The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying & Selling a Home, 3E

by O'Hara, Shelley; Lewis, Nancy

• ISBN13: 9780028639604
• ISBN10: 002863960X
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-09-11
• Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.

Summary

Anyone who is trying to buy or sell a home or condo, particularly for the first time, should read this book. It tells you how to find great deals, research property values, plan for resale, and buy or sell on the Internet. Learn how to clean up your credit report and how to avoid those additional costs that banks tack on to the price of homes.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Getting Started	1	(63)
The Dream of Owning a Home	3	(10)
How Much Can You and Your Credit Afford?	13	(16)
Understanding the Up-Front Costs of Buying a Home	29	(8)
Buying a Home with an Agent	37	(14)
Selecting a Mortgage Lender	51	(12)
Part 2: Choosing the Home for You	63	(66)
Where You Want to Live	65	(8)
Defining Your Dream Home	73	(12)
How to Find Your New Home	85	(10)
Buying a Resale Home	95	(10)
Buying Other Types of Homes	105	(8)
Building a New Home	113	(16)
Part 3: Understanding Your Finance Options	129	(54)
Financing 101	131	(12)
Fixed-Rate Mortgages	143	(6)
Adjustable-Rate Mortgages	149	(8)
Other Types of Financing	157	(10)
Applying for a Mortgage	167	(16)
Part 4: Getting the Best Deal	183	(56)
Making an Offer	185	(12)
Working the Deal	197	(8)
Choosing Insurance	205	(8)
Having the Home Inspected	213	(10)
Handling the Closing: Buyer's Perspective	223	(16)
Part 5: Selling Your Home	239	(90)
Deciding to Sell Your Home	241	(8)
Selling Your Home Yourself	249	(10)
Selling Your Home with an Agent	259	(10)
Getting the Home Ready	269	(12)
Pricing and Marketing the Home	281	(8)
Dealing with Purchase Offers	289	(10)
Handling the Closing: Seller's Perspective	299	(30)
Appendixes
A Glossary	311	(8)
B Resources	319	(4)
C Loan Payment Tables	323	(6)
Index	329