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Nolo's essential guide to buying your first home

Call Number

  • 643.12 B8271 2025 (CEN, OSH)

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Edition

9th edition.

Publication Information

El Segundo, CA : Nolo, 2025.

Physical Description

462 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Summary

"This book provides everything the first-time home buyer needs to: research the local market and listings; choose a house, condo, co-op or townhouse; create a realistic budget; qualify for an affordable loan; borrow a down payment from friends or family; get protection with inspections and insurance; and negotiate and close the deal successfully. This book includes insights from numerous real estate professionals-agents, attorneys, mortgage specialists, a home inspector, and more. Also included are the real-life stories from more than 20 first-time homebuyers"--

Notes

Includes index.

Previous edition: 2022.

Contents

  • What's so great about buying a house?
  • What do you want? Figuring out your homebuying needs
  • Does this mean I have to balance my checkbook? Figuring out what you can afford
  • Stepping out: what's on the market and at what price
  • Select your players: the real estate team
  • Bring home the bacon: getting a mortgage
  • Mom and Dad? The seller? Uncle Sam? Loan alternatives
  • I love it! It's perfect! Looking for the right house
  • Plan B: fixer-uppers, FSBOs, foreclosures, and more
  • Show them the money: from offer to purchase agreement
  • Toward the finish line: tasks before closing
  • Send in the big guns: professional property inspectors
  • Who's got you back? Homeowner's insurance and home warranties
  • Seal the deal: finalizing your homebuying dreams.

Added Authors

Ann O'Connell