Keep Calm . . . It's Just Real Estate

April 1, 2015

Sherrod, host of HGTV's Property Virgins, provides the basics of everything relating to purchasing your first home in an informal, conversational manner. In many ways, reading this book is like discussing real estate basics with a friend who happens to be a real estate agent. This book touches on all of the topics one would expect in such a resource, including attributes to seek out in a real estate agent, mortgage types, and common pitfalls to avoid. Sprinkled throughout are "chill pill" informational boxes with short bursts of information. Anecdotes from Sherrod's years working with clients are mentioned as well. While these stories are helpful, the volume lacks perspectives from other industry professionals, such as mortgage brokers and attorneys. Recent books on the home buying process, including Eric Tyson and Ray Brown's Home Buying Kit for Dummies and Nancy Conner's Buying a Home, cover more material, but this work has a just-the-basics approach for those considering buying their first place. VERDICT For newbies to the house-hunting market, or those considering a purchase, who would like casual, easy-to-follow tips from a real estate agent.--Leigh Mihlrad, FDIC Lib., Washington, DC

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.