The Home Buyer's Advisor: A Handbook for First-Time Buyers and Second-Home Investors

INTRODUCTION.

PART I: THE PRELIMINARIES.

CHAPTER 1: Why Buying a Home Is a Great Investment.

CHAPTER 2: Basic Guidelines for Successful Home Buying.

PART II: FINANCE 101—HOW TO GET THE MONEY YOU NEED.

CHAPTER 3: The Mortgage Alternatives.

CHAPTER 4: Getting Financing.

PART III: CHOOSING THE IDEAL HOUSE.

CHAPTER 5: Which House Is Right for You?

CHAPTER 6: The Resale House.

CHAPTER 7: Other Home Choices.

PART IV: TEAM MEMBERS, GUIDELINES, AND VALUATION.

CHAPTER 8: Selecting Your Real Estate Team.

CHAPTER 9: Key Guidelines to Making a Superior Investment.

CHAPTER 10: Appraisal—How to Determine Value.

PART V: THE SOURCES.

CHAPTER 11: Where to Find Your Diamond in the Rough.

CHAPTER 12: How to Buy Foreclosures.

CHAPTER 13: How to Buy HUD Homes and VA Repossessions.

PART VI: THE MIDDLE GAME.

CHAPTER 14: How to Negotiate a Winning Deal.

CHAPTER 15: Protecting Your Home.

CHAPTER 16: The Closing and Escrow.

CHAPTER 17: Wise Things to Do after You Buy.

CHAPTER 18: Fixing Up the Fixer-Upper.

PART VII: THE END GAME.

CHAPTER 19: Profitable Holding Strategies.

CHAPTER 20: Property Management.

CHAPTER 21: Selling Your Property.

CHAPTER 22: Pay Less Tax.

CHAPTER 23: Advanced Investment Strategies: Your Second Property, and Beyond.

APPENDIX A: USEFUL FORMS.

APPENDIX B: WEB SITES.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

INDEX.