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| The Smart Consumer's Guide to Home Buying (Barron's Smart Consumer Guides) | 
 enlarge | Authors: Peter A. Schkeeper, Jack P. Friedman Ph.d., Jack C. Harris Ph.d.
Publisher: Barrons Educational Series
Category: Book
List Price: $16.99
Buy New: $6.44
You Save: $10.55 (62%)
Buy New/Used from $6.44
Avg. Customer Rating:  (3 reviews)
Sales Rank: 108094
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 576
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.1
ISBN: 0764135716
Dewey Decimal Number: 643.12
EAN: 9780764135712
ASIN: 0764135716
Publication Date: February 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Buying a home is, in the authors' words, both a romantic journey and a business venture. For most families, it's the largest single investment they will ever make. The purpose of this book is to transform home buyers--especially first-time buyers--into smart consumers who can evaluate a property objectively as step number one in deciding whether or not to buy. The authors take their readers by the hand through the maze of mortgage shopping, dealing with real estate agents, and hunting down that perfect dream house. Some of the many questions they help prospective buyers answer are:
Consideration of family needs: how many rooms, what kind of neighborhood, access to schools, shopping, and the like Is the home affordable? Considerations include the size of the down payment, the size and type of mortgage, projecting monthly payments, and allowing for unforeseen expenses Making an offer and negotiating with sellers and real estate agents The close, settlement, and escrow Remodeling: adding to a home and making improvements Investment Property: understanding market values Selling a home . . . and much, much more
Because this book addresses a national audience, it is necessarily general when making reference to local situations. However, the authors offer practical advice on how readers can find reliable local professional assistance in their quest to purchase a home.
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| Customer Reviews:
Absolutely helpful and excellent June 21, 2008
The information and advice in this book was so good. I am in the process of buying a retirement home in the south, and so are a few of my friends-- so I purchased 4 of the books. -- and gave 3 of them to my friends-- they all loved it-- one of them has aleady purchased a home in Fla., and the rest of us are still looking. The advice is excellent.
--Tom Waage
Excellent resource for homebuyers June 13, 2008
I wish I had found this book 13 years ago! I ended up buying a seriously defective house from a very corrupt and unresponsive builder, and I have spent 9 years and most of my life savings battling him in court. I could have been spared all of this aggravation if I had known then what is explained in this book. If you are thinking about buying new construction, PLEASE read this book first and spare yourself a major headache.
A fantastic resource May 18, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I bought my first home in 1963. I have bought and sold homes four times since, so I have gone through the exercise five times. I thought I had a pretty good comprehension of the process, but reading this book tells me that I was probably aware of less than 50% of important details that are not apparent to the average consumer. This book is crammed with ideas, scenarios, guidance, and caveats, some of them expressed in extreme detail. The financial guidance and calculation worksheets alone are worth the price of the book. This book should be in the hands of every homebuyer, including first timers and experienced ones such as I. My next move will likely be to a downsized residence. I will definitely use some of the planning techniques to allow my wife and me to prioritize our true needs.
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