Customer Reviews

Not One Dollar More!: How to Save $3,000 to $30,000 Buying Your Next Home : A Plain English Guide

5 star:		(15)
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3 star:		(3)
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I was looking for a book to help me buy a house. The book lists several common sense approaches to negotiations like don't appear urgent, the real estate agent is on the sellers side, don't cave in to pressure from your agent, never let people know you like the house, set a low price and stick to it and there is a lot of pressure on the seller if they have the home on the market. Then it proceeds to illustrate these points with several examples. It also goes over the basics of mortgages.

After reading the first few chapters, the rest of the book is just repeating the same theme. It could have been much shorter. There are some good points, but most of those points are common sense points that should be a revelation only to the most naive reader.

I never would have even tried bidding on the house I eventually bought, it was so far out of my range. This book made me give it a try, and I negotiated down a whopping $50,000 less than the asking price. I'm not a natural bargainer, but the book showed me how to conduct myself from first walk through to signing.

My first impression in reading this book was one of amazement, that it took me 38 YEARS being in business to learn what's between the covers of this little gem. No telling where I'd be today if I'd bought this book 38 uears ago. GET IT, READ IT, AND LIVE IT, you may well find yourself 38 years ahead in life.

There I was ready to bid my hard earned money away like crazy, ignoring the signs being given off by the seller+agent; and then I found this book. It taught me a number of vital lessons in negotiating a good house price -- 1/Shut up!- the power of silence and perceived dis-interest 2/ Patience - all good things come to those who wait 3/ You, a genuine buyer, are absolute gold dust to a seller and their agent - leverage that power 4/ there isn't "another buyer" - you're it! and no, it won't be "stolen out from under your nose" Best $15 I've spent in many a day -- now all I need to do now is make sure they agree to my price and close!!

As a first time buyer myself I am very pleased I picked up this book. It really gives you the insight of the whole real estate process. It will also provide some excellent lessons learned from someone who knows the industry!

I bought this book four years ago when I was shopping for my first house. I got fed up with my realtor and decided I didn't need one, as long as I could handle the negotiations myself. So I turned to this book.

The book is geared toward using a realtor or buying agent, but I found everything was just as applicable if used "going it alone." Especially some of the resources listed in the back for comps, etc. It's a very easy book to read and it doesn't try to make you a slick rapid-fire negotiator. It teaches you very simple yet effective techniques that may be common sense to some other readers, but they weren't to me. Admittedly, Cummins is repetitive in his messages, but I think the repetition serves to firmly ingrain the techniques in your mind so when you do actually get in front of the seller/realtor, you don't let your emotions get the best of you.

As a result of what I learned from this book (and also by not using a realtor), I saved $25K on a $185K house. I also used the techniques in negotiations during a car purchase and during salary negotiations for a new job. Best 17 bucks I ever spent.

Now I'm starting to look for my second house, so I'm re-reading the book (and going without a realtor again). I'm holding onto the first house as a rental, but I hope that if I ever have to sell, it's not to a buyer who's read this book!

As a trainer for new agents in the Real Estate business, I am using the chapters on negotiating to help them learn how to help their clients negotiate the best deal. Negotiating does not come naturally for most people and these chapters will help almost everyone. I am buying it a second time because one of my agents liked it so much they wouldn't give it back to me! All buyers should also read this book. An educated buyer working with a buyer's agent is the best way to buy real estate in the United States today!

This book is a very easy and entertaining read that is extremely useful for understanding how real estate agents work, how to deal with them and how to negotiate. Although specifically aimed at home buying, the principles can be extended to almost anything. The principles are frequently repeated but are usually expanded upon with more detail or anecdotes.

The book is not just general principles. It shows you how to apply the specific principles through talk and action. For example, you might say "X" to the seller if the seller raises objection "Y".

The book is educational and the principles learned will inspire confidence -- the confidence that you will not overpay for your home.

"Not a dollar more" provides a unique perspective on homebuying. This text provides insight into the roles - and motivations - of the many individuals involved in a real estate transaction. Empowers the potential homebuyer to select, negotiate and buy (or reject!) a home on YOUR terms.

All hyperbole aside, this book saved me six figures on my home purchase. I cannot encourage you enough to read this book before beginning your home search.