This must-have interactive resource guides readers through the complicated process of buying a home and helps them stay organized as they make one of the biggest financial commitments of their lives. Designed to cut out the chaos, this user-friendly book helps consumers ask the right questions, make well-thought-out decisions, and avoid costly mistakes while enabling them to keep important information at their fingertips. Through checklists, worksheets, and succinct bulleted text for quick reference, this unique organizer covers everything from finances and house hunting to closing the deal and making the move. What’s more, it’s packed with special features, including numerous tabbed dividers with pockets for storing related papers by subject and a PVC business- card holder for keeping contact information at the ready.
This handbook details the steps the shopper must follow when buying a manufactured home. It offers advice on choosing a dealership, negotiating with sales people, understanding mortgage options, avoiding common trouble spots in setup and delivery, and customizing the new home. Included as an appendix are the addresses of the state agencies dealing with consumer concerns about manufactured housing.
From the most trusted name in real estate, a new and fully updated edition of the indispensable guide that helps first-time buyers land the home of their dreams What does "location, location, location" really mean? How do I decide what to offer on a house? What exactly is the closing? Buying a home is one of the most important decisions in any person's life. It will be the place where you plant your roots, come home after a long day, raise a family, or make a successful investment. But how, with everything from student loans and an uncertain marketplace stacked against you, do you get to that idyllic future? In 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask, Ilyce Glink, one of the most trusted names in real estate, answers all of your questions about home buying--and some you didn't know you had--and takes you on a personal journey from open houses to moving day. Weaving together advice from top brokers around the country with illustrative stories and her own unparalleled expertise, 100 Questions is a one-stop shop to getting the home of your dreams.
Did you know that over 50% of mortgages don't close? Do you know how much home you can buy? Do you know how much paperwork in involved? Most people don't know how much home purchasing power they have, how much to expect for closing costs (varies by state), or how much paperwork is involved when applying for a home loan. Most people have no idea the difference between loan programs from bank to bank, lender to lender, or broker to broker- or what the differences are between the main types of residential mortgage providers. Most people have no criteria for choosing a lender, the type of loan to seek, or how much down payment is best for them. For example, are there differences between the types of property that may affect down payment? The mortgage industry is packed with nuance, which can lead to confusion for the consumer. While trying to buy a home, you may have people from many different professions telling you what you should do and how to make decisions-who should you listen to in which situations? Your most personal financial information is critical to the mortgage process and yet do you know who you are sending it to? What about mortgage insurance? Why is it required and when? The two questions I most often hear are: "What's the payment?" and, "What's the interest rate?" While these questions are important, there are several other questions that are just as critical: what is the right loan type for me; is there an up-front funding fee for this loan; what are the differences in available mortgage insurance; how will property type restrictions affect my loan; what are the pros and cons of this loan; what is the down payment requirement with this loan choice over another; what are the closing costs associated with each loan type; and, who is allowed to pay the closing costs? Successfully navigating the maze of questions, regulations, and requirements ultimately leads to a mortgage closing. Through over ten years of experience, thousands of clients, hundreds of Realtor and builder transactions (time line constraint purchases), and, as a licensed loan originator in 9 states and the District of Columbia, I have developed a wealth of knowledge about regulations and requirements. My commitment to client service and caring about their home buying experience has driven my passion for the individual personal experience in the mortgage industry and how the regulations and requirements affect real people in real time. With this book I'm privileged and excited to share my knowledge and experience with you. After reading this book, you will have an understanding of the big corporations that loan money to homebuyers, what other options you have and how to navigate government regulations and requirements to your advantage. I feel that an educated consumer is my best customer and I am happy to share these mortgage tools and tips with you in the hopes that you educate yourself and find the best mortgage and the mortgage professional that is right for you. In addition, I want you to know what to expect, what to ask, and, who to ask to get the answers you want and to understand what those answers really mean. With each chapter I will guide you through the mortgage process, from choosing between different loan types, to understanding the difference between a Good Faith Estimate and an Itemized Fee Worksheet, to the necessity of submitting certain documents in a particular method, and finally how to enter Closing Day stress-free and knowing that you have gotten the mortgage that makes the most financial sense for your future. The goal is to help you get the best mortgage possible for your individual needs and get to closing on time, stress free!
Many young people aspire to own their own home but face a myriad of challenges such as high property prices, the need to raise a large deposit, and difficulties of getting a mortgage. The process of buying a property is also stressful, fraught with complexity and uncertainty, and a mistake can prove very costly. This book therefore provides a much-needed step-by-step guide to help those seeking to buy a property for the first time. Packed with helpful and practical tips, this book gives a complete overview of the house-buying process, including finance, legal and property aspects. The authors discuss a wide range of topics, including: creating the right mindset the pros and cons of home ownership how to choose a suitable property how to save for a deposit how to negotiate for a better price how to get a mortgage the steps in the house-buying process how to ensure that mortgage payments can always be met The book is written by experienced property buyers who have bought multiple properties, who have worked as a mortgage adviser and financial planner and who understand personal finance. It will be essential reading for undergraduate students in the field of accounting and finance and will also appeal to the general public, particularly those seeking to buy a property for the first time. After reading the book, readers will be able to map out a plan to buy their first property with greater confidence and make a better and more informed decision that will bring financial rewards.
THE FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER BOOK will help make the largest purchase of your life as simple as possible. Buying a home today can be like break-dancing in a minefield - one wrong move, and the whole thing can blow up in your face! After reading this book, you will be able to grace your way into your first home without the risk of everything going to pieces. Coming from the standpoint of a Professional Realtor that works everyday with first time homebuyers, this book provides an accurate and realistic account to give you the best perspective as you embark down the path of homeownership. This is not a dummy-book! This book is filled with real world accounts of great examples of what to do and what not to do. This book will guide you through each and every step of the homebuying process, from the minute you decide on buying a home all the way to the close of escrow. The process is part of the adventure! This is the largest purchase of your life, and a good education will reduce stress and make the process fun, exciting and successful! MICHAEL WOLF is a Realtor, GRI and author and currently practices real estate in the San Diego area. His background is in Architecture and Economics. He studied for his Masters in Architecture at the New School of Architecture and Design in Downtown San Diego, and received his Bachelors in economics at the University of California at Santa Cruz. He has been practicing real estate as his professional career since 2005 and has been recognized with several production and sales distinctions. He is part of Ascent Real Estate, a widely respected and highly successful brokerage that specializes in the metro area of San Diego.
Buying a home should be fun and easy. You'll start with a ton of questions-inside this book are the answers! What you'll learn: How to increase your chances of getting a mortgage How to determine property values The difference between a Foreclosure, a Short Sale, and an REO All about home inspections, title search, closing costs and more!
100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should, Ask is a wealth of information for first-timers, including: -- How do I know if my broker is doing a good job?* (See question #15.)-- How do I decide what to offer for the home? (See question #26.)-- How does the negotiation process work? (See question #34.)-- How do I choose the right lender for me? (See question #54.)-- How much down payment will I need to buy my home? (See question #59.)-- What are the different types of mortgages available? (See question #73.)-- What if I'm rejected for my loan? (See question #84.)-- What exactly is the closing? (See question #87.)-- Will I need homeowner's insurance? What should it cover? (See question #91.)
The procedure of buying a home can be a scary experience. There are a lot of people to deal with, from a Realtor to attorneys to bankers. There's tons of paperwork with terms and vocabulary that read like a foreign language. In this new book you will find vital information and great strategies that will allow you to find your dream home faster and feel confident about the purchase. You will learn to avoid some of the most prevalent - and potentially dangerous and expensive - mistakes made by first-time home buyers. According to Money Magazine, Over the past five years, home values nationally have risen 65 percent while the stock market has fallen. Now is the time to get into the real estate marketplace. With the help of this comprehensive new guide, you will learn how to find the best opportunities, negotiating, financing, budgets, needs and wants, credit reports, home-buying timeline, the process of building a house, manufactured homes, real estate and mortgage glossaries, setting values, home warranties, homeowners insurance, creative financing, buying with little or no money down, closing, moving plans, walkthroughs, closing and settlement inspections, legal contracts, mortgages, what you can afford, deciding which neighborhood to choose, hiring a realtor, which government agencies can help, considerations for veterans, IRA use, hiring an attorney, the offer, calculating monthly payments, and escrow. This comprehensive resource contains a wealth of modern tips and strategies for financing and closing on a property. The author shows readers how to find out how much they're really worth, how to uncover unknown assets, and how to enhance credit ratings within six months, provides information and suggestions on everything from no-down-payment mortgages to finding the right agent. It leads you down the path to home ownership, one step at a time. Though you may be relatively cash-poor or have a less-than-perfect credit rating, you can acquire a mortgage and find the house you've always wanted. The companion CD-ROM is included with the print version of this book; however is not available for download with the electronic version. It may be obtained separately by contacting Atlantic Publishing Group at [email protected] Atlantic Publishing is a small, independent publishing company based in Ocala, Florida. Founded over twenty years ago in the company president's garage, Atlantic Publishing has grown to become a renowned resource for non-fiction books. Today, over 450 titles are in print covering subjects such as small business, healthy living, management, finance, careers, and real estate. Atlantic Publishing prides itself on producing award winning, high-quality manuals that give readers up-to-date, pertinent information, real-world examples, and case studies with expert advice. Every book has resources, contact information, and web sites of the products or companies discussed.
