Tips and Traps When Buying A Home (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Has it been a while since you bought a home?..." (more)
Key Phrases: terrible offer, home protection plan, secondary lenders, Inspect the House, Veterans Administration, Federal Housing Administration (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Here's a book that's so packed with sound, practical advice for home owners, I kept saying to myself "I wish I had written that!" -- Bruss, Robert J., Detroit Free Press, 2/23/97

Product Description

It's the biggest purchase of your life! And it sould also be the biggest mistake...if you attempt it without consulting America's leading real estate advisor. Hundreds of thousands of home buyers have turned to this guide for solid "how-to" advice on this all-important buy. Now real estate veteran Robert Irwin is back with a new edition of his bestselling classic. Do you know the 7 most important tips? The 4 most significant buyer's traps? Is now really the right time to buy? With this book, you'll be the savviest, best-prepared home shopper possible--whether you're seeking a primary or vacation home, condo or co-op, new construction or resale.

Here's inside information on:*How to check out neighborhoods for school quality, crime rates, and future price appreciation. *The latest home inspection rules involving earthquake and hurricane retrofitting, asbestos and lead removal; and radon detection. *New warranties implied in purchase contracts. *Each step of the home-buying process, including assessing market conditions, house-hunting, dealing with agents and attorneys, negotiating, conducting inspections, getting the best financing, even saving on closing costs!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 238 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2nd edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070328846
• ISBN-13: 978-0070328846
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #947,829 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, Quick Read, April 6, 2000

By	slider "slider" (NY) - See all my reviews

Page per page this book probably has more useful information in it then any other real estate book I've read to date.Useful, practical and applicable, the information contained inside can be used for a myriad of areas that you will be involved in when buying your home. The section on "How to Buy a Home" and "How to Make a Low Offer the Seller Will Accept" is worth the price of the book. It is a VERY quick read. Mr Irwin's style is such that you can pick up the meat of what he wants to say in a few sentences or a quick paragraph or two. I bought it a few days ago and I am 80% finished. It'll be done by the time you allread this review.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, December 7, 1999

By	Robert M. Gary (California) - See all my reviews

Rather than focusing on the mechanical details of buying a house that you can get anywhere, this book gives you practical knowledge you need. Information about how agents may try to trick you, loan fees that are bogus, how to get sellers excited about your offer, etc.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Plenty of great information and advice, December 8, 2004

By	Larry (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tips and Traps When Buying a Home (Paperback)

I disagree with the people here who criticize this book for being about "buy low, sell high" and investment purposes. I have a feeling that these people are referring to some of Robert Irwin's other books aimed at real estate moguls in training; however, I took this book as being aimed at people who want to buy the house to actually live in it and to have a home of their own.

I used this book prior to buying my home and took much of the advice to heart. I interviewed several buyer's agents until I found one I liked and trusted, something that is spoken about in the book clearly. I also got some great advice from the finance sections that kept me from paying PMI and helped deal with the mortgage broker.

I bought this book for some friends who were looking at buying a house and it helped them when one deal went sour. I also loaned my copy to two friends shortly before they bought their houses... of course they didn't read it and got screwed on several points (mainly during inspection and negotiation). Oh well... you can lead a horse to water...

Buy and read this book if you're interested in looking for a house. It's well worth it.