Synopses & Reviews
This bestseller provides effective strategies for buying a house in California's unique real estate market. Home buyers learn how to: find a house and choose a neighborhood; raise money for a down payment; unearth the best mortgage; take advantage of creative financing techniques, such as private mortgages and probate sales; choose and work with a real estate agent; inspect a house for physical problems and environmental hazards; make an offer and successfully negotiate a contract go through escrow and take title. Provides detailed advice on how to use the Internet to compare mortgages and apply for a loan, find and screen houses, gather community information and much more. Includes all necessary real estate forms and worksheets, including offer forms and disclosure statements.
Synopsis
Buy a home in the Golden State with the most complete guide available.
A thorough, practical guide to every aspect of buying a house, How to Buy a House in California will help you make informed decisions that can save you thousands of dollars. With this bestseller in hand, you'll learn how to:
choose a house and neighborhood
find the right agent
get the most up-to-date information on mortgage options and rates
take advantage of creative financing strategies - from seller financing to government loans
figure out how much down payment you can afford
make an offer and negotiate with confidence for the best price
buy a new house in a development
inspect a house for physical problems and environmental hazards
juggle buying and selling houses simultaneously
successfully go through escrow
This edition is completely updated to reflect the changing housing market, including an updated discussion about what to look for when buying a foreclosed or bank-owned home. Plus, you'll get the most up-to-date criteria lenders now require when you're shopping for a mortgage.
About the Author
Ralph Warner is widely recognized as a pioneer of the do-it-yourself law movement, Warner founded Nolo with Ed Sherman in 1972. He began publishing do-it-yourself law books written by him and his colleagues after numerous publishers rejected them. Warner holds a law degree from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California at Berkeley and an undergraduate degree from Princeton.