How to buy a house in California: Strategies for beating the affordability gap

This bestseller provides effective strategies for buying a house in California's unique real estate market. Home buyers learn how to: find a house and choose a neighborhood; raise money for a down payment; unearth the best mortgage; take advantage of creative financing techniques, such as private mortgages and probate sales; choose and work with a real estate agent; inspect a house for physical problems and environmental hazards; make an offer and successfully negotiate a contract go through escrow and take title. Provides detailed advice on how to use the Internet to compare mortgages and apply for a loan, find and screen houses, gather community information and much more. Includes all necessary real estate forms and worksheets, including offer forms and disclosure statements.