How to Buy a House in California [Paperback]

Ralph Warner Attorney (Author), Ira Serkes (Author), George Devine California Real Estate Broker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1413309232 | ISBN-13: 978-1413309232 | Publication Date: January 28, 2009 | Edition: 12

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

The 12th 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. (20080805)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Invest in this book... it is virtually impossible to think of anything they left out because they have anticipated every question home buyers might have. (Robert Bruss 20080809)

"One of the most detailed real estate books you will ever read.... Filled with practical advice..." (Los Angeles Times 20070507)

A valuable resource for California homebuyers and real estate professionals throughout its many editions." (San Francisco Chronicle 20090101)

Invest in this book... it is virtually impossible to think of anything they left out because they have anticipated every question home buyers might have. (Robert Bruss, Syndicated Real Estate Columnist 20090101)

Berkeley-based Nolo, the highly respected do-it-yourself legal publishing company, has an excellent book entitled How To Buy A House In California... [which] has many sections for folks looking to buy a home on a budget... (Tom Vacar KTVU TV 20090101)

One of the most detailed real estate books you will ever read.... Filled with practical advice... (Los Angeles Times 20090101)

Brimming with information on buying a house in California. (Oakland Tribune 20090101)

A valuable resource for California homebuyers and real estate professionals throughout its many editions. (San Francisco Chronicle 20090101)

This book can't be too highly recommended for home buyers and home owners. The best real estate agents will also want to study it, so that they can be of greater service to their clients. (San Francisco Examiner )

A compendium of home-buying information, from choosing your castle to escaping escrow unscathed. (San Jose Mercury News )

Review

"A valuable resource for California homebuyers and real estate professionals throughout its many editions."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: NOLO; 12 edition (January 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413309232
• ISBN-13: 978-1413309232
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #606,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Just ok, February 25, 2010

By 

Mac Convert "Mac Convert" (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Buy a House in California (Paperback)

Just an ok book, talks more about generic items than specific ones. Has a few topics which apply to California, but others are universal. Perhaps something I would browse through but not worth purchasing for long term. Check your local library for a copy and skim through it.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Saver!, November 21, 2009

By 

Laine (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Buy a House in California (Paperback)

This book is worth it's weight in gold! I just protected myself from a bunch of creeps who tried to swindle me into buying a house full of Toxic Mold!

No one in real estate looks out for the buyer. They want your money. Use this book!

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to Buy A House in California, April 29, 2009

By 

Orlie H. White - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Buy a House in California (Paperback)

An encyclopedic gathering of issues and options necessary to buying a house in California. Easy to search and understand. I've never read anything better.