For the buyer uncertain of which type of dwelling to buy, the book outlines the differences between houses, condominiums and cooperative apartments and clearly spells out pros and cons for each. Among the unusual topics covered are house styles and factory-made houses. Photographs clearly show the differences between a split level and a high ranch. photographs of modular homes show the incredible choices homeowners have.

The book has eight chapters on mortgages. One chapter even shows the reader how to prequalify himself or herself for a loan. But the book stands out in its nine chapters on inspections, covering every part of the house from the neighborhood to the yard, from the kitchen to the basement and from the utilities to radon. After a close reading of the inspection section, a house hunter could give a home a pretty thorough looking over, even without hiring a professional inspector. -- Karen Tensa, Gannett Suburban Newspapers, Sunday, Sept 24, 1995.

Must read--This guide to home buying really lives up to its title

This book clearly lives up to its title. After I read the first chapter I said to myself,"This author must be an engineer because his explanations are so detailed."

Although I consider myself experienced in real estate, I learned significant details of which I was unaware. The book is literally spiced with photos of architecural home styles. More importantly, Youssef explains virtually every type of home, including condos and co-ops, along with their pros and cons. The book's emphasis is on preventing problems. This is accomplished primarily by inspections of virtually every home component.

This detail-oriented book is ideal for home buyers who want to carefully re search before searching for a home. After studying this book, the reader will know more about buying a home than virtually any real estate agent. It should give the reader the confidence of knowing a well built home from one which should be bypassed. On my scale of one to 10, this fine book rates a nine. -- Robert J. Bruss, The Chicago Tribune, Saturday, October 21, 1995.

The purchase of a home, no matter how small, involves a myriad of legal, financial, and inspection details. Because homes are very expensive, prospective home buyers (particularly those who are in the market for the first time) need to know all these details at the outset. Written for the non-specialist general reader, All You Need to Know Before Buying a Home explains all aspects of home purchase and ownership. It explains what to look for when buying a detached house, condominium, planned unit development, townhouse, cooperative, and factory-made home. Readers will learn how to shop for a conventional, FHA, VA, or FmHA loan with low or now down payment. How to find a competent lawyer , real estate agent, appraiser, and inspector. Recognize different architectural house styles. Inspect the neighborhood and inspect the home itself from the basement to the roof. -- Midwest Book Review