Home Buying For Dummies

Now updated — America's #1 bestselling home-buying book!Want to buy a house, but concerned about the market? Have no fear — this trusted guide arms you with Eric Tyson and Ray Brown's time-tested advice and updated strategies for buying a home in current market conditions. You'll discover how to find the right property, make smart financial decisions, and understand the latest lending requirements and tax implications.New to this edition — new and expanded coverage to help homebuyers take advantage of low home prices, understand the subprime mortgage crisis, obtain a mortgage, and improve credit scoresTo buy or not to buy? — weigh the advantages of owning versus renting, get your finances in order, and know how much house you can safely affordHandle financing — understand your credit rating, navigate the different types of mortgages, and complete all paperworkPlay the real estate game — find the right location and property, assemble an all-star real estate team, and make the most of the Internet's real estate resourcesLet's make a deal — negotiate with finesse, make successful offers, inspect and protect your new home, and cover all your bases in escrow"Invaluable information, especially for the first-time home buyer."—Fort Worth Star-Telegram"A reference you'll turn to time after time."—St. Petersburg TimesOpen the book and find:Reasons why home prices rise and fallHands-on instruction for buying a home in up or down marketsHow to pay the price you wantThe best mortgage optionsA sample home-buying contractPros and cons of comparable market analysisTips for overcoming mortgage and appraisal problemsHow to cope with buyer's remorseThe best real estate Web sites