Home Buying for Dummies

Rating:
Summary: Good information
Review: This book had some very good information when I wanted to buy a house. Had good tips and was written in an easy to understand language.

However, I didn't have good enough credit to get a big loan, so I found did a rent to own instead. Good site: www.nkinvestments.com

Nick

Rating:
Summary: I bought my townhouse since i read this book - Period
Review: I got an idea of buying a townhouse, since one day found out that paying rent = mortgage payment(considering tax cuts). So I decided to read a book. I was a really dummy about buying a house. I read this book cover to cover. And my only comment -- "I bought my townhouse since i read this book - Period". If I meet Eric Tyson. I want to thank him personnaly. Now I am reading Investing for dummies by Eric, I find that book excellent. No questions asked.

Rating:
Summary: Half of Your Home-Buying Needs
Review: This book, when coupled with a reliable real-estate agent (and it explains to you how to FIND a reliable one) should meet the needs of most newcomers to the real estate market.

I didn't have the faintest idea of how to buy a home when I purchased this book, and it at least defined for me many new terms I heard winging around (escrow, closing costs, appraisal, closing date, etc.) as well as what role those mysterious qualities would play in the homebuying odyssey and their effect on the outcome. Its explanations were sufficiently simple, yet detailed enough, to meet my needs. It also explained certain factors to consider when buying a dwelling (why certain KINDS of homes might suit some better than others -- which I had never considered in the face of my solidly middle-class upbringing, whether certain homes were actually affordable or mirages of affordability, and what emotions to anticipate and handle maturely during the entire process).

I think the book was worth it. I even lent it to a friend who used it for her own home-buying experience, and she found it to be helpful. Also, I have read through it again when we considered refinancing, wondered if certain home-improvements might be tax deductible, and whether it might be time to consider moving. It's remained a dynamic part of our home library... what further recommendation could I possibly make?

Rating:
Summary: this book helped me tremendously
Review: I needed a basic introduction to the whole concept of buying real estate and this book served this purpose very well. I can recommend to anybody who is at the beginning of their quest to homeownership. Don't get started without reading through the -- for you -- relevant sections. Does it answer all question, I doubt it. Yet, it covers almost any aspect involved. If you are in NYC and shopping for Co-ops you might want to add another book on the specifics of Co-ops, the dummy book is a little thin in that area.

Rating:
Summary: Best Resource Book I Have Ever Read
Review: I bought this book back in 1999 when I was thinking about investing in a townhouse. I took the book to lunch with me everyday - found a quiet place - took out my calculator and gained extreme confidence in my real estate knowledge. I bought my townhouse and then gave a copy of the book to my sister and my boss who found it invaluable.

Four years later, I used the book to sell my townhouse and buy a single family house. This time around - I found the Mortgage Application section the most valuable. Thank you Eric Tyson and Ray Brown! You have been my best friends throughout the very stressful real estate process for years now!

I continue to suggest your book to all my friends and family who are getting into the real estate market now.

Rating:
Summary: Good for getting the mechanics down
Review: This book turned out to be mostly what I was expecting: Very good for getting familiar with the mechanics and logistics of the home-buying process, but hammers away at some obvious points in other areas.

My background in reading this book is that I am buying a condo soon after always renting before. Thus, it was really nice to see how things work: getting an agent, making an offer, doing the inspections, etc. There were also helpful pointers to further resources. A bit too much plugging for other Dummies books, but I guess that's to be expected. The web sites listed near the end were very nice.

My only problem was in slogging through some of the areas where they spend pages making obvious points. Like pointing out that an adjustable rate mortgage may be dangerous because interest rates may go up. Um, we need to be told this?

Overall, though, I liked the book. With this, and some other advice and references from family and friends, I feel like I'm really on top of the process.

Rating:
Summary: VERY HELPFUL!
Review: As first time homebuyers, you can imagine our nervousness in even looking at homes. This was the best resource we used. Chapters were easy to read. The authors did not dumb down the information, yet they explain everything clearly. It helped guide us to buy an excellent home.

Rating:
Summary: Not truly complete....
Review: I have a hard time knowing how truly complete this book is. The fact that VA Home Loans and FHA Home Loans are not covered (things that apply to millions of buyers) makesme think there is probably much more missing. Too bad the last book I used is out of print.

Rating:
Summary: Well written. Well Organized.
Review: I just don't think that you can find a better book on home buying. I've read a few other books by Eric Tyson, and he's always been true to form. He gives a thorough, systematic approach to buying a home, unlike some of the other home buying books. I've read "Tips and Traps when buying a home" and thumbed through "The 106 Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make" (all of these books, obviously, cover a lot of the same ground).
"Tips and Traps" and "106 Common Mistakes" are good books too, but I believe that you really only need "Home Buying for Dummies".

Rating:
Summary: Great Reference!
Review: This book has been very helpful for learning about the home buying process and wading through all the information about mortgages, points, etc. I highly reccommend this book for anyone considering the purchase of a home. This book has plain, easy to understand descriptions that will make you a more informed consumer.