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GOOD READS EXPAND YOUR SKILLS, GAIN INSIGHT, AND GET INSPIRED WITH THESE TOP PICKS. Prefabulous + Almost off the Grid By Sheri Koones By Guaranteed Rate Wouldn't it be nice to completely unplug your life and live a life that is not only environmentally friendly, but also free from distraction? Well, in Prefabulous, Sheri Koones shows you how to do just that. Koones highlights how prefabricating a home can make it environmentally sound and reduce annual energy costs to almost zero. Homes that operate off the grid when necessary and return excessive energy back to the environment significantly reduce energy costs and make the home healthier, quieter, and cheaper to operate over time. The book profiles more than 30 of the most energy-efficient homes in the United States. It then offers sound advice on how homeowners can achieve similar results by providing sample floor plans with the latest in efficient home technology as well as images of the interior and exterior of each home. Anyone looking to make changes in their quality of life should consider starting with the home, and in Prefabulous, Koones provides readers with tips on how to achieve this goal. 26 Demystifying the Mortgage Process First-time homebuyers have yet another tool to help simplify the homebuying process. Guaranteed Rate has created Demystifying the Mortgage Process, a small guide that teaches consumers about the homebuying process long before they get started. One of the biggest hindrances to buying a home is the jargon. Demystifying the Mortgage Process eliminates the fuzzy language and dives headfirst into the important questions. With Demystifying the Mortgage Process, homebuyers will learn how to shop for the mortgage that is right for them; what a credit score is, and how it affects the mortgage rate; what an annual percentage rate (APR) is and how it's calculated; how mortgage companies qualify homebuyers for a loan; what documents are involved in getting a mortgage; what steps are involved in the mortgage process; and a timeline for buying a home. The 28-page book is free, and available for immediate download at guaranteed.com. House By Diane Keaton Looking for a quirky gift to give to the home-loving friend of yours this Christmas? Well, look no further than House by the queen of quirky–home-flipping aficionado Diane Keaton. House is the perfect addition to any coffee table needing a touch of inspiration. Inside, Keaton shares some of her favorite projects including the 1927 Spanish colonial house she renovated and then sold to Ryan Murphy, the creator of hit NBC show The New Normal. Keaton revels in the work of architects who repurpose old buildings or take inspiration from unique dwellings to create a unique and distinct style. In House, Keaton showcases highconcept houses where repurposed existing structures are key elements or where new houses take their cue from iconic architectural forms. The book shows Keaton's keen eye not only for beautiful spaces, but also for creative design, and would make a great gift for the future homebuyer in your life. Investing in Real Estate By Gary W. Eldred As Americans brace themselves for a potentially disastrous economic climate, some are thinking of ways to shore up resources, including rejiggering their investment strategy. For those willing to take a risk, Gary W. Eldred suggests in his book, Investing in Real Estate, that, even in today's market, investing in real estate is still a great bet. This book guides readers who are interested in delving into the world of real estate investing with tips on how to buy, sell, fix, or hold onto property as well as insight based on historical contexts that emphasizes how bargain prices and near-recordlow interest rates combine to offer big profits. Eldred offers advice on how to successfully navigate and meet today's loan underwriting standards; obtain discounts from banks, underwater owners, and government agencies; property valuations; challenge; and market and manage your properties to outperform other investors.

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