Profits in Buying & Renovating Homes
Table of Contents

Introduction | Preview A Chapter | Back Cover

Chapter 1
Remodeling for Profit, 5
     Why Buy? 7

Chapter 2
Selecting the Right House, 11
     What Property Is Best for You? 12
     Choosing a Neighborhood, 22
     Bargains to Avoid, 25

Chapter 3
Using Real Estate Agents, 28
     Visiting a Real Estate Office, 28
     FSBO vs. Real Estate Agent, 38
     Repossessions, 40
     Selecting an Agent to Help You, 41
     What Your Agent Can Do for You, 44

Chapter 4
Buying the Home, 46
     Conducting a Thorough Examination, 47
     Evaluating the Property, 49
     Negotiating a Deal, 53

Chapter 5
Getting the Financing You Need, 57
     A Little Background on the Industry, 58
     Lenders and Real Estate Investors, 59
     Working with Lenders, 61
     Loan Fees and Other Costs of Buying, 64
     Types of Sales Transactions, 69

Chapter 6
What Work Should You Do? 78
     Consider Your Buyer, 80
     Consider Your Price Range, 81
     Organizing Your Decisions, 82
     Exterior Repairs, 83

Chapter 7
Repairing Structural and Mechanical Problems, 102
     Sagging Floors, 102
     Working with Water Damage, 105
     Heating Systems, 109
     Repairing Old Furnaces, 111
     Electrical Modifications, 119
     Plumbing Repairs, 121
     Problems to Avoid, 122

Chapter 8
The Living Room, Dining Room and Bedrooms, 126
     The Ceiling, 127
     The Walls, 130
     The Floors, 135
     The Bedrooms, 143
     The Fireplace, 145

Chapter 9
The Kitchen, Bathroom and Basement, 148
     The Kitchen, 148
     The Bathroom, 159
     The Basement, 167
     Summing Up Repairs, 169

Chapter 10
Improvements That Pay Off, 172
     Making Better Use of Space, 173
     Simple Modifications with Appeal, 173
     When to Do Major Additions, 180
     Converting Space, 180
     Adding Fireplaces, 182
     Attic Conversions, 183
     Porch Conversions, 186
     Garage Conversions, 190

Chapter 11
Decorating the Exterior, 193
     Architectural Styles, 195
     Getting Decorating Ideas, 205
     Specific Decorating Considerations, 207
     Landscaping and Garden Décor, 217

Chapter 12
Decorating the Interior, 223
     Choosing Your Interior Décor, 223
     Ceiling Treatments, 225
     Wallpaper, 226
     Decorative Trim, 229
     Windows and Window Treatments, 231
     Lighting, 232
     The Entry, 236
     The Living Room and Dining Room, 237
     The Hallway, 240
     The Bedrooms, 240
     The Kitchen, 242
     The Bathroom, 246
     Finished Basements, 253
     Enclosed Porches, 257

Chapter 13
Selling Your House, 259
     Pros and Cons of Using an Agent, 260
     For Sale by Owner, 265
     What If Your House Doesn't Sell? 277
     Unloading a Lemon, 280

Chapter 14
Keeping Rental Property, 282
     Advantages of Rental Property, 282
     Protecting Your Investment, 284
     Summing Up, 289

Buyer's Checklist, 291

Index, 299

Introduction | Preview A Chapter | Back Cover