Home Rich

December 10, 2007
Written by the anchor of Open House
, CNN’s weekly half-hour real estate show, this book is like having a good friend on call to answer all of a first-time home buyer’s questions about the process. Willis covers questions you might be embarrassed to ask: “How much house can I afford?” or “What kinds of maintenance do I need to do to my home each season?” Divided into four sections—“Buying, Maintaining, Upgrading, and Selling”—this book walks the reader through the whole process, from providing formulas to calculate an affordable mortgage to landscaping. (Willis provides tables that list names of shrubs and their growing regions.) Bold headers allow the reader to dip in to each section as needed. With a straightforward style and concrete advice—Willis doesn’t just tell you that you should interview your real estate agent or general contractor; she lists the questions you should ask—this book will help those who are completely new to the housing market approach the field with confidence.

February 1, 2008
Willis, a financial columnist and real estate expert, offers a handbook for managing the largest asset most Americans havetheir home. Using case studies, worksheets, and analytical tools, Willis gives detailed advice on buying, maintaining, upgrading, and selling a home, which is important information, since unlike previous generations that traditionally owned their homes for decades, our society now moves every nine years. Willis provides 12 rules for becoming home rich, including knowing how much you can afford, picking the best team of advisors, finding the right location for you, planning for improvements before you buy, and choosing your financing vehicle wisely. She concludes, using a calculator, some hard work, and common sense, you can achieve a smart investmentone that grows over time as you and your family enjoy your property. This is a thoughtful, easy-to-read explanation of the myriad factors involved in home ownership. Willis book will be a helpful resource for many library patrons.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)