How to Buy a House in California

by Ralph E. Warner, Ira Serkes, George Devine

List Price:	~~$34.99~~
Amazon Price:	$23.09 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.
You Save:	$11.90 (34%)
Average Rating:
Lowest New Price:	$19.29
Availablitiy:	Usually ships in 24 hours

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
The most complete guide to buying a home in the Golden State

A thorough, practical guide to every aspect of buying a house, How to Buy a House in California will help you make informed decisions that can save you thousands of dollars. With this bestseller in hand, you'll learn how to:

choose a house and neighborhood

find the right agent

get the most up-to-date information on mortgage options and rates

take advantage of creative financing strategies - from

seller financing to government loans

figure out how much down payment you can afford

make an offer and negotiate with confidence for the best price

buy a new house in a development

inspect a house for physical problems and environmental hazards

juggle buying and selling houses simultaneously

successfully go through escrow

The 11th edition is completely updated and provides an easy method for calculating how much house you can afford. Plus, you'll find the current rules for government-assisted loans and the latest resources.

List of Forms:
Ideal House Profile
House Priorities Worksheet
House Comparison Worksheet
Family Financial Statement
Directions for Completing the Family Financial Statement

Customers who bought this item also bought

All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 5 out of 5 stars

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

4 out of 5 stars

Love this book, 2008-11-12
I read a few buying a house guides but this one is nearly complete w/ all the process and paper works. It goes into detail and typical process, fees and situations. However I think the book should add in a chapter with short sale and REOs for current economy.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

5 out of 5 stars

Agree with the other opinions, 2008-03-18
I won't waste your time with repeating the same things everyone else has said. This is the best book for first-time home buying in SoCal; you won't lose money or time with this book. Gratuitous advice if you are buying in SoCal for the first time:
1. Things are done a little differently out here, so DO NOT listen to people from other states regarding need for a lawyer on every purchase; the escrow agency takes care of most of those details unless a problem arises. Just follow the book...it will guide you well.
2. If the home inspection report mentions a horizontal furnace related to Consolidated Inc. in the past, DO have your furnace inspected even if the serial number does not show a recalled NOx rod (see your home inspector, or a CA home inspection manual)...the Consolidated/Premier furnace that came with my place needed to be replaced despite not being on the recall list because of a fire hazard (eep!).
3. It's also handy to have a home inspection manual anyway so that any repairs you perform as a DIY'er won't cause problems down the road on resale, if needed.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Resource, 2007-10-10
I purchased this book because I was a first time home buyer and the information and tips I got from this book were wonderful. There was a tip about calling local title companies to find out who they think are good local real estate agents. I called for a recommendation, and it worked wonderfully! I found a great agent using that tip and I am extremely pleased with how everything worked out. The extra knowledge I acquired from this book was very helpful throughout the whole home buying process. It is an easy and fun book to read. The authors give stories from their personal experiences and also provide explanation of terms, etc. I would recommend it to any one who is going to buy a home.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5 out of 5 stars

Demystify the Maze, 2007-07-23
This book rocks! It is well written, clearly organized, full of incredibly useful insights and obviates the need for any other books. Purchasing property in the Golden State is hugely complicated and this book unravels the knots and truly educates the potential buyer to the point that ones agent will be impressed. Every aspect is covered and in such depth that I truly believe it helped me negotiate the best price and the best mortgage terms. I fully understood all the steps and when it came to final closing costs, I was impressed that I was able to accurately predict exactly what those would be ...no shocks here. I highly recommend this book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5 out of 5 stars

I have nothing bad to say about this book., 2006-03-18
I will be a first time homebuyer shortly and this book is really helping me put things into perspective and feel confident about purchasing a home. Easy to read. Easy to understand. Easy to find specific information. Highly recommended.

Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.