Now updated — America's #1 bestselling home-buying book! Want to buy a house, but concerned about the market? Have no fear — this trusted guide arms you with Eric Tyson and Ray Brown's time-tested advice and updated strategies for buying a home in current market conditions. You'll discover how to find the right property, make smart financial decisions, and understand the latest lending requirements and tax implications. New to this edition — new and expanded coverage to help homebuyers take advantage of low home prices, understand the subprime mortgage crisis, obtain a mortgage, and improve credit scores - To buy or not to buy? — weigh the advantages of owning versus renting, get your finances in order, and know how much house you can safely afford - Handle financing — understand your credit rating, navigate the different types of mortgages, and complete all paperwork - Play the real estate game — find the right location and property, assemble an all-star real estate team, and make the most of the Internet's real estate resources - Let's make a deal — negotiate with finesse, make successful offers, inspect and protect your new home, and cover all your bases in escrow "Invaluable information, especially for the first-time home buyer." — Fort Worth Star-Telegram "A reference you'll turn to time after time." — St. Petersburg Times Open the book and find: Reasons why home prices rise and fall - Hands-on instruction for buying a home in up or down markets - How to pay the price you want - The best mortgage options - A sample home-buying contract - Pros and cons of comparable market analysis - Tips for overcoming mortgage and appraisal problems - How to cope with buyer's remorse - The best real estate Web sites Eric Tyson , MBA, is a financial counselor and the author of bestselling For Dummies books on personal finance, investing, and real estate investing. Ray Brown , a real estate professional for more than 30 years, has hosted a real estate radio show in San Francisco.