Clark Smart Real Estate: The Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selling Real Estate (Paperback)

~ (Author), Mark Meltzer (Author) "Buying a home represents so many things to us as Americans..." (more)
Key Phrases: selling your house, credit score, condo association, Multiple Listing Service, Costa Rica, Park City (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This is not a get-rich-quick-on-real-estate scheme and plan. In fact, media host and author (Get Clark Smart, 2002; Clark Smart Big Book of Bargains , 2003; and other titles) Howard and coauthor Meltzer specifically emphasize, again and again, that real estate investments demand a long-term perspective--and patience. Each of the five sections--buying, selling, investing, financing, and taxes and insurance--begins with a list of questions to ask, then concludes by summarizing that section's key points. House and home facts and processes are presented without hype, with Howard's distinctive point of view. These ideas include the following: begin preparation by checking your credit score and fixing it if need be, anyone buying real estate should look at a minimum of 100 properties, selling a house yourself is not recommended, wait to buy real estate as an investment until there are lulls in the market, expect to rent foreign houses for at least two years before buying, and time-shares are a waste. Honest and direct advice. Barbara Jacobs
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Product Description

One of America’s leading consumer advocates and popular talk show hosts offers his tips and tricks to successfully buying and selling real estate -- in any market

Real estate -- whether in a boom or a bust economy -- is still a good investment, but only if you make smart and patient choices. There is a lot of confusing information out there, and many people find it increasingly difficult to navigate the ever-changing world of real estate without losing their shirts, or their minds. In Clark Smart Real Estate, talk show host and bestselling author Clark Howard presents the best of his experience as a consumer advocate. In his simple and clear style, he shows readers how they can build wealth slowly over time through real estate, and how they can capitalize on -- and protect themselves from -- the real estate market’s many fluctuations over the long term.

Following his own "save more, spend less, and avoid ripoffs," philosophy, Howard encourages people to get "Clark Smart" and lays out practical and information-packed answers to common questions anyone interested in real estate might have about buying, selling, or financing. When should you buy your first home? Is it better to purchase a preexisting house or one newly built? What are some hidden closing costs, and how can you avoid them? Should you sell your home yourself? How does one shop for a mortgage? What are the costs of refinancing?

Sound advice in a handy format -- this is what Clark Howard’s readers have been waiting for, and it’s just in time to help the multitudes flummoxed by today’s conflicting real estate market.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (April 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140130785X
• ISBN-13: 978-1401307851
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #340,071 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful book, July 19, 2007

By	C. Ender - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found that this book offers clear and concise tips for many areas pertaining to real estate. We are considering selling our home and I have gained some great pointers that I would not have thought of on my own. This book has the same "Clark-smartness" that comes across on his radio show and other books. Highly recommend.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Real Estate, June 5, 2008

By	Evette M. Matthews "Outside The Box" (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: CLARK SMART REAL ESTATE: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BUYING AND SELLING REAL ESTATE (Paperback)

Book was a good primer; brief and general, but I wanted more specifics in certain areas; overall, it's a good reference book to keep on your shelf for a quick refresher.

5.0 out of 5 stars Clark Smart Real Estate, August 10, 2008

By	Matthew R. Winship (Glennville,ga) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a rookie in real estate investing I learned alot from this book. Clark Howard's writing style is easy to read and understand.