Verbal offers to buy real estate aren't binding on either the buyer or the seller so your offer should be in written form. The written offer is usually drafted by your real estate agent or attorney.

Most buyers think simply in terms of the price when they decide to make an offer. But the price is just one of a myriad of details that make up the purchase contract. Typically an offer will include the following: the deposit amount, the mortgage and down payment amounts, the closing date, the occupancy date, an itemization of what's included in the sale, various contingencies to protect the parties (such as satisfactory title review, financing, inspections or the sale of another property), time periods for performing the contingencies, an itemization of who pays for fees associated with the sale, and who's responsible for complying with any point of sale ordinances (like installing smoke detectors).

In addition, the purchase contract may include optional clauses, such as an arbitration clause for dispute resolution, or a liquidated damages clause if the parties wish to limit damages that can be awarded to the seller if the buyer breaches the contract.

You may be wondering why you have to make so many decisions before you and the seller have even agreed on a price. Price, while important, is not the only consideration. For example, a full-price offer might not be acceptable to the sellers if it's contingent on the buyers selling their home. Sellers need to know all the terms and conditions of the buyers' offer before they can decide if the offer is acceptable. This is why all the terms and conditions that will pertain to the purchase transaction are encompassed in the offer. If the offer is accepted by the seller, or if it's countered by the seller and then accepted by the buyers, it's legally binding on both parties.

Acting quickly when you see a home you want to buy can make the difference between getting it or losing it to another buyer. The real estate market doesn't stop while you decide whether you want to buy a property or on what terms. So offers are often written hastily.

FIRST-TIME TIP: To prepare to make an offer, ask your agent or attorney, to give you a sample copy of the purchase contract. Read it over and if there's anything you don't understand, ask for an explanation. Too often, buyers don't read the contract in advance. They're rushed when they do finally make an offer, and they don't take the time to read the contract while they're in the midst of making an offer.

Ideally, no matter how rushed you are, you should sit down with your agent and review the contract. Together you can decide on the specific terms you want to include in the contract. Be sure to leave yourself enough time so that you have the opportunity to fully understand the contract before you sign it.

THE CLOSING: Sometimes time and distance don't permit buyers to sit down with their agent to write an offer. In this case, the offer may have to be put together using a combination of phone and fax. This process will be a lot easier if you have reviewed the contract in advance.

One couple was so interested in tying up a hot new listing that they made an the over-asking-price offer, without specifying many of the terms of the contract, such as the closing date and the time period for their financing to be approved. The buyers knew that the sellers wanted to exclude their master bedroom drapes from the sale, but the buyers didn't address this issue in the contract. They hoped that the sellers would change their minds and let the drapes stay with the house.

Some buyers are annoyed at having to deal with complicated contractual issues, without first knowing whether the sellers will accept their price. They figure that if the price is right, the rest will follow. The problem with this approach is that you may not be dealing with a cooperative party on the other side. By accepting your price, the seller may feel that he's entitled to call the shots when it comes to ironing out the remaining terms and conditions of the contract. Rather than build uncertainty into the contract, it's better to agree on as many contract terms as possible at the beginning of the transaction. Then you and the other party will know exactly where you stand. This will keep the stress-level to a minimum.

FIRST-TIME TIP: Your purchase contract should minimally include the following: an identification of the property and the buyers and sellers; the purchase price and the amount of the good faith deposit (also call the earnest money deposit); the financing terms, including the maximum interest rate and points the buyers will accept, and the time period for the buyers to obtain their financing commitment; prorations such as for property taxes and rents (if applicable); the closing and possession dates; a provision for the transfer of clear title from the sellers to the buyers; attached and personal property that are included and excluded; disclosures and compliance obligations that are required by law; inspection contingencies (home, termite, roof, drainage, etc.); a final walk-through provision; additional terms and conditions (such as the sale of another property, seller warranties, rights of tenants in possession, a home warranty plan, risk of loss, condition of the property; methods for dispute resolution; confirmation of the agency relationship where required by law; how closing costs will be shared; and a time period for the sellers' response to your offer.

If your purchase is contingent on an event happening that is not covered in the above list, you should include it in your purchase agreement to protect yourself. You may be refinancing another property to accumulate the down payment needed to close on the new house. Unless the refinance is complete and you have the cash in hand, you should make the successful completion of the refinance a contingency of your contract. If your refinance doesn't come through, you would probably have a legitimate way out of the contract.

THE CLOSING: To keep both buyers and sellers working on the same wavelength, compile a list of all the contract contingencies and their due dates. Make sure that all parties to the contract have copies of the timeline. And confirm that there aren't any disputes about critical dates.

After you have satisfied your contract contingencies, but before you close the sale, several tasks need to be completed. Lenders have requirements that must be met by closing. Typically, lenders require assurances that title to the property is clear. You should arrange for title insurance to protect yourself as well.

You'll also need to decide how you want to hold title to the property. The way you hold title to property has estate planning and tax ramifications, so you may want to consult with an accountant or an attorney who specializes in estate planning.

Lenders require hazard insurance, usually with proof that a one-year premium has been paid in advance. If you are buying a condo or cooperative, the lender will require proof of the association insurance coverage. You should arrange for insurance to cover your possessions and personal liability. This won't be covered by the association policy.

Contact movers at least a month before you want to move to get estimates. You'll probably want to talk with several before selecting one. Ask friends and your real estate agent for recommendations. Donate, throw out or sell possessions you no longer need before you get estimates.

Check to make sure that any repair work the sellers agreed to do before closing is complete, or will be done before closing. A notice of completion stating that termite work has been done may be required before the loan will be granted.

The week before closing, call utility companies and have the utilities transferred into your name at the new address. Make arrangements with the post office to have your mail forwarded and complete change of address notifications.

Arrange to do a final walk-through inspection of the property within the week before closing. Ideally, try to meet directly with the sellers to learn the idiosyncrasies of your new home. Get copies of operating and instruction manuals for appliances, and security and irrigation systems.

FIRST-TIME TIP: Buyers are often surprised at the volume of papers they have to sign at closing. If possible, get copies of all your closing documents from the person handling the closing before you sign the originals. Review them to make sure that you understand everything.

If there is any discrepancy between the loan you thought you were getting and what the loan papers indicate, call your loan agent or mortgage broker for an explanation. If there is anything in your closing package that you don't understand, talk to the escrow officer or closer, your loan agent, real estate agent or attorney.

Your closing money will have to be in the form of a certified or cashier's check. Alternatively, the funds can often be wired from your account to the closer's bank account. Find out exactly how much money you'll need to close, and get detailed wiring instructions from the closer if you plan to wire funds.

Your signature will have to be notarized when you sign closing documents, so bring your driver's license, or other acceptable identification, with you to the signing.

THE CLOSING: Make sure that keys and garage door openers will be made available to you at the date and time you are to take possession so that you can move in without delay.

Abstract of judgment

An abstract of judgment is a summary of a court judgment. When such an abstract is filed with the county recorder's office, a lien is made against the property that the defendant owns inside the county's boundaries.

Boilerplate

Boilerplate is legal jargon for the form language used in deeds, mortgages and other documents. The boilerplate language is usually preprinted on the document itself; details are added by the individual parties.

Bona fide

Bona fide is a legal term that refers to any actions or persons that are honest and in good faith. For example, an offer made by a buyer who has every intention of completing the sale is a bona fide offer. The lawyer or real estate agent who accepts the offer on behalf of the seller is a bona fide representative of the seller.

Bundle of rights

A bundle of rights is a legal theory that compares property rights to a bundle of sticks. This widely accepted theory says that each property right--possession, use, etc.--is like a stick in a bundle, and therefore must be considered separately. For example, a homeowner has a stick that represents ownership of the property, another stick that allows him to use it as he pleases, and yet another stick that gives him the right to rent it out.

Caveat emptor

Caveat emptor is a Latin term than means "let the buyer beware." The concept ruled the real estate business until the 1980s, when consumer-protection laws began placing greater disclosure requirements on sellers and their agents. Despite those laws, caveat emptor remains an important legal principle--as well as sound advice for buyers.

Competent

In mortgages and other contracts, competent essentially means "legally fit." For example, a competent buyer is a buyer who has the required age, ability and authority to sign a sales contract.

Covenant

A covenant is a legal assurance or promise set out in a deed or some other document, or implied by the law.

Fiduciary duty

Fiduciary duty is what describes the relationship between a real estate agent and a buyer or seller. The term also applies to legal and business relationships as well.

Legal blemish

A legal blemish on a piece of property, for example, could be a zoning violation or fraudulent title claim.

Legal description

A legal description of a piece of property is a specific way of identifying and locating a piece of real estate acceptable to a court.

Finding a home to buy where there is a shortage of homes for sale can be frustrating, to say the least. But there are measures you can take to increase your odds of buying sooner rather than later.

First, make sure you get your finances in order. Then when the right property comes along you'll be prepared to make a strong offer. When listing inventories are low and the demand for homes is high, buyers often find themselves competing for housing. Buyers who are pre-approved for the mortgage they'll need to complete the purchase have a leg up on the competition.

Next, find an energetic, trustworthy agent who specializes in the area where you want to buy. Sometimes listings sell before they hit the open market. An out-of-area agent probably won't hear about new listings as soon as they become available. You should work with someone who'll call you about new listings before the public hears about them.

Carefully analyze what you need and want in a home. Prioritize the list, putting the features that are essential at the top. Buying a home requires making compromises. It's unrealistic to expect to find all the features you desire in one property. Usually buyers need to see some of the local housing stock in order to know how to prioritize their housing wants and needs.

Make sure that your agent knows what you are looking for. If your priorities change, let your agent know about it. From time-to-time you should reconsider listings that you liked but discarded because they didn't match your criteria. Such a listing might be worthy of another look if your priorities have changed since you last viewed the property.

For example, you might have initially wanted a home that you didn't need to renovate. After looking for a while with no success, you might decide to consider a home that only needs a cosmetic redo. In this case, it might be worth reconsidering a cosmetic fixer that you passed on initially if it's still on the market.

FIRST-TIME TIP: Ask your agent to see if there are any expired listings that might work for you. An expired listing is one that didn't sell during the listing period. Sometimes expired listings are re-listed, but often sellers decide to take a break from marketing. This is particularly the case over the holiday season, or during the winter months. Even though an expired listing isn't actively being marketed, it may still be for sale.

One couple we represented had difficulty finding a home that suited their needs. We remembered an expired listing that had the features these buyers were looking for and contacted the listing agent. The sellers were getting their home ready to go back on the market. They were happy to show it a little early. The home was a good match and the buyers bought it.

The more flexible you can be in your search criteria, the easier it'll be to find a home. For example, buyers who are open to several architectural styles have more options available to them. If several neighborhoods are acceptable, you'll have more listings to choose from. Buyers who are willing to make cosmetic improvements increase their odds.

Be diligent about looking at every listing that might work for you. Don't simply look at the outside. You could be pleasantly surprised by what's inside.

THE CLOSING: Consider foregoing the perfect home this time around. Just make sure you buy a good home that will be easy to resell.

An Introduction to Interest Rates

Less is more with interest rates

Affordability increases as interest rates decrease. Affordability also increases if you use an adjustable rate mortgage rather than fixed-rate financing because the lower initial adjustable interest rate makes qualifying easier. There will be a range of prices you can afford depending on what kind of financing you choose.

Not even the Fed knows for sure

Mortgage interest rates are affected by many unpredictable political, economic and social events. So there is no guarantee what direction interest rates will go, despite the forecasts of the experts. Therefore, make your financial decision based on where things are today including your budget, your needs and your future plans.

Step lively to lock in

If you do decide you want to lock in at a certain interest rate, get a completed loan application to your lender as soon as possible so that your commitment doesn't run out before your loan is approved. Follow up and make sure any additional documentation required by the lender (employment and deposit verification) is sent without delay. Have the loan agent order the property appraisal right away, which probably will require you to pay an up-front fee of approximately $300. Make sure that payoff demands from existing lenders are ordered in time. Existing loans must be paid off before a new first loan can be secured against the property.

Writing interest guarantee into contract

Although most sellers will attempt to accommodate buyers who are in jeopardy of losing an interest rate, a seller doesn't have to agree to do so unless it's part of the purchase agreement. One way to insure that the sellers will cooperate is to include a provision in the original purchase contract that requires them to close early, if necessary, in order for you to preserve an interest rate. Give the sellers the option to rent back at a cost equal to your principal, interest, property tax and insurance payment if they can't vacate before the contract closing date.

Negotiating a buy-down with a lender

Most lenders will allow you to design your own buy-down loan. That is, you can decide how long you want the interest rate to be reduced, how much the rate will be reduced, how many points you'll pay and how often the interest rate will adjust (for example, every 6 months or annually). It's possible to pay fewer points for a buy-down in exchange for a higher interest rate and/or a shorter buy-down period.

Buy-downs cut both ways

Buyers who don't intend to own their homes for very long will probably save money by taking an adjustable rate mortgage rather than paying the cost to buy down an interest rate. Sometimes, however, a seller or builder may be willing to pay the up-front buy-down fee for you. When real estate markets slow, you'll find more sellers willing to pay to buy down a rate for a buyer. But, if you can qualify for a loan without a buy-down, you'll probably be better off negotiating a lower purchase price rather than asking the seller for a buy-down concession.

Try not to obsess about interest rates

Although rising interest rates can add stress to the home-buying experience, waiting for rates to come down may not be the answer. You could pay a higher price later, and you can always refinance if interest rates come down.

Affordability increases as interest rates decrease. Affordability also increases if you use an adjustable rate mortgage rather than fixed-rate financing because the lower initial adjustable interest rate makes qualifying easier. There will be a range of prices you can afford depending on what kind of financing you choose.

Not even the Fed knows for sure

Mortgage interest rates are affected by many unpredictable political, economic and social events. So there is no guarantee what direction interest rates will go, despite the forecasts of the experts. Therefore, make your financial decision based on where things are today including your budget, your needs and your future plans.

Step lively to lock in

If you do decide you want to lock in at a certain interest rate, get a completed loan application to your lender as soon as possible so that your commitment doesn't run out before your loan is approved. Follow up and make sure any additional documentation required by the lender (employment and deposit verification) is sent without delay. Have the loan agent order the property appraisal right away, which probably will require you to pay an up-front fee of approximately $300. Make sure that payoff demands from existing lenders are ordered in time. Existing loans must be paid off before a new first loan can be secured against the property.

Writing interest guarantee into contract

Although most sellers will attempt to accommodate buyers who are in jeopardy of losing an interest rate, a seller doesn't have to agree to do so unless it's part of the purchase agreement. One way to insure that the sellers will cooperate is to include a provision in the original purchase contract that requires them to close early, if necessary, in order for you to preserve an interest rate. Give the sellers the option to rent back at a cost equal to your principal, interest, property tax and insurance payment if they can't vacate before the contract closing date.

Negotiating a buy-down with a lender

Most lenders will allow you to design your own buy-down loan. That is, you can decide how long you want the interest rate to be reduced, how much the rate will be reduced, how many points you'll pay and how often the interest rate will adjust (for example, every 6 months or annually). It's possible to pay fewer points for a buy-down in exchange for a higher interest rate and/or a shorter buy-down period.

Buy-downs cut both ways

Buyers who don't intend to own their homes for very long will probably save money by taking an adjustable rate mortgage rather than paying the cost to buy down an interest rate. Sometimes, however, a seller or builder may be willing to pay the up-front buy-down fee for you. When real estate markets slow, you'll find more sellers willing to pay to buy down a rate for a buyer. But, if you can qualify for a loan without a buy-down, you'll probably be better off negotiating a lower purchase price rather than asking the seller for a buy-down concession.

Try not to obsess about interest rates

Although rising interest rates can add stress to the home-buying experience, waiting for rates to come down may not be the answer. You could pay a higher price later, and you can always refinance if interest rates come down.

Pre-qualification can be accomplished by simply talking to a mortgage broker or lender. You'll need to provide information about your income, your assets and your debts. Or, if you prefer, you can use the Internet to find out what size mortgage you're likely to qualify for. Use a search engine like Excite.com or Yahoo.com to search for mortgages. When you find a home mortgage site select the option that allows you to pre-qualify yourself.

Pre-qualification gives you a rough estimate of what you can afford. In order to know definitely what you can afford, you'll need to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This involves a more involved process, but one of the benefits is that most lenders will issue a letter of pre-approval when you're financial documentation is approved. This comes in handy when you're negotiating a home purchase, particularly if you're competing with other buyers. A pre-approval letter should remove any concerns the sellers might have about your financial ability. Also, if you're pre-approved you can usually close more quickly than a buyer who isn't pre-approved.

How much house you can afford to buy depends on your income, your debts, your credit history and the amount of cash you have available for a down payment and closing costs. To get pre-approved, you'll need to give your lender or mortgage broker a residential loan application, verification of your employment, proof you have the down payment money and authorization to check your credit.

In addition, the lender will want the following: W-2's for the last 2 years and your most recent monthly pay stub if you're salaried; tax returns for the last 2 years and a year-to-date profit and loss statement if you're self-employed or if you receive commission income; copies of the last 3 monthly statements from financial institutions that verify your source of down payment and cash reserves; and copies of payment coupons on any outstanding loans like an auto loan or home mortgage.

If you receive rental income, social security or pension income, alimony or child support income or income from a note, you'll need to provide documentation to verify this. If you're not a U.S. citizen, you'll need to provide copies of the front and back of your green card.

FIRST-TIME TIP: The amount of paperwork required to qualify for a mortgage is overwhelming to most home buyers. To simplify the process, some mortgage brokers and lenders will complete the loan application for you using information you provide to them either in person or over the phone.

Loan approval for some mortgages requires less paperwork. For example, minimal documentation is needed to qualify for a no-income verifier (NIV) mortgage (also called a stated income mortgage). You need good credit to be approved for one of these loans. But basically the lender takes your word in lieu of a formal income verification.

Most NIV mortgages require a 20 percent cash down payment. And the borrower is usually charged about a 1/4 percent higher interest rate on the loan. Home mortgages with the most competitive interest rates often require the most documentation.

THE CLOSING: Before final loan approval, the lender's underwriters will need to review the purchase agreement, a title report and a property appraisal.

Buyers like low interest rates because they equate to low monthly mortgage payments. When interest rates are low, buyers can buy more expensive homes. When interest rates increase, affordability decreases.

A quarter percent increase, from 7.5 percent to 7.75 percent, on a $100,000 mortgage costs the borrower an additional $17 per month, or $204 per year. A full percentage point increase, from 7.5 percent to 8.5 percent, adds about $70 per month to the monthly payment, or $840 per year. Such an amount could easily affect a borrower's ability to qualify for a loan.

One option homebuyers have when the cost of money rises is to switch from fixed-rate to adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) products.

Fixed-rate loans have an interest rate and monthly payment that are set for the term of the loan. The interest rate and payments on ARMs vary over the loan term to reflect changes in the finance markets. The initial interest rate on an ARM is usually about 2 percent lower than it would be on a fixed-rate loan.

Rather than pay an 8.5 percent fixed interest rate, you could switch to an ARM that might start at 6.5 percent. This would lower your mortgage payment by $137 each month, or $1,644 for the year.

Another cost-saving mortgage is a hybrid mortgage-one that combines features of both fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages. These are popular with buyers who prefer the predictability of fixed-rate payments.

Although there are many hybrid loans available, a popular variation is one that has a fixed-rate for the first 5, 7 or 10 years of the loan. The rate is fixed at about 1/4 to 1/2 percent below a 30-year fixed mortgage rate. At the end of the initial fixed-rate period, the hybrid loan converts to an ARM for the remaining life of the loan.

FIRST-TIME TIP: Generally, there tends to be a correlation between interest rates and real estate market activity. Higher interest rates can lead to a slow down in home sales, as homebuyers find it harder to qualify. Lower interest rates tend to stimulate sales activity.

However, factors other than interest rates effect real estate market activity. For example, during the recession of the early 1990's, very low interest rates did not ignite a dead real estate market. Job loss, economic insecurity and low consumer confidence, kept would-be buyers on the sidelines.

A hike in interest rates can actually cause a pick-up in home sales, at least initially. In an already active market, a rate increase can create a sense of urgency. Buyers rush to buy before rates move higher.

The threat of rising rates prompts many buyers to lock-in interest rates. When an interest rate is locked in with a lender, the lender promises a certain rate as long as the loan closes by a certain date. The cost, and the time period, of the lock-in varies with the lender.

THE CLOSING: Some lenders will let you lock in an interest rate even before you find a home to buy. You may have to complete a loan application and go through loan approval to qualify for this. If you qualify, you are preapproved for a loan amount with a rate lock-in for a time period, usually 30 to 60 days

Older homes usually need more maintenance than newer homes. Plumbing and electrical systems wear out over time. So do components like the roof and the foundation.

For example, let's say you're buying an older home from the 1920's that has a tile roof. The terra cotta tile may have an indeterminate life span, as long as the tiles aren't damaged. But the felt that lies underneath the tile can become brittle after awhile and crack. This felt paper is the waterproofing membrane that keeps rainwater from penetrating into your home. When the waterproofing membrane fails, the tiles need to be removed from the roof and the membrane replaced in order for the roof to be watertight. This can be expensive, especially for large roofs.

Updating often includes plumbing, heating, electrical, drainage, foundation, kitchens and bathrooms. Unless you're buying an older home that has been renovated by previous owners, you should anticipate making such upgrades in the future.

FIRST-TIME TIP: Have any home you buy thoroughly inspected by an experienced and reputable home inspector. Let the inspector know that, in addition to learning the current condition of the property, you need to know when you should anticipate replacing or repairing major systems and components.

Find out how much it will cost to maintain the property before it becomes your responsibility. In some cases, this will require that you get bids from certain contractors (plumber, roofer, electrician or drainage expert) who may need to look at the property before giving estimates. Find out if the seller has had contractors work on the property. They may be able to provide you with information about future maintenance costs.

Ask the previous owners what routine maintenance chores they took care of during their term of ownership. Did the roof gutters need cleaning? How often? Are there drains that need clearing? Do any skylights leak? What is the cost to take care of these items? If the sellers know craftsmen they can recommend to take care of these chores, get their names and numbers and consider using them in the future.

Find out what the monthly utility bills run. This will vary from one month to the next. Ask the sellers for an average for the summer and winter months. Also find out if there are any local homeowner assessments. If there are, what do they cost?

Set a budget for yourself before you commit to going through with the purchase. Include the costs for incidentals like tree-trimming, painting, heating and maintaining a pool or spa. Don't forget to ask the seller when the house was last painted. Find out how often does the exterior need repainting. This will usually range from 5 to 10 years depending on the quality of the last paint job and the harshness of the climate.

Don't assume that because a home is new, it won't need any maintenance for awhile. New homes can be defective. Also, there may be vent pipes or skylights that need routine sealing to keep them from leaking.

THE CLOSING: If your new home comes without landscaping and window coverings, you'll need to budget these into your hidden costs of home ownership.

What is "cooking style" and what is yours? Jim Bingnear, a certified kitchen designer, who has been designing kitchens for 18 years, defines this as the way an individual organizes him or herself when working in a kitchen, not the type of food that is prepared.

After observing hundreds of clients work in their existing kitchens before designing them a new one, Bingnear has concluded that there are basically two kinds of cooks and cooking styles--Type A and Type B. Type A tends to cook on the run, preparing an entire meal at one time--cutting up vegetables for a salad while stir-frying chicken and steaming rice on the stove and keeping an eye on dessert in the oven--and clean up afterwards. The more fastidious Type B, in contrast, works at a slower pace, fixes dishes sequentially, and cleans as she goes, wiping up spills as they happen.

Since Type A puts out all the food items, utensils, pots and pans before she starts and does several things at once, she will require more counter area than Type B. But, Bingnear cautions, Type A will not be happy with ten-foot long counters---her space needs to be constricted in some way so clean up will not become an odious chore. Since Type B cleans up as she goes along, any kitchen will work, even one with a small food preparation area.

When assessing yourself, it's important to be honest, even if it means admitting neatness in not your highest priority. When you've nailed your style down, start factoring it in as you appraise materials and select colors and finishes.

When deciding on counter tops, Type B can pick anything because she tends to be neater. A scratch resistant material is not a must because she will reliably pull out a cutting board every time. Staining is not a problem because she cleans up every spill. A heat and scorch resistant material is not required either because she doesn't put hot pots on a counter top.

Type A, however, is another matter. This type of cook frequently puts hot pans on the counter and cuts up food directly on the counter surface. Since she cleans up at the end, commonly used and frequently spilled household foods like mustard, grape juice, and spaghetti sauce will have already dried and stained. For her, a harder material like Corian or granite is a better choice. If these, which usually add several thousand dollars to a kitchen price, are not in the budget, Type A should opt for a scratch and stain resistant plastic laminate that is a medium dark color with some pattern variation to camouflage scratches and smudges. Asking the kitchen installer to rout out a sizable rectangle in the counter and insert a piece of Corian for use as a cutting surface will also help a Type A cook Bingnear said.

Ceramic-tile counter tops and backsplashes are becoming increasingly popular, but the grout easily stains no matter how quickly you mop up spills. To eliminate the stain problem use bigger tile and a dark colored grout Bingnear suggests.

Cooking style should also be factored in when selecting cabinet finishes and colors. White cabinets-now extremely popular throughout the US--will suit neat and fastidious Type B, but the more impatient and frankly messier Type A will not be happy because "the ketchup stains and the place where the tea bag splashed when you threw it towards the trash will show," Bingnear said. In fact, one of the ways that he distinguishes neat from messy cooks is by their reaction to white cabinets. "When people come to my show room and say 'white cabinets--I hate them, they show everything' I know they are a Type A cook." For them oak, maple, or cherry cabinets with a medium to dark stain are a wiser choice because these won't show dirt and stains.

When choosing a floor finish, get something in a medium color with a pattern if you're not going to clean up right away Bingnear suggested. More significant than tidiness in a flooring choice, however, is the difference between a "hard" material such as tile or slate and a "soft" one such as wood or sheet vinyl. "Hard" materials have less capacity to absorb any impact. Things dropped are more likely to break. Your back and leg muscles, absorbing all the impact of normal body movement will get sore more easily. If you like to spend a long time preparing gourmet meals, think twice about that gorgeous Sautillo Mexican floor tile or Italian marble Bingnear advised.

Can this expertise be transferred to the residential arena? Most definitely yes. In a recent interview, Harris offered some helpful advice for new homeowners who have to select their own appliances.

Though most home buyers would probably begin any discussion on appliances with the big ticket items, Harris starts with the food preparation sequence and small appliances that blend, mix and chop. The first question he asks is "do I really need it?" With the increased capacity of a bigger kitchen, many new home buyers have a tendency to go overboard, but Harris says, "even if you cook a lot, a mixer and food processor will cover most things."

After whittling down the number of small-motor appliances to the essentials, Harris says the next question is, "where to put them?" In most kitchens, "they're always in the way taking up counter space, but the attachments are stuck in some drawer and you can't find them when you want them." Harris' solution: a "speed rack" with two or three shelves on wheels; each shelf holds one appliance and all its attachments. This works well if the kitchen has a large pantry closet to put the speed rack in when not using it, as Harris's has.

If there's no room for a speed rack, Harris suggests inserting an extra wall cabinet with folding doors in the space between the counter and the underside of a standard wall cabinet. Trendy appliance garages with their wooden, accordion sliding doors which are often set into this space "look ugly and the sliding doors break," Harris observed.

Moving on to cooking the food on a range or in an oven, Harris begins with the prosaic--how easy it is to clean? More than once he said he's found himself muttering, "the person who designed this never had to clean it." As between a gas or an electric range, Harris says he would always choose gas because the cooking temperature can be set more precisely. And, he added, he would spring for a more expensive gas range with sealed burners that are much easier to clean, a feature which most gas range manufacturers now offer.

With an oven, gas or electric ones work equally well, but for ease of cleaning, Harris would get an electric oven with a self-cleaning feature. If the oven has to be gas, Harris would put a sheet pan (cookie sheet to a lay person) on the bottom of the oven to catch spills.

Another important cooking "appliance," though it's rarely thought of as such, is the exhaust fan, Harris said. It needs to be big enough to do its job--exhaust smells, steam, smoke, and noxious by-products such as carbon monoxide from incomplete combustion of the gas burners. This air cleansing mechanism also has to exhaust these to the outside, not just move air through a charcoal filter, the case with some built-in exhausts that come on a stove unit.

The exhaust system must also be periodically cleaned and the grease which collects in it removed, Harris noted. Otherwise, the grease builds up, creating a serious fire hazard. In most restaurants, the exhaust has to be cleaned out monthly, but in a house, once a year is adequate, Harris said.

For households that entertain infrequently, Harris said a residential-sized range rather than a large, expensive, "trophy stove," is the sensible choice. For those occasions when added capacity for cooking large quantities of food is needed, he would get a large, outdoor barbecue grill. For ease of cleaning, the grill should be gas-fired (this will not be a hard sell to anyone who has ever had to deal with charcoal ashes). If a gas line to the back yard cannot be installed when the house is built, Harris would use a refillable propane gas tank.

When it comes to cleaning up and dishwashers, Harris recommends one with a stainless steel interior. This feature will add to the cost, but it will also increase the useful life of the dishwasher because it won't chip or corrode as a conventional dishwasher lining eventually will.

As for refrigerators, Harris observed that most people find a side by side type easier to organize and use than a freezer unit above or below the refrigerator, even though the storage capacity may be the same. A unit with glass shelves--usually an upgrade feature--will keep spills localized and prevent that leaky bottle of sticky syrup on the top shelf from dripping over everything below it.

Though the frost-free feature has made many homeowners oblivious to any regular refrigerator maintenance, Harris urged homeowners to clean it out periodically "top to bottom" to prevent the interior from getting corroded or pitted. If door gaskets are not kept clean and periodically replaced, the interior temperatures will not be in the correct range--36 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit for the refrigerator and zero degrees for the freezer--and the food will spoil faster, he said.

For added features beyond simply cooling and freezing food, cooking it and washing dishes, Harris was cautious. "The added bells and whistles are usually functions I don't need and just one more thing to break. In many cases now, if one function is on the fritz, the whole machine breaks down. For example, if the more sophisticated timer on the oven breaks, the entire oven won't work."

And to get the oven back up and running will be expensive. Ted Lane, an appliance repairman in Ann Arbor, Michigan for 30 years observed, "everybody wants appliances with computer chips on the front, but then they break. If something goes amiss, the whole thing stops working, and it will be very expensive to repair. For example, to repair a $600 dishwasher, the microprocessor costs $300."

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