I believe that it takes three types of know-how to make a wise decision on a home purchase: financial know-how; legal/negotiation know-how; and home engineering know-how. There is something to be said for consulting a financial advisor, a lawyer and a home inspector any time you purchase a home.

I feel particularly strongly that you will avoid making major mistakes by reading Build it Right and How to Save Thousands of Dollars on your Home Mortgage.

1. 100 Questions Every First-time Homebuyer Should Ask, by Ilyce R. Glink.

   This book is comprehensive, covering every major topic for the homebuyer. It discusses the process of finding a home, negotiation, and financing. The author takes the trouble to explain terms and to delve into details. The question-answer format is very effective. One nit that I have to pick with the book is that I believe that the author under-estimates the cost of title insurance. Her estimate is from $120 to $300, and my understanding is that often it costs over $1000. Other sources give a range of $300 to $1500. Also, because the topics are broad, you will not get the depth that you will find in other books listed here. Overall, however, if you are looking to read one book on buying a home, this one offers the best overview.

   Build it Right! What to Look for in Your new Home, by Myron E. Ferguson.

2. This is a unique and valuable resource, particularly if you are buying a new home from a builder. About half a million people each year buy from a builder, and I would bet that most of them would be happier if they used this book. There are many choices to be made in terms of design and materials, and this book provides a building engineer's insight into what will be best for you. Instead of the empty platitudes that fill most books for homebuyers, Build it Right! has solid, practical information on home construction that clearly is valuable to consumers.

   Stephen Pollan's Foolproof Guide to Buying a Home, by Stephen M. Pollan, Mark Levine, Betsy Baytos (Illustrator)

3. Pollan's strength is legal/negotiating knowledge. If you were to combine Ferguson's engineering know-how with Johnson's financial analysis and Pollan's legal perspective, you would have a pretty powerful knowledge base. One thing I like about Pollan is that he is willing to voice an opinion, rather than play it safe by hedging what he has to say.

   How to Save Thousands of Dollars on Your Home Mortgage, by Randy Johnson

4. I like authors who are not shy with their opinions, and Randy Johnson certainly fits that. His advice on what type of loan to get is sound, but what really makes this book valuable is its perspective on dealing with lenders. Mortgage lending is a rough-and-tumble, hard-to-regulate industry, where the consumer has to stay informed and assertive to get a reasonable deal. Because of the way the industry treats uninformed borrowers, the title of this book is no exaggeration. Without it, you really could end up wasting a lot of money on the wrong loan at the wrong rate.