I am extremely impressed with this book. I would recommend it to anyone planning to buy a home, even though it is intended primarily to first-timers. It is organized very effectively, making it useful as a reference for veterans. I found it more useful than books with titles like '149 questions for the homebuyer', which rarely attempt seriously to cover all the essential ground.Chapters: 1. Do you really want to buy a house?
This is a well-balanced discussions of the pros and cons of home ownership. This is in contrast to many books I have read (and own) that unabashedly sell home ownership.
2. Prequalification - How much can you afford?
A detailed treatment of the subject, including the formulas and processes used by mortgage providers to set lending limits.
3. Study the Market
Some sensible ideas to help the buyer assess whether the market is hot or cold, and what the market conditions imply about the search.
4. What to look for in a broker
Discusses buyers agents, sellers agents and dual agents, Realtors vs. brokers, limitations of brokers, and things to look out for.
5. Narrowing the search
The first few weeks of looking. Reminds buyer to keep an open mind about style, neighborhood, new vs. old, etc. Practical considerations in choosing neighborhood and type of house/yard.
6. Recognizing the Dream I - the outside
Style, roofs, gutters, foundations, structural soundness, expansions/alterations.
7. Recognizing the Dream I - the inside
Floor plans, bathrooms and kitchens, walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, toxic materials.
8. Recognizing the Dream I - the major systems
Heating/cooling, compares effectiveness, cost and whether to replace. Insulation, hot water heater, water service, septic/sewage, electical system.
9. The Condo and Coop alternatives
Good discussion of advantages/disadvantages of these two with respect to financing, lifestyle and value.
10. The Bottom Line: What it will cost to buy
Short chapter on last minute cost considerations before making an offer.
11. Putting it in writing
Very good treatise on the timeline and legal implications of the offer, purchase and sale contract, inspections, down payments and closing. This chapter was worth the price of the book to me.
12. Shopping for a Mortgage
Pros and cons of ARM's and other nonstandard mortgages, points, and desirable characteristics in lenders.
13. The Application Process
Credit reports, appraisals, title searches, the long wait for the approval. How many to apply for.
14. Closing
How much it will cost. The closing process and how to deal with things that go wrong.
15. Living Happily ever after
Sensible advice about mortgage payments, renovations, furnishing, refinancing and maintenance.
16. Debt and Taxes
The tax deduction on mortgages. What records you need to keep for the tax man.
As the list of chapters might imply, this is a very thoughtfully organized and written book. Easily 5 stars!