One third of all homes sold today are condos, co-ops, or townhouses. Now a real estate expert shows what to watch for when buying one of them.

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

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.

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

Expert advice for an exciting (but complicated) process.

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

A comprehensive guide to protecting--and increasing-- home investment value The latest in the hugely popular Tips and Traps series, Tips and Traps for New Home Owners contains all the information you need to move in, financially operate, and successfully maintain your first home. From financial record keeping and obtaining insurance to surviving the move-in and ensuring home value, real estate expert Robert Irwin provides practical, real-world advice that: Shows ways to maximize investment expenditures, including minimizing taxes, timing refinancing, and more Outlines ways to avoid home ownership pratfalls, from a thorough premove checklist to an annual maintenance schedule Offers expert guidance in home improvement and modernizing for every part of the house Explains how to evaluate a homes current value and future price