The First-Time Homeowner's Handbook: A Complete Guide and Workbook for the First-Time Home Buyer (Book & CD-ROM) Paperback – September 12, 2006

Buying a new home can be an overwhelming experience for anyone, but especially for first time buyers. This book is written expressly for individuals buying their first home. The entire procedure is broken down into small, sequential pieces which can be easily understood by the reader. All aspects of home buying are covered, including the next steps following the purchase of a new home.The book also includes a wonderful CD-ROM containing over thirty different worksheets, forms, and sample contracts. Although each state has its own specific laws and regulations, these forms will help the first time buyers acquaint themselves with the process and feel more at ease with the paperwork. Included in the worksheets is a questionnaire to be used when interviewing real estate agents, arguably the most important decision when beginning to search for a house.This book simplifies the process of home buying for the novice. I would recommend this book for people who are intimidated by the prospect of buying a home. The knowledge and presentation of the book will ease the minds of prospective buyers and empower them in the home buying process.

This book instead of easing the process of learning how to acquire your new home, in my opinion scares the heck out of me. It makes it seem so expensive and complicated...

I bought this book in preparation of buying a house - we are first time home-buyers and needed to know the basics without getting bogged down with too much jargon or poorly-written advice. I found the book easy to read and the chapters helpful without sacrificing important information that I needed to know. The book comes with a CD with useful forms and other checklists for those geeks and control freaks too who like to pay attention to detail. After reading the book, I no longer felt like an ignoramus and could carry on an intelligent, 2-way conversation with realtors. It was worth the twenty bucks I paid for the book just for the peace of mind and education in house-buying.

Though this book's title specifies that it's for the first time buyer, my advice would be to pick it up and read it thoroughly regardless of how many times you've bought or built. It is a super compendium of all the steps a buyer needs to take, including information on motivation and emotions in home buying, taxes, paperwork, hiring a professional advocate such as a lawyer or real estate agent, and an in-depth discussion of how to find out your credit score. The section on credit also gives good advice about establishing and maintaining a good credit score that would be helpful for anyone trying to finance a large purchase. The information in this book should be available from the real estate agent you're working with, but it's good to know it yourself in case the agent isn't keeping your well-being in mind at all times.I also appreciated the straightforward, matter-of-fact tone of this book. There were no embellishments, just the information in a logical, easy to understand format. It also includes a 15 page glossary, helpful for the novice. Five stars out of five.

This book is nothing more than an advertisement for realtors. It was written by a realtor to convince the reader that they are incompetent and needs someone to shepherd them through the house buying "experience". It gives no details or insider information or really anything that you cannot gather from any home-buying website. Don't waste your money or your time reading this. One star is too gracious, but it's the worst I can do.

Would be great book first time buyer. I ordered thinking it had repair techniques

Enjoyed the content. I definitely learned and feel better prepared to begin the home-buying process for the first time.

good