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WORKMAN

The Just Right Home: Buying, Renting, Moving - Or Just Dreaming - Find Your Perfect Match!

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At a glance

Condition
New
Dimensions
6.25 x 1.25 x 9 in
Weight
1.32 lb
Publisher
Workman Pub Co
Publication date
January 1, 2013
Language
English
Print length
372 pages

Description

Thirty-seven million Americans move during any given year. Millions more think about it. They all want the same thing—a perfect place to live. But most of us have only the vaguest idea of what makes us happy, home-wise, and don’t even know all the questions to ask. That’s where Marianne Cusato comes in. One of the most influential people in the home-building industry, designer of the Katrina Cottages, and go-to authority for the media on issues related to housing, she’s written a comprehensive, interactive guide to finding the just right home. This is the book that answers the plea she hears every time she gives a speech—“I wish I’d talked to you before buying my house!” By leading the reader through every step of choosing a home—from the broad strokes, such as city vs. suburb and buy vs. rent, to specific details of energy use and building materials—The Just Right Home helps readers understand not only what they want in a home but what they need. It shows why proximity—to work, to stores, to schools—trumps location, and what the difference means. Why a property’s live-in value is greater than its resale value. How to identify and assess the big three variables: function, cost, delight. How to get a realistic grip on budget, including factoring in maintenance costs. How to plan for future needs—children moving out, a parent moving in, or just growing old in a home. Why all square feet are not created equal. The ins and outs of zonings, covenants, home-owner associations. The five elements to look for when walking through a property. How much to pay an inspector. And so much more. Filled with sidebars, boxes, examples, anecdotes, and cheat sheets, it’s the book that helps readers answer all their questions about where to live and what to live in. Read more

Specs 8

Publisher Workman Pub Co
Publication date January 1, 2013
Language English
Print length 372 pages
ISBN-10 0761168915
ISBN-13 11
Item Weight 1.32 pounds
Dimensions 6.25 x 1.25 x 9 inches

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Top Amazon Reviews

Excellent Guide
Format: Paperback
I wish this book had been available years ago! This a straight forward guide full of sage advice whether you are contemplating buying your first home or have moved 20 times. I love the charts and graphs that are included as well as questions the author asks and the psychological studies she references. I think one of the major strengths of the book is the author's ability to balance facts with emotional input (i.e. trusting your gut even if you can't quantify your feelings). The "Cheat Sheet" at the end of each chapter is really helpful in finding the balance between facts and emotions. She gives you a lot of different aspects to consider and helps dispel some of the preconceived notions you might have formed over the years regarding houses, neighborhoods, commute times etc. I highly recommend this book. I think real estate agents would benefit from reading the book as well and would be able to better serve their clients. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2013 by Amy
Must read for home buyers
Format: Paperback
I really like Cusato's writing style and flow of ideas. I discovered this book after reading 'Get Your House Right' which was her other book more focused on architectural features of a home. Cusato has a clever knack for explaining the logic behind our gut feelings about residential places. Like why does a certain house look ugly to us? Why does this neighborhood not feel right? What makes that 1 acre property more appealing than the other 3 acre property? Sometimes these 'gut feelings' can be hard to explain which may make them seem unimportant. Cusato helps validate and explain these feelings and build them into a logical process for choosing your perfect home. I would say this is a must read for those about to start looking at homes, there are likely sections you can skip which will make this a fairly quick read. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2016 by Amazon Customer
Worthwhile and with a point
Format: Kindle
The author's main theme seems to be that the standard/traditional way of finding a house often leads to unintended consequences to one's lifestyle. She brought out a number of good points of what other factors (length of commute, proximity to other common places where one would spend time, tradeoffs between yards and distances to one's neighbors) can make a home fit one's needs well or cause a burden and become a great expense. It seemed to be embracing the concepts of new urbanism. I truly appreciated that this book gave a better treatment of those concepts than I have seen in other sources since it explained why a smaller house and a shorter commute could lead to a better lifestyle. The theme came up in nearly every chapter with a slightly different treatment based on the subject of the chapter. By the end of the book, it did get slightly repetitive but on a point worth repeating. One challenge in reading an electronic version is that I wasn't as sure that I could print out pages (without violating copyright protections) to work through the exercises. I did them as thought experiments at least. Most of the exercises were open ended questions. I would have expected more charts and lists. I also understand that I am far more data driven than most people. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2015 by Debra Jacobs
This is a great guide!
Format: Kindle
I saw the author on Charlie Rose's morning show. I bought this on the impression I had of her. I am an experienced person who has owned and rented many homes and apartments. I loved this guide. I am at a crossroads. It really takes you though what the choices are. It made some excellent suggestions I hadn't thought of and it opened new ideas to me. I told all my friends about it as I think it is very interesting. Anyone at any age can learn from it. It also gives sound warnings what not to rent or buy into, something that looks better than it is. You read a lot of books. This was was a happy surprise which really helped me make choices [ and no, I do not know the author even though I sound like her mother!] It is just a good book. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2013 by Fiona Fenwick
One-concept book. Feels shallow
Format: Paperback
As someone who works in the real estate industry every day, I approached this book with genuine interest. Marianne Cusato introduces an appealing concept about what makes a home feel “right,” and the idea itself has merit. In my humble opinion, though, the book stretches that single concept into a full-length format, leaving the content feeling somewhat shallow and repetitive. It’s a well-intentioned read with moments of clarity, but ultimately it could have gone deeper into the practical realities buyers and professionals face. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2025 by Martin A.
Read this before you move!
Format: Paperback
This is by far the very best book I've ever read for anyone considering the question: "Should I stay or should I go?" It's smart, funny, and full of common sense, and introduces the concept of "Proximity" over "Location," which is nothing short of brilliant! Before I read this book I had been longing to move for several years; after I read it I realized that I have everything I need exactly where I am. A real eye-opener! My only complaint is that the cover design looks commercial and cheesy to me, and gives no hint at all to the treasures that are to be found within. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2019 by Peggy Turchette
Like a college kid wrote it
Format: Paperback
Ho Hum. Like a college kid wrote it. So much info missing. Not what I expected. I learned more from magazine. Don't waste your money.
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2018 by lanak
A must read if the thought of finding a new home is confusing for you
Format: Paperback
With so many viewpoints out there regarding the economy and what is what on the housing market, here is a straight forward read on making wise choices. Do yourself a favor. Slow your impulsive side way down. Read what Marianne Cusato has identified as the myths about securing a home, as well as the changing scope of housing in this day and time, and how you fit in. Simple to read with lots of references to enhance your search to the very right housing situation in your area for you! Know the basics and make a great decision for yourself with the help of this up to date information. Love it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2013 by Cathy
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