Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Half of Oregon's community college enrollees need remedial classes Every election ballot is signature-verified Emergency services Dog show highlighted by $10,000 donation toward sheriff's K-9 Land in limbo Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Emergency services VIDEO: Wrap Up: Oct. 31, 2014 Elder abuse consistent in stats, but underreported, officials say First GP police fatal shooting justified, DA says Politics and Elections Election equipment fails, delaying ballot counting Unrest from the ranks? Blue corn seeds stir debate Ads attack Dotterrer and Bates Local gas prices lowest in years Education Half of Oregon's community college enrollees need remedial classes Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Medford Schools Foundation supports programs the district can't Fire marshal visit prompts cancellation of Sacred Heart haunted house Kids Unlimited Academy awarded $450,000 grant Environment Local gas prices lowest in years Where do all those leaves go? Ashland council calls for divestment from fossil fuel Reintroduction of McCloud River salmon inspires film, tribe Rite Aid bear cub may be released into the wild in spring State News Kitzhaber embattled as he seeks fourth term Nation - World Obituaries Jane Lynn Norris Jean Farran Sally Reilly Merna Faye Schaffer Lowell Travis Hamilton Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Cal spoils Mannion's night, beat Oregon State Ole Miss fumble paves way for Auburn Hundley passes, runs UCLA past Arizona Count Stanford’s Shaw as a Mariota man Eastern Oregon tops SOU, forges tie for first Varsity 541 College Sports Cal spoils Mannion's night, beat Oregon State Ole Miss fumble paves way for Auburn Hundley passes, runs UCLA past Arizona Count Stanford’s Shaw as a Mariota man Eastern Oregon tops SOU, forges tie for first Pro Sports Thompson repays Warriors’ faith with career night Perry, Pernice move into Schwab lead Gay leads Kings past Trail Blazers Cubs hire Maddon as manager, fire Renteria Hurley repeats 67, leads by two in CIMB Community Sports Results / Standings LOCAL EVENTS LOCAL RESULTS Business Latest Stories This Bud is for old friends Lithia reports $34.5 million third-quarter profit Blog: Trick or Treat! UO report shows Rogue Valley economy on the rise Will TV makeover do the trick for Mystic Treats? Real Estate News New I-5 interchange puts south Medford on fast lane to fast food Lithia buys Clovis dealership Rental vacancies increase Jackson County real estate sales, prices continue rebound People In Business People in Business Transportation Lithia reports $34.5 million third-quarter profit Frontier Airlines to end Eugene-Denver service Business Resource Fair has answers Erickson's Navy contract extended Lithia buys Clovis dealership Agriculture Revenue rises for Harry & David's parent company Where do all those leaves go? Hundreds look for work at Harry & David hiring fair Umpqua Holdings more than doubles net earnings Harry & David will hold hiring fair Thursday Opinion Latest Our View: Commissioners invest in the future Letters to the Editor, Nov. 2 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 2 The stakes on Tuesday Charles Krauthammer: A referendum on competence Editorials Our View: Commissioners invest in the future Our View: Dark money leaves candidates in dark Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Any new gas tax must be equitable Southeast center offers new approach to growth Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Nov. 2 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 2 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 1 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 30 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 29 Guest Opinions Measure 89 provides equality for women Eagle Point needs public transportation Guest Opinion: Common Core testing sets math students up for failure Guest Opinion: Campaigning and voting 'the Oregon way' Guest Opinion: A glimpse into the reality of our elections Lifestyle Latest stories Anniversary: Marin New Arrivals Insects drive me buggy What are you afraid of? Ashland parade showcases costumed creativity Food Spices of Autumn Community blog: Seven spooky snacks are savory Halloween fare Can’t get enough pumpkin-pie spice? Living and cooking in pear-a-dise Kitchen Call: A cookbook by its cover Home and Garden 17 things you never knew about turkeys Dear Monty: 10 tips toward a quality offer on a home How to live and work in a tiny home Dear Monty: Rent-back clause prevents financial disaster​ Recycle plastic at The Expo Friday and Saturday Health Woman hospitalized in Milwaukie for Ebola testing Health Watch: Making smart fitness goals Dr. Murray Feingold: Can shingles be prevented? Dr. Jeff Hersh: What causes a canker sore? Community blog: Finding My Roots Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Mormon church acknowledges founder’s teen bride Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Marin New Arrivals Dog show highlighted by $10,000 donation toward sheriff's K-9 Since You Asked: Gull species found inland Ashlanders root for Guthrie in Game 7 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Rain damage closes Darkwing Manor 'Glee' star to perform Medford concert Singer and songwriter Gene Burnett follows his bliss Spookadelic Halloween Funktacular promises a lively dance party Patty Griffin plays the Historic Ashland Armory Theater Review: Funny 'Lion in Winter' roars to life at Camelot Theatre Camelot presents 'The Lion in Winter' 'Carnage' is short, smart, darkly funny Music 'Glee' star to perform Medford concert The Farr Side: On ‘1989,’ Taylor Swift lightens up Singer and songwriter Gene Burnett follows his bliss Patty Griffin plays the Historic Ashland Armory Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Spookadelic Halloween Funktacular promises a lively dance party Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Theater's haunted house not for faint of heart Third Fridays in downtown Medford Works in progress Dining Blue Toba is a cultural experience Back Porch Bar & Grill Yu's Yummy Yan's offers great take-out Agave offers tasty tacos Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Our View: Commissioners invest in the future ... Rain damage closes Darkwing Manor ... Woman hospitalized in Milwaukie for Ebola testing ... Our View: Commissioners invest in the future ... Rain damage closes Darkwing Manor ... Woman hospitalized in Milwaukie for Ebola testing ... Dear Monty: 10 tips toward a quality offer on a home By Richard Montgomery, More Content Now MailTribune.com By Richard Montgomery, More Content Now Posted Oct. 29, 2014 @ 12:01 am By Richard Montgomery, More Content Now Posted Oct. 29, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Social News Reader question: While attending an open house, the agent had a contract form displayed on the kitchen counter. They explained it as “what we sign if we want to buy the house.” We thought it was high pressure or presumptive because we showed no interest in the house. We are curious to why they displayed it. Your thoughts?  Sarah T. Monty’s answer: It is possible the agent displayed it for the reason you suspected. The agent may believe that if an open house attendee is interested in the form used to buy the home it is an indication the attendee has an interest in the home. From the response you were given, it is difficult to know, but there may be another reason. The form is an “offer to purchase.” It is the most important document of the many forms you will be asked to sign in the process of buying a home. The agent may have provided the form as a “starter” for a conversation. If that was their intent, it sounds like they missed an opportunity.   A good idea For an agent to display an offer to purchase can be very telling, because that form is one to become very familiar with, before you are even close to signing one. It is a positive sign when an agent educates you. That form can be stressful and scary, or it can be exciting and satisfying. The difference is what you know about how you got to this point and making wise choices; choices based on facts and emotional restraint. Unfortunately, “Fear of loss” is one of the reasons buyers choose a home. There will be another home coming along if you are not successful on one. Get to know it – before you need it To become comfortable with the form before you get involved with the details of signing an offer is a good example of “what you know.” Do not wait until an agent is asking you to sign this document to read it for the first time. Ask an agent you interview to provide a copy of the “offer to purchase” form so you can prepare for the time to negotiate, then reserve a time to read it. Have a notepad to write questions down about the purpose of certain clauses or when the meaning is not clear. Read every document in advance of signing in a real estate transaction. Technology has made it convenient to share documents electronically. While completing documents at the kitchen table or the hood of a car can be very convenient, today, there is no reason for not reading them in advance. We are all accustomed to agreeing to “terms of use” without reading them when we sign into websites, but it is much more personal and perilous when buying and selling real estate. Communicate with email Ask questions you have by using email. There are a number of reasons for this approach: 1. You and the agent can dialogue when it is convenient for both of you. 2. You gain time to consider implications in the document’s words before you sign it. 3. Writing questions down and answering them in writing commits each party to communicate clearly. 4. More memorable than conversation. 5. It is easy to store the information for future reference. There is an old far-Eastern proverb that will help you apply this practice to your process, “The strongest memory is no match for the weakest ink.” Let us promote an understanding Remember that your offer becomes a contract of sale when accepted as written. You do not want to leave any question unanswered unless you have protection with a well-written contingency. Understanding the language and reviewing the offer beforehand should help reduce last-minute concerns and surprises. Here are just a few of many important subjects: - Agency disclosure  - The proposed price - Contingencies - What personal property or fixtures is included, or not, in the sale - Deadlines - Penalties - Representations of known defects - Can the buyer force the closing when the seller reneges? Can the seller sue for specific performance if the buyer fails to close? - What if there is a fire? When you are selecting an agent to help you find your home, observe how the agent reacts to your question about providing documents in advance. If they see part of their job is to prepare you for what is to come, they may be a good choice. Richard Montgomery gives no-nonsense real estate advice to readers’ most pressing questions. He is a real estate industry veteran who has championed industry reform for over a quarter century. You can ask him questions at DearMonty.com. By Richard Montgomery, More Content Now MailTribune.com By Richard Montgomery, More Content Now Posted Oct. 29, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501