Real estate then and now. The more things chage, the more they stay the same -- Smarter buying. Does buying a home make sense for me now? ; Virtual real estate: home buying starts online ; Team sport: why you still need a real estate agent ; What can I really afford? Building your financial house ; Game on! Let the search begin ; Putting your money where your mouth is: formulating and presenting your offer ; Ready for action! The anatomy of the real estate transaction ; Diamonds in the rough: what you need to know when thinking about buying a distressed sale -- Faster selling. Does selling make sense for me right now? ; The price is right! Four steps for understanding & maximizing your home's worth ; The gist before you list: choosing the right agent ; Prepping your listing: how to stay one step ahead of the next generation buyer ; Seeing is believing: transforming your home with the art of staging ; Showtime! Tips and tricks for going live on the market ; Closing time: how to negotiate, accept, and close a buyer's offer -- Appendix.