Alayna Schroeder. J.D.; Ilona Bray. J.D.; and Marcia Stewart

December 2014. 5th Edition

Buy your first home at the right price with tips and advice from the experts. Learn everything about homebuying from mortgages to agents, inspections, and more. Get valuable tips on:

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The number of homes for sale is on the rise and mortgage rates remain near historic lows. That makes now a great time to say goodbye to your landlord. With Nolo’s Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home. you’ll not only find the right house for you, you’ll fun doing it.

Filled with interesting facts, real-life stories and insights, and common pitfalls to avoid, this book provides everything you need to select the right type of home for your family, the right mortgage, the right agent, the right inspections — and much more. Get the inside scoop on:

• deciding between a house, condo, co-op or townhouse
• exploring your local market for the best value
• creating and managing a realistic homebuying budget

• qualifying for and securing a loan
• protecting yourself with inspections and insurance
• negotiating with sellers or new home builders
• successfully closing the deal

Read through the real-world experiences of over 20 first-time homebuyers, as well as valuable insights from a team of real estate professionals, including:

• real estate brokers
• attorneys who specialize in real estate
• a home inspector
• a neighborhood researcher
• a mortgage specialist
• and more!

Along with this step-by-step handbook, you’ll receive online access to The Homebuyer’s Toolkit. including dozens of forms and MP3s to help you find the right place, crunch the numbers, interview real estate professionals, and even borrow down payment money from your parents.

The brand new edition is fully updated to reflect the latest changes to the housing market, with emphasis on how to deal wiht competition from other buyers when making an offer.

Are you a California resident? Check out How to Buy a House in California

Takes the guesswork out of home buyingtwo thumbs up. -Elizabeth Weintraub, Home Buying & Selling Guide, About.com

Nolos excellent guide for novice home buyers provides fresh, updated information about the whole process that even those in the know will find useful. -Library Journal

Coming from a gal that knows tools, this book is a must-have tool for any home buyer. -Norma Valley, Host of Toolbelt Diva (Discovery Home Channel)