If you've bought a house before, some parts of this book may seem somewhat elementary. And, admittedly, a lot of the information about how much you can afford is available on the web on various home-buying sites. On the other hand, I found the location-specific information very helpful, and the advice in the book is solid and reliable.

The real winners are those who are preparing to buy a house for the first time. This book will take you through pretty much all the steps, from thinking about what you want in a house and finding good neighborhoods, through figuring out how much you can afford. It's an excellent reference guide for somebody who's just starting to think about buying, and will be useful all the way through closing. IIf I had to choose just one book on buying a house, it would be this one.

I used the Nolo Press tenants' rights book in the past to (successfully) sue my deposit-greedy/law-breaking landlords. I just used this book to buy my first home in the competitive Bay Area (yes, it's still highly competitive even in these "tough times"). Nolo's book is accurate and insightful, written in a voice that's accessible and, at times, fun and tongue-in-cheek. The organization of information, as usual, is right on. And the links and helpful sidebars are fantastic! Don't waste your money on other books. I swear this one is the only book you'll need.

This book was recommended to us by a friend who bought a home in California. Since then, we've bought it for other friends and family. Nolo Press publishes excellent books, and this is no exception. If you only read one book on buying a home (in California), this should be it.

This book is fantastic. There is a wealth of useful forms for everything you can imagine. I recieved this book as a gift and though that it would just take up space on my bookshelf. Ironically it has been the most referred to and used book I have ever owned. I have used the book to set up a power of attorney, prepare a tenants notice to move out, demand the return of a security deposit, complete a loan comparison worksheet, and to sell my dog. This book provides the forms and the explanation to do eveything I mentioned as well as a ton of other common transactions. It has saved me hundreds of dollars and I beleive that anyone who buys this book will cover the cost of the book within three months by making use of the forms and instructions provided.

This book was terrific. If you have half a brain and like to save money this book is a must have. It contians almost every essentail form that you will need and it explians what they are and how to use them in a clear and concise way that even my nine year old niece could understand. And I guarantee that you will rely on this thing at least once a year for the rest of your life it is just that useful.

I PERSONALLY FOUND THE BOOK TO BE VERY USEFUL AND INFORMATIVE. IT WAS EASY TO USE AND IT WILL ALLOW ANYONE, YES EVEN SOME ONE WHO HAS NEVER WRITTEN A LEGAL DOCUMENT BEFORE, TO MAKE THERE OWN IN NO TIME AT ALL. i WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO BE A DEST REFERENCE FOR LEGAL SECRETARIES JUST STARTING OUT AND TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS A DOCUMENT AND WOULD LIKE TO DO IT THERE SELF.

if you love someone sooo bad you must read this book...really i love sumone soo much..i read it it helped me. now i can have confidence of the fact Im living with some one I love

This book skips all the important details, it is fine for someone who is NOT going to Small Claims Court. This book is useless to the person who IS being sued.

The book is somewhat of a "pastepot" job, lacking in important details such as where to find pertinent law. Instead, the authors vaguely suggest "checking out" questions, but don't even tell in what code book the rules are to be found, or where to get the answers omitted from the book.

The book also suffers because the authors use it as a vehicle for personal opinions and editorializing. Mixed in with the factual information the reader seeks, is various opinion, suggestions, comments on the authors' opinions on how the law should be and so forth. This is extremely frustrating for the reader trying to use the book as a reference, diminishes the value of the book as a useful tool, and is generally considered unethical.

With a little more detail and work, and the personal stuff omitted, this would have been a much better book. The book is jnot completely useless in present form, but don't expect to find the answers you seek in this book only: the authors were too busy with their personal opinions to include the nitty-gritty needed by the buyer.

As Small Claims Legal Advisor for the Superior Court, County of San Francisco, for nearly 19 years, I recommend this book to anyone who needs nationwide information on small claims court. Why research each state individually when you can have it in one book?

Jeanne F. Stott