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Tips and Traps When Buying A Home [Paperback]

Robert Irwin (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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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!

See all Editorial Reviews

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 Bestsellers Rank: #844,095 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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More About the Author

Robert Irwin
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:
Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Has it been a while since you bought a home? Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
terrible offer, home protection plan, secondary lenders, maximum mortgage, dual agent, contingency clause, teaser rate, active office, closing costs, sales agreement, negative amortization, hot market, vacation property
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Inspect the House, Veterans Administration, Federal Housing Administration, Good Alternative, New Tips
New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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This book cites 6 books:
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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Tips and Traps When Buying A Home
56% buy the item featured on this page:
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The 106 Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make (and How to Avoid Them)
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The 106 Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make (and How to Avoid Them) by Gary W. Eldred Paperback 4.1 out of 5 stars (51)
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Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home (book with CD-Rom & Audio)
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Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home (book with CD-Rom & Audio) by Ilona Bray J.D. Paperback 4.3 out of 5 stars (19)
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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (4)
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Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, Quick Read, April 6, 2000
This review is from: Tips and Traps When Buying A Home (Paperback)
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.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, December 7, 1999
This review is from: Tips and Traps When Buying A Home (Paperback)
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.
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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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Good tips
This is an overall good resource. It is an almost 20 yr old book (published in 1990!), hence it can't be relied upon today (2009) as the only authoritative source of info before... Read more
Published 11 months ago by S. Kulangara

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to understand
I was pleasantly surprised with how easy this book was to read and understand. I would be interested in reading more of his titles based on my experience.
Published 17 months ago by 1st Time Homebuyer

3.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Irwin, first do your homework
Mr. Irwin states in this book that a real estate agent taking a commission on his own purchase can get sued on the grounds that he is effectively acting as an agent for the... Read more
Published on February 19, 2008 by sierragreen

4.0 out of 5 stars informative, easy to read, slightly flawed
This book is very easy to read, well organized, and contains a LOT of essential information for anyone looking to purchase a home. Read more
Published on August 3, 2007 by S. Flask

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth a read; small investment for some reasonable insights
Not every page is enlightening, but overall builds confidence in the daunting process.
Published on November 9, 2006 by Ludwig P. Schulze

3.0 out of 5 stars details
Found in useful but not vital when buying our NC home. May be more details than you need to worry about.
Published on November 4, 2006 by Just Me

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy your home without it!!!
This is a must have for first time home buyers. Or Even if you have been burned the first time around. This book was very informative and easy to read. Read more
Published on November 5, 2003 by Kimberly

3.0 out of 5 stars cookie cutter advice
This book gives cookie cutter advice without much elaboration for those of us who don't fit into the mold of "20% down, sterling credit" home-buyers. Read more
Published on June 18, 2003

3.0 out of 5 stars Buy low; sell high...
I'm half way though this book and its obvious to me that much of what he suggests is unknowable. Buy when the market is going up. Don't buy on the way down. Read more
Published on April 14, 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Sellers Beware! We are on to you
Excellent Book! A must read! Really goes into detail about what to avoid.
Published on September 28, 2001

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