Home Buying for Dummies (For Dummies)

The Third Edition of Home Buying For Dummies is better than ever. It takes the pain out of choosing, negotiating for, and buying a home with practical, real-world advice that really works. With expert guidance from personal finance guru Eric Tyson and real estate maven Ray Brown, this up-to-date and friendly guide gives homebuyers all the information they need to find and finance their dream home.

This book covers virtually everything a home buyer needs to know, from getting personal finances in order to bidding on a property and closing the deal. The authors walk readers through the entire process, helping them determine how much they can spend and how to boost their credit scores, select the right type of mortgage, effectively use agents and brokers, research neighborhoods and home values, and find the best online real estate resources. This new Third Edition covers recent changes in tax law and mortgages that affect buyers and sellers. Basic topics include:

• Financing a purchase
• Understanding credit scores
• Selecting the right mortgage product
• Researching properties and neighborhoods
• Appreciating valuation techniques
• Evaluating the pros and cons of different types of housing
• Assembling a real estate " team"
• Negotiating the best prices and terms
• Looking at the tax picture
• And much more!

Eric Tyson is a nationally recognized personal finance counselor, as well as the author of Personal Finance For Dummies (0-7645-2590-5), Investing For Dummies (0-7645-2431-3), and Mutual Funds For Dummies(0-7645-7191-5).

Ray Brown (San Francisco, CA) is also the coauthor of House Selling For Dummies (0-7645-5425-5) and Mortgages For Dummies (0-7645-7192-3). He is a veteran real estate broker with more than three decades of hands-on experience.

Part I: Home Economics.

Chapter 1: Deciding Whether to Buy.

Chapter 2: Getting Your Financial House in Order.

Chapter 3: What Can You Afford to Buy?

Chapter 4: Why Home Prices Rise and Fall.

Part II: Financing 101.

Chapter 5: Understanding and Improving Your Credit Score.

Chapter 6: Selecting a Mortgage.

Chapter 7: Mortgage Quandaries, Conundrums, and Paperwork.

Part III: Property, Players, and Prices.

Chapter 8: Where and What to Buy.

Chapter 9: Assembling an All-Star Real Estate Team.

Chapter 10: What’s It Worth?

Chapter 11: Tapping the Internet’s Best Resources.

Part IV: Making the Deal.

Chapter 12: Negotiating Your Best Deal.

Chapter 13: Inspecting and Protecting Your Home.

Chapter 14: It Ain’t Over Till the Weight-Challenged Escrow Officer Sings.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 15: Ten Financial “To Do’s” After You Buy.

Chapter 16: Ten Things to Know When Investing in Real Estate.

Chapter 17: Ten Things to Consider When Selling Your House.

Part VI: Appendixes.

Appendix A: Sample Real Estate Purchase Contract.

Appendix B: Example of a Good Inspection Report.

Appendix C: Glossary.

Index.