How to Buy a House in California (How to Buy a House in California, 8th ed) [Paperback]

Ralph E. Warner (Author), Ira Serkes (Author), George Devine (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0873378105 | ISBN-13: 978-0873378109 | Publication Date: August 2002 | Edition: 8th

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 and earthquake hazards

*juggle buying and selling houses simultaneously

*successfully go through escrow

The completely overhauled 8th edition provides all-new information and strategies, including innovative ways to reduce broker fees, buying a home in a cold market and new mold disclosure requirements. It also discusses mortgage lenders' obsession with credit scores, the best kinds of mortgages, updated eligibility rules and figures for government-assisted loans and much more.

Home buyers beyond California: Even though this book provides state-specific forms and information for Californians, most of the material in it can help home buyers in the other 49 states as well. Don't buy a house without it!

Editorial Reviews

Review

A valuable resource for California homebuyers and real estate professionals throughout its many editions. -- Laurie BrianSan Francisco Chronicle

Invest in this book...it is virtually impossible to think of anything they left out. -- Robert Bruss, syndicated real estate columnist

One of the most detailed real estate books you will ever read...filled with practical advice... -- Los Angeles Times

About the Author

George Devine is a licensed real estate broker and a widely respected educator in the real estate field. He holds a B.A. from the University of San Francisco, and an M.A. from Marquette University, and has pursued additional studies at San Francisco State University, Seton Hall University and other academic shrines. Currently, he teaches real estate at the McLaren School of Business at the University of San Francisco, where he was named the Outstanding Adjunct Professor in 1991. For several years, George wrote the popular "Real Estate Handbook" column in the weekly Real Estate Guide section of the San Francisco Progress. He is the author of For Sale By Owner and co-author of How to Buy a House in California.He and his wife, Carol, represent Berkeley, Albany, Kensington, El Cerrito and other East Bay home buyers and sellers, and offer nationwide referrals to other buyer brokers. Both Ira and Carol have been awarded the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation by the National Association of Realtors. This is the highest professional designation of residential specialty in the industry. Co-author of How to Buy a House in California, Ira is also an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), one of only 4,000 in the United States.

Ralph Warner is a co-founder and e-publisher of Nolo.com and one of the pioneers of the self-help law movement. A graduate of Princeton University and the Boalt School of Law (U.C. Berkeley), he is the author of many books and articles aimed at making our legal system more accessible and democratic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Nolo; 8th edition (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873378105
• ISBN-13: 978-0873378109
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,904,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)