Owning a home can be one of the most satisfying experiences; buying a home can be one of the worst. It’s not just first time homebuyers who need advice and assistance, we all do. Buying a Home: The Missing Manual is an essential tool for the prospective home owner.
Every homebuyer can benefit from the tidy organization and detailed information offered in Buying a Home: The Missing Manual. Starting with the pros and cons of home-ownership, it helps determine if buying a house is the right step for you. Financial considerations are dealt with before discussing what kind of home and neighborhood you might want. Illustrations of house styles, window styles, and other accouterments help decipher the gobbledy-gook found in many real estate advertisements.
If a buyer is going to purchase a house through a real estate agent, it’s important to find the right agent. A wonderful real estate agent is not always wonderful for everyone; buyers should assess their needs and find an agent who caters to them. Buying a Home: The Missing Manual helps buyers determine what their needs are, what they should look for in an agent, and how to assemble a real estate team.
Make no mistake — home-buying is definitely a team effort. A real estate agent may recommend some team members, others must be found by the buyers. The most important thing is to be an educated buyer; familiarizing yourself with the information in Buying a Home: The Missing Manual will go a long way toward achieving that goal.
Buyers who are interested in FSBO homes ("for sale by owner") will find help in going that route, as well. They will learn the advantages and disadvantages and what they need to do to protect their own interests.
House shopping can be fun or it can be a nightmare. Being armed with good tips is one way to lean more toward the fun side. One such tip? Bring a digital camera with you when you look at houses. After looking at six houses, when you try to remember which one had which features, it all becomes a blur. Rather than being frustrated, the buyer can review photos and remember exactly what they saw and where it was. Another great tip is if you want something, ask for it.
Article comments
1 - Chuck
Sometimes a book fits a need so perfectly that you can't help but wonder why no one had written it before. Anyone who is in the market for a new home can benefit from this book. It takes much of the intimidation and uncertainty out of a major life decision.