Purchasing your first home may be one of the first truly adult decisions you make. And no matter how prepared you are, taking such a significant step—especially one with so many zeros on the price tag—can make you want to close your eyes and get it over with. But if you're going to put your time and money into anything, you want to make sure you find the perfect house with the right finance at the right price. A home you'd be happy to live in for a long time, regardless of market conditions. You'll need more information than you would for almost any other purchase to do so.

This book is chock-full of practical advice on the home-buying process. It also includes anecdotes and suggestions that we hope will remind you to enjoy this wonderful, if occasionally stressful, or nerve-wracking process. Keep in mind what you want: your own home, where you may pound nails on the walls, buy a pet, and paint your bedroom any color you choose without asking the landlord!

You'll be completely ready once you've learned the main information here (don't worry, you won't have to listen to every chapter or section). We'll demonstrate how to:

• Determine a reasonable pricing range based on your budget and plan tactics to increase your spending power
• Take care of your credit
• Choose a creditor and get preapproved
• Make and negotiate an offer
• Hire the best realtor as a first-time buyer
• Use the debt snowball or avalanche method to pay off debt
• Complete your finance, obtain inspections, and complete any remaining duties, and then
• Getting the keys after signing the document

Prices are down, and the number of properties for sale is up in many parts of the country, creating a buyer's market. At the same time, news reports of foreclosures and other home-buying disasters may make you hesitant to take such a significant move.

This is where the book First Time Home Buyer Book & Beyond: Step by Step Guide for Before During & After House Purchase Investment comes in. It removes the mystery and ambiguity around house purchases. This book walks you through the entire process, from deciding whether or not house ownership is right for you to walking through the front door of your new home. Along the way, you'll learn how to identify the ideal property, evaluate neighborhoods, choose the right specialists to work with, make an offer, choose a mortgage and apply for financing, negotiate with the seller, obtain a home inspection, and ensure a smooth closing.

There's a lot to learn, and this book will help you along the road.