100 Questions Every FirstTime Home Buyer Should Ask With Answers From Top Brokers From Around The Country

This book is very slanted towards New York andChicago, also, because that is where the author's experience lies. But I'min North Carolina, and some of the information presented as gosepl in thisbook is just plain factually incorrect for my state. This can be reallymisleading and problematic depending on your state if you try to followthis book too closely.

The book does contain great reference sections oncontracts, resources, and real estate terms; and it also has mortgagepayment tables in the back (but they only go up to 100,000 and who reallyspends less than 100K anymore?).

Although I have said more negative andpositive, this is a nice book in a lot of ways. If you know nothing aboutwhat is involved in buying a house, definitely get this book. It'swonderful for basic introductory information and it is a pretty hefty book(450 pgs - great value for the cover price). But if you know what isinvolved and are looking for "inside" information and consumerprotection advice on negotiations with brokers, agents, lawyers, mortgagebrokers, title companies, etc etc., get something else. If you really wantto know about tricks and traps and shady dealings to avoid, you wont findmuch of that in this book. It's a real estate primer and a wonderful read -but very basic, simple information.

How much training does it take to become a librarian, teacher, lawyer, physician, or rocket scientist?How well would the world work for us if such training were skimped on?

When it comes to buying a first home (whether condo, co-op, or fixer-upper), most people act as though you can do brain surgery without the training.Not!

Even if you view this emotionally and financially important investment as one to be approached carefully, most first-time buyers will make important errors.Here are a few of my favorites:

(1) Not thinking about how hard it may be to resell the home.

(2) Vastly underestimating how much money will be needed to fix it up.

(3) Overpaying for the home because of not realizing how to negotiate.

(4) Waiting until finding one's soul mate before purchasing.

(5) Spending more than you can afford, and using boxes for furniture.

(6) Purchasing a home that doesn't fit your needs (where will you put 4 children and you in 2 bedrooms?).

(7) Taking on a horrible commute.

Interest rates are down in light of the terrible terrorist tragedy and weak economy.Unemployment is rising.Based on historical patterns, this is a good time to buy.Are you ready?Probably not, even if you think you are.

But I have good news for you.If you read and apply the lessons of this book, you will be more ready than many people who have already bought homes.

The subjects covered include deciding what you needs are, versus your likes; how to look; determining what you can afford; deciding what broker to use; how to work with the broker (especially what not to tell the broker, since most work for the seller); how to decide what to offer; how to negotiate; getting the best financing; checking out the house; handling the closing; and even dealing with problems after the closing.You also get help with which professionals (such as buying agents, lawyers, and home inspectors) to use, how to select them, what they will cost, and how to work with them.

I have bought or helped buy three houses, am an attorney, and am a licensed real estate agent.I found several areas where this excellent book extended my knowledge.I know it will save you thousands of dollars . . . and probably even more in avoided emotional trauma!

The book does this by posing questions, providing worksheets, steering you to Internet resources, and describing case histories.

No book from the buyer's perspective can however hope to dispel the incredible naivet

Glink's book is well-organized and about as thorough as it gets. I haven't yet found a question I had that she didn't answer in the book. The book is so jam-packed, though, that I found it's best to just look up my specific questions (once I got the "basics" covered). Otherwise, you may find yourself wading through vast amounts of information that don't apply to your situation.

I am very happy I bought this book. The information is probably the next best thing to having a trusted friend or family member in the business.

I would rarely give a book 5 stars here,but this one truly deserves it.

My only gripe is despite its 500 pages, the book is too short! The last 150 pages are spent on appendix and the book has a large print. Yes, the book is concise but at the expense of being more comprehensive. But I am being picky here, you will not regret picking this book over others in the market.