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The 106 Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make (And How to Avoid Them) (Paperback)

~ Gary W., Ph.D. Eldred (Author) "Thinking about buying a home?..." (more)
Key Phrases: housing cost ratio, home finance plan, escrow allowance, United States, Freddie Mac, San Francisco (more...)

4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (47 customer reviews)

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Kindle Edition $9.99 Available for download now. Published March 31, 1994	Kindle Edition, March 31, 1994	$9.99	--	--
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This reader-friendly guide to side-stepping the pitfalls awaiting the first-time home buyer presents the most common mistakes make by home buyers in an easy-to-follow, self-contained format that includes an illustration of the mistake, lesson to be learned, and, when appropriate, preventive techniques.

From the Publisher

Based upon scores of interviews with real estate agents, home builders, mortgage lenders and recent homebuyers, this user-friendly book guarantees a smooth and successful home purchasing experience by demonstrating the mistakes made by others. Each mistake is self-contained and includes a lesson, illustration and, when appropriate, a preventative technique.

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Product Details

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc (March 1994)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 047131191X
ISBN-13: 978-0471311911
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces

Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (47 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,781,527 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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› Visit Amazon's Gary W. Eldred Page

Inside This Book (learn more)
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First Sentence:
Thinking about buying a home? Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
housing cost ratio, home finance plan, escrow allowance, growing home equity, comp houses, loan rep, many homebuyers, loan advisor, qualifying ratios, credit repositories, seller concessions, realty agent, comp sales, preapproval letter, most mortgage lenders, outstanding mortgage balance, fiscal fitness, total debt ratio, automated underwriting, loan status, potential homebuyers, home prices, rent credits, accessory apartment, possession date

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Freddie Mac, San Francisco, Swampy River, Fannie Mae, Hidden Valley, New York, San Diego, British Columbia, Fox Realty, New England, South Carolina, Southern California, Annual Home Appreciation Years of Ownership, Christine Estep, Department of Veterans Affairs, Florida Avenue, Hoosier Realty, Miami Herald, Pickens County, Point Grey, River View, Troy Woods, Years Today's Monthly Rent

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 9 books:

Dress for Less by Candy Barrie on page 276
Acres of Diamonds by R. H. Conwell on page 93
The Coming Real Estate Crash by Gray Emerson Cardiff on page 42
Bleak House (Penguin Classics) by Charles Dickens on page 168
Everything You Know About Money Is Wrong by Karen Ramsey on page 40

See all 9 books this book cites

Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Mortgages For Dummies, 2nd Edition by Ray Brown

Discusses:

Investing in Real Estate, 5th Edition by Gary W. Eldred

Discusses:

Home Buying for Dummies by Ray Brown

Discusses:

The 106 Mortgage Secrets All Homebuyers Must Learn--But Lenders Don't Tell by Gary W. Eldred

Discusses:

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	49% buy the item featured on this page: The 106 Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make (And How to Avoid Them) 4.1 out of 5 stars (47)
	16% buy Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home (book with CD-Rom & Audio) 4.4 out of 5 stars (16) $16.49
	14% buy Home Buying For Dummies, 4th Edition 3.8 out of 5 stars (6) $14.95
	11% buy 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask: With Answers from Top Brokers from Around the Country 4.5 out of 5 stars (53) $13.57

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Customer Reviews

47 Reviews

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

Average Customer Review

4.1 out of 5 stars (47 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth its weight in platinum, January 28, 2001

By	Robby (Amherst, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 106 Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make (& How to Avoid Them), 2nd Edition (Paperback)

Having read a pile of homebuying books, I would rate this one tops for six reasons:(1) The author clearly knows what he is talking about from experience--unlike too many authors who are primarily journalist or biased real estate agents.(2) It's easy and fun to read. (3) It gives dozens of ways to buy with little or even nothing down. (4) It reveals scams and tricks that real estate and mortgage "profesionals" use to fleece the unknowing. (5)The author knows real estate across the country--not just in California or other specific locales(i.e., too many HB books are written by writers who don't seem to know that Chicago or San Francisco aren't the areas where most people are buying). (6)Unbelivebly, the author lists his telephone number and email in the book so as to invite comments and questions. I queried and he called and talked 20 minutes to adress my concerns. And no, he didn't charge me or try to sell me any more books and tapes.

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48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars By far the best, October 17, 2000

By	jay nolan (Tacoma, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 106 Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make (& How to Avoid Them), 2nd Edition (Paperback)

Having spent several hours in B&N reading through the many different books on homebuying, we bought this one and Dummies. 106 Mistakes turned out to be the best by far. It gave us far more concrete examples concerning everything from mortgages to inspection to homeowner associations. In addition, it really helped us understand how to evaluate the appraisal as wellas the investment potential of the homes and neighborhoods we were considering. Eldred's experience and expertise seems to stand head and shoulders above the others. Plus, this book is the most entertaining to read. Don't look for a home without it.

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55 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The great equalizer plus fun to read, April 22, 2000

By	Phil Locke (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 106 Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make (& How to Avoid Them), 2nd Edition (Paperback)

Great book, fun to read. Really gives you the inside info to make sure your realtor, mortgage lender, and lawyer aren't taking you for a ride. I read four books on homebuying (Dummies, 100 Questions, Tips and Traps) and got more down-to-earth practical advice from 106 Mistakes than all the others combined. If you like real life examples instead of vague generalities, you'll find that this book delivers the advice you need. At least it did for us!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Seriously Out-of-date
This is one of those people who should have to eat every copy of their book sold. Most of the first few reasons detail why buying is better than renting (not always true; us... Read more

Published 16 months ago by M. Watkins

4.0 out of 5 stars Some good tips
This was great for tips. The book was not 100% applicable to our situation and at times was a bit repetetive. But overall it was a good buy and was informative.

Published 16 months ago by Mama Smo

3.0 out of 5 stars Be careful about "expert" advice.
I haven't finished the book, yet, but I quickly noticed how this author, along with other real estate "experts", sees himself as an advocate of an active real estate market. Read more

Published 19 months ago by Jason Green

1.0 out of 5 stars The 107th common mistake is reading this book
This book is very light on facts and written in surprisingly defensive tone. Also, it is at best lazy and deeply flawed in its analysis of investment returns, and at worst... Read more

Published 21 months ago by Papa Legba

1.0 out of 5 stars Common? *NOT*
If you need motivational material, this is for you. This is written for someone who is dragging their feet and does not want to buy a home. Read more

Published on May 24, 2007 by Marcus A. Hawkins

4.0 out of 5 stars Good so far
I started out with Home Buying for dummies which read more like a text and got me discouraged. After being half way through this, I am now more confident and am considering a... Read more

Published on February 15, 2007 by Charles Keeling

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome information
This book enlightens every home buyer as to ways to get what you want, financing and more

Published on January 9, 2007 by Krystal Dietz

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for homebuyers
I bought this book for my son who wants to invest in property. He says it is full of useful information.

Published on March 22, 2006 by B. Metrock

1.0 out of 5 stars There are better...
I read Eric Tyson's book and the best book on the market, 100 questions every first-time home buyer should ask...Both books were above average and superb, respectively. Read more

Published on March 12, 2006 by Nothing new

5.0 out of 5 stars If your a first time home buyer this is a must
I was totally new at buying a home. We rented for 14 years, one of the worse mistakes in my life. This book helped me tremendously to understand what buying a house entailed, how... Read more

Published on August 7, 2004 by R. Neary

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