Steer clear of money pits and target the top properties in this hot investment sector! Condos, co-ops, and townhouses account for more than one-third of real estate sales in the United States. Fully updated to address the many changes that have occurred in the market since the first edition, Tips & Traps When Buying a Condo, Co-Op, or Townhouse, Second Edition, covers all the bases to help you navigate the process of buying into a shared-ownership development.
One third of all homes sold today are condos, co-ops, or townhouses. America's #1 real estate expert shows what to watch for when buying one of them. Home ownership is still the American dream, but not everyone follows tradition by buying a detached one-family house. Condos, co-ops, and townhouses are increasingly popular alternatives nationwide. These "shared ownership" options have unique pluses and minuses, as Bob Irwin reveals in Tips & Traps When Buying a Condo, Co-op, or Townhouse. Like other books in his best-selling "Tips & Traps" series, it's packed with targeted, reader-friendly advice. If you're a prospective buyer, Bob Irwin will show you how to: Decide if shared ownership is right for you Read between the lines of bylaws Deal with homeowners associations Check out the seven warning signs of big trouble Handle disclosures and inspections And much more
Robert Irwin is America's #1 real estate expert. But don't take our word for it--the sales figures speak for themselves. To date, his real estate titles have sold more than one and a half million copies. Of all of his books, those in the bestselling "Tips and Traps" series continue to be the most popular(more than 500,000 sold), and two of those--Tips and Traps When Buying a Home and Tips and Traps When Selling a Home--have gone on to become the #1 guides in their respective subjects. In the seven years since those two classics were last revised the real estate market has undergone many dramatic changes. Irwin has updated these bestsellers to reflect these changes so readers can be successful in their real estate endeavors. Featuring fully revised facts and figures that reflect the most recent changes in the real estate market,Tips and Traps When Buying a Home, Third Editionprovides first-time and experienced home buyers alike with practical, step-by-step information on a broad range of proven home buying strategies, along with indispensable advice and guidance on: Buying in an "Up" market "Flipping," buying with "options," bidding wars, and other new facts of life The latest new financing options The new rules of closing costs
Steer clear of money pits and target the top properties in this hot investment sector! Condos, co-ops, and townhouses account for more than one-third of real estate sales in the United States. Fully updated to address the many changes that have occurred in the market since the first edition, Tips & Traps When Buying a Condo, Co-Op, or Townhouse, Second Edition, covers all the bases to help you navigate the process of buying into a shared-ownership development.
Reveals fifty-three power tips for saving money when buying a home, with advice on negotiating price reductions and strategies for a hot or cold market.
Surefire techniques for coming out on top in any real estate deal A great book for anyone who is interested in real estate investing or planning to buy a new home, Tips & Traps When Negotiating Real Estate covers everything from financing and deposits, to better prices versus better terms, to handling brokers and sellers alike. Bestselling real estate guru Bob Irwin breaks down all the common negotiating points by subject, and supplies you with checklists, forms, and boilerplates at every step along the way. You learn how to: Negotiate a lower interest rate with a lender Lower interest rates with seller financing Gain a lower commission from an agent
This is not your parents' retirement. With this book as your guide, you can embark upon an active and often exhilarating retirement in the most fascinating city on the globe.
The inside scoop . . .for when you want more than the official line No matter what your budget and taste, finding the perfect home is a daunting task. How do you even know where to start? Here you'll find the inside scoop on every step of the homebuying process-from calculating your budget to negotiating the deal and handling the closing. The Unofficial Guide to Buying a Home, Second Edition gives savvy consumers like you a foolproof appraisal of which homebuying strategies work and which don't. This updated edition is perfect for first-time homebuyers and includes new information on using the Internet to find your home, buying condos, and utilizing government funding programs. It walks you through the entire homebuying process: from searching for a home, to making an offer, through the inspection, and on to the closing, you can be confident that your investment is sound. The guide also offers expanded coverage of the monetary issues involved in purchasing a home, including new means of determining creditworthiness and new types of available loans, as well as helping you decide how much home you can-and should-purchase. Vital Information that other sources can't or won't reveal-from what really motivates sellers, brokers, loan officers, and other key players in the homebuying game, to how to work most effectively with your agent. Insider Secrets on how to make real estate law work in your favor. Money-Saving Techniques that show you how to take advantage of tax breaks and how to time your search to exploit seasonal variations in the market. Time-Saving Tips on streamlining the homebuying process so you find the home you want as quickly as possible. The Latest Trends in homebuying, including up-to-date tips on using the Internet to find your home, a realtor, or a mortgage. Handy Checklists and Charts to help you determine your budget and stick to it.
The process of selecting a house, making a bid, and getting a mortgage can drive even the sanest adult to near distraction. Where should you buy? How do you put in a bid and get a mortgage? What goes into the inspection, so you catch any problems before the deal is closed? And how should you decorate, landscape, and remodel? From starting the house hunt to drawing up a contract, from locking in a rate to finding a reputable moving company, here's the guide that covers it all. Before you're through, you'll feel sure whether you want a new home or a fixer-upper; how to calculate taxes; whether to hire a real estate lawyer; and what things to watch out for so your fantasy will become wonderful reality.
