RE/MAX home buyer's survival guide

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.