Good Book For Home Buying?

[Shelsi]

Dh and I will (hopefully) soon be buying our first home and we have NO clue whatsoever about the process. I know I could prob get all the info I need off the internet but I really just process things better when reading from a book. Of course there are a thousand books on buying a home so I thought I'd ask for some recommendations. Something that will explain all the little details and the process of how to even go about it because we are completely clueless.

[texmati]

ooh! before reading the rest of your post, I was going to reccomend the wiki on zillow.com.

I did read quite a few books before buying our house, I'll have to sit back and think on some titles though.

Also, a good realtor can be invaluable when you are buyign for the first time.

[MaddieMay]

Check into the "Dummies" series-there is probably a Homebuying for Dummies book, which would give you a good basic start.

Also, David Bach (The Automatic Millionaire author) has a book called The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner. I really enjoy his books and find them easy to understand, but of course everyone will have a different opinion.

[zersha]

There might be some classes available in your area for first time homebuyers. We have a website in our state called the *our state* Housing Finance Agency, and they have links to places that offer the free class, plus give you a $100 voucher towards your closing costs for attending.

Maybe there is something like that in your area? We are going to be buying a house, but not for 1-2 yrs, so we haven't attended yet, but we will when the time gets closer.

Buying a house sure is confusing though, isn't it? I have researched online quite a bit, but I know we'll need some help when the time comes. Financing, making offers, escrow, etc - it confuses me how all these things come together to actually get you into a home.

[TiredX2]

We read a lot of books before buying our first home (in 2001) and we liked Homebuying for Dummies (as a PP mentioned):

http://www.amazon.com/Home-Buying-Du...7245358&sr=8-1

You can probably get it at your library. The one we read was a different edition, but I'm sure it will have the same info.

Good luck!

[Shelsi]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I was looking at the "Dummies" book but just wanted some feedback first.

I wish I had time for classes but right now dh is deployed and when he comes back we've got 4 weeks to move out of base housing...we still don't know where we are moving and he's still looking for jobs (obviously we won't be getting a house until he has a job!) so our lives will be hectic to say the least.

[root*children]

I really liked this one called 10 Steps to Home Ownership. My computer is being funky and not letting me post links, but it's on amazon for a couple bucks. It has worksheets inside and it is nice for me to have a sort of "checklist" in that huge crazy process!

[grisandole]

The Virgin Homeowner is good, as is Mortgage Rip Offs and Money Savers