Homebuying: Tough-Time, First Time, Any Time

By Michele Lerner

Buying a home can be scary enough, but when you are surrounded by job losses, foreclosures and media tales of a credit crunch, many potential buyers give up the American Dream without even trying. But today's potential homebuyers have advantages that buyers a few years ago lacked: * There are plenty of homes on the market, * Home prices have become more affordable in many markets, * Mortgage lenders have money to lend and interest rates are at historically low rates. This step-by-step guide will show homebuyers how to take advantage of the current market conditions to buy a home that is both a refuge from the tough times and a worthwhile financial investment. Includes information on: * Buying vs. renting. * First-time financing. * Finding the right realtor. * Choosing a neighborhood. * Understanding legal, tax, and insurance issues, contracts, contingencies, inspections, warranties, and settlement * Also includes a list of state Real Estate Commissions; a list of state first-time homebuyer programs with descriptions; glossary of real estate terms; resource guide to websites with first-time homebuyer information.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 193310287X
• ISBN13: 9781933102870
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Capital Books (VA)
• Length: 219 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A must read before one makes that serious purchase

Buying a place you're going to call a home is no fleeting decision. "Homebuying: Tough Times, First Time, Any Time" is a homebuyer's guide who want to make their multi-thousand dollar investment one that is wise and won't come back to bite them in the behind. Buying and renting, real estate agents, good neighborhoods, the slew of legal nonsense that could fill a book itself, Michael Lerner seeks to educate readers on it all. "Homebuying" is a must read before one makes that serious purchase.

Great resource book for homebuyers!

Easy to read, this book makes homebuying less confusing. Wish I had this before I bought my first house years ago. Thanks, Michele, for making sense of it all for us!

Buy This Book BEFORE You Buy A Home......

Or before someone you know buys a home..... Most people go into homebuying (an expensive and complicated undertaking) without the necessary skills or education to make the best decisions. This can lead to mistakes like overpaying for a home, underestimating fixing up costs, or not fully understanding the details of your loan, among many others. And mistakes like these can have a long term impact. This is why this book is a must read for anyone thinking about purchasing a home. It is well organized, with clear chapter headings and detailed sub headings so you can find what you want immediately. It is written in a straightforward manner: easy to understand, but with all the information you need to make intelligent decisions, step by step, as you proceed with buying a home. We are in our third home and wish we had had this book each time! There is also an excellent glossary, and an index with up to the minute information on various homebuying programs offered by each state in the U.S., as well as homebuying resources in Canada. Michele Lerner is a writer who is experienced and unbiased. She has a pleasant way of bringing the human touch to complicated issues...which makes this book very readable.

Don't Buy a Home Without This!

I bought this book for my adult children who will be entering the homebuying phase in the next few years, but I sure wish it had been available when my husband and I were buying our first house! Succinctly laid out, you can easily go to the section that deals with steps of the homebuying process that you would like to be more informed about - but be prepared to be caught by other topics you never even knew to consider. Clearly written with checklists at the end of each section, Michele Lerner has provided us a very accessible and "must have" resource for anyone looking to buy a home.

Easy to Read Book with Practical Tips

The straightforward writing and personal stories hooked me right from the beginning. The practical, summary checklists at the end of each chapter were especially helpful. The chapter about finding the right realtor for my needs was my favorite - lots of good tips. This is a great book for anyone looking to take the plunge into homebuying.