Clark Smart Real Estate: The Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selling Real Estate

By Clark Howard and Mark Meltzer

Book Overview

One of America's leading consumer advocates and popular talk show hosts offers his tips and tricks to successfully buying and selling real estate--in any market. Real estate--whether in a boom or a bust economy--is still a good investment, but only if you make smart and patient choices. There is a lot of confusing information out there, and many people find it increasingly difficult to navigate the ever-changing world of real estate without losing their shirts, or their minds. In Clark Smart Real Estate , talk show host and bestselling author Clark Howard presents the best of his experience as a consumer advocate. In his simple and clear style, he shows readers how they can build wealth slowly over time through real estate, and how they can capitalize on--and protect themselves from--the real estate market's many fluctuations over the long term. Following his own "save more, spend less, and avoid ripoffs," philosophy, Howard encourages people to get "Clark Smart" and lays out practical and information-packed answers to common questions anyone interested in real estate might have about buying, selling, or financing. When should you buy your first home? Is it better to purchase a preexisting house or one newly built? What are some hidden closing costs, and how can you avoid them? Should you sell your home yourself? How does one shop for a mortgage? What are the costs of refinancing? Sound advice in a handy format--this is what Clark Howard's readers have been waiting for, and it's just in time to help the multitudes flummoxed by today's conflicting real estate market.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 140130785X
• ISBN13: 9781401307851
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Clark Smart Real Estate

As a rookie in real estate investing I learned alot from this book. Clark Howard's writing style is easy to read and understand.

Real Estate

Book was a good primer; brief and general, but I wanted more specifics in certain areas; overall, it's a good reference book to keep on your shelf for a quick refresher.

A "Must-Read" for first-time home buyers

Sound, practical advice for anyone buying real estate. I have owned 4 rentals over the years & I KNOW that Clark's aproach will work. This is NOT a book that says "anyone can buy real estate with no money down, no much how much you owe." Instead, this is a "slow-growth" approach that endorses a conservative, careful approach to real estate investing. Know what you are buying, do your homework first, etc. - and Clark shows you how to get the information you need. This is THE book to read before buying a personal home or an investment property. Because I think so much like Clark, I borrowed a copy from the library;but I strongly recommend that anyone new to real estate purchasing BUY a copy to keep. You will want it with you every step of the way, from searching for a good deal to choosing investment lenders & negotiating mortgage rates.

Great sensible approach

Great book with a no nonsense, no get rich quick strategy to buying and holding real estate. Clark is the master at thrift and low risk.

Very helpful book

I found that this book offers clear and concise tips for many areas pertaining to real estate. We are considering selling our home and I have gained some great pointers that I would not have thought of on my own. This book has the same "Clark-smartness" that comes across on his radio show and other books. Highly recommend.