Keep Calm . . . It's Just Real Estate: Your No-Stress Guide to Buying a Home

by Egypt Sherrod, Amber Noble Garland (With)

Overview

HGTV host and experienced real estate expert, Egypt Sherrod, demystifies the home buying experience for first-timers as well as relocaters, with a touch of sass and brilliant organizing tips and lists.

Egypt Sherrod takes nervous prospective home-buyers by the hand and lead them through the home-buying process. She does it as host of HGTV's highly-rated show, Property Virgins, and Flipping Virgins. In this practical, accessible book, Sherrod translates her reassuring advice onto the pages of this no-stress guide to buying a home. Sherrod simplifies the many steps of the process, and giving readers/buyers invaluable information, including:

• Top ten things to consider before buying a home
• How sticking with one agent works in your favor
• Eight ways to be an attractive homebuyer on paper, and ease the mortgage-approval process
• What to do in a bidding war
• Why you should never overlook the home inspection
• And much more!

Sherrod provides plenty of anecdotes, handy lists, and even a glossary to ensure that readers keep organized, stress-free . . . and experience the thrill of home ownership.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762457564
Publisher:	Running Press Book Publishers
Publication date:	03/10/2015
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	908,411
File size:	653 KB

About the Author

Egypt Sherrod is "America's most beloved real estate agent" and host of HGTV's top-rated show, Property Virgins, now in its seventh season. As a real estate expert with a successful real estate referral business, she's made appearances on CNBC, CNN, NBC's Today, as well as being featured in Rolling Stone, Ebony, Jet, and other magazines. She has also been a national radio personality, syndicated in more than sixty cities throughout the USA. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Table of Contents

Introduction 8

Chapter 1 Buying a Home With Confidence: Ready to Take the Plunge? 14

Chapter 2 Building Your Real Estate Dream Team: The First Step 29

Chapter 3 Don't Worry, Buy Happy! Finding the Home of Your Dreams 47

Chapter 4 Distressed Properties: Are They Really Worth the Hunt? 65

Chapter 5 The Down and Dirty About Downpayments: Knowing What You Can Afford 80

Chapter 6 Getting Approved for a Mortgage: Which Home Loan Is Right for You? 88

Chapter 7 The Thrill of Making an Offer: How to Seal the Deal 110

Chapter 8 Get Out Your Magnifying Glass: Why You Should Never Overlook the Inspection 123

Chapter 9 Appraisals: Comps, Reports, Results … Oh My! 140

Chapter 10 Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Home Buying No No's 147

Chapter 11 The Title Scrub Down: Not All Title Companies Are Created Equal 157

Chapter 12 The Closing Table: The Final Frontier 169

Chapter 13 Unlocking the Doors of Your New Home: Now What? 178

Glossary The Lingo Real Estate Terms to Know 185

Acknowledgments 213

Index 215

Editorial Reviews

“Egypt Sherrod is my Realtor BFF in my head and Keep Calm. . . It's Just Real Estate should be a MUST HAVE for all buyers. I wish I read this book when I was buying my first property.”
—Stacy London, television host and author

“Egypt's book is a true gem. . . Her extensive knowledge and professional approach beautifully translate into a page-turning guide that will easily take you through, and her passion for real estate shines on every page.”
—Sabrina Soto, designer and television host

“This book is just what the doctor ordered! It's just like Egypt to want to make everyone's life easier and simplify the stressful buying and selling process. Keep Calm... It's Just Real Estate gives you all the tools needed to come out smiling and on TOP.”
—Keke Wyatt, recording artist and star of TV One's R&B Divas

“Egypt has a knack for helping buyers figure out what really matters to them, and then coming up with a plan to make it happen. When the hunt gets overwhelming, Egypt puts things into perspective. Having her on your side is like having a BFF who's a real estate pro. Now she's captured all of that wisdom in a book, so every reader can go house-shopping with confidence.”
—Betsy Riley, executive editor, Atlanta Magazine's Home edition

From the Publisher

04/01/2015
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

Library Journal