Rating: 
Summary: Save $200,000
Review: Amazing! If the Domikis' had only read this book, they would have saved themselves $200,000 and several years of litigation stress and anxiety. What am I talking about? The Smart Money article (February 2002), " Raked Over the Coals." Just as I was reading the insurance mistakes in 106 MISTAKES I also thumbed through my latest issue of Smart Money. There featured was a couple who were living examples of how this book can serve as an ounce of prevention against a ton of grief. Thanks to Smart Money and 106 MISTAKES, you will can see that buying a homeowners policy requires far more inquiry than most people give it. I'm convinced: This book can save buyers a lot of money and trouble.
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Summary: Ditto for investors
Review: As an investor in rental houses (four with a goal of ten), I bought this book on the advice (rating) of of another reviewer. I concur. This is a great book for investors. It helped me think through the full process of property and location analysis.Not everything applies, of course. But having made more than a few of the mistakes described, I know that any sensible homebuyer or investor who reads the personal anecdotes and stories ( along with their remedies, naturally) will gain a wealth of valuable insights.Big potential returns for a small investment.
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Summary: Here's the info your agent didn't tell you . . .
Review: As first homebuyers, we made a wise choice when we selected this book. It was very informative and provided insider information that our agent did not tell us. I believe that our buying process was smoother because we were able to anticipate things better since we were better informed.
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Summary: Best book on homebuying(even for pros)
Review: Even though we're experienced homebuyers(4 homes in 22 years), on the advice of a friend we bought this book and one of Eldred's other books. Both were full of information and tips that caused us to investigate our home purchase with far more detail. Having been burned twice in the past, we figured " an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." We were not disappointed. We reccomend this book not only for first-time buyers, but also to "pros" like us who have realized that even serial homebuyers need to pay attention to potential mistakes that are all to easy to make.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but best as an adjunct.
Review: Gary Eldred, The 106 Common Mistakes Home Buyers Make (Wiley, 2002)Reading this on the heels of Ilyce Glink's book may not have been a good idea, or it may have been a great one. I'm not sure yet. The two mostly cover the same ground, though Eldred never even brings up the possibility of buying a home without a realtor (Glink glosses over it), and Eldred does get into a little more detail about a few things. He also has a more cynical attitude towards the subject than Glink, but then looking at the books' titles alone should convey that well enough. A good adjunct, but not sure it would be as good a stand-alone tome; Eldred misses a few beats in telling you the options you have while he's too busy shutting the door on the options you should avoid. Best read in tandem with Glink. *** ½
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Summary: The great equalizer plus fun to read
Review: Great book, fun to read. Really gives you the inside info to make sure your realtor, mortgage lender, and lawyer aren't taking you for a ride. I read four books on homebuying (Dummies, 100 Questions, Tips and Traps) and got more down-to-earth practical advice from 106 Mistakes than all the others combined. If you like real life examples instead of vague generalities, you'll find that this book delivers the advice you need. At least it did for us!
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Summary: Good info for any homebuyer
Review: Great, easy read for anyone considering the purchase of a home, regardless of experience. Eldred covers common (but not necessarily obvious) mistakes about how to find a house, locate a great neighborhood, find an agent, settle on a price and final contract, get a loan, and finally get the house. The mistakes he discusses each have an associated lesson to be learned, and are grouped logically by what part of the homebuying cycle they pertain to, which allows you to skip around if you feel some topics don't pertain to you. BUT -- I highly recommend reading the entire book. Areas I didn't think would apply to me ended up being invaluable, and I'm sure I won't be the only one to make this statement. The most invaluable mistake he covered for me was "We thought it over. We're going to continue renting." This was a real confidence-boosting book for me, and helped me get into my first home.
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Summary: Worth its weight in platinum
Review: Having read a pile of homebuying books, I would rate this one tops for six reasons:(1) The author clearly knows what he is talking about from experience--unlike too many authors who are primarily journalist or biased real estate agents.(2) It's easy and fun to read. (3) It gives dozens of ways to buy with little or even nothing down. (4) It reveals scams and tricks that real estate and mortgage "profesionals" use to fleece the unknowing. (5)The author knows real estate across the country--not just in California or other specific locales(i.e., too many HB books are written by writers who don't seem to know that Chicago or San Francisco aren't the areas where most people are buying). (6)Unbelivebly, the author lists his telephone number and email in the book so as to invite comments and questions. I queried and he called and talked 20 minutes to adress my concerns. And no, he didn't charge me or try to sell me any more books and tapes.
Rating:
Summary: By far the best
Review: Having spent several hours in B&N reading through the many different books on homebuying, we bought this one and Dummies. 106 Mistakes turned out to be the best by far. It gave us far more concrete examples concerning everything from mortgages to inspection to homeowner associations. In addition, it really helped us understand how to evaluate the appraisal as wellas the investment potential of the homes and neighborhoods we were considering. Eldred's experience and expertise seems to stand head and shoulders above the others. Plus, this book is the most entertaining to read. Don't look for a home without it.
Rating:
Summary: By far the best
Review: Having spent several hours in B&N reading through the many different books on homebuying, we bought this one and Dummies. 106 Mistakes turned out to be the best by far. It gave us far more concrete examples concerning everything from mortgages to inspection to homeowner associations. In addition, it really helped us understand how to evaluate the appraisal as wellas the investment potential of the homes and neighborhoods we were considering. Eldred's experience and expertise seems to stand head and shoulders above the others. Plus, this book is the most entertaining to read. Don't look for a home without it.
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