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House of Games (1987) Starring: Lindsay Crouse , Joe Mantegna Director: David Mamet Rating: See larger image Share your own customer images List Price: $14.95 Price: $12.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details You Save: $1.96 (13%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Only 4 left in stock--order soon (more on the way). Want it delivered Friday, December 30? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. See details 57 used & new available from $6.99 Edition: Other Versions and Languages Other Versions (VHS Tape) List Price Price Other Offers: VHS Tape House of Games $7.95 18 used & new from $1.63 VHS Tape House of Games 2 used & new from $7.77 Better Together Buy this DVD with Oleanna DVD ~ William H. Macy today! Total List Price: $34.93 Buy Together Today: $30.98 Customers who bought this DVD also bought The Spanish Prisoner DVD ~ Campbell Scott Oleanna DVD ~ William H. Macy Things Change DVD ~ Don Ameche Heist DVD ~ Gene Hackman Explore Similar Items : in DVD , in Video , and in Books Storyline Genres: Crime , Mystery , Thriller Tagline: Where the game is never over. Plot Outline: A psychiatrist's patient is in desperate need of money, so she agrees to help him. But... Plot Synopsis: A famous psychologist, Margaret Ford, decides to try to help one of her patients get out of a gambling debt. She visits the bar where Mike, to whom the debt is owed, runs poker games. He convinces her to help him in a game: her assignment is to look for "tells", or give-away body language. What seems easy to her becomes much more complex. Plot Keywords: Independent Film | Con Artist | Con Trick | Twist In The End | Neo Noir | Sting Operation | Psychiatrist | Seattle Washington | (Show all plot keywords recommended by customers) Product Details Actors: Lindsay Crouse , Joe Mantegna , Mike Nussbaum , Lilia Skala , J.T. Walsh , See more Directors: David Mamet Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Widescreen, Ntsc, Full Screen, Widescreen Letterbox Region: Region 1 ( U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats. ) Number of discs: 1 Rated: (Not for sale to persons under age 18.) Studio: MGM (Video & DVD) DVD Release Date: December 19, 2000 Run Time: 101 minutes Average Customer Review: Based on 54 Reviews DVD Features: Available Subtitles: Spanish, French Available Audio Tracks: English (Unknown Format), French (Unknown Format), Spanish (Unknown Format) From IMDb: Quotes & Trivia ASIN: B00004ZBVL Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,515 in DVD Theatrical Release Information US Theatrical Release Date: October 11, 1987 MPAA: Production Company: Filmhaus USA Box Office: $3 Million Filming Locations: Seattle, Washington, USA Editorial Reviews Amazon.com David Mamet's 1987 directorial debut was this mesmerizing study of control and seduction between two kinds of detached observers: a gambler who is also a con artist, and a psychotherapist who is also an emerging pop-psych guru in the book market. The latter (played by Lindsay Crouse) meets the former (Joe Mantegna) when one of her clients is driven to despair from his debts to the card shark. Mantegna's character agrees to drop the IOUs in exchange for Crouse's attention at the seedy House of Games in Seattle, a mecca for con men to talk shop and hustle unsuspecting customers. The shrink gets so caught up in the arcane rules and world view of her guide over subsequent days that she observes--with no false rapture--various stings in progress inside and outside the club. Mamet's story finally becomes a fascinating study of two people protecting and extending their respective cosmologies the way rival predators fight for the same piece of turf. The psychological challenge is compelling; so is the stylized dialogue, with its pattern of pauses and hiccups and humming meter. Mostly shooting at night, Mamet also gave Seattle a different look from previous filmmakers, turning its familiar puddles into concentrations of liquid neon and poisonous noir. --Tom Keogh Customers who viewed this DVD also viewed Spartan DVD ~ Tia Texada Glengarry Glen Ross (Special Edition) DVD ~ Jack Lemmon State and Main DVD ~ Michael Higgins The Grifters (Miramax Collector's Series) DVD ~ Anjelica Huston Explore Similar Items : in DVD , in Books Spotlight Reviews Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 17 of 18 people found the following review helpful: A STUNNING PSYCHOLOGIAL THRILLER... , August 25, 2001 Reviewer: Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews This is an absolutely mesmerizing film. A wonderful addition to that genre known as "film noir", the movie is superlative in every way. In his directorial debut, David Mamet shows a keen understanding of the concept "less is more". The two main characters in the film are a well known psychiatrist with a best selling book, Dr. Margaret Ford, played with chilly determinism by Lindsay Crouse, and a slick con man, known only as Mike, brilliantly played by Joe Mantegna with a sinister, charismatic charm. She is stiff and formal. He is casual and seemingly easygoing. Each is involved in a field of endeavor that requires a keen understanding of human nature. They meet by virtue of what each of them does for a living. Dr. Ford is treating a young patient, who claims to be despondent over getting in over his head financially, while gambling at a disreputable and seedy locale known as the House of Games. She is worried about her patient's potential for suicide, so she decides to go to the House of Games to see if she can straighten out the whole mess. There, she meets Mike, the person to whom the debt is owed. From the moment they meet, there is a latent, sexual tension between them and an aura of danger and seduction that permeates the air. Intrigued by him, she is drawn into his world, where things are not always what they seem. There are many twists and turns in this most unusual film, which deftly manipulates the viewer. The film is tautly crafted, and the dialogue itself is highly stylized with its own peculiar cadence. This serves to add to the air of mystery and suspense which infuses this film. There is an excellent supporting cast whose strong performances contribute to the overall quality of this multi-layered film. There is even a small cameo by William H. Macy. It is with good reason that this film was touted by critics as one of the best films for 1987. It meets the high standards set for this genre of film by the late, great director, Alfred Hitchcock. It is simply a stunning tour de force. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 5 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 4 Stars for the FILM, 1 Star for the DVD , September 2, 2005 Reviewer: Ziad R. Hakim (Beirut Lebanon) - See all my reviews Of course the movie deserves 4 stars, however I wish I could say the same for the DVD. What does it take for DVD company to release each DVD enhanced for 16x9 TVs? Nothing! Recently I bought a laptop with widescreen display and I have a collection of over 600 Dvds. I learned now about "Enhanced for 16x9 TVs" and how important it is, I did not care about it or even know about it since I own a standard TV, however all my Dvds are Region 1 and in widescreen, I never buy fullscreen Dvds. So I did an inventory on my collection and realized the following: Out of 600+ Dvds, 42 are NOT enhanced for 16x9 TVs and they really look horrible when I played them on my PC. Anyway, according to my inventory, MGM and Touchstone are the worst! Universal, Columbia, Twentieth Century Fox and Warner are the best and Paramount ranks in between. Here is some details: - 3 of the 42 are Universal (Please note that many of my Dvds are Universal so 3 of them, included Tremors, is not a big deal) - 12 of them are from Touchstone (such as Ransom, The Rock, What about Bob, Good morning Vietnam etc) Which is a high number compared to my small Touchstone collection. - 2 out of 42 from Warner Home Video. Note that I have around 100 Warner Dvds. The only negative thing about Warner is most of the DVDs come in digipak. However, the latest "2-Disc Special Edition" rate among the best in terms of quality and extras. - 14 of them are from MGM. Sadly, some of my favorite MGM movies are among them such as "A fish called Wanda", "Misery", "Graduate", "Prizzi's Honor", "No way out" etc. MGM Europe has released all those DVDs (Region 2) 2-Disc in special edition including 5.1 surround, widscreen enhanced 16x9. I hope one day soon MGM USA releases them in Special edition like they did with "Fargo", "Rain Man" and "Usual suspects". - 6 out of the 42 are from Paramount including good movies such as "Breakdown", "Ghost and the darkness", "Primal fear", "Private parts", "Coming to America" and "48 Hrs". The reason why they don't release every DVD in widescreen enhanced for 16x9 is beyond me since soon Widescreen Tvs will replace standard ones. Amazon should add in the description if the DVD is enhanced from 16x9 Tvs. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: You can't bluff someone who's not paying attention. , November 27, 2005 Reviewer: A. Gyurisin "good friend, damn fool" (The Flatlands of Illinois) - See all my reviews When I first began House of Games, I hated it. I hated the language, I hated the characters, I hated the tone, but then something changed. Mamet finally took control of this film and pulled the audience in by tricking all of us into thinking this was a film about a young love and the darkness of the world, when instead it was all about something deeper. If you go into this film expecting the classic 1980s clich of woman meets man, man is a criminal, woman changes man thus leading to a sloppy wet ending, you will be utterly disappointed. This structure is initially how I envisioned this film, and with the first half an hour filmed the way it was, there was no doubt in my mind that I had been suckered into just another average crime film. Then, midway through the picture, the tones and themes dramatically change. I didn't even see it coming, but when you least expect it, like the "con" performed in this film, it will blindside you quicker than a deer on the highway. House of Games leaves you with this perfect example of just how dark David Mamet is. This is a film that most will either hate or love. The reason that I say this is because the language of the film is extremely "stagey". Before this film, David Mamet had found his success with his plays. The power of his characters, the unjustness of his plots, and the vile of his villains were key elements to packing his plays full of patrons. In House of Games he attempts to bring the stage to the screen without any changes. You can literally hear the beats between the characters when they are talking. The language that they use feel and sound as if they are acting in front of a live audience, not just for the camera. This makes the words a bit stale at times. You can visually see this film as a play because of the language that is used. Again, some will hate this about the film, while others will see it as nothing short of classic Mamet. For me, I hated it at first, but as the film developed, I began to see the logic behind it. The quickness of the conversations between the characters gave more definition to the "con" that they were trying to perform. I always felt as if they were quickly getting something by me. About the middle of the film, I began listening to every word said afraid that I would miss a key element that would unravel this tight plot. I began waiting for scenes where Margaret (Crouse) would stumble on her words, change the meaning, thus allowing us to develop the evil that was within her. Slowly and steadily this "stagey" language worked for me, and it gave just a small addition to the characters. For anyone that has ever seen most of Mamet's film versions (and some of his stage performances) you will notice that he is notorious for using the same characters throughout. I like this quite a bit. Christopher Guest uses the same technique. While I have talked to some that think that it only shows the repetition of his originality, I think that it gives Mamet definition and substance. I loved watching this early film of Mamet's and see a young William H. Macy in a scene and his use of my favorite J.T. Walsh. It is fun to watch these actors grow in Mamet's films. Many of them you can see in State & Main and Heist. Does that mean that they are necessarily good actors then? I don't think so. While I liked the continual use of the same characters, some (more than others), have trouble with the characters. For example, in House of Games, it was obvious that Lindsay Crouse did not have control over her character. She seemed fake in her scenes, and did not counter will with Mantegna (who gave a great performance). She seemed on a different beat compared to the others in this film, and I think it hurt House of Games somewhat. She wasn't the strongest actress that Mamet could have chosen. While I loved the "con" throughout the film, I did feel as if the ending was a bit on the weak side. Without giving it away, it started to feel used before it was over. I knew deep within me where it was going, but I kept waiting for the big "hurrah", but alas, there wasn't any. That is where Mamet missed his mark. The ending needed to be stronger. I loved watching this simple woman transform into evil and the entire themes that went along with that, but I needed more. I loved the anti-romantic notion of this film, but I needed more. I loved the character interactions in this film, but I needed more. That was exactly how I felt about this film. I loved House of Games, but I needed more. Mamet ended the film without giving us closure, and while the rest of the film was exciting to watch, this ending just left me soured. Overall, I loved it, but I don't think that I could watch it again. Mamet is one of the greatest writers of our generation providing us with some very "cult" anti-Hollywood cinema, but this first film was a rough-cut. It was smart, intelligent, and overall a stage version of his play onto film. A stronger transition was needed from stage to screen. The characters were somewhat developed and the plot was sensational. The darkness by the end of the film caught me unprepared. I liked this film, but a second viewing is not in my future. I love David Mamet's work and cannot wait to submerge myself into more of his films later. Grade: *** out of ***** Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 1 of 6 people found the following review helpful: One Psychiatrist In Need Of Heavy Duty Medication And Therapy!!! , September 24, 2005 Reviewer: John Baranyai "Book Nerd And Ex High School Geek Member Of The Chess Club" - See all my reviews This is a sorry excuse for a movie which stars Lindsay Crouse in a very wooden performance playing a psychiatrist who gets involved with a con man played by Joe Mantegna.These two argue about wether they had Consentual Sex or Rape because Joe took Margaret under false pretences which is a pretty dispicable thing to do to a woman. I personally consider it to be a very cowardly rape .This should give you some idea of Mantegna's character in this movie.There are then a lot of twists and turns until Ms. Crouse becomes a Compulsive Kleptomaniac which just goes to prove my Theory that most psychiatrists are more "messed up" (that's the polite word) than their patients. I give this movie 5 stars because I have always liked Joe Mantegna even though he plays a very unlikeable character in this movie. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Con Games Within Con Games, And Nicely Done , September 10, 2005 Reviewer: C. O. DeRiemer (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews On one level, House of Games is a fascinating con game, complex and convoluted. On another level, it's a little cold-blooded. Whether you like it or not may depend on your tolerance for having the wool pulled over your eyes and your willingness to get involved with people you probably won't care for. Margaret Ford (Lindsay Crouse) is a psychiatrist who decides to provide some direct assistance to a patient who has a big gambling debt. Late one night she goes to the House of Games, meets Mike (Joe Mantegna), who holds the markers and tries to talk him into doing the right thing. He eventually agrees, but only if she'll help him in a high stakes poker game. He wants her to keep an eye on a particular player's "tells," the give-away body language that will help Mike take the guy to the cleaners. She does...and finds herself in the world of cons within cons. We find ourselves in the same place. "The basic idea is this," Mike tells her later. "It's called a confidence game. Why...because you give me your confidence? No. Because I give you mine." She's fascinated and decides to write a book about how conning people works...the psychology of it. "Everybody gets something out of the transaction," Mike says one evening when he has demonstrated how to get a mark to give him money. "I gave that guy my confidence. I asked him for help. And what he gets...he feels that he's a good man." She's hooked despite herself, and soon finds herself drawn not only to Mike but to working with him to con a big take. But is Mike conning her? She wrote a best selling book, she's got money, and she obviously is drawn to the excitement and challenge. "I gave you my trust," Margaret says at one point. "Of course you gave me your trust," Mike replies. "That's what I do." There'll be no spoilers here. The cleverness and the fun of the movie, and the surprise of the violence, depend on the cleverness and surprise of the plot twists. Let's just say that, as Mike puts it, "you shouldn't trust nobody." This was the first movie David Mamet directed, and he did a fine job. While Lindsay Crouse may not be the most versatile of actresses, Joe Mantegna more than makes up for it with a performance that is tough, interesting and full of indirection. In small parts are a young William H. Macy and J. T. Walsh. Mike Nussbaum as Joey, an associate of Mike's in the con racket, and Ricky Jay as another, are both first-rate. This is a movie that you have to stay with for awhile before it kicks in. The last 40 minutes, however, pack a punch. The DVD picture looks fine. There are no extras. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: House of Games: another and evil purpose , April 6, 2005 Reviewer: John Galvin (Cincinnati,OH) - See all my reviews Margaret Ford is cool, detached, removed-an observer-traits that are the basis for her success as a psychologist and writer of well-paying pop-psychology. One of her patients, a gambler, is in debt to a fellow gambler and hustler named Mike. Confident in her powers to persuade others to act contrary to their immediate best interests, Margaret offers to talk to Mike. It is, of course, an act of hubris, an act of self-appraisal wanting correction--an act of pride inviting a fall. So that night, she makes her way to the House of Games, a seedy little bar in a dark, desolate corner of Seattle where Mike and his crew gather to play cards in a dark still--in an atmosphere resembling her own office. Mike is cool, detached, removed--an observer--traits that are the basis for his success as a gambler and con man. He makes a rather extraordinary offer: he will tear up the IOU's if Margaret will help him in the execution of his present hustle. Mike talks close, talks in a low knowing whisper. She's either in or she isn't. Then he gives her a glimpse of his method--he shows her how he watches for "tells"--little tics, twitches and hiccups, as it were, in the body language of his victim-unconscious signaling of what someone is thinking, what someone knows, what some had meant to hide from others. It must seem frighteningly familiar to a psychologist--but so very intriguing when applied to another and evil purpose. She accepts; and so begins a series of twists and turns that oblige you to wonder, till the very end, at which point the con actually began. The language of this film is characteristic of Mamet at his best. It is highly stylized, an endless succession of ellipses, faints, and echos. Every statement seems suspect, delivered in heavy quotes. There may only be a single additional second between sentences, but it seems so long, so otherworldly. Outwardly ordinary-looking statements seem busy with other meaning, with mystery and possible misdirection. It is a language befitting both psychologist and con man--observers who ultimately seek control over others, though admittedly for very different ends. But as the film gradually unfolds, you may find yourself laboring to discriminate between a con man who manipulates and controls and a psychologist who steers and directs. In the end, they only succeed in conning themselves, having forgotten that they are dealing with human beings who, possessed with powers of reason tempered and bent by emotions, often skid, slip and spin down unexpected, unintended and sometimes unlovely cul-de sacs. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) See all 54 customer reviews... Listmania! Great Movies with a great endi... : by "willrocks" 10 top-shelf thrillers, after ... : by A. C. Walter "awalter" Women Who Kill : by "reelgood" So You'd Like to... get to know the best 'conspiracy theory' movies : by Grouchy Smurf , Couch Potato Surrender to the BIZARRE!!! : by Zoogz Rift , Groovy dadaist and legendary underground rock rec... Watch Hidden Movie Gems : by jlstu9 , Movie Watcher Fun Facts from IMDb.com: Awards Click here to see more Awards London Critics Circle Film Awards: ALFS Award for Film of the Year, Screenwriter of the Year Venice Film Festival: Golden Osella for Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Nominations Click here to see more Nominations Golden Globes, USA: Golden Globe for Best Screenplay - Motion Picture Trivia Click here to see more Trivia The numeral 187 appears in the film in different instances. A license plate reads "HSX 187". Also it is the number of the airport locker used at the end. 187 is the police code for murder. The hotel room that Mike takes Margeret to is room #1138 which is yet another reference to George Lucas's THX 1138. Goofs Click here to see more Goofs Towards the end of the film, Margaret Ford returns to her private office and cuts herself. Several drops of blood fall on the cover label of a dossier lying on the desk. In subsequent shots, the blood stain jumps down the label and finally ends up on the back cover, leaving the label clean. Movie Connections Click here to see more Movie Connections Remade as: Qian wang qing ren Quotes Click here to see more Quotes Mike : I'm from the United States of kiss-my-***. Mike : Oh, you're a bad pony. And I'm not gonna bet on you. For more information about "House of Games" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) Look for similar items by category Browse similar items in: DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( C ) > Crouse, Lindsay DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( J ) > Jay, Ricky DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( M ) > Macy, William H DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( M ) > Mantegna, Joe DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( N ) > Nussbaum, Mike DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( S ) > Skala, Lilia DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( T ) > Taylor, Meshach DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( W ) > Wallace, Jack DVD > Directors > ( M ) > Mamet, David DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > By Theme > Cons & Scams DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > By Theme > Mind Games DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > Crime > Con Artists DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > General DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > Mystery DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > Neo-Noir DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > Suspense DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > Thrillers Suggestion Box Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. 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Colorado buyer broker specializing in Denver metro real estate Relocation buyers need extra help, learning about the area, schools, drive times and finding the best neighborhood to suit your lifestyle isn't easy. I can assist you with a relocation package tailored to your needs. [ Click Here for More ] Personalize your search and have results delivered to your inbox daily. This HomeFinder service is the most popular of all. [ Click Here for More ] Select featured homes offering a virtual tour, so you can enjoy a tour from the comforts of your home anytime, day or night. [ Click Here for More ] only search Denver Real Estate Site Buyer Broker When you begin your hunt for a home, it's a good idea to have a professional on your side. Instead of "going it alone" you can hire a "buyer representative" to help guide you through the process. A buyer representative will ad value to the transaction as a counselor, communicator, analyst and advocate, providing the knowledge and skill to interpret information and coordinate the process. A buyer representative, also known as a buyer's agent or buyer's broker can save you time and money by helping you focus on properties that fit your criteria. When the right home is found, the buyer representative will know how to package your offer so you get the house you want. In most circumstances the buyer's agent does not cost the buyer, as the seller's agent shares in their compensation. So after considering this, why not hire your own buyer's representative and have some one on YOUR side? How do I determine if my agent will make a good buyer's agent? Agency disclosure: an agent should disclose "how" they can represent you and give you a choice. A good agent should listen to your needs and respect them. A good agent will ask questions, get to know you , your lifestyle and help evaluate those needs to locate the best property for you. A good agent will familiarize you with the market, prices, locations, conditions so you will feel confident that you are doing the right thing when it comes time to purchase. Look for the designation ABR. This means the agent has taken special training, provided a list of successfully closed transactions and has kept up - to - date on changes in the business of representing the buyer to a higher level. That's a skill you need. ABR stands for Accredited Buyer Representative. What will a buyer's agent do for me? A buyer's agent can show you homes that are currently on the market, homes for sale by owner, new construction homes offered by builders and homes that may not be on the market yet. A buyer's agent will provide market data to help you establish an offering price. A buyer's agent can help you structure your offer, not by price alone, but by other factors, terms and conditions A buyer's agent will negotiate on your behalf. A buyer's representative will structure strategy to create a winning scenario. (It may not by about price, it could be getting the house when you are competing with other bidders!) Much happens between writing an offer and closing, a buyer's agent will attend to the details in a timely manner. Making sure the transaction GETS to closing. Review the Colorado Buyer Broker Agreement To be legal all real estate agreements must be in writing. If you are interested in reading the Colorado Buyer Agency agreement, you can download it here . Your computer will need to have Adobe Reader installed. Ifyou do not have Adobe Reader installed on your computer, you can click here to download it for free . Do you have more questions? Please call my toll free number... You are welcome to call me to discuss the Buyer Agency agreement or any other question you may have about Colorado Real Estate or Denver real estate for Denver and the metro area. I only ask that you are inquiring about Colorado and not states where I am not licensed. I cannot help you with real estate questions not relating to Colorado! Continue to Financing Your Home . [ Click Here for More ] Home Buying Directory Buyer Broker Down Payment How to Qualify for a Mortgage Loan Application Locking in Interest Rate Earnest Money Loan Application Checklist Fico Scores Moving List Moving Pets What is PMI? Finance Glossary Financing Your Home Reverse Mortage Home Buying Process Closing Costs Kristal Kraft , ABR, CIPS, CRS Licensed real estate broker selling Colorado Since 1984 The Berkshire Group Realtors, Inc. 3801 E. Florida Ave, Suite 502, Denver, Colorado U.S.A. 80210 800-319-7738 toll free | 303-589-2022 direct | 720-554-7961 fax E-mail: Kristal Kraft, Realtor 1998-2005, © Reflective Motion Inc. | Privacy Policy | Site Credits | Disclaimer | Site Map ~2 ~3 ~4 Denver Relocation | Buy a Home In Denver | Sell a Home in Denver | Denver Map | Denver Neighborhood Profiles | Denver Sales Statistics | International Real Estate | A Bio | My Favorite Places | Real Estate Resources Denver Loft Homes | The Berkshire Group | Buy and Sell Denver | We Sell Denver | Denver Colorado Real Estate | Denver Blog

Purchase Property

Boston.com / Real estate Buying Renting Recent sales Place an ad Luxury Living Community data Financing Commercial Moving Guides Making an offer MORE Buying Guide: Step 1: What can I afford? Step 2: Find an Affordable Place Step 3. Home Buyer Counseling Step 4. Pre-Qualification Step 5. Making an Offer Step 6. Applying for a Mortgage Step 7. The Home Inspection Step 8. The Closing Process Get more information on home buying. Click here NEWS LINK NEWS LINK USEFUL LINKS Mass Housing pre-qualification Affordability calculator Income worksheet Debt worksheet Frequently asked questions RESOURCES For Sale: Homes | Condos | Open Houses For Rent: Apartments | Houses | Roommates Vacation rentals Place an ad: On Boston.com | In the Globe Commercial: Search listings for sale or rent TOOL KIT Printer-friendly version E-mail to a friend Once you've found the home that best meets your wants, needs and budget, it's time to make an offer. An offer is a formal bid for the property, and among other things, sets the amount you are willing to pay for the home. The Offer to Purchase is a signed contract and is therefore a legally binding commitment stating that you will buy the property provided certain terms and conditions are met. An accepted Offer to Purchase Real Estate must be in writing and must be signed by both parties; the Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not recognize verbal offers as valid. You might consider bringing your lawyer into the process before you sign anything, because an attorney can protect your interests as a first-time home buyer. Considerations Many factors come into play as you prepare to make an offer on a property. Carefully consider the following points: What is the condition and age of the house? What will be the cost of any repairs? Are the sellers willing to take on any of the repairs or closing costs? How long has the property been on the market? How active is the market? (i.e., buyers or sellers market) Are the sellers anxious to sell? Is the property in a particularly desirable location or school system? Does the house have everything or almost everything you've been looking for? Preparing the Offer When you are ready to make an offer to a seller or to the agent involved, do not offer more than you can afford. The offer should clearly outline all terms and conditions of the sale, including your name and the name of the party to whom the offer is made, the property's address, any special provisions regarding fixtures, appliances, etc., the total amount of the purchase price being offered (including the amount of deposit you are putting down to bind the offer and the additional deposit to be paid upon the execution of the Purchase and Sale Agreement), and any additional riders and deadline dates. Real Estate Regulations for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can be obtained from www.mass.gov Timing and Deadlines Timing and deadlines are very important in real estate transactions. You should allow yourself enough time in the Offer to Purchase Real Estate to get an inspection, negotiate the Purchase and Sale Agreement, apply for and obtain mortgage financing, and set a closing date. Real estate deals often fail based on the inability to meet deadlines set forth in the offer. An Accepted Offer The seller may accept, reject or counter your offer. If there is a counter-offer, you may in turn accept, reject or counter. The negotiations between you and the seller could go on for several days and may be stressful at times. One way to mitigate stress during the negotiations is to involve a broker to mediate the process. It is important to remember that regardless of the progress of your negotiations, the house remains on the market during negotiations. Do I Need an Attorney? It is recommended that you retain an attorney when purchasing your first home. How will an Attorney help me? An attorney will protect your interests as a home buyer, and will: Help you negotiate a fair purchase price Help you prepare the Offer to Purchase Help you negotiate a more favorable purchase price if the home inspection uncovers significant problems Draft and/or revise the Purchase and Sale Agreement to protect you and your money Assist you with the mortgage process Prepare you for the final walk-through of the property Attend the closing and represent your interests. Tips for Successful Negotiations When negotiating the price of a home with the seller, you must analyze all of the relevant factors and determine who has the stronger bargaining position. Potential factors include market activity, location and timing. If the local market is active with many other buyers interested in the home, the seller may have the better position. If your local market is not active and the seller needs to sell the home, you may be in a better position to negotiate. For negotiating tips, Go The Purchase and Sale Agreement Once your offer has been accepted a Purchase and Sales agreement (normally the second contract between the buyer and the seller after the initial Offer to Purchase is signed) is drawn up by the broker. The Purchase and Sale Agreement spells out the agreement between the parties in specific detail. REMEMBER! This is a legally binding contract that should be reviewed by your attorney before you sign it. There are two types of Purchase and Sale Agreements: a Standard Form Purchase and Sale Agreement and a Condominium Purchase and Sales Agreement, which is designed specifically for issues associated with condominiums. It is a good idea to contact a broker to obtain copies of these forms. For a description of all components of a sales contract, Go Provisions and Contingencies By placing provisions and contingencies in your offer, you provide additional protections for you and your money. The Purchase and Sale Agreement should include a mortgage contingency clause, which states that your ability to buy the house is contingent upon your ability to obtain financing by an agreed upon date. Such a clause ensures that you do not lose your deposit on the house if your loan is not approved. Other contingencies should include acceptable home, termite, radon and lead paint inspections. The loan closing date and occupancy date should also be indicated in the agreement. For more information on provisions and contingencies, Go The Home Inspection What is the value of a home inspection? A satisfactory home inspection, although not required by law, is a major component of purchasing a home. A home inspection examines the condition of the property, and ensures that you are aware of any necessary repairs and potential problems before you buy the home. The buyer selects a licensed home inspector and pays for the inspection. The home inspection will cost a few hundred dollars but should be done; after all, uncovering problems before you buy could save you thousands. For more information, see Step 7: The Home Inspection . feedback | help | site map | advertising | globe archives | rss © 2006 The New York Times Company Real Estate Guide - Massachusetts Home Builder - New Home Construction

Home Equity Loans -

Home Equity Loans - Agony or Ecstasy  You are here: About > Money > Credit / Debt Management > Getting Money and Credit > Mortgage & Equity Loans > Home Equity Loans - Agony or Ecstasy Money Credit / Debt Essentials Credit And Credit File Fundamentals Basics Of Reducing Debt Credit and Debt Workshop Fast Financial Independence Debt Counseling Primer Articles & Resources Bankruptcy & Settlement Budgeting & Frugality Credit Law Credit Reports and Scoring Debt Counseling Debt Reduction Financial Planning Fraud and Protection Getting Money and Credit Learning About Money Smart Shopping Students and Education Tips, Essentials, Archives Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Guide Picks - Top Books On Credit & Debt Compare Insurance Carriers Compare Utility and Loan Providers Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Credit / Debt Management newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Credit / Debt Management Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Suggested Reading Biweekly Mortgage Payments The 'How-To' of Home Financing Mortgage Closiong Costs Suggested Reading Predatory Lenders Most Popular WARNING! Rising Minimum Payme Free Annual Credit Report Cleaner Credit Raises Scores Changes to the Bankruptcy Law Debt To Income Ratio What's Hot How To Consolidate Debt Credit / Debt Management - Articles Establishing Credit - Credit/Debt Management PayDay Loans Credit Problems.... Now What? Related Topics Frugal Living Financial Planning Online Shopping Banking / Loans Family Internet Home Equity Loans... Agony or Ecstasy From Apply Now , Your Guide to Credit / Debt Management . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Home Equity Loans - a dream come true or a living nightmare. A Home Equity Loan can be a dream come true or a living nightmare. It all depends on how you approach a home equity loan and for what reason you actually want the home equity in your hand instead of your home. If your intent is to reduce debt so that you have breathing room to pay more on other debts, a home equity loan MAY BE on the right track. However, if your objective is to have more breathing room so that you can add more debt, you are heading for a natural disaster. Basics of a Home Equity Loan - Good and Bad What is a home equity loan? A home equity loan is a second mortgage. It uses the collateral of your home to secure a loan. Good news - Because this is a secured loan, its interest is less than on many loans such as on a credit card. This is very attractive. Equally attractive is the fact that because it is a second mortgage, interest can offer a tax deduction. That's the good news. Bad news - But if a home equity loan is used to pay off unsecured debt such as a credit card, what you have done in essence is convert an unsecured debt into a secured debt with your home as the security. This is not a very sound plan. Not only that but just as when you default on your primary mortgage you could lose your home, so too you can lose your home by defaulting on your home equity loan. More bad news- Another draw back that has developed over the last few years is that often you can borrow more than your house is worth... up to 125% of the value of your home. This is called negative equity and means that if you sell the house because of a job transfer or any other reason, you must either get enough to pay off both loans or you will be paying off the home equity loan when you are trying to buy another home. Still more bad news - There is one other negative side to a home equity loan. You will have points and closing costs to get the loan just as you had when you got your first mortgage. Home Equity Warnings! Okay, so I did not scare you off with the above and you are still determined to get a home equity loan. What are the danger signs and issues to be watchful for? FTC warns: "The lender doesn't care if you can't keep up with the monthly payments. As soon as you don't, the lender will foreclose-taking your home and stripping you of the equity you have spent years building. If you take out a loan but don't have enough income to make the monthly payments, you are being set up. You probably will lose your home." Watch out for lowered payments because there is a balloon payment at the end. Balloon payments are large lump payments due as the last payment. Don't do it! Avoid home improvement cam which begin construction before any financing is settled. See Scams To Help You Lose Your Home . Avoid pre-payment penalties. If you want to pay off your loan ahead of time, you should not pay a fee to do so. A 10% prepayment fee is not uncommon... but is a lot of money. Avoid rate increases by avoiding missed or late payments. FTC Offers These Do's And Don t's: Don't agree to a home equity loan if you don't have enough income to make the monthly payments. Don's sign any document you haven't read or any document that has blank spaces to be filled in after you sign or let anyone pressure you into signing any document. Don't agree to a loan that includes credit insurance or extra products you don't want. Don's let the promise of extra cash or lower monthly payments get in the way of your good judgment about whether the cost you will pay for the loan is really worth it. Don't deed your property to anyone. First consult an attorney, a knowledgeable family member, or someone else you trust. DO ask specifically if credit insurance is required as a condition of the loan. If it isn't, and a charge is included in your loan and you don't want the insurance, ask that the charge be removed from the loan documents. If you want the added security of credit insurance, shop around for the best rates. DO keep careful records of what you've paid, including billing statements and canceled checks. Challenge any charge you think is inaccurate. Do check contractors' references when it is time to have work done in your home. Get more than one estimate. Important disclaimer information about this About site.        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot How To Consolidate Debt Credit / Debt Management - Articles Establishing Credit - Credit/Debt Management PayDay Loans Credit Problems.... Now What?