Newspaper Article
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Buyers,
Be Aware:
Real Estate Handbook Offers Guidance
By ANN W. HAGERTY
Today's News-Herald
More than one homebuyer's had that moment of despair when, bewildered by the processes of real estate, a plea escapes: "Isn't there some kind of guidebook to get me through this maze?"
Thankfully, there is. Lake Havasu City resident Irene Montalban, after a near-catastrophe of a home-selling experience in Florida, started collecting other people's disaster stories to add to her own. She compiled the short stories, intending to publish a book about potential real estate pitfalls, and realized she needed to explain the terms and options facing home-buyers and sellers.
When the fruits of Montalban's experience paid off with pages of explanatory text, she decided to preface the non-fiction collection of real estate stories with a significant selection of tips. The result was "The Be Aware of Real Estate Handbook", which Montalban published in 2002.
"It's just to help people... I felt the need to get the word out so that they don't make the same mistake I did," said Montalban, who moved to Lake Havasu City in June 2002. "I tried to write the book so that it wouldn't be the normal tips that everybody gives. I wanted to give tips that were different, like, 'Who would think?'"
Montalban is upfront about the fact that she's not a real estate agent; her only experience lies in buying and selling houses over the past seven years. She warns the reader that reading her book is not a substitute for consulting an attorney. Although Montalban doesn't have professional real estate experience, the handbook's practicality gives it a strong sense of credibility.
"I've had a couple of realtors tell me that it's a great book that they should give out to their clients," said Montalban. "It's a great educational tool."
"The Be Aware of Real Estate Handbook" is clearly written, attacking a potentially confusing subject with common sense. Topics addressed in the book include credit reports, closing costs, liens, mortgage shopping, the pros and cons of selling through a realtor or by owner, homeowner's insurance and property taxes, among many others.
The true - and occasionally horrifying - stories comprising the second half of the book bring to light a number of consequences for buyers and sellers to keep in mind.
After reading about one of Montalban's experiences, one understands why she decided to write "The Be Aware of Real Estate Handbook" - her story looks like a worst-case scenario until the very end, when she salvages a happy ending.
The most important thing for home-buyers to keep in mind, Montalban said, is getting their credit in order. She also recommends getting a qualified friend, family member or hired inspector to examine the home one's considering buying. "What shocked me when I was doing this book was the number of people in new construction that were having problems," she said.
The book's Web site, www.beawareofrealestate.com, designed by local resident Susan Weber, offers more tips and lets people share their real estate horror stories with Montalban. It also lets customers order Montalban's book in e-book format for $9.95 or in paperback for $13.95.
"The Be Aware of Real Estate Handbook" is also available for $13.95 from Hastings, located at 1755 McCulloch Blvd., Hair Networx, located at 129 Paseo del Sol, and will soon be available at the Lake Havasu City branch of the Mohave County Library, located at 1770 McCulloch Blvd. The book may also be purchased at
amazon.com.
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