Buying-the

As this book was last updated in 1990, none of the comments on closing, inspection and repair costs have any meaning. About half of what I read could be put to use today - not a waste of time, but I would look for something published in the last year or two.

This is a great overview to home buying. Beware some of the tax-related info is out -of-date -- namely the information about capital gains. Other than that this is the best introduction I've seen. I highly recommend it.

I am extremely impressed with this book. I would recommend it to anyone planning to buy a home, even though it is intended primarily to first-timers. It is organized very effectively, making it useful as a reference for veterans. I found it more useful than books with titles like '149 questions for the homebuyer', which rarely attempt seriously to cover all the essential ground.

Chapters: 1. Do you really want to buy a house?

This is a well-balanced discussions of the pros and cons of home ownership. This is in contrast to many books I have read (and own) that unabashedly sell home ownership.

2. Prequalification - How much can you afford?

A detailed treatment of the subject, including the formulas and processes used by mortgage providers to set lending limits.

3. Study the Market

Some sensible ideas to help the buyer assess whether the market is hot or cold, and what the market conditions imply about the search.

4. What to look for in a broker

Discusses buyers agents, sellers agents and dual agents, Realtors vs. brokers, limitations of brokers, and things to look out for.

5. Narrowing the search

The first few weeks of looking. Reminds buyer to keep an open mind about style, neighborhood, new vs. old, etc. Practical considerations in choosing neighborhood and type of house/yard.

6. Recognizing the Dream I - the outside

Style, roofs, gutters, foundations, structural soundness, expansions/alterations.

7. Recognizing the Dream I - the inside

Floor plans, bathrooms and kitchens, walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, toxic materials.

8. Recognizing the Dream I - the major systems

Heating/cooling, compares effectiveness, cost and whether to replace. Insulation, hot water heater, water service, septic/sewage, electical system.

9. The Condo and Coop alternatives

Good discussion of advantages/disadvantages of these two with respect to financing, lifestyle and value.

10. The Bottom Line: What it will cost to buy

Short chapter on last minute cost considerations before making an offer.

11. Putting it in writing

Very good treatise on the timeline and legal implications of the offer, purchase and sale contract, inspections, down payments and closing. This chapter was worth the price of the book to me.

12. Shopping for a Mortgage

Pros and cons of ARM's and other nonstandard mortgages, points, and desirable characteristics in lenders.

13. The Application Process

Credit reports, appraisals, title searches, the long wait for the approval. How many to apply for.

14. Closing

How much it will cost. The closing process and how to deal with things that go wrong.

15. Living Happily ever after

Sensible advice about mortgage payments, renovations, furnishing, refinancing and maintenance.

16. Debt and Taxes

The tax deduction on mortgages. What records you need to keep for the tax man.

As the list of chapters might imply, this is a very thoughtfully organized and written book. Easily 5 stars!

The general tips on the business are good, but this book was written during a very different time in the antiques business. A lot of the what is discussed is out of date and does not apply to today's market. The manner in which the information is presented is annoying because the book is written by Sara Pitzer, but the knowledge of the business comes from Don Cline. Pitzer ends up saying "Don says this..." and "Don tried that..." and so on. Very annoying.

This book is excellently written with many enlightening stories to illustrate the authors' points about buying, selling, negotiating and more.
As someone who is toying with the idea of opening a booth in an antiques mall, I appreciated reading about the other selling options available such as holding antiques yard sales, picking for other dealers, or attending flea sales.
Although this book is not very long, it is the most helpful title I've found and is well worth its price. The authors concentrate on what the reader really needs to know: how to get started without getting in over one's head, how to buy and where (with the inside scoop on auctions and estate sales - fascinating!), how to sell most items at a profit and get rid of the mistakes, dealer discounts and possible sidelines to earn extra income.

Sara Pitzer and Don Cline map out an easy-to-follow trail of tips, etiquette, and guidelines for beginning antique enthusiasts. Even those not planning to become antique dealers will benefit from the sound advice in this book.

The chapter on auctions was an eye-opening book in itself. I only wish I had read this book before I found myself at my first auction, the dreaded estate auction. As I read this book, I cringed at the novice mistakes and blunders I made at that first auction. Ms. Pitzer and Mr. Cline are kind enough to let the reader in on some of the blunders and mistakes Don and other experts have made in the past. They point out how you can learn from their mistakes.

Thank you Sara and Don, you have taught me I can inch my way into the business. Your advice is sound, and the mistakes were reassuring. With your book, I now feel ready to face the auctions again!

The cover reads 'The Only Travel Guide You'll Ever Need'. Presumptuous, to say the least; especially in a world where websites appear and disappear weekly. Though the copyright is 1999 the information contained in the book is pre-1999, thus very dated.

I used this book to plan a trip to Nova Scotia. More people, when shopping, use the Internet for travel than any other category and this would tell if the book was worth the purchase price. It is not.

The listing under accommodations for both hotels and Bed & Breakfast were sparse. B&B had three listings and one page would not come up, another had been absorbed by another web site and the one that was still relevant was cumbersome to use. Hotel & Resorts had five listings four of which connected, one was co-oped. I linked my way to a site that I used to reserve accommodations.

Save your money. You can find most of what you want using a good 'bot'. A bot is a software tool for digging through data. You give a bot directions and it bring back answers... Conditionally Recommended. 2 Stars

If you like to vacation, or if you do a lot of business travel - and you have access to the Internet - then this book is a must. I have been purchasing my airline tickets on the Internet for quite a while, but this book just gave me clear access to a whole world of great travel sites and destination information. This book is a must have.

Durant Imboden, Internet Savant and host of the Writing Community for MSN, takes you everywhere you want to go.

The only thing wrong with the book is there should be an accompanying, searchable CD-ROM so the hyper-text destinations would be instantly accessible with a web browser and a click. It would seem a publisher that would want to publish this book would understand how valuable the content would become in digital form. The negligble cost of a CD-ROM would not impact unfavorably on profits because this book is a bargain at its current price.

This guide is essential information, obviously available to anyone on the web, at the expense of countless hours of research and editing. Imboden brings an editor's skilled eye to this book which contains a world of links and the Net insider's way to save money and travel to the most interesting travel destinations on the Web.

I was disappointed in this report. In looking for a used car, my primary interests are safety, reliability, initial cost, maintenance cost, insurance cost and probability of theft. While this report provided good information on reliability and initial cost, the profiles contained no information about crash tests, insurance costs, or probability of theft. The report indicated that its own crash tests were conducted, but they were not presented. Safety information included only a section listing important safety items (such as air bags, anti-lock brakes) and a report of same in each car profile. The report gave two web sites that could be visited for crash test information and I visited those web sites. The result is that I've spent hours on the web and am compiling my own information from the web, this report and other sources in order to get all of the information I need. If you just want information about reliability and price, this is your book. If you want comprehensive information, maybe there is a better book somewhere. . . I haven't found it.

As usual, Consumer Reports does an excellant job of providing information about used cars. Unlike the Consumer Guide on used cars, Consumer Reports accepts no funding from car manufacturers. Consumer Reports gives a non-biased, excellant source of information. We have already bought one car according to their suggestions and the car has been the best car we have ever had!

The new CR guide, like the CR's other releases, is a very useful car guide, aimed not only for car lovers - but to nearly anyone who has anything to do with cars.

When I look for a used car, the main issue for me is Reliability. Almost anything I need to know about it is in that guide. A great tool I had last year - when I bought a car - was the beautiful CR 1998 guide. This one is even better. With history about the car makers and a short review about each model - I have more than I need to know.

And there is more. As a car owner, I fully respect the CR's tips about maintaining the car. Words about tires, breaks, safety features etc. are completing the bargain.

A recommended magazine for car lovers, and a great tool for the rest.

Robert Irwin writes in general terms about things that are common sense to anyone who knows a screwdriver from a hammer. This book is strictly for someone that has not even purchased a house before. One last note; If you do buy this book, buy it from Amazon.com because it cost me four dollars more at my local book store!

This is a wonderful book that saved me countless dollars and hours in helping me figure out how the best way was to make my newly acquired 'fixer-upper' a dream home.

This is a step-by-step guide to buying and rehabbing a handyman's (or woman's) special. Real estate expert Robert Irwin shows you how to decide if you're the right person for the project. If so, you'll learn how to locate a property, check it out, become its proud owner, then assemble your "dream team" of plumbers, electricians, and other contractors. You'll also find lots of helpful advice on estimating costs, financing the deal, and deciding what parts of the many projects to tackle yourself.

First off, this book should not be titled "Buying And..." as it is oriented almost entirely to the seller.

Second off, the author is either too lazy, or, more likely, trying to sell memberships in the Restaurant Association. There simply is not excuse not to provide specific guidance to setting a price when you are charging so much for a book ($19.95 plus shipping) purported to provide "Everything you need to know to buy, sell, and finance a restaurant business."

Not to slip into their trap of generalization, I will explain that comment. Starting on page 38, Setting the right price, the writer discusses the various methods - market approach; cost approach; income approach and does a good job introducing the reader to these and profitability, rule of thumb and so forth. Then, however, the author continually tells the reader to consult www.restaurant.org without giving any reasonable guidance.

That, my friends, is a sham to be truly respected by the men and women now running for President!

Let me rephrase. "Friends, what this country needs is two [check out my fine information at www.whatamericaneeds.org] and you too can have a vacation every month of the year for the rest of my term, but only if you visit my website at www.whatamericaneeds.org!

All the above just goes to prove that organizations involved in publishing proprietary information directed at their membership probably need to take care when they try earning a sideline income publishing booklets for the downscale market.

Because it is so hard to get good entrepreneurial information for cottage industry start-ups, I am starting a publishing company and magazine named LJ's Breaking Free! for those great folks wanting to break free from bondage to corporate wage-slaving. Anybody interested?

Having so chastized them, I will tell you I've read Restaurant Site Location and it was much more thorough and much more helpful - Bill Anderson (LJ).

The books cover all the bases, providing clear explanations and helpful, specific information, I have not bought a restaurant yet, but I will and this book helped alot for just a little

With the help of this neat little book I bought my first restaurant !! Worth it's weight in gold!

A must buy if you are looking to purchase a post-war Triumph. The book really cuts to the chase and tells it up front. It is a good resource for distinguishing the differences in model years and what things to look for in each.

The book is a little hard to take as a Triumph enthusiast when he cuts up certain models. "The TR6... was old when it was new... the design was ancient, the car got lousy gas mileage... it was never bolted together properly" Hey!!! That's my baby.

Just don't let this book scare you away from owning a Triumph altogether. As the author states "All Triumphs are a good value". I personally would just say it with more enthusiasm

Great information for the enthusiast or shopper. The rating system for ability to match or beat the market trends is a good indicator of how much flexibility there may be in the price if you're shopping.

Overall, a decent book, but the author seems to go out of his way to emphasize the TR7's troubles. Although it's true that the 7 will not likely be an collector, it is a great value in an open top car, and has always been underrated. That he derides the model is probably not such a bad thing, as this will help keep prices down for those of us "in the know". One aspect he neglects is the ease of converting the TR7 to a TR8 via an engine swap, making the car a poor man's cobra (ok, almost) for the masses. Forget matching-numbers purism in this car, it's for driving. Other than that, his advice on selecting a TR7 is fairly well founded.

IN THE DRESSING ROOM WITH BRENDA was one of those books that I was really glad I read, but at the same time I had to push myself through some of it. What's terrific are the lists, such as "Bren's Rules for Dressing," and step-by-step instructions on taking your measurements once and for all. Her helpful hints on taking care of your "babies" (clothes) had me wishing she'd write an entire book on the subject. I was disappointed, however, with the rather overbearing tone of the book. Although most of her advice was up-to-the-minute, sometimes it seems she assumes the world is divided into the well-dressed and those who still wear stirrup pants and hawaiian shirts. Come on, Bren--most of us fall somewhere in-between. I really didn't need a whole chapter of her opinions on tatoos, either. I give this book three stars because I'll bet she could help me out in the dressing room, but she might drive me crazy, too!

The authors give out basic information about taking care of, building, and maintaining a wardrobe. Cost factors to consider, quality clothing cues, building a wardrobe, basic yes, yeses, and no, nos.

I looked up where they are located and plan on using their professional services as well.

After I had open-heart surgery which put a 12 inch scar down the middle of my chest, my wardrobe needed a serious going over.This book was a terrific help.If you are looking for pictures of stuff to wear, go elsewhere, you won't find them here. If you are looking for substantial fashion advice for any age or era, check out this book.I rearranged my closet according to Bren's very simple system, and it was a revelation.Now, the author probably spends waaaa...yyy more on clothes than I ever would, but I am a 43 year-old housewife/artist/army wife and she is an image consultant.But her advice is geared towards real-life. (What other fashionista out there recognizes that a woman may have specific underwear for "that time of the month", or one may need to dress for a specific climate or lifestyle?)This is practical advice, and her writing style is light and fun.Thanks, Bren!

The authors both are long-time consultants for Visa and it is very apparent in this book. The discussion of MasterCard, Discover, and American Express is limited. The treatment of various legal actions (Nabanco, US DOJ, WalMart, duality) is one sided. There is minimal study of the economics of the business from vantage points (consumer, merchant, acquirer, Issuer, co-branding partner, etc.) other than the card association.

It's clear from some of the statistical material prsented that Visa particpated in the book.

Ever see JAG? It's about a real portrayl of the Navy & Marine Corp as this is of the card industry.

I picked up this book because I have always been interested in the history of money and the power of gold as currency. If you are fascinated by the concept of money and how it makes the world go round, Paying With Plastic will whet your appetite.

To many a layperson, paper money has intrinsic value ostensibly because it is backed by gold. That, is furthest from the centre of gravity. Since Bretton Woods, paper money has not been backed by gold and has absolutely no value. The "value" of paper money is perceived and has "value" only because governments say so and because we believe in it. In fact, paper money forms only a very small portion of the money that is in circulation. These days, money is in the form of digits, bits and bytes - expressed as numbers in some computer harddisk.

Paying With Plastic explores a new form of money and how credit cards are the latest form of money - evolving from metal coins, bills of exchange, and paper money. The book traces the early and painful development of what was initially a clumsy mode of payment to what is today one of the most effecient, organised and widespread form of payment.

Paying With Plastic is the leading book of its kind - thorough, yet readable. If you are interested in the concept of money and how the credit card system works, then this book is for you.

The authors bring disciplined methodology to the study of "industrial development," using credit cards as a case study. The book is useful not just for its anecdotal review of how credit cards got started & how they are used; and not just for the wealth of statistics it provides on how card & other payment usage has changed over the years; but most importantly, by putting some structure around all that material so that we can understand it coherently. So many books on banking & on industrial development (like things by guru Tom Peters) are just so many anecdotes strung together for 100s of pages, with no "system" for understanding what's being talked about. This book's strength is that it provides the reader with a way of interpreting not only what's in the book but with a way of understanding the incessant new developments in the industry that we read about in the trade press every day. I recommend this book highly to anyone in banking or interested in what's going on in the payments system.

I did not enjoy this book. Firstly, because the style of writing of the author is not reader-friendly. I also found the orgainzation of the book and the topics strange. Honestly, I couldn't get past the first chapter. I found it boring and that the author was more into talking about himself and what he likes to eat than the reader's desire to learn about wine with food.

I can't believe this book is out-of-print. What a shame! It is an incredibly well-written, informative guide to matching wine with food. I've been studying wine and taking wine classes and exams for a number of years and I can say that this book was as useful to me as a novice as it continues to be now. The author is quite knowledgeable and makes this intimidating subject very easy to understand. It is a lot of fun to read and the author makes clear that the reader is entitled to his/her own tastes in wine and gives his preferences only as a point of reference. His advice is generally applicable and universal. I find his suggestions to match perfectly with my own experience and those of other wine collectors I know.
In other words, his advice is right on the mark and if you want to learn to match wine with food you should get your hands on a copy of this book.

Although Maresca's down to earth approach is as evident here as it is in Mastering Wine, this book gives much more scope to his awesome knowledge of wine and food and the power of his pen. He approaches the topic with his usual pedagogic sensitivity, putting the reader in real life situations to provoke a mental dialouge about what he is trying to teach. Gradually, we graduate from the everyday to the truly remarkable. By the "final exam", Tom has us picking several alternative "perfect" wines from the menu of a five star restaurant, including a single wine for ourselves and two other guests with diametrically opposed tastes at a multi-course meal. No small feat, and one that would usually make one squirm uncomfortably, but thanks to Tom's ebullient approach we can't help but enjoy it!

Too many wine books dwell unremittingly on specific wines, with effusive, elaborate descriptions of the tastes of the wines, the history of the vineyards, the winemaking technique, the microclimate, and other tidbits. But rarely do they do much to connect the wines to the foods and occassions to which they are best suited; the kind of concrete advice that helps the reader make better selections when choosing wines for everyday drinking, for the home cellar or from the restaurant menu. This book helps the reader end the search for "the right wine" by helping us understand the full range of choices that are availble and that the end of the search is the beginning of a true adventure.

Tom is no wine snob, and the book is full of common sense advice designed to make one realize that almost any wine can be "the right wine" if it suits the occassion and, most of all, if it suits the tastes of those who drink it. However, his palate is as discriminating and his descriptive power is almost magical. If the book wern't so hard to put down, you'd be running out to buy the foods and wines he describes every five minutes. This book just fun to read...and I doubt if there is a wine lover at any level that can't learn something from it.