A complete guide for the first-time home buyer. Learn about:

• Pros and cons of home ownership
• Evaluating your finances and budget
• Mortgage prequalification and first-time buyer programs
Using an agent and finding an attorney
• House hunting strategies
• Evaluating properties
• Offers and negotiations
• Closing, settlement and escrow
• Insurance and taxes

Home ownership—it is the great American dream and one of the biggest decisions you will make. Not only are you putting down roots but you’re also making a key financial decision that will impact your budget today and assets tomorrow. For anyone facing the joy and anxiety that comes with buying a first home, Are You Ready to Buy a House? Your Action Plan to Make it Happen is an invaluable resource that prepares you to make the best decision possible.

This complete layman’s guide provides the answers every new homeowner-to-be is seeking, from the pros and cons of buying versus renting to deciding how much you can spend to choosing a house and a neighborhood to finding, negotiating, financing and closing on the home you have been dreaming of.

If you are looking to “buy” then be prepared to do it right.

The enclosed CD includes a handy Real Estate Dictionary as well as an electronic version of this book.

When you register your purchase at Socrates.com, you will receive over $100 worth of FREE additional forms, checklists and tools to help you execute your real estate transactions, including:

• Offer to Purchase Real Estate
• Closing Costs Worksheet
• Calculating Your Net Worth Checklist
• Mortgage Shopping Worksheet
• Community Assessment
• Property/Neighborhood Features Checklist
• Preliminary Home Inspection Checklist
• Home Maintenance Schedule
• Letter of Intent to Purchase Real Estate