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.)

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.

Now updated — America's #1 bestselling home-buying book! Want to buy a house, but concerned about the market? Have no fear — this trusted guide arms you with Eric Tyson and Ray Brown's time-tested advice and updated strategies for buying a home in current market conditions. You'll discover how to find the right property, make smart financial decisions, and understand the latest lending requirements and tax implications. New to this edition — new and expanded coverage to help homebuyers take advantage of low home prices, understand the subprime mortgage crisis, obtain a mortgage, and improve credit scores To buy or not to buy? — weigh the advantages of owning versus renting, get your finances in order, and know how much house you can safely afford Handle financing — understand your credit rating, navigate the different types of mortgages, and complete all paperwork Play the real estate game — find the right location and property, assemble an all-star real estate team, and make the most of the Internet's real estate resources Let's make a deal — negotiate with finesse, make successful offers, inspect and protect your new home, and cover all your bases in escrow "Invaluable information, especially for the first-time home buyer." —Fort Worth Star-Telegram "A reference you'll turn to time after time." —St. Petersburg Times Open the book and find: Reasons why home prices rise and fall Hands-on instruction for buying a home in up or down markets How to pay the price you want The best mortgage options A sample home-buying contract Pros and cons of comparable market analysis Tips for overcoming mortgage and appraisal problems How to cope with buyer's remorse The best real estate Web sites

Negotiate a great price Find your best mortgage Discover applications and checklists online Get the Best Deal on Your New Home! When it comes to buying a home, it's hard to know where to begin. You want to buy at a fair price at the right time—not always easy in a fast-changing market. The updated Home Buying Kit has all you need: strategies to secure the optimal deal, the ins and outs of home financing, how to evaluate rent vs. buy, and the latest on regulations around mortgage interest and property tax. Whether a first-time buyer or veteran homeowner, this book will help you make the smart decisions that move you into your dream home in no time! Inside... Get your finances in order Improve your credit score Choose the right mortgage Build your real estate team Maximize your financial health Inspect and protect your home Understand and minimize closing costs

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!

"What every first-time homebuyer needs to know... this easy-to-read guide efficiently answers all the questions every first-time homebuyer should ask: How to start the home buying process; how long does the home buying process take; home much home can you afford; how to compare mortgages; why first-time home buyers should use a realtor and need a real estate attorney; how to make and negotiate your offer and much more." from the back cover.