Let's find the right one.
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you'll make, and you shouldn't have to figure it out alone. Whether it's your first home, your next one, or a lake place you've been thinking about for years, I'll help you find the right fit and make sure you don't overpay for it.
Every buyer is different. The approach should be too.
From a first house in town to a cabin on the water, here's how I help the three kinds of buyers I work with most.
Your first home, minus the stress.
Buying your first home is exciting and a little overwhelming. I'll walk you through every step, explain things in plain language, and never push you into something that doesn't fit your budget or your life.
Lake property is its own world.
Shoreline, water quality, septic, well, and year-round access all matter, and they vary lake to lake. I know these waters, and I'll help you compare places that look the same online but are very different from the dock.
Moving north? I've got you.
Coming from the Cities or out of state? I'll help you learn the neighborhoods, lakes, and small towns around Bemidji. Video walkthroughs, straight answers, and eyes on the ground when you can't be here.
More than someone to unlock doors.
I pick up the phone. I tell you the truth about a house, including the things that might cost you down the road. And I've watched this market through every season, so I know when a listing is priced right and when it's worth waiting.
You also get the full weight of Team Montgomery and 218 Real Estate behind you, with over 30 years of combined experience in the Bemidji area.
Honest answers, even when it costs me
If a house has problems, you'll hear about them from me before you hear about them from an inspector.
New listings before the big sites
I can set you up with new listing alerts from our website, so you see homes the moment they list, not days later.
Local knowledge you can't Google
Which lakes hold value. Which neighborhoods fit your life. That's the stuff that matters.
Negotiation with a plan
From offer strategy to inspection requests, every move is deliberate. The goal is the right house at the right price.
What every buyer needs to know.
Before we ever look at a house together, there's one thing worth understanding: how agency relationships work in a Minnesota real estate transaction. This quick explainer covers what buyer representation actually means and what to expect before we meet.
In this video
In this video, Bemidji realtor Tyler Montgomery explains the Agency Relationships in Real Estate Transactions disclosure, a form every Minnesota home buyer reviews before working with an agent. It covers what it means to have an agent represent you as a buyer, the difference between a buyer's agent and the agent representing the seller, and why having your own representation matters when buying a home in the Bemidji area. Understanding this before your first meeting means no surprises and a clear picture of who is working for you throughout the transaction.
A simple three-step process.
We meet
Tell me what you're looking for. No pressure, no obligation. Just a real conversation about where you want to go and what your budget looks like.
We get to work
I handle the search, showings, offers, and negotiations. You stay informed at every step, with no wondering what happens next.
You get the keys
I'm with you through closing day and available after if you ever have questions. Many of my clients come back, some for the third time.
Buying a home in Bemidji, answered.
Do I need to be pre-approved before we start looking?
It's the smartest first step. Pre-approval tells you your real budget and lets you move fast when the right home hits the market. Good homes in the Bemidji area can go quickly, and sellers take pre-approved buyers more seriously. I can connect you with trusted local lenders if you need a place to start.
How much do I need for a down payment?
Often less than people think. Some loan programs allow as little as 0 to 3.5 percent down, depending on the loan type and your situation. Rural properties around Bemidji can sometimes qualify for USDA loans with no down payment at all. A local lender can tell you exactly what you qualify for.
What should I know about buying a lake home near Bemidji?
Lake property is different from in-town real estate. Shoreline type, water depth, septic and well condition, and whether the home is built for year-round living all matter, and they vary lake to lake. Two listings that look the same online can be very different on the water. That's where working with someone who knows these lakes pays off.
Can you help me buy if I'm moving from the Twin Cities or out of state?
Yes. I work with relocating buyers regularly. I do video walkthroughs, answer questions about neighborhoods and schools, and act as your eyes on the ground so you can buy with confidence even if you can't make it up for every showing.
What does it cost to work with a buyer's agent?
We'll go over compensation clearly and in writing before we start, so there are no surprises. In many transactions the seller offers compensation to the buyer's agent, but every situation is a little different. The first conversation is free and there's no obligation.
What if I need to sell my current home before I buy?
Easy! I can walk you through the steps and options of doing just that. Selling your current home and buying your next home is something that happens every day!
Ready to start looking?
Tell me what you're after and I'll set you up with new listings the moment they hit the market, often before they show up on the big search sites. No pressure, no spam, just homes that actually fit what you're looking for.
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