House Money: An Insider's Secrets to Saving Thousands When You Buy or Sell a Home

by Richard Montgomery

Overview

There are twelve steps in every real estate transaction. During each of these twelve steps, you will be called upon to make a decision. In some steps, you may have multiple choices. Many times these decisions are presented to you as they occur in real time, explained on-the-spot, and you will be expected to react. It is a learn-as-you-go process.

House Money first reveals the six components inextricably woven into the twelve steps. They are the DNA of the real estate transaction. When you understand the significance of each element and how it impacts your decisions, you will be empowered to anticipate your future choices rather than react to them. This new knowledge will result in superior outcomes in your transaction. You will enjoy less frustration and stress, gain a sense of control, and experience improved financial results. It is a learn-before-you-go approach.

Here are some examples. In Chapter 1 - Know The Playing Field, many buyers will be surprised to learn that they do not have an agent representing them until they sign a buyer agency agreement. They will also learn to decide if buyer representation is necessary for them. Many home sellers do not realize three different agents will predict three different home values. They will now be able to determine which one is right. In Chapter 3 - Understanding the Marketplace, buyers and sellers will learn how to manage their agent by seeking specific data and learning when they need that data to make better decisions. Few customers today know to request it. Every chapter adds powerful insights and increases your real estate knowledge.

Like many other services, real estate is far more complicated than it appears. While there are exceptions (which you will learn how to identify), real estate agents do not have the time, nor the inclination to educate you. A solid understanding of these six components will provide you with the tools and the confidence to navigate the real estate process successfully.

Ironically, buyers and sellers sometimes make real estate errors and are not even aware of it. Whether, or not a mistake comes to light, in real estate mistakes are often very costly. You know this because you hear the stories at work, out with friends, or even on the DearMonty.com website. Click on the “buy” button to make your real estate purchase or sale be all it can be.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780998473581
Publisher:	Dear Monty, LLC
Publication date:	08/03/2017
Pages:	156
Sales rank:	466,846
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.33(d)

About the Author

Richard Montgomery was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and began his real estate career in Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1966. He has worked to improve the traditional real estate industry for over 30 years with experimentation, consumer oriented products, unique business models, and as a nationally syndicated real estate advice columnist at dearmonty.com.

He understands the current practice of real estate brokerage is tilted in favor of the industry and that consumers of real estate brokerage services are at significant financial risk when buying or selling a property. "House Money" provides new knowledge and tactics to drastically improve your confidence and your financial outcomes when buying or selling homes and investment property.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

1 Know the Playing Field 7

2 Choosing Your Advisors 29

3 Understanding the Marketplace 51

4 How to Evaluate Property 61

5 How to Negotiate 99

6 Understanding Real Estate Contracts 109

Resources 135

About the Author 143

Editorial Reviews

“House Money is a must-read for anyone planning to buy or sell a home. It delivers straightforward advice, and gives you step-by-step guidance of what to look for throughout the purchase process. I was shocked how much I learned from House Money. It’s a reference I’ll return to again and again.”

—JEREMY MILLER, BEST SELLING AUTHOR OF STICKY BRANDING

“Consumers engage in real estate so infrequently they cannot gain the experience required to take advantage of the opportunity. House Money is a road map to guide you through the process. If you take this advice you will be the hero in your next real estate transaction.”

— KEN CHANNELL, CO-PRESIDENT, HOMEVESTORS OF AMERICA

“As a recent customer of Dear Monty’s Pick My Agent™ service, the principles behind navigating the real estate process detailed and utilized in House Money, work very well. Buyers and sellers will increase the potential for a satisfying result if they read and follow this book.”

—JOHN HEUGEL, CONTRACT LAW ATTORNEY

From the Publisher