Home buying for dummies

Home economics. Deciding whether to buy ; Getting your financial house in order ; What can you afford to buy? ; Why home prices rise and fall

Financing 101. Understanding and improving your credit score ; Selecting a mortgage ; Mortgage quandaries, conundrums, and paperwork

Property, players, and prices. Where and what to buy ; Assembling an all-star real estate team ; What's it worth? ; Tapping the Internet's best resources

Making the deal. Negotiating your best deal ; Inspecting and protecting your home ; It ain't over till the weight-challenged escrow officer sings

The part of tens. Ten financial "to do's" after you buy ; Ten things to know when investing in real estate ; Ten things to consider when selling your house

Appendixes. Sample real estate purchase contract ; Example of a good inspection report ; Glossary.