DC Region Real Estate's Essential Guide for Smart Buyers

D.C. Region Real Estate’s Essential Guide for Smart Buyers offers buyers key insights and guidance on the entire home buying process, making it the perfect launching point for those planning to purchase a home. Within its pages is an easy-to-understand blueprint for navigating the process. From finding a lender, exploring homes, and making an offer, to understanding the time-sensitive process from contract ratification to settlement, this book provides helpful guideposts along the way.

The opening chapter addresses when is a good time to buy and what benefits buyers should expect. Chapter 2 offers a step-by-step roadmap to home buying success, along with checklists and summaries to keep buyers on track. Chapter 3 provides critical insights related to applying for and obtaining a loan. Chapter 4 helps buyers understand the costs associated with buying a home and making a monthly mortgage payment. Chapter 5 examines title insurance—what it is, why buyers need it, and the types of policies available. Chapter 6 explains the importance of understanding who real estate agents represent and what obligations they have to various parties participating in the transaction. Chapter 7 details buyer agent agreements and how they can protect buyers. Chapter 8 outlines strategies buyers can employ to win in competitive home buying situations. And Chapter 9 explains some key terms of real estate contracts—the contingencies—which govern the process and offer buyers opportunities to legally void a contract without losing deposits.

The authors are veteran agents and Top Producers with the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors®. This book already has proved essential for their many buyer clients and is now offered to buyers at large. While some details focus on the D.C. metro market, the advice and insights are valuable in any market.