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| How to Buy a House in California | 
 enlarge | Authors: Ralph E. Warner, Ira Serkes, George Devine
Creators: Ilona M. Bray, Alayna Schroeder
Publisher: NOLO
Category: Book
List Price: $34.99
Buy New: $20.75
You Save: $14.24 (41%)
Buy New/Used from $19.90
Avg. Customer Rating:  (11 reviews)
Sales Rank: 40670
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Edition: 11
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 413
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9 x 7 x 1.1
ISBN: 1413304036
Dewey Decimal Number: 643.1209794
EAN: 9781413304039
ASIN: 1413304036
Publication Date: March 30, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Book Description
The most complete guide to buying a home in the Golden State A thorough, practical guide to every aspect of buying a house, How to Buy a House in California will help you make informed decisions that can save you thousands of dollars. With this bestseller in hand, you'll learn how to: choose a house and neighborhood find the right agent get the most up-to-date information on mortgage options and rates take advantage of creative financing strategies - from seller financing to government loans figure out how much down payment you can afford make an offer and negotiate with confidence for the best price buy a new house in a development inspect a house for physical problems and environmental hazards juggle buying and selling houses simultaneously successfully go through escrow The 11th edition is completely updated and provides an easy method for calculating how much house you can afford. Plus, you'll find the current rules for government-assisted loans and the latest resources. List of Forms:
Ideal House Profile
House Priorities Worksheet
House Comparison Worksheet
Family Financial Statement
Directions for Completing the Family Financial Statement
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
Agree with the other opinions March 18, 2008
I won't waste your time with repeating the same things everyone else has said. This is the best book for first-time home buying in SoCal; you won't lose money or time with this book. Gratuitous advice if you are buying in SoCal for the first time:
1. Things are done a little differently out here, so DO NOT listen to people from other states regarding need for a lawyer on every purchase; the escrow agency takes care of most of those details unless a problem arises. Just follow the book...it will guide you well.
2. If the home inspection report mentions a horizontal furnace related to Consolidated Inc. in the past, DO have your furnace inspected even if the serial number does not show a recalled NOx rod (see your home inspector, or a CA home inspection manual)...the Consolidated/Premier furnace that came with my place needed to be replaced despite not being on the recall list because of a fire hazard (eep!).
3. It's also handy to have a home inspection manual anyway so that any repairs you perform as a DIY'er won't cause problems down the road on resale, if needed.
Wonderful Resource October 10, 2007
I purchased this book because I was a first time home buyer and the information and tips I got from this book were wonderful. There was a tip about calling local title companies to find out who they think are good local real estate agents. I called for a recommendation, and it worked wonderfully! I found a great agent using that tip and I am extremely pleased with how everything worked out. The extra knowledge I acquired from this book was very helpful throughout the whole home buying process. It is an easy and fun book to read. The authors give stories from their personal experiences and also provide explanation of terms, etc. I would recommend it to any one who is going to buy a home.
Demystify the Maze July 23, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book rocks! It is well written, clearly organized, full of incredibly useful insights and obviates the need for any other books. Purchasing property in the Golden State is hugely complicated and this book unravels the knots and truly educates the potential buyer to the point that ones agent will be impressed. Every aspect is covered and in such depth that I truly believe it helped me negotiate the best price and the best mortgage terms. I fully understood all the steps and when it came to final closing costs, I was impressed that I was able to accurately predict exactly what those would be ...no shocks here. I highly recommend this book.
I have nothing bad to say about this book. March 18, 2006
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I will be a first time homebuyer shortly and this book is really helping me put things into perspective and feel confident about purchasing a home. Easy to read. Easy to understand. Easy to find specific information. Highly recommended.
Prepared for the LA Market-Whoa! February 1, 2006
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
This book is the only book you will need if buying a home in California. I am in my early thirties and knew nothing about the housing market in California until reading this easy and thorough guide to California home buying.
It provides a detailed and easy to understand guide to preparing oneself for entering theCalifornia housing market. The book is broken down in comprehensible, step by step chapters covering a wide range of subject areas. There are plenty of worksheets designed to help in your home search (practical and financial) as well as plenty of real life examples that illustrate common inquiries, pitfalls and scenarios.
I live in Los Angeles and was very intimidated by the insanely competitive housing market. This book has gotten me over these worries and am now working confidently with an amazing broker in looking for the house that's right for me. Don't bother with other guides, this is honestly the only one you will need!
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