Before You Buy!: The Homebuyer's Handbook for Today's Market [Paperback]

Michael Corbett (Author), Jim Gillespie (Foreword)

Book Description

Release date: February 22, 2011

The bestselling author of Find It, Fix It, Flip It! returns with the book you MUST read before you try to buy a home in Today's Market!

Thinking of buying a home? Not sure what to do in Today's Market? Then you need to read Before You Buy!--before you buy! It's the essential, must-read survival guide for everyone thinking about purchasing a house in today's real estate market. Before You Buy! is the no-hype, straight talking, indispensable step-by-step guide to understanding this market and purchasing a home ...safely, sanely and at a price you can afford.
 
·        Why Now Is the Time to Buy
·        How to Avoid the 10 Most Costly Buyers' Blunders
·        How to Buy Safe, Smart and Secure in Today's Market
·        10 things You Need to Know NOW ...Before You Buy!
·        An Essential Step-by Step Guide that Will Save You Thousands
·        How to Buy a House You Can Actually Afford

Corbett is a nationally recognized real estate expert, best selling author, and real estate commentator on NBC, CNN and Larry King Live.   He is an advocate for the consumer - and real estate novices and seasoned buyers alike will want to benefit from his expertise.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Before You Buy! - a precise roadmap that all future homeowners need. No nonsense and practical information to buy smart, buy safe, and buy for less!  This book takes the fear and guesswork out of home buying today!  A Must Read! 

There's never been a better time to buy real estate than right now. Michael's Before You Buy! is a must-have if you want to do it smart, safe, and with real success!
--Barbara Corcoran - Today Show real estate expert and bestselling author

Every potential home buyer should read this book. It offers smart guidance, prepares you to work successfully with your real estate agent, and teaches you how navigate today's ever changing market!  --Jim Gillespie, CEO Coldwell Banker Real Estate

Tools for a smart real estate purchase. A thorough primer on buying a home, well-suited to first-time homebuyers with no clue where to start. A soup-to-nuts guide to have at hand. This book is a good choice. Trulia.com's Tara Nicolle-Nelson

Looking to buy a house? Don't shop before you read this book! It takes you from dreaming of homeownership to painting your new bedroom & everything in between. It even addresses your "freaking out" moments.

--VermilionToday.com

From the Inside Flap

Homebuyers have seen home values make enormous swings both upward and downwards over the past ten years. The thought of jumping into home ownership today can be terrifying. Buying the wrong house at the wrong price with the wrong mortgage could spell financial disaster for you and your family. One mistake can result in thousands of dollars in unnecessary higher costs, fees, expenses, and bottom-line prices.     The difference between home buying success and failure in today's market is having the information and advice needed to make smart decisions and choices.     As seen from the last decade of tumbling values and foreclosures, many homebuyers made critical missteps and decisions when buying. Homebuyers overpaid, overspent and bought homes they could not afford. They fell prey to the hype and the misinformation.
    Before You Buy! offers a precise roadmap that all future homeowners need.     It gives them the no nonsense, hype-free, and practical information to buy smart, buy safe, and buy for less! It presents the information, tools, proven methods, expert advice and insights from top real estate professionals: Jim Gillespie: CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Suze Orman, Barbara Corcoran and Jean David Bach, Donald Trump and many more. Before You Buy! takes the fear and guesswork out of this seemingly overwhelming process. 
    A buyer who learns from the pros and utilizes their expertise is an educated, empowered buyer who secures the best deal, the most advantageous mortgage and the right home for their budget. Buyers will make their purchasing dollars go further--allowing them to buy more house for less money. And that means buying a house that is actually affordable! 
    Today's Market is the perfect time...to get more house for your money ...at a price you can afford!
    This book offers all buyers control of the process. First-time buyers and experienced homeowners alike will learn how to uncover hidden dollars and eliminate costly expenses at every step. But most importantly, they will learn how to avoid the traps and pitfalls that put so many buyers into bad deals, risky mortgages, and unaffordable homes. 
       With practical explanations and easy to understand information, Before You Buy! gives buyers the straight-talking information they need when purchasing a home in Today's New Market. Buyers will be empowered to find the perfect house, pay less for it, save thousands of dollars every step of the way, and move into a safe and secure investment for their future!
    Before You Buy! is the most current and up-to-date guide...written specifically for potential buyers ...The Must-Read Home Buyer's Handbook For Today's Market!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Plume (February 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452296803
• ISBN-13: 978-0452296800
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #722,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hello Everyone. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews, comments, and emails.

Michael Corbett is the best selling author and Real Estate Expert for NBC's EXTRA, EXTRA's Mansions and Millionaires, ABC's THE VIEW, FOX News and GOOD DAY LA He a regular contributor to CNN, TIME .com, SMART MONEY Magazine, FOX Business,Yahoo Real Estate and BankRate.com. Michael is also the real estate expert and contributor to the real estate website Trula.com

www.MichaelCorbett.com
Please also vist my Facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/MICHAEL-CORBETTS-PROFESSIONAL-PAGE/250855204247?ref=share
And follow me on twitter @1michaelCorbett

According to the Los Angeles Times, Michael Corbett, is the #1 best selling real estate author in the country with books Find It, Fix It, Flip It: Make Millions in Real Estate, One house at a Time!,and Ready, Set, Sold: The Insider Secrets to Get Your House Sold Fast - for Top Dollar!

He is the real-estate and lifestyle host of NBC's Extra, and producer and host of Extra's Mansions & Millionaires. He is the regular real estate expert for ABC's THE VIEW. A nationally known, sought after real estate expert,
Michael is also a regular contributor and guest on CNN, ABC News, Fox News, CBS News The Discovery Channel, HGTV, the former LARRY KING LIVE, Fine Living Network and Good Day LA.

His real estate expertise has been featured in all major nation publications including The New York Times, Los Angles Times, Miami Herald, Newsweek, Wall Street Journal, Forbes ,Newsweek, Smart Money, People Magazine, and Business Week.

Formerly a daytime TV star of CBS's The Young and the Restless, ABC's Ryan's Hope and NBC's Search for Tomorrow, turned Real Estate Entrepreneur, Michael Corbett has been buying, renovating and selling homes for over 20 years. Michael has also been touring the country lecturing with the Real Estate and Wealth Expo, sharing the stage with the top real estate, and finance experts Donald trump, Tony Robbins, Robert Kiyosake, David Bach, Suzi Orman, and Dr. Alan Greenspan. Corbett speaks to crowds upwards of 15,000 real estate investors in cities all across the US and Canada. Michael teaches real esvestment classes regularly country wide.

Audio downloadable versions of both his first two books are available and his newest book will be released in 2011.

Please visit his website www.MichaelCorbett.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensible! A great read! And fun, too! February 25, 2011

By Erin Donavan

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Thank you Michael Corbett! At last, a book on real estate that takes the "fear-factor" out of the process. Down to earth, practical guidance, Michael takes you step by step through a process like a dear friend who has your best interests at heart. His love for the subject is obvious; his book is infused with an infectious humor and realistic approach, so that you feel as if he's talking to YOU. A fast and easy read, full of simple to understand graphs, and clear explanations, Michael Corbett gears the book for today's market. His wealth of knowledge as well as the information he offers is impressive, to say the least. This is the kind of book that will save you time and money, taking all the guess work out-- you feel as if you're saving years on the learning curve. He's truly an expert, and after reading the book, I felt confident that I could begin applying what I learned right away. Confident, and enthusiastic! If you're planning on investing in real estate in today's volatile market, this book is a must.
Thank you Michael Corbett. A great book!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "BEFORE YOU BUY" Makes Home Buying Fun & Easy! February 26, 2011

By PROFESSOR

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

THANK YOU MICHAEL CORBETT! "BEFORE YOU BUY" Is a Life Saving, Bank Account Saving Handbook - That makes buying a home easy and fun like it should be. You saved us thousands and thousands of dollars and months of time. You make buying a home easy and stress free. My wife and I did not know where to begin in the process of buying, and your book is step by step and covers everything! It makes Buying A Home Fun instead of scary. THANK YOU!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Real Estate Book in YEARS March 6, 2011

By Lawrence Karasek

Format:Paperback

This book is a gem. I've managed to collect a decent number of real estate books in the past few years while thinking about buying and not knowing when it's truly the "right" time. BEFORE YOU BUY contains exactly the kind of information I can't seem to get elsewhere. It's chock full of advice, insider tips, and step by step strategies that anyone can use to navigate the murky waters of real estate today. Best of all, it's HONEST. Michael conveys his knowledge in a straight-up, down to earth, tell-it-like-it-is manner that's so refreshing. I get tired of the Trumps and Kiyosakis of the world. I haven't yet pulled the trigger on buying just yet, but with BEFORE YOU BUY in my hands now, I feel so much more informed and empowered.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars BERFORE YOU BUY is the ONLY Handbook you need!! March 4, 2011

By Happy Home Owner!

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Before you pick up BEFORE YOU BUY, you might be feeling overwhelmed with going through what seems like the terrifying gauntlet of buying a house! But WITH Michael Corbett's steady, true, reliable guidance, you experience the greatest home buying companion handbook a person could imagine! It is your Guidebook to achieve your dream! I love all his books, and in fact, I bought MY dream home thanks to Michael Corbett's real estate know how and tips! Suddenly, buying a house becomes easy, secure and safe! Michael takes you by the hand in a clear step by step manner and gives you a comfortable way to understand every move to make that successfully lands you in your new home. This is a must have Home Buying Handbook! Before you know it, what once was a scarey trip becomes your confident journey to your dream home realized, with this book on the coffee table to share with everyone!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect manual March 7, 2011

By "property virgin"

Format:Paperback

I am currently in the process of looking to buy my first home. I have talked with friends and family and was feeling a little overwhelmed on what to do and what to look for. I was getting ALOT of conflicting advice. A friend of my family (who is a real estate agent) was feeling my pain and gave me a copy of "Before You Buy". She told me she knew that there was alot of really great information and good sound advice in the book....and she was right.The book is a great guide to follow to be sure that you make not only the best personal decision of the perfect "home" but it contains great financial information to be sure that you are comfortable all the way around.I have since recommended this book to friends of mine who are also ready to start the process of being new homeowners.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ for anyone planning to buy a home! April 23, 2011

By scotoby

Format:Paperback

As they say, knowledge is power. Nothing could be more powerful to a first time home buyer than knowing what went wrong with the real estate market in the last decade. Michael Corbett clearly and effectively explains how to protect yourself from the pitfalls that other homeowners experienced. His straight forward, conversational writing style makes it easy to understand the real estate concepts and terminology that were, until now, unfamiliar and overwhelming to me. And, finally, I understand the difference between foreclosures and short sales! Thanks, Michael! I am happy to say that I now feel well prepared to embark on the most important purchase I will probably every make.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy a house without it! April 22, 2011

By V.T, Rubin

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been looking for a house now for at least one year, but I never quite knew what I was looking for. I had so many questions and I felt that I was bothering my agent and it appeared that either she didn't know the answers or she was unwilling to give them to me. After reading this book it became very clear to me as to what I needed to do and look for when beginning a search for a house. This book is excellent!!! Now when I talk with my agent she seems surprised that I know so much. This a great investment for anyone looking for a home, Thanks for a wonderful book, Don't buy a home without it!!!!!!!!!!