RE/MAX home buyer's survival guide / Bridget McCrea ; foreword by Dave Liniger.

Author: McCrea, Bridget.

Publisher: New York, NY : Sterling Pub., c2007.

ISBN: 9781402735417 (pbk.)
1402735413 (pbk.)

Description: xiii, 305 p. ; 23 cm.

Subject: Residential real estate Purchasing United States.
House buying United States.
Mortgage loans United States.

Notes: Includes index.

Contents: Foreword: building the american dream: one home at a time / by Dave Liniger -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction: Survival 101 -- Choices, choices -- Housing options -- How to focus your choices -- Beginning your research: the power of the Web -- Making your choice -- Are you ready to buy? -- Renting versus buying: tipping factors -- Getting down to business: the costs of homeownership -- How much can you afford? -- Will you qualify? -- Doing the math -- Online loan calculators -- Dollars and sense -- Calculating moves -- The fiscal fitness challenge -- A penny saved ... -- Alternative sources of funding -- Through the lender's eyes -- Painting your financial picture -- Lack of credit or payment history -- The bankruptcy challenge -- Changing life situations -- Your credit report: get your copy first -- Between the lines -- Resolving credit disputes -- Final steps -- Introducing the real estate agent -- Know your ABCs: agents, brokers, and commissions -- Buyer's agents, seller's agents, and dual agents -- Commissions and other types of compensation -- Services you should expect from your real estate agent -- Working with your agent effectively -- Choosing your real estate professionals -- Where can you find an agent of your own? -- What should you look for when choosing an agent? -- Can a home buyer go it alone? -- The real estate attorney -- All about mortgages -- What is a mortgage? -- How does mortgage repayment work? -- Types of mortgages -- Creative financing -- Choosing the right mortgage -- Lenders and the lending process -- Mortgage providers -- Narrowing your choices -- Comparison-shopping -- Looking beyond the numbers -- Avoiding predatory lenders -- Other steps that make a difference -- Your secret weapon: the preapproval letter -- Good-faith estimates -- Finding your dream home -- Where to begin -- Criteria for your dream home -- Show and tell -- Home maintenance -- To remodel . . . or not -- For what it's worth -- Let's make a deal -- The offer and acceptance process -- Bidding wars -- Negotiating through your agent -- Home inspections -- Property disclosures -- Appraisals: your lender's due diligence -- Homeowner's insurance -- The final stage is near: what to do? -- The grand finale: closing -- How it works -- The process step by step -- Common closing costs -- Avoiding closing table traumas -- You've got the keys: now what? -- Your agent can still help? With what? -- Prep your home -- Choosing your mover -- Do it yourself? -- Moving in -- Children and pets: your most precious cargo -- It's your move -- Conclusion: Welcome home! -- Appendix A: Real estate licensing agencies in North America -- Appendix B: Sample real estate forms -- Glossary -- Index.