organizes both the home buying and home selling experience into twelve distinct steps, or stages.
The best thing that you can do is to equip yourself with knowledge and information. A home sale transaction is a big deal! This website is intended to be a straightforward resource to help shine some light on one of the most important times in many people’s lives. But we are just one voice of many and we at DearMonty.com strongly support learning as much as you. Good luck and let us know if you have a question you couldn’t find answered LINK or if we can help you find a local agent LINK
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 […]
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 […]
Dear Monty: Is it wise to waive a home inspection? We recently bought a home, and we agreed to waive a home inspection. There were multiple offers on the house. Our agent suggested a competitive advantage by waiving the home inspection. Yesterday, a heating contractor told us we should replace the twenty-year-old furnace. Since moving […]
Dear Monty: Zillow has announced they will no longer participate as an iBuyer due to heavy losses. What affect do you think Zillow’s departure will have on the overall iBuyer concept? Monty’s Answer: Will iBuyers survive after Zillow is unknown. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Zillow lost $328 million in the 3rd […]
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 […]
A debate rages today in real estate’s inner circles. Agents are wondering if they can withstand the competitive pressures to take market share away from them. Will they be able to make a living with all the for-sale-by-owners and cut-rate companies. Will the industry survive? This writer opins that the answer is no, and the transition began years ago.
Dear Monty: Why do real estate companies want to buy our house? We are not planning on selling our home just yet. One of the curious observations we have is that real estate companies have started to promote buying our home within the last year. The idea is that by selling directly to a real […]
Dear Monty: Does for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) work? I recently read an article that lambasted homeowners for even thinking about selling on their own. We recently sold our home without an agent. The article did not depict how the marketplace works today, based on my recent experience. I saw it as a hit-piece written by a […]
The most powerful document Without question the offer to purchase is the most powerful document you will be asked to sign in a real estate transaction. In many respects, the physical closing at the title company is simply a confirmation of what happened days, weeks or months earlier. This point in time can be stressful […]
Reader Question: Our friends are homebuyers devastated. Their lender pulled the plug just before closing. We are in the process of closing on our first home purchase. We are excited but at the same time very edgy. Our friends were a week ahead of us on their home purchase. They didn’t offer details, but how […]
Reader Question: We are a four-person group wanting your opinion on topics to consider when buying an Airbnb investment. We have invested in other commercial property types, but this would be our first bed and breakfast. The six units generate an eight-percent cap rate. 2019 was the first year in service. There are numerous significant […]
Reader Question: Why do so many states not regulate home inspectors? Monty’s Answer: Your question about why do so many states not regulate home inspectors is an excellent question. To answer this question accurately requires academic research that is beyond the scope of this column. I will reach out to the James A. Graaskamp […]
Reader Question: You have written numerous articles over time about the problems with home inspections. We are near our savings goal and preparing to buy a home. What is your current opinion of home inspections? Monty’s Answer: Home inspection laws came into existence because home sellers were unaware of the defects, hid, or made […]
Reader Question: Is America in a housing bubble? We think today’s out-of-control real estate market is crazy. We are attempting to downsize our lifestyle with a smaller home. In two instances, we made an offer, and someone outbid us. Our home is free and clear, so we are cash buyers. We don’t want to […]
Reader Question: We looked at an open house a couple of days ago. A completed home inspection concluded there were no defects or material adverse facts in the house. It also contained a list of items that required attention that were common maintenance issues. The seller had repaired or had a contractor inspect all the […]