When it comes to real estate, there are occasional seller's markets — like the one we just went through, spurred on by the ability of many Americans to work from anywhere due to the pandemic.

But first-time homebuyers should not get discouraged. Seller's markets aren't the norm and many experts say that 90% of the time, it's a buyer's market. In fact, home sellers are typically lucky if they can get just two interested buyers simultaneously, placing most first-time homebuyers in a great position to negotiate. 

Here's a tip: Think logically and avoid falling in love with a house. Buying a home requires more than just putting money down and making monthly mortgage payments. Over time you have to furnish, landscape, insure, heat, cool and maintain it. Instead, buy one that's more in line with what you “need” rather than one that you “have to have.”

Like that tip? Then you'll love the information packed into these five books on first-time homebuying. We summarized each to help you determine which fits the needs of your family — and your wallet — best.

First-Time Home Buyer: The Complete Playbook to Avoiding Rookie Mistakes 

By Scott Trench and Mindy Jensen

176 pages

Want to stop renting? Buying a home can generate wealth and give you some freedom at the same time—and this book will show you how to make a decision that gives you the most financial flexibility possible. The authors cover all of the pre-purchase decisions you need to consider before you even start looking for a property, what goes into buying a home and nitty-gritty details like how to view properties with an eye for detail and how to submit offers and survive a home inspection. Everything from contract to closing!

➡️ A top Amazon review: 

5 out of 5 stars — Fantastic!

“Perfect for understanding the decision on renting vs. buying vs. house hacking etc. It doesn't push you any certain way, just gives you all the facts. Highly recommended for anyone buying their first home.”

📖 Get it in audiobook, Kindle or paperback: https://amzn.to/3G3Co7l   

 

The Super Simple Home Buyer's Handbook 

By Timothy and Clint Carver

61 pages

Hunting for your first home? You probably just want to get started and don't want to take on a super long read. So we offer up this one, which the authors cite will only take just over an hour and a half to digest cover to cover. This step-by-step guide to buying a house includes tips that save time and money, costly “no-no's” to avoid, what to watch out for when touring a home, explanations of confusing words and terms and helpful resources like info on loans, credit reports and more. 

➡️ A top Amazon review: 

5 out of 5 stars — Just the right amount of quick info 

“Short, sweet and to the point. A nice quick reference guide that helped get me started as a new home buyer. Really liked the definitions section to clear up some terms I have always been unsure about.”

📖 Available on Kindle or in paperback: https://amzn.to/39A01rV 

 

 

How to Buy Your Perfect First Home: What Every First-Time Homebuyer Needs to Know 

By Anthony S. Park

126 pages

Successful home buying is all about getting the details right from the very start until the last minute of closing. This self-published book provides a ton of tips to help first-time homebuyers navigate the process, save money and close the deal. It covers why it's essential to start saving early, how to decide how much home you can afford and how to check and strengthen your credit. As you move into financing, Park delves into exploring home loan options, researching first-time homebuyer assistance programs, comparing mortgage rates and fees and getting preapproved. There's lots more in this highly-rated book. 

➡️ A top Amazon review: 

5 out of 5 stars — So much useful information

“Although this isn't my first home purchase, I found a lot of detailed information about the home buying and financing process I hadn't considered before. Park highlights details that are easy to overlook and breaks down complicated financial concepts.” 

📖 In Kindle, audiobook and paperback: https://amzn.to/3PImXWG

 

70 Things First-Time Home Buyers Need to Know

by Jim Kimmons

212 pages

Buying your first home but have no idea where to start? This self-published book breaks down all the complicated real estate legalese and provides you with critical tips to help you locate the right home for your family, decide whether or not to buy and navigate the process from saving to bidding to appraisals to closing. Full of info, it looks at the benefits of owning a single-family home vs. a condominium, selecting the right real estate agent for your needs, negotiating home prices and what to do if the home you're looking at needs repairs. 

➡️ A top Amazon review: 

5 out of 5 stars — LOVED 

“This book had the perfect amount of cliff note information to send me on my path to success. It also has a nice section at the end to give you definitions and explanations of all the confusing words used in the house buying/selling world.”

📖 Read the paperback or get it on Kindle: https://amzn.to/3wDUj01 

 

Real Estate Investing: Buying Your First House Younger

by Lou Vachon

140 pages

This book is quick to point out the plenty of perks to owning a home but doesn't shy away from the risks inherent in the process that first-time homebuyers need to look out for. Like the critical factor about your prospective neighborhood that can affect home values by 20%. Here you'll find the five creative ways to meet your down payment requirement in a shorter amount of time — without resorting to “no down payment” loans. From searching for your perfect home to making an offer and financing it, it's an easy-to-follow reference covering the whole home buying process.ee

➡️ A top Amazon review:

5 out of 5 stars — Wise advice for first home buyers

“It made me feel more secure about the direction to take as I plan to buy my first house. Even an experienced buyer might forget important steps, but this book covers basics and offers an array of tips to make the experience smooth and successful.”

📖 Available in Kindle, audiobook and paperback formats: https://amzn.to/3NvsRIR 

 

No time to read?

Connect with a local loan officer to discuss what's needed for you to start thinking about buying your first home. Or, if you're ready to get started, apply online today!