Review of The Home Buyer's Question and Answer Book (Paperback)

There are shelves of reference books available for home buyers, but I found this one to be of great help in explaining the step-by-step process of home buying.

Not only does the book guide you through the daunting task, but it explains terminology in fairly good depth that buyers are likely to run into while trying to buy a home. Words, phrases and acronyms such as contingencies, earnest money, clear title, ASHI and purchase agreement have become part of our vocabulary, thanks in part to this book.

I also appreciated the worksheets (some courtesy of Ginnie Mae) that help to prepare a potential buyer when viewing homes. The sheets encourage home buyers to look closely, take notes and prioritize needs. This is critical when you look at four or five houses in a single day and details can easily be blurred without an organized effort to keep the information for each house separate.

Though I don't think any one book can answer every home buyer's questions, this book was a great starting point for us as we sought to demystify the issues surrounding home buying. Highly recommended.



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Review of Buying a Home in Italy: A Survival Handbook (Paperback)

This book is all but useless to residents of the US looking for good information about moving to Italy. The book is mostly for residents of EU countries, England most specifically. Altho there are a few items of general interest, and some mention of things pertaining to US citizens, I think it would be a waste of money for anyone who needs serious, current advice. Please note the the 2 favorable reviews are from people who are not US citizens. Save your money!

Product Description
Fully revised and updated 3rd edition and the best-selling book about buying property in Italy since it was first published in 1999. Essential reading for anyone planning to buy a home in Italy and the most comprehensive and up-to-date source of information available. Buying a Home in Italy is designed to guide you through the property jungle and make buying a home a pleasant and enjoyable experience. Most importantly, it contains vital information to help you avoid disasters that can turn your dream home into a nightmare - and will also save you time, trouble and money!

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Review of Buying a Home in Florida: A Survival Handbook (Survival Handbooks) (Paperback)

Good amount of information, and one would think from the title that this is a comprehensive guide to buying a home in Florida.BUT...the book was written for UK buyers, and a lot of the book is taken up with informationabout obtaining residency and the like.For people inside the US, thereare high points worth reading, but mostly not.Probably very useful forCanadians and Europeans.

Product Description
Fully revised and updated 2nd edition and the best-selling book about buying property in Florida since it was first published in 1996. Essential reading for anyone planning to buy a home in Florida and the most comprehensive and up-to-date source of information available. Buying a Home in Florida is designed to guide you through the jungle (and swamps) and make buying a home a pleasant and enjoyable experience. Most importantly, it contains vital information to help you avoid disasters that can turn a dream home into a nightmare - and will also save you time, trouble and money!

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Review of How to Buy a Home When You Can't Afford It (Paperback)

This book is a godsend to anyone who feels there is no way they will ever be able to afford a house. In the last few years many things have changed in the home mortgage market and this book walks you through how to buy a house with 0% down, how to avoid PMI insurance with a 80/20 Loan , not to mention where to look for bargains, how to low-ball etc.

This book is worth every penny. It is well-written, researched and up to date. If you would like to buy a home and are waiting to save up for a downpayment order this book today. You won't be sorry!

Product Description
Good news for those who think they cannot scrape together a down payment and get approved for a mortgage

This latest book from million-selling real estate author Bob Irwin brings a ray a hope to the millions who dream of owning their own homes but who either aren't sure they can afford one or lack the "official" financial qualifications for a mortgage. Pitched exclusively to the needs of this market, How to Buy a Home When You Can't Afford It is a treasure trove of innovative tactics, tips, strategies, and methods for finding financing and closing on a home. Irwin shows readers how to determine how much they're really worth, how to uncover hidden assets they never new they had, and how virtually anyone can improve his or her credit rating in just six months. He then cuts right to the chase with dozens of proven options, including:

• First-time home owner benefits
• Creative ways to cover closing costs
• Bargaining down sellers
• Obtaining "sweat equity" government homes

From the Back Cover
Think you can't afford to buy a home? Think again!

If you are thinking about buying your first home in today's real estate market, it's easy to feel discouraged. It may seem as if you needed to save up for your down payment since kindergarten and never pay a bill late in your life. Nothing could be further from the truth! Best-selling real estate author Robert Irwin can show you how to make your dream of home ownership a reality regardless of your financial situation. Loaded with information and advice about everything from low down payment and no down payment mortgages to finding the right agent, Robert Irwin leads you down the path to home ownership one step at a time.

• Cash poor? How about coming up with as little as 10, 5, or 0 percent down!
• High prices? Discover how persistence, patience, and a little hard work can really pay off!
• Worried about big monthly mortgage payments? Between adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) and huge tax breaks, a mortgage is a lot more affordable than you think.
• Credit concerns? Irwin gives you the inside scoop on credit scores and what you can do to improve yours.
• Where and what to buy? Learn how to identify the best neighborhood for your money and compare different housing options.
• Looking for new construction? Find out how you can save up to 30 percent if you build it yourself!

Irwin doesn't stop there, How to Buy a Home When You Can't Afford It is packed with advice about affordable government housing programs, tips on cutting closing costs, how to evaluate fixer-uppers, and so much more. So stop making excuses and start making your dream a reality today!



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Review of Building for a Lifetime: The Design and Construction of Fully Accessible Homes (Hardcover)

The best single volumeI've seen on designing a house that works for you (not against you)throughout your lifetime.Excellent information on decline of strength and ability with age, and some excellent ideas on making a "handicapped accessible home" that looks like a thoughtfully designed home instead of a hospital.Plenty of real-life examples, many of them no more costly to implement than the standard US housing market styles, and solid information on remodeling to fit needs.

Written for the general public, not specialized professions like architect, contractor, etc., it is readable and practical.It is designed to help you think through the possibilities rather than offering cookbook solutions and plans.

It should also be required reading for church building committee members, etc, though not officially addressing churches and other public buildings.

Buildings well-designed to meet the needs of people with various disabilities are also well-designed to meet the needs of people withoutdisabilities.This book will help you do just that.



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Review of Sell Your Home in Any Market: 50 Surprisingly Simple Strategies for Getting Top Dollar Fast (Paperback)

A MUST READ FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO SELL THEIR HOME - WHETHER THRU A REAL ESTATE AGENT OR ON THEIR OWN. PACKED WITH INFORMATION / TIPS / WEBSITES TO VISIT. AN EASY READ - HIGHLY RECCOMMEND !!

Product Description
In this cooling market, homes are becoming harder to sell. But with the right strategies, sellers can greatly increase their odds of success. Sell Your Home in Any Market gives readers the tools, techniques, and strategies used by the best real estate marketing experts in the nation to ensure their home is positioned to sell. Readers will find out how to:

* review the local market * set the right price * promote their home like a pro * prepare for a showing * anticipate questions * sell the neighborhood * use incentives to encourage a quick sale * gently push a buyer * evaluate offers

The book reveals 10 ways to stage a home, 5 ways to maximize showings with MLS marketing, 25 items inspectors check, 200 ways to improve curb appeal, exactly how to emphasize a home's benefits to potential buyers, and much more.

Packed with priceless tips and techniques, this is a book no one selling a home should be without.



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Review of Home Closing Checklist (Paperback)

This is a must have for a home buyer. especially a first timer like myself. Irwin's book covered many scenerios I experienced in my home buying process. It totally streamlined the process and eased many of my fears.It is tough buying a home especially if you're single. There was no one available to me to ask questions of. I would hate to think what would have happened if I hadn't read it. And for the record I leveraged my closing cost with the mortgage broker and the seller to come up with a zero down and zero out of pocket closing with an interest rate of 5.5% on a 15 year.But just a word of caution: READ as much as you can about buying a home before doing so and don't take someones word and what to do as dogma. And finally, find a good agent and leverage the hell out of the seller.

Product Description

A concise, quick-reference guide to save money and headaches when closing on a home

Fraught with arcane rituals, hidden traps and pitfalls, and confusing legal mumbo jumbo, the closing can be the most harrowing part of the home buying equation.

Modeled after Robert Irwin's popular Home Buyer's Checklist, this book is packed with checklists, pointers, questions, and tactics that help a home buyer close the deal without losing his or her sense of humor, sanity, or shirt, including:

• A complete lowdown on what to ask, where to get the answers, and how much things cost
• A list of information and documents needed to ensure a closing goes smoothly
• Guidance on issues such as attorneys, bankers, title, inspections, insurance, surveys, and walk-throughs

From the Back Cover

How to ensure a clean, calm, surprise-free closing

It's one of life's most exciting, important, and stressful events. A home closing is fraught with arcane rituals, hidden traps and pitfalls, and confusing legal mumbo jumbo--not to mention the enormous amount of money that changes hands! The Home Closing Checklist leads you step by step through every stage of your closing, from making an offer of purchase to slipping a new set of keys onto your key ring.

Modeled after Robert Irwin's classic Home Buyer's Checklist, this think-of-everything guide is packed with all of the practical information and know-how you need close the deal without losing your sense of humor, your sanity, or your shirt. It's loaded with checklists, pointers, tactical advice, and tips on how to ask the right questions and find the answers you need. You'll find out how to:

• Present a written offer and have the seller accept and sign it
• Open escrow, secure financing, and negotiate lender costs
• Read and approve seller's disclosures
• Obtain a title search and property inspection
• Avoid "garbage" closing costs
• Conduct the final walk-through
• And much more

Robert Irwin is a leading national expert in all areas of real estate and the author of 50 books, including those in McGraw-Hill's bestselling Tips and Traps series.



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Review of Second Homes for Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) (Paperback)

Covers most financial aspects of owning non-primary properties, including second homes, vacation homes, rental properties, and strategizing for retirement property.Tax questions are covered in detail.

Could have used more personal examples to give the book a more homey feeling.Also not a great resource for rural or undeveloped land purchases.

Overall, very useful for anyone considering purchasing investment property, including rental property or renting to tenants part time.

Lisa Merritt
www.lockboxdeals.com

Product Description
Thinking about owning a second home? Whether you want a relaxing getaway spot, a future retirement home, or just a place to rent out for profit, having a second home has always been a good investment. But how will you know where to look, how to invest, and what you need to avoid?

Second Homes For Dummies gives you the tools you need to handle the entire second-home buying process from concept to completion! This book covers the bases and the basics of buying a second home, presenting all information in a logical and modular format so you can find just what you need on the subjects that interest you. You'll find out everything you need to know to:

• Determine whether or not a second home is right for you
• Maximize your options for a second home
• Search for a home and find the money to pay for it
• Rent out your home for profit
• Renovate and maintain it to ensure its growing value
• Make your second home your primary home
• Look for and purchase a home in another country

Also provided are a list of the best places in the world to buy a home, ways to improve your home and make it first rate, and rules that you should talk about with your guests. With Second Homes For Dummies, you can make your dream of having a second home come true!

From the Back Cover
Deal with agents, tenants, mortgages, and more

Let your second home work for you now, and retire to it later

Dreaming of that perfect cottage in the mountains or that beachfront getaway? Can you afford it? How do you find one? Will it make money or cost money? What about upkeep and taxes? Relax! This handy book guides you through every step, from assessing your finances and deciding when to buy, to maintaining and maximizing your investment.

• Choose the right home

• Decide whether to build

• How to pay for it

• Go it alone or use a pro

• Find reliable tenants

• Prepare for the retirement move

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Review of Home Buying For Dummies, 3rd edition (Paperback)

I just successfully bought my first house.I shopped Amazon.com and bought half-a-dozen "how to" books for buying a house before I started my search.I was buying this house on my own, and had no one to rely on for hand-holding or expert advice.I also had a lot of qualms about the whole process.Out of all the books I bought, this was the one I kept going back to.It's typical of a "Dummies" book in that it doesn't give you too much unusable knowledge, but--coversely--it also doesn't drill down to the nth degree on any one topic.This is okay, though.With the usual high-quality editing that goes into most "Dummies" books, this one is very easy to read.It talks about who to hire (e.g., real estate agent, mortgage broker, etc.), how to go about hiring them, how to go about getting a mortgage, what are the ins-and-outs of mortgages, how to get a down-payment together, and--I thought--most importantly; how to budget yourself in preparation for homeownership.This part on figuring out what you spend as a renter and what you think you'll spend as a homeowner helps you decide how much of a house you can afford, and, in my experience, this is one of the big mysteries of buying your first house.Overall, the book is comforting, reliable [now that I'm in a house, I can see that the advice was good], and well organized.If you don't know much about how to buy a house, this is a fine start and a trustworthy source of information.

Product Description
Though fun and exciting, buying a home can also be complicated and confusing-and most people learn the hard way that a wrong move can cost dearly. In order to find the perfect home at the best price, you must have skill, foresight, and a little guidance from experienced professionals.

Home Buying for Dummies, Third Edition provides just that! Packed with invaluable advice in an objective, down-to-earth style that will have you sitting in your dream home in no time, this friendly guide contains everything you need to know to play the home buying game. It has the tools you need to:

• Improve your credit score and select a mortgage
• Choose a time and place to buy
• Determine the price you want to pay
• Assemble an all-star real estate team
• Make use of the wonderful world of the Internet
• Negotiate your best deal
• Inspect and protect your home
• Handle and become responsible for the title
• Cope with buyer's remorse

Featured in this guide are tips and tricks on things you should do after you seal the deal, as well as things you ought to know about real estate investing. Also included is advice on how to sell your house, as well as a sample real estate purchase contract and a good inspection report. Don't get chewed up by the real estate market-Home Buying for Dummies, Third Edition will lead you to the home you want!



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Review of Tips & Traps When Building Your Home (Paperback)

If you are looking for a really thorough book, this isn't it, but many of the tips are very helpful. Read it with a highlighter and just mark the good stuff and then refer back. I bought this along with Woodson's "Build Your Dream Home for Less" and found that the two together were a great pair. Woodson's is very thorough and takes you through step by step, and Irwin's had a lot of additional tips that Woodson's didn't. Irwin tends not to define many of the "trade" terms he uses and for people who aren't handy, it's frustrating. On the other hand, Woodson does define most terms so if you read both, you're in pretty good shape. This book is not the be-all, end-all book but definitely worth buying - it should save you some money if you are general contracting your home.

Product Description
Leading real-estate author Robert Irwin provides home builders with valuable money-saving tips to building a home from the ground up in Tips & Traps When Building Your Home. Featuring a self-test to determine whether the reader is more suited to hiring it all out or doing some of it alone, this user-friendly guide outlines the perilous traps that often come with building your own home. Irwin helps readers determine whether or not to hire out the entire process or whether to act as the primary contractor. Once that is decided, Irwin then helps builders determine:

• How building and contracting effects home-owners' insurance
• Whether or not to hire an architect
• If building plans need to be presented to the local zoning board
• Contractors' and builders' adherence to electrical codes, sewage codes, and occupancy codes

From the Back Cover
America's #1 real estate expert shows you how to build the home of your dreams from the ground up!

You've done it! You've decided to take the plunge and build your dream house. how hard could it be­­just build a house with everything you've always wanted in it­­simple, right? Wrong! When designing and building their own home, many people fall into a minefield of mistakes that can cost them time and money. There are countless decisions to make and questions to answer before your vision can become a reality. Do you know what to look out for?

• Should you hire an architect or should you buy stock plans?
• Do you have what it takes to act as your own general contractor?
• What are the different types of building materials available and what are their advantages and disadvantages?
• How do you finance the lot and the construction?

Best-selling author of the popular Tips & Traps series, Robert Irwin now guides prospective homeowners through every step of the building process. Irwin shares his personal experiences and solid advice with detailed insider information on the in's and out's of home construction.

Whether you're building a vacation home or the house of your dreams, don't make another move without this valuable resource!



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Review of Buying a Home When You're Single, Revised and Updated Edition (Paperback)

"Buying A Home When You're Single" is an excellent way of putting all the fears of home buying in the past.Donna Albrecht describes true to life expierences, from singles that have purchased homes in thelast decade.The author walks you through all the steps of searching for ahome, getting prequalifed, finding an agent, and struggling through escrow. The home buying process is described in a clear and concise manner thateveryone can understand.You will not be bumbarded with confusing realestate jargen that will discourge you from buying a home.On the contrary,it will provide you with all the necessary tools you will need to puchase ahome.

Product Description
The single person's complete guide to buying your own home

Do you dream of having a home of your own? With nearly half of all new home buyers being single, you're in good company. But how do you go about finding the right place and actually purchasing it? What do you, as a single person, need to know? In Buying a Home When You're Single, Donna Albrecht demystifies the home-buying process and takes you step by step through the entire process of acquiring the home of your dreams-from hiring a real estate agent to closing the deal. Whether you envision yourself in a palatial mansion or a modest condo, co-op, or manufactured home, here's your guide to making your dream come true!

- Learn how mortgages work and how to choose the best one for you

- Secure financing to fit your earning power

- Find specific help for first-timers

- Mine the Internet's rich real estate information

- Evaluate housing choices including co-ops, condos, single-family dwellings, manufactured homes, and others

- Negotiate the best price on a home

- Improve your investment after your purchase

From the Publisher
A user-friendly guide that demystifies the complete home-purchasing process. A series of forms and checklists enable readers to figure out exactly what price range they can afford, how to evaluate various types of housing (condos, co-ops, modular, mobile homes, etc.), what kinds of mortgages are available and if they qualify, the pros and cons of getting a real estate agent and much more. Appendices feature a list of Special Buyer's Programs and Amortization Tables from 5.5% to 15.5% interest rates.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.



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Review of Home Buyer's Checklist: Everything You Need to Know--but Forget to Ask--Before You Buy a Home (Paperback)

Exactly what it says...a checklist for nearly every item you could think of that you would want to check out before buying a house.Almost too many details but easy to use.A good investment if purchasing a house.

Product Description
Everyone who has bought a home knows that an official inspection is no guarantee against unpleasant surprises, and that, ultimately, the burden to ask the important questions about the physical aspects of a home is on the home buyer. But buying a home is one of life's most stressful, emotionally fraught activities, and it's easy to see why many home buyers fail to anticipate the kinds of exasperating and expensive problems that can crop up after closing.

Written by bestselling real estate author (more than 1 million books sold) Robert Irwin, Home Buyer's Checklist levels the playing field by equipping home buyers with a comprehensive list of questions pertaining to all the physical aspects of a house that may not be covered in an official inspection. From basement to attic, pantry to lawn, Bob walks readers through every room, nook, cranny, closet and keep, asking important questions about windows, screens, doors and door frames, fireplaces, light fixtures, moldings, and much, much more. And, drawing upon his many years of experience in the business, he provides pointers on how to deal with each problem, including information on how much it will cost to fix, how to estimate its short- and long-term consequences, how it should impact on the negotiating process, and more.

From the Back Cover
America's Number One Real Estate Expert gives you the tools you need to uncover the REAL story behind any house.

Surprises are only fun if it's your birthday, not after you make an offer or buy a home and "SURPRISE"--it needs a lot more work than you thought. Unfortunately, if you ask most homeowners they'll have a war story about their house that begins with, "I never looked closely or asked the agent or seller about that...!" Or "I didn't realize how much replacing the damaged floors would cost." It's easy to get flabbergasted when you're house hunting and forget to ask important questions or overlook crucial details. Let Robert Irwin, America's number-one real estate writer let you take charge of your home search with Home Buyer's Checklist, a step-by-step, room-by-room, top-to-bottom guide that shows you exactly how to "precheck" a house before you make an offer.

• Consider or Eliminate­­When you're looking at a dozen homes, find out when it makes more sense to forget it than to buy it.
• Ask the Inspector­­Know which potential problems to later point out to your inspector so that they become the seller's headache and not yours
• Neighbors and Neighborhoods­­Invest in quality of life (Green Lawns: YES­­Cars on Lawns: NO) and you will add value to your home
• Your Home's Life Span­­Learn how to asses the quality and durability of your home in order to avoid costly surprises down the road

Take this book with you when you look at homes and let it suggest what you must ask about each house. With practical and no-nonsense advice, Robert Irwin answers the question: "Where do I begin?" Begin HERE!



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Review of 20 Questions To Ask Before Buying a Home (Paperback)

This book is a quick, uncomplicated read about homebuying.It covers most of the basics one should consider when purchasing a home.However, I thought some of the questions ( such as Questions One and Two and Questions Seven and Eight) could have been combined into three concise questions questions.

Still, the book made one very important point: get everything in writing.Although the text was too short to talk about the ins and outs of mortgage finance and protecting oneself in homeownership, again, the book did bring up most of the key points.However, the book failed to enlighten the prospective homeowner about several important issues:

1.Any insurance that you are obligated to purchase in concert with thehome purchase serves to protect the lender, and not you.Future editions of the text must endeavor to elaborate on this point, and let the reader know about universal title insurance (which protects you and the bank against claims of ownership) as well as the various types of home insurance (some policies only cover flood and fire, while others cover things like mold).In the book's defense, they did mention the voluntary purchase of a home warranty, which I must admit, was a new concept to me.However, once again, and I stress this with force, EVERYTHING YOU ARE OBLIGATED TO PURCHASE SERVES THE BANK'S INTEREST, while those things you voluntarily elect to purchase protects your interest.

2.There are many non-profit organizations that assist first-time homebuyers in purchasing a home.Some are comprehensive, offering homebuyer education as well as financing.Others simply provide downpayment assistance, while others limit themselves to advocacy.You can get a list of those organizations in your area that assist folks in purchasing a home from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.Future editions should also mention that this list can also be obtained, free of charge, from county or state housing agencies.

3.Future editions of this should make the reader aware of the various homeownership alternatives and their merits and de-merits.It would be nice to know what the differences are between a manufactured home, a regular house, a condo and a co-op type deal are.

Readers of this book would do well to treat this book as a basic primer on home buying.More advanced readers can skip this book and read something like Homebuying for Dummies or The Complete Idiot's Guide to Homebuying, both of which one may find to be a bit more comprehensive.For those of you who have never owned a home, and know nothing about homebuying, thisbook serves as a good starting point for your homebuying education.

Product Description
Are you really prepared to make the biggest investment of your life?

Am I ready to buy a home?What should I look for in a house?How much should I offer?What happens at closing?Why is my mortgage payment so high?

20 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home gives you the vital information you need to buy your first, second or umpteenth house in a compact, easy-to-read and inexpensive format-from making the decision to buy a home to tips on finding your perfect house, from how and what to offer to finding the right mortgage, from inspections and appraisals to closing and moving in.

The home-buying process can be frightening, especially for first-timers, but with the down-to-earth advice and detailed information 20 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home offers, it doesn't have to be! The authors also include a number of real-life examples, checklists and step-by-step "to-do" lists to ensure you don't overlook even the smallest step.

Connie J. Price, GRI, CRM, is a licensed real estate professional in the State of Washington with more than 16 years of active experience. She is currently a real estate marketing coach in her own consulting practice and also serves as the marketing director of a large upscale housing and recreation development.

Ronald L. Price, MBA, AAGG, is a best-selling author with 24 titles in print and more than 26 years experience teaching business, management, economics, computing, and other business topics on the college level.

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