The Home Buyer’s Question and Answer Book Bridget McCrea American Management Association New York • Atlanta • Brussels • Chicago • Mexico City • San Francisco Shanghai • Tokyo • Toronto • Washington, . .......................... 10931$ $$FM 10-21-04 08:02:11 PS PAGE i Special discounts on bulk quantities of books are available to corporations, professional associations, and other organizations. For details, contact Special Sales Department, , a division of American Management Association, 1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. Tel.: 212-903-8316. Fax: 212-903-8083. Web site: This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of petent professional person should be sought. Various names used panies to distinguish their software and other products can be claimed as trademarks. uses such names throughout this book for editorial purposes only, with no intention of trademark violation. All such software or product names are in initial capital letters or ALL CAPITAL letters. panies should be contacted plete information regarding trademarks and registration. REALTOR is a Registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. uses these names throughout this book in initial capital letters or ALL CAPITAL letters for editorial purposes only, with no intention of trademark violation. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data McCrea, Bridget. The home buyer’s question and answer book / Bridget McCrea. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 0-8144-7236-2 (pbk.) 1. Residential real estate—Purchasing—United States. 2. House buying—Un