Books

  1. Buying and Selling Your Home ("Good Housekeeping" Consumer Guides)
    Buying and Selling Your Home ("Good Housekeeping" Consumer Guides)

  2. Location, Location: a Guide to Buying and Selling Real Estate Successfully
    Location, Location: a Guide to Buying and Selling Real Estate Successfully

  3. Moving in: Buying and Selling Your House (FT)
    Moving in: Buying and Selling Your House (FT)

  4. "Fine Homebuilding" Great Houses: Small Houses (Fine Homebuilding Great Houses)
    "Fine Homebuilding" Great Houses: Small Houses (Fine Homebuilding Great Houses)

  5. Best-selling One-story Home Plans
    Best-selling One-story Home Plans

  6. Buying a Home When You're Single
    Buying a Home When You're Single

  7. The Homeowner's Legal Bible: The Ultimate Guide to What Homeowners Need to Know
    The Homeowner's Legal Bible: The Ultimate Guide to What Homeowners Need to Know

  8. How to Save Thousands of Dollars on Your Home Mortgage
    How to Save Thousands of Dollars on Your Home Mortgage

  9. Smart Guide to Buying a Home: The Sensible Sourcebook (Smart Guides S.)
    Smart Guide to Buying a Home: The Sensible Sourcebook (Smart Guides S.)

  10. The Complete Guide to Second Homes for Vacations, Retirement and Investment
    The Complete Guide to Second Homes for Vacations, Retirement and Investment

  11. Smart Guide to Estate Planning (Smart Guides S.)
    Smart Guide to Estate Planning (Smart Guides S.)

  12. How to Find a Home and Get a Mortgage on the Internet
    How to Find a Home and Get a Mortgage on the Internet

  13. Beyond the Plan: The Transformation of Personal Space in Housing
    Beyond the Plan: The Transformation of Personal Space in Housing

  14. Share House Survival Guide
    Share House Survival Guide

  15. Save Money Buying and Selling Your Home
    Save Money Buying and Selling Your Home

  16. Sams Teach Yourself E-Real Estate Today (Sams Teach Yourself Today)
    Sams Teach Yourself E-Real Estate Today (Sams Teach Yourself Today)

  17. Living in Italy: Essential Guide for Property Purchasers and Residents
    Living in Italy: Essential Guide for Property Purchasers and Residents

  18. Tenant's Survival Guide
    Tenant's Survival Guide

  19. Safe and Sound?: Guide to Church Security
    Safe and Sound?: Guide to Church Security

  20. The House That Fell Down: A Diary of Domestic Disaster
    The House That Fell Down: A Diary of Domestic Disaster

  21. Home - A Short History of an Idea
    Home - A Short History of an Idea

  22. Where to Live in London
    Where to Live in London

  23. Debrett's Guide to Your House (Debrett's Guides)
    Debrett's Guide to Your House (Debrett's Guides)

  24. This Desirable Plot (Mandarin Humour)
    This Desirable Plot (Mandarin Humour)

  25. Slash Your Mortgage: How to Save Thousands of Dollars on Your Existing Mortgage
    Slash Your Mortgage: How to Save Thousands of Dollars on Your Existing Mortgage

10 Secrets to Successful Home Buying and Selling: Using Your Housing Psychology to Make Smarter Decisions
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Awesome help with home buying and sales!
  • Yippee!! I made the decision...
  • Housing and Happiness
  • Housing Decisions
  • A Remarkable Effort
10 Secrets to Successful Home Buying and Selling: Using Your Housing Psychology to Make Smarter Decisions
Lois A. Vitt
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:
  1. 1001 Tips for Buying & Selling a Home
  2. Tips and Traps When Selling a Home
  3. 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask: With Answers from Top Brokers from Around the Country (100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask)
  4. Home Closing Checklist
  5. The Home Buyer's Question and Answer Book

ASIN: 0131455001

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Awesome help with home buying and sales!.......2007-01-06

Vitt's book has been a tremendous help to us with the complicated and emotional process of buying and selling our homes. We knew we wanted to move, but each of us had very different ideas of what the "perfect home" would be like. Our differences sometimes seemed insurmountable. Also, it was often hard to understand why we were looking for certain characteristics in a home, and why we wouldn't compromise. Fond memories of homes that we had loved mixed and collided with current and future needs. For example, one of us wanted a wooded lot on a quiet street above all else; the other didn't care about location but wanted the home to be big enough to meet our need for interior space. We couldn't find a property that suited us both; how could we resolve this potential pitfall? Ms. Vitt gave us a structure for examining our motives and hopes, as well as a way to resolve our differences and find a home we can both love.

Also, the financial aspects of the decision-making process were important, and "10 Secrets" gave us a very clear path for avoiding potential financial disasters.

A home is so important, both emotionally and financially. "10 Secrets" gave us the tools and information we needed to navigate our way to successfully buy a home.

Also, we were so impressed with Vitt's book, that we gave a copy to our realtor, who frequently has to negotiate between couples, as well as between buyers and sellers. A Must-Buy for Realtors, too!

Have given copies to friends who are thinking about moving. Great gift.

Well-written, well-organized, an awesome book!

5 out of 5 stars Yippee!! I made the decision..........2005-01-25

to stay in my house! Having recently gone through a divorce, and somewhat uncomfortable with my neighborhood, which has a very different demographic from mine, I struggled with how I could manage the house on my own, and finance numerous small and large repairs without taking on too much debt.

After taking the quiz, I realized that the financial stability of my house is the most important factor I needed to satisfy. Once I realized that...it was much easier to invest a few thousand dollars to update the furnishings and to make the house more like a home that reflected my personality. I was also able to take on additional debt to make some costly, but necessary repairs, such a new foundation and sewer line. In doing so, I found a way to restructure my entire debt load that allows me one smaller monthly payment, leaving me with a greater monthly cash flow.

I can honestly say that I wouldn't have had the courage to undertake the repairs, and take on the additional debt, if I hadn't read this book. Having a clear insight into my issues surrounding "home" and understanding more clearly my emotional profile, I was able to make my need structure work in my favor, instead of against me. Without this book, I would probably have sold the house at a discount, and made another, equally unsatisfying move.

5 out of 5 stars Housing and Happiness.......2005-01-05

I purchased this book on the advice of a friend. After determining my housing profile I purchased ten additional copies as holiday gifts for colleagues. This book is the first of it's kind and will assist you in understanding how your housing decisions are made and how to make your home a place of happiness and not only financial but emotional security. I found myself highlighting passages as I went along for quick future reference. I would highly recommend this book to anyone - no matter what your living/financial situation.

5 out of 5 stars Housing Decisions.......2004-12-28

At last a book that entertains you while giving solid information. I especially like the way this author uses flesh and blood real people to illustrate her points. I'm halfway through already in one day --maybe I'll write another when I finish it.

5 out of 5 stars A Remarkable Effort.......2004-12-27

I have worked with Dr. Vitt for many years, and I am always amazed when the final product arrives. This book is just one of many of the remarkable things she has written, but this book alone has been the greatest help to me in deciding to refinance my home, an idea I had been toying with for a long time. After rereading it for pleasure and learning, rather than editing, I have learned a great deal more about the dynamics of buying, selling or refinancing my own home, and for this I am grateful to Dr. Vitt. This book should be a great help to anyone who is considering any kind of housing change.

V. Karen McMahon
Ready, Set, Sold!: The Insider Secrets to Sell Your House Fast--for Top Dollar!
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Comprehensive book with great tips
  • I am not sure if I trust this guy
  • One-Stop Selling
  • Great Handbook for Selling Your Home
  • I'm Sold on this book
Ready, Set, Sold!: The Insider Secrets to Sell Your House Fast--for Top Dollar!
Michael Corbett
Manufacturer: Plume
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Buying & Selling HomesBuying & Selling Homes | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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Similar Items:
  1. Find It, Fix It, Flip It!: Make Millions in Real Estate--One House at a Time
  2. Home Makeovers That Sell: Quick And Easy Ways to Get the Highest Possible Price
  3. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Staging your Home to Sell (Complete Idiot's Guide to)
  4. Flipping Confidential: The Secrets of Renovating Property for Profit In Any Market
  5. Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money

ASIN: 0452288134

Book Description

Michael Corbett appears regularly on national TV and print media and travels the country lecturing to crowds of 25,000 sharing his expertise, having made millions buying and selling houses during his twenty-plus years in the business. With personal tips, cost-effective techniques, and real estate insider secrets, Ready, Set, Sold! will teach readers how to:
• Add $10,000 to the value of their home in a single weekend
• Avoid the twelve costliest and most common mistakes
• Dress and stage their home to make buyers swoon and bid over the asking price
• Pay no taxes on the sale—without breaking the law
• Complete no-cost makeovers that supercharge their selling price
• Take advantage of the home-selling secrets that only real estate agents know
• Save thousands in commissions and closing costs

With before and after photos, checklists, charts, and worksheets, Ready, Set, Sold! is the book that every home seller MUST read before putting their house up for sale!

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Comprehensive book with great tips.......2007-05-06

Even though we recently had a Realtor walk through the house and make suggestions on minor improvements, I bought this book in case there were some things she didn't mention. The book is easy to read and nicely organized. It explains how to target your house to the buyers it will likely attract and how to how to look at your house from a buyer's perspective. It also includes a brief section on the selling process.

The book explains that a seller should make minor structural and cosmetic repairs, which any Realtor will tell you. But it has a handy checklist of all parts of the home to go through. It then delves into how to de-clutter and how to "stage" the house for selling. It also includes a checklist of things to do before anyone sees the house. As someone who has recently looked at several houses on the market to buy, I can attest there really is an emotional hook that some of this staging provides. These truly are inexpensive or free things (such as putting a bowl of fruit out, playing soothing music, etc.) that can subliminally attract a buyer. The suggestions are tailored to people with all budgets for fixing up before selling. It does not suggest major upgrades but suggests things like repairing broken bathroom tile as opposed to retiling the entire bathroom. Some of these things are no-brainers, but it was helpful reinforcement from what the Realtor said.

There is a section on how to market the home and explains estimated costs. It also explains what happens when the house is in escrow and what needs to be done in a short timeline. It explains how to keep the buyers motivated and calm while still getting what the seller needs out of the deal.

One of the best things about this book is that it repeatedly encourages the seller to put things into perspective. Yes, the idea is to sell the house as quickly as possible and make the most profit, but this book shows the pitfalls about haggling over $100 and how it can make prospective buyers walk away from a deal.

This book doesn't contain any miracle advice and some of the advice is obvious. However, it's an easy read and an inexpensive book that will probably end up helping sellers make more money at selling time. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to understand the real estate process and maximize profit without spending an inordinate amount of time or money.

3 out of 5 stars I am not sure if I trust this guy.......2007-04-17

Here is Ready Set Sold! in one sentence: Make your house look like a model home before you put it on the market. That covers chapters 6 through 12, and is heavily emphasized in all of the other chapters as well.

Of course, making your house look like a model home probably means spending thousands. I know it's going to for me, even for my modest place. Corbett's mantra is that the more you do to make your house a model home, the more money you'll get when you sell it. The amount that you put into fixing the place up, with painting, new furniture if necessary, and a zillion other details large and small, will more than be made up for by the eventual selling price that you can command.

Hmmm...but is this really true? I don't know. I'm in California and everyone I talk to, including realtors, tell me that just about the ONLY thing that will command a higher selling price is a room addition (impossible for my house). Everything else is just wasted money. That doesn't mean you shouldn't clean up clutter and make sure things look nice and spiffy, but spending thousands of dollars on new furniture, cabinetry, and so on is unnecessary.

I'm not sure I buy into the gung-ho "It will cost more up front, but it'll all pay off in the end!" mantra that this book feeds you constantly. Welcome to hear any comments from people (especially in CA) that have actually followed this book to the letter and ended up with verifiable results.


5 out of 5 stars One-Stop Selling.......2007-03-07

This is the ONLY book you'll need to sell a home sucessfully. Period. Corbett's blend of humor and personal stories make for a fun read, and he's got an enormous repertoire of ideas that will help you do exactly what the book promises: sell for the most money!

4 out of 5 stars Great Handbook for Selling Your Home.......2007-03-07

This book is great and an easy read! It takes the mystery out of selling your home by explaining what to do and what to expect step by step from the beginning to the end.

5 out of 5 stars I'm Sold on this book.......2007-03-06

Easy and inexpensive tips from this book can help you sell your home for more money and in less time. There are so many photos that show how to stage your home to make the first few minutes a buyer comes in to your home count!
Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Useless bit of self-promotion by Barb Schwarz - a waste of money
  • Written Infomercial
  • Buyers will be disappointed...
  • Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money
  • Not for do-it-yourselfers
Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money
Barb Schwarz
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Buying & Selling HomesBuying & Selling Homes | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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Similar Items:
  1. Designed to Sell: Make any home the hottest property on the block with expert advice from the popular HGTV series
  2. Dress Your House for Success: 5 Fast, Easy Steps to Selling Your House, Apartment, or Condo for the Highest Po ssible Price!
  3. Building a Successful Home Staging Business: Proven Strategies from the Creator of Home Staging
  4. Curb Appeal
  5. Peggy's Corner: Stage Your Home for Profit

ASIN: 047176096X

Book Description

The way you live in a home and the way you sell it are two different things. That's the premise of Staging*, a concept that teaches you to look at your home through a buyer's eyes and make adjustments to improve its appeal and value.

In any real estate market, Staged homes sell faster or sell for more money—or both. With Home Staging, you'll learn how to play up your home's strong points and improve its presentation. By rearranging furniture, trimming overgrown bushes, painting a room, and clearing out the clutter, Home Staging will help you spotlight your property for a fast, profitable sale.

Filled with organizing tips and checklists, plus before-and-Staged photographs that dramatically show how Staging can transform your home inside and out, Home Staging has all the answers you'll need when looking to increase the sale price of your home.

*Staging is a federally registered trademark of StagedHomes.com

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Useless bit of self-promotion by Barb Schwarz - a waste of money.......2007-02-17

This book tells you what you already knew - clean, declutter, fix broken stuff, and clean up the yard. That's about it. The reason the book is more than ten pages long is that it is chock full of the author's stories about how wonderful she is and what a staging pioneer she is. I really wish I hadn't wasted my money on this fluffy piece of advertising.

2 out of 5 stars Written Infomercial.......2007-02-11

Reading this book is like reading the script for an infomercial. The entire purpose of the book was profit for Barb Schwarz in book sales and additional customers. At least once per page, sometimes once per paragraph she re-credits herself with inventing the entire concept of Home Staging from the name to the work to the profession. The only person to take more credit for anything was Al Gore and the infamous internet issue. There are maybe 10 total ideas/concepts for actual home owners to implement themselves, but they are very general. The other 200 pages are various ways of reiterating that Barb Schwarz created the concept of Home Staging, all homes should be staged before sale, and that the home owner should hire a licensed, professional Home Stager, preferably trained by Barb Schwarz. If your purpose of buying this book is to find out the value of Home Staging, or justifying the cost of professional Home Staging to an unwilling seller (spouse, relative, client) than this is a very useful book. If you are a home owner that already believes you should stage your home and are looking for creative ideas on how to do it yourself - don't bother with this book. The book does give insight in how to choose a professional Home Stager, what to look for when interviewing Stagers for your project, what to expect from Home Staging, the value of it, and general ideas of what a Home Stager can and should do for you. I agree with the reviewer who said, "Not for Do It Yourselfers." For Do It Yourselfers The Designed To Sell book is quite a bit better for what is out there that is very current. 50 Simple Steps to Sell Your House for More Money in Any Market by Ilyse Glick is also better, but not as current.

1 out of 5 stars Buyers will be disappointed..........2007-01-21


If you're about to put your house on the market, you have a million things to do. Don't take time out to read this book. The amount of truly useful information fills about ten pages, and can be found on various internet web sites with a simple search. The rest is repetitious, contradictory, and/or silly.

The biggest waste of time is reading personal information about her own home and the off-topic "staging for living" concept. Also annoying are continual plugs for her organization, profession, and services. (Obviously, home staging makes sense, and is worth the effort. We wouldn't have bought the book otherwise. Why must she remind us over and over?)

Spend your time decluttering, instead.

5 out of 5 stars Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money.......2007-01-19

This is an excellent book on home staging. Very detailed, well organized, professional.
The information is up to date and useful.
This would be a great choice if you want to learn how to prepare your house for a sale.

3 out of 5 stars Not for do-it-yourselfers.......2007-01-11

If you're looking for concrete plans and ideas for doing most or all of the clean-up and staging yourself this is not the book for you.

If you're looking for general information on what a professional stager can do for you - it's fine.

My biggest complaint is this is a thinly veiled infomercial...not to mention when she talks about how she lives a staged life and describes her own home it doesn't fit...an ostrich in the bathtub that's dressed for the holidays??
The For Sale By Owner Handbook: Fsbo Faqs: From Pricing Your Home Right And Increasing Its Curb Appeal To Negotiating The Contract And Hassle-free Closing
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Better than FSBO Kit (Irwin)
  • Worth the money
  • Best Book
  • Satisfied
  • If you own a home you need to own this book!
The For Sale By Owner Handbook: Fsbo Faqs: From Pricing Your Home Right And Increasing Its Curb Appeal To Negotiating The Contract And Hassle-free Closing
Piper Nichole
Manufacturer: Career Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Buying & Selling HomesBuying & Selling Homes | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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Similar Items:
  1. The For Sale By Owner Kit
  2. The Complete Kit to Selling Your Own Home: Smart, Fast and for Top Dollar (Complete Kit to Selling Your Own Home)
  3. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Selling your Own Home (The Complete Idiot's Guide)
  4. House Selling for Dummies
  5. Sell It by Owner and Save

ASIN: 156414805X

Book Description

Have you ever wanted to sell your own home? Jennifer Wake is banking $45,000 from selling her home solo. This nurse by night, For Sale By Owner by day, says, "It really paid off."

The For Sale by Owner Handbook guides you step-by-step through the home-selling process. It gives you inside real estate trade secrets to sell your home like a pro.

A team of national leading experts-pros from: "Trading Spaces", Oprah Winfrey's magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Country Living, House Beautiful, "This Old House", Yale University, University of California-Berkeley, New York University, American University, and the Fannie Mae Foundation (just to name a few!)—take you by the hand and teach you how to:


• Sell your home for the best price
• Make your home irresistible to buyers
• Negotiate contracts with ease (sample real estate contracts included)
• Hassle-free closing
• How to make sure buyers are financially qualified to buy your home
• How to get your home listed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service)
• And every single step along the way


In addition, there are numerous interviews with national experts, including:


• Real estate agents - successful home-selling tactics
• Attorneys -- provide legal advice and contract tips
• Interior designers -- to make your home look more spacious
• Home inspectors -- What you want to see, what you don't want to know (see the sample inspection report)
• Appraisers, mortgage lenders, title insurance pros, home warranty experts, termite inspectors, and more.


Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Better than FSBO Kit (Irwin).......2007-05-31

I bought this book and the FSBO Kit book by Irwin, and this one is far superior! This book is concise and packs more useful information, especially once you've found a buyer. The other has much less on negotiating, writing contracts, the steps leading to closing, who pays for what, estimates for repairs post-inspection, and tips for packing. I'd describe the Irwin book as more of a pep-talk, but it did give me the confidence to do it myself.

5 out of 5 stars Worth the money.......2007-01-14

The best one - it was very helpful in getting me through the fine details. Well worth the money.

5 out of 5 stars Best Book.......2006-05-25

I went to the library and got several books on FSBO and this one was the best. Several books I had from the library were not true FBSO books for they only had one chapter talking about it. This handbook was not like that. With it recieved my full asking price and was able to understand confusing jardon and rules in selling the house. Most importantly, I felt secure at every step of the selling process that i was not getting ripped off and everything was fair.

4 out of 5 stars Satisfied.......2005-09-30

I found the contents very practical and a good step by step guide through the process of "For Sale by Owner" and if followed should lead to money saving. The website references were helpful.
A must read for property owners preparing to sell

5 out of 5 stars If you own a home you need to own this book!.......2005-07-07

Knowledgeably and informatively written by an award winning writer and professional realtor, this book gives the homeowner the insider tips, insights and everything one needs to know to make their home sale much more profitable. Whether you're selling on your own or through a realtor, it really guides you in making a great deal more money on the sale of your home.
It gives an insider's scoop that will keep you ahead of the selling process from start to closing. Well laid out and personably written this book kept me enthused throughout the entire book! It has massive amounts of great information, detailed descriptions, tips and examples to walk you through each step.
This book makes how to sell real estate a breeze! Even includes a cash profit worksheet, samples and how & when to sell.
I also enjoyed all the extras in the book like "how to make your home irresistible to buyers", "great ideas", "creating the right ambiance" to "curb appeal", "how to write your ad", "techniques for pricing your home" and "evaluating the offers". It made me feel very comfortable in how to sell real estate, I'm glad you wrote it!
Kudos! on this great new book! If you own a home you need to own this book!

Tony Henriques
The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing: Answers to All Your Questions - From Opening Escrow, to Negotiating Fees, to Signing the Closing Papers
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Could be better
  • Practical, Real-World, Current Information
  • Complete and Easy to Read.
  • Good book, but....
  • Truth in Advertising
The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing: Answers to All Your Questions - From Opening Escrow, to Negotiating Fees, to Signing the Closing Papers
Sandy Gadow
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Buying & Selling HomesBuying & Selling Homes | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Business BooksLook Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
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Similar Items:
  1. Essential Guide to Real Estate Contracts (Complete Book of Real Estate Contracts)
  2. Home Closing Checklist
  3. Complete Bk of Real Estate Contracts+CD (Complete Book of Real Estate Contracts)
  4. Home Buyer's Checklist: Everything You Need to Know--but Forget to Ask--Before You Buy a Home
  5. The 106 Mortgage Secrets All Homebuyers Must Learn--But Lenders Don't Tell

ASIN: 0071400354

Book Description

A PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

The first simple guide to understanding the real estate closing process

Closing and escrow are among the most important­­and least understood­­components of a real estate transaction. The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing takes the mystery out of the confusing, expensive process by giving real estate professionals, investors, and consumers a step-by-step explanation. In simple, everyday language, the book explains closing documents and paperwork, what to do when something goes wrong, mortgage options, how to save money on title insurance, problems that can occur on a title report,

and much more. With sample forms, work sheets, and more, this sophisticated but accessible book covers:

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Could be better.......2006-03-22

Very good book; could have gone a little deeper into the mechanics of the closing process.

5 out of 5 stars Practical, Real-World, Current Information.......2005-10-10

This book is an easy to read, step-by-step guide through that 'magical' period called 'Escrow.' Explanations are easy to understand yet thorough. I highly recommend this book.

5 out of 5 stars Complete and Easy to Read........2005-01-11

Sandy Gadow's real estate closing book explained the part of the buying process which confuses most people, and where most of the costly mistakes can occur. I was able to understand the concepts and explanations which are provided, and felt confident enough to ask questions which I am sure saved me several hundreds of dollars. Before reading Sandy's book, I was intimidated by the professionals involved in a closing: for example, the attorney and closing agent, even the inspector involved. Knowing what questions to ask, I felt comfortable making lists of questions to ask, and which answers I needed. Although real estate laws vary state to state, this book does an excellent job of being all-inclusive for each state. Whether called "escrow", "closing" or "settlement", this book covers the essentials of a real estate deal.

In each chapter are "Tips" and "A Typical Misunderstanding" which lighten the reading and make the subject matter easy to follow along. The chapter on handling Tax-Deferred Exchanges was a welcome addition to the book. I was prompted to buy Sandy's book after watching her on CNN's show, "Open House."

I would recommend this book to anyone buying property, considering entering the escrow profession, or anyone interested in the investment aspect of real estate. I am now a real estate professional and am grateful for Sandy's book. I know the book helped me and I have recommended it to many of my friends and colleagues.

4 out of 5 stars Good book, but...........2005-01-04

...it's the same book as her previous books - only the title has changed. If there were any minor editing done to the book, I didn't notice. If you've read or purchased one of her previous books don't waste your time or money.

3 out of 5 stars Truth in Advertising.......2004-11-08

Gadow does an excellent job of providing a comprehensive view of a California Real Estate Closing. The subject matter is appropriate and well written. The illustrations, tables, charts and forms all useful. The only real problem with a volume like this is that all real estate is essentially LOCAL in nature.

Thus, many of Gadow's points and concepts are inapposite to other parts of the country. I found myself annotating my copy with local exceptions to Gadow's statements (I am a Real Estate Attorney in the Washington, DC metropolitan area). As with any volume with this much information there are certain errors that may have not been caught by the editors. For example, Gadow talks about obtaining multiple termite inspections. "Shopping for a clean termite inspection" and failing to disclose the known existence of termites is a patent violation of the Seller's duty to disclose known defects and could subject the homeseller to serious liability for any resulting damages incurred by the buyer.

Nevertheless, for the layman this book is an essential resource and I wish everyone of my clients would read it before coming to our office for their settlements.
Peggy's Corner: Stage Your Home for Profit
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Very informative about staging
  • Home Staging or Redecorating...this is the book
  • Peggy's Corner: Staging Your Home for Profit
  • The ideas in Peggy's staging book work magic
  • Great primer for staging your home
Peggy's Corner: Stage Your Home for Profit
Peggy Selinger-Eaton , and Gayla Moghannam
Manufacturer: Peggy's Corner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  5. Curb Appeal

ASIN: 0976166003

Product Description

Sell Your Home Faster Choose from Multiple Offers Increase the Value of Your Home

A potential home buyer will walk through your home in 3-4 minutes. Let's make those moments profitable and memorable.

Make a small room feel large, an outdated bathroom look upgraded, and a boring family room look spectacular - all using your existing home furniture and accessories. These techniques work. Peggy has used them to sell thousands of homes.

Whether your dream price is $100,000 or $10,000,000, Peggy will be right at your side with her book and DVD to help you present the best home possible to all incoming buyers.

You don't need to be a decorator to stage your home for sale. Peggy makes it easy, fun and profitable. Staging five to twenty homes a week, a staggering industry number, Peggy has developed modern and inexpensive techniques for every home owner

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Very informative about staging.......2007-04-05

I was very impressed with the information within this book and CD!!! She shows you how to do it on the CD. It's a must read if you are planning to sell your home. I wished my realtor told me about staging my house. It makes a huge differences in how one presents their home for selling. You need to give your home that model home look for a quick sell and your asking price.

5 out of 5 stars Home Staging or Redecorating...this is the book.......2007-01-22

I bought this off the web with little insight into the contents. I actually purchased the book with the DVD, but haven't even had time to look at the DVD yet because I'm still trying to absorb the wealth of knowledge in the book. Great photos! Awesome content (read the blurbs), I have definitely been able to absorb more knowledge from this single book than all of my decorating and home staging experience up until now. This book is a must-have for everyone who loves their home or is in the need of staging. This is a must-have for Home Stagers as well, with incredible ideas I would otherwise not have thought of that are easy and inexpensive, but look fabulous! BUY ME NOW!

5 out of 5 stars Peggy's Corner: Staging Your Home for Profit.......2007-01-19

I bought this on a whim - thinking it would probably be "light." Even though it is an easy, fast read, it's actually very helpful, well organized and covers new information from other staging books I've purchased. The CD is a bit amateur but again, covers the information and has great examples. I'm glad I have it in my library and I've put the information to use, successfully, already.

5 out of 5 stars The ideas in Peggy's staging book work magic.......2006-07-22

Peggy recently staged our home to get it ready to put on the market. Our home was beautifully furnished and well cared for, but dated. Peggy, using the ideas outlined in her book, made suggestions of things we should do to make our home look up to date and ready to put on the market. We were amazed at the transformation that Peggy's simple changes made to our home. As a matter of fact, we liked the new look of our home so much that we would have had second thoughts about selling it if we hadn't already bought another house.

Thanks to Peggy we sold our house in less than 2 weeks in a very slow market. Three houses of the same model as ours have been sitting on the market for many months and still haven't sold. The ideas in Peggy's book really work!

4 out of 5 stars Great primer for staging your home.......2006-06-20

I loved the format of this book/DVD. The book is divided into a chapter per room, with tips on staging that room. While all of us may not have a pool house or guest quarters, the rest of the information is given in easy-to-follow checklist format. The DVD is the best part. The first part of the DVD is a little boring, but the last part (where you actually watch Peggy as she step-by-step stages a home from scratch) is extremely helpful. If you're looking for some quick and easy staging tips, this is the book/DVD combo for you. I finished the book in 30 minutes and the DVD takes 45 minutes to watch.
Making Your Move to One of America's Best Small Towns: How to Find a Great Little Place as Your Next Home Base
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • Make that 3 1/2 stars
  • Part of the story
  • A good guide to start
Making Your Move to One of America's Best Small Towns: How to Find a Great Little Place as Your Next Home Base
Norman Crampton
Manufacturer: M. Evans and Company, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0871319888

Book Description

For those looking to raise a family in a storybook American town, or a change of pace from hectic city life, this book is the answer.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Make that 3 1/2 stars.......2005-03-28

Actually, I would have given "Making Your Move" 4 stars had I found the descriptions of the individual towns more interesting. But, what I did find was a witty style of writing, some laugh-out-loud moments, and some very down-to-earth advice on the pearls and perils of small-town life. One might apply Norm's smart and insightful guidelines to just about any sparsely populated area in the quest for new habitation. So even though his selections failed to fire me up, they did make me realize that I may not be cut out for small-town living after all. And that, in itself, is worth far more than the price of a book. Thanks, Norm, and make that four stars.

3 out of 5 stars Part of the story.......2003-03-12

This book is a good place to start if you're thinking of moving to a town of 15,000 or less. It will point you to many interesting communities. However, having used his previous book to guide my last move, and as a resident of one of the towns highlighted in this book (Grinnell), I can honestly say that data only carries you so far. Crampton could provide readers with a great benefit by lengthening the amount of description and flavor for each town. In particular, one key element missing is the 'dynamic' of a town: is it progressive? conservative? excited about education? quick to vote down taxes and bonds? These elements form the 'culture' of a small town, and believe me, the culture of a small town will be *very* important to you!

3 out of 5 stars A good guide to start.......2003-01-08

As a resident of one of the 120 "best small towns" recommended by Norman Crampton, I was delighted to see Silver City on the list.

While Crampton's book is a good place to start your search for small town living, it is important to realize that each small town offers a unique personality. Some generalizations simply do not apply to Silver City. For example, it is not necessary to join a church (or country club) in order to fit in here. Even a small community like ours has diverse sub-populations: recent retirees, most of whom have some affinity for the arts; old-timers, most of whom are the conservative church-goers Crampton describes; and Hispanic families, many of whom have worked in the mines.

These groups rarely interact, although we usually get along very peacefully. We also have a number of folks who teach at the university -- and we rarely see them around town.

To learn about Silver city, you won't get much information from the Chamber of Commerce or the editor of the newspaper. You'd do better to spend some time hanging out at the AIR cafe, talking to whoever comes in. The morning and afternoon groups are quite different and everyone is friendly.

The author gives some nuts and bolts about each small town. Unfortunately, with the exception of weather, much of this information will change by the time the book is printed. And your decision may well be made by factors that can't be added up.

The best part of the book is the section on economics of small town living. Here, he's right on. You have to budget for travel to a large city now and then. Air travel will be more costly and you need time to drive to a large airport. His view of housing prices seems optimistic. If you move to a desirable city (such as Silver City) expect to pay more for a house than he allows.
And if you move to retire, your economic picture will be quite different. Many newcomers to Silver City are beginning a second career as an artist or writer. Moving without a job is scary -- and I do not recommend it unless you fit the profile I describe in my own book, Making the Big Move.

Finding & Buying Your Place in the Country
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great starting point for beginning land buyers
  • A Bible for rural real estate.
  • almost too much info
  • Fabulous!
  • Very Informative
Finding & Buying Your Place in the Country
Les Scher , and Carol Scher
Manufacturer: Dearborn Financial Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0793117852

Book Description

With 200,000 copies in print since its original 1974 edition, Finding and Buying Your Place in the Country was instrumental in addressing the needs of the original "back to the land" movement. Over five updated editions and nearly 30 years, it has continued to serve those seeking a new start in a country or vacation home.

Since the publication of the first edition, dramatic technological changes have made rural living a viable option for many people seeking to leave behind urban stress. Even those committed to city living are creating a boom in the market for second homes, often rural homes, farms or ranches.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Great starting point for beginning land buyers.......2007-05-07

My husband and I are considering buying some undeveloped land. While we own a house, we know nothing about rural land purchases and didn't even know what questions we should be asking. This brook provided a good overview of issues to consider, and the checklist at the back of things to inspect/ask about for each property was especially helpful.

5 out of 5 stars A Bible for rural real estate........2007-03-28

This guide has everything I could imagine and alot I couldn't....which is of course the point.

4 out of 5 stars almost too much info.......2007-03-09

If comprehensive is what you want, this should make you happy. The problem is that if you follow every bit of advice in this book you will have to quit your job and make finding your place a full time endeavor (or spend years part time). The advice is all good, but it almost makes the task seem more daunting, not less. Still great for learning all the issues and things to look out for, then you decide how much effort to put into footwork before buying your piece in the country

5 out of 5 stars Fabulous!.......2006-07-19

A wonderful delicious book for anyone who owns or is thinking about a place in the country.

5 out of 5 stars Very Informative.......2006-03-26

Lots of information pratically everything you need to buy your own little piece of land. If you are even thinking about buying land this book is a must.
50 Simple Steps You Can Take to Sell Your Home Faster and for More Money in Any Market
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 50 Simple Steps You Can Take To Sell Your Home Faster
  • Just What You Want
  • SOLD in less than 24 hours
  • selling tips
  • A small gem
50 Simple Steps You Can Take to Sell Your Home Faster and for More Money in Any Market
Ilyce R. Glink
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0609809334
Release Date: 2003-01-28

Book Description

America’s bestselling real-estate expert offers a highly practical, reader-friendly guide to selling your home quickly and for the best price—in any market.

In 50 Simple Steps You Can Take to Sell Your Home Faster and for More Money in Any Market, Ilyce Glink takes home sellers through the process of readying their homes for sale, offering inside tips and expert advice about how to get the most value from any house or apartment in the shortest time possible. Inside you’ll find:

• Rules every seller should live by
• Mistakes every home seller makes—but can easily avoid
• Steps you have to take before you sell, including great ideas for keeping
your house ultraclean and organized
• Room-by-room improvements—including the basement, attic, garage,
and the exterior—that will add instant value to your home
• Information on timing your sale
• Inside advice on pricing your house
• Tips for navigating the paperwork and closing documents

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars 50 Simple Steps You Can Take To Sell Your Home Faster.......2007-01-19

Excellent!
Can't miss using the ideas presented.

5 out of 5 stars Just What You Want.......2005-09-22

This book IS just what you want if you want to sell your house. I'm a Realtor, so I feel especially qualified to say this.

5 out of 5 stars SOLD in less than 24 hours.......2005-08-08

This book tells it like it is. You want the most money out of your investment, than try to do all the things listed to prepare your house before you call a realtor or have people view it. It is a lot of work - it took me three months - but everyone who viewed my home said what a lovely home I had, how well-maintained it was, and I had an offer in less than 24 hours for more than my listing price! I also heard a lot of comments from potential buyers about how dirty and cluttered other homes they visited were - so much so that it was hard to see what the home had to offer. A very, very worthwhile investment.

5 out of 5 stars selling tips.......2005-07-06

this book is great, we did everything wrong and payed for it.
this was a great help with our other properties. Highly recommend this to others.

5 out of 5 stars A small gem.......2005-05-24

Invaluable! Solid, practical, up-to-date advice with no fluff, from a woman who knows the real estate market inside and out. Written in a friendly, conversational style--not "technical" at all. I followed Glink's advice, and my condo sold in three days (to the first person who looked at it) for $1,750 above the asking price.
How To Buy Your First Home, Second Edition
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • GREAT guide for a first-time buyer
  • Good first book on buying a home
How To Buy Your First Home, Second Edition
Diana Brodman Summers
Manufacturer: Sphinx Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1572484977

Book Description

Making the right decisions about buying a first home can help you save money and worry. This easy-to-understand guide written by a real estate attorney walks the reader through the entire home buying process-from deciding what you can afford, to types of special financing for first-time buyers, to the actual closing on your dream home. This book can help any anxious first-time buyer become a confident homeowner!

The title includes sections on valuable government financing information available for first-time buyers; helpful checklists and charts for evaluating properties; as well as a complete glossary of terms that will relieve some of the anxiety that new home buyers have. Appendices include Internet resources and questions to ask when selecting a real estate agent and when identifying a mortgage lender.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars GREAT guide for a first-time buyer.......2006-07-31

My roommate works at the library and brought me home a dozen different books on how to go about buying your first home and what you would need to know (including the dummy/idiot books which I normally love). After taking a look at this one, I sent all the other ones back and ordered it from amazon because it is by far the easiest, most comprehensive, and overall helpful guide for a first-time buyer. It answers all questions and can just be used as a good reference. It's questions and answer format makes the book very easy to pick-up and less daunting-- some of the books seems like a giant boring novel!! I even gave this book as a gift to a friend considering buying a place of his own.

5 out of 5 stars Good first book on buying a home.......2005-02-26

This is a basic book on home buying intended for the first time buyer. It's' fairly brief, only about 130 pages (minus the appendices), so it's a quick read. If you're a second time buyer it would probably be too basic for you, but I was looking for a quick primer before starting to read more technical books on investing in real estate.

It covers the essentials of mortgages, the bidding and negotiation process, working with agents and inspectors, the major government agencies that participate in the mortgage market, such as HUD, VA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and so on. Although you don't need to understand it to purchase a house, the secondary market is briefly discussed so you'll know what that is when you hear real estate professionals mention the term.

Most of the information is quite practical, such as how to deal with real estate agents (don't let them act like mothers-in-law and let them decide what's best for you in the way of a house, no matter how well-meaning their intentions), and inspectors (don't insist on being present during the inspection, it'll just distract them).

After the chapters devoted to the mechanics of buying the house, there's a chapter basically on "What now?" After the happy glow of buying your first house wears off, you'll now have to face the reality of doing the required maintenance and repairs, keeping up the lawn and landscaping, making sure you save enough to pay taxes, and so on. There are even useful hints on how to conserve energy and how much you can save by having old furnaces and air conditioners replaced, and the author says hers paid for itself in about 18 months, although the initial cost was daunting (about $2500). But it was worth it over the long run.

Finally, there's a chapter on foreclosure and what to do if you find yourself in that situation. There's help available in that many cities or state government agencies can help with either grants, money or advice. The book also has a glossary, and two appendices of useful worksheets such as comparing house features and mortgage lenders, a HUD-1 worksheet, and a VA guaranteed loan application form.

The book is clearly and concisely written and should give anyone a basic understanding of the home buying process. After this I went on to reading more advanced books on investing in real estate and it was useful for getting the basic knowledge quickly and easily.

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  6. Buying and Selling Your Home ("Good Housekeeping" Consumer Guides)
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