Book excerpt: One of America's leading consumer advocates and popular talk show hosts offers his tips and tricks to successfully buying and selling real estate -- in any market Real estate -- whether in a boom or a bust economy -- is still a good investment, but only if you make smart and patient choices. There is a lot of confusing information out there, and many people find it increasingly difficult to navigate the ever-changing world of real estate without losing their shirts, or their minds. In Clark Smart Real Estate, talk show host and bestselling author Clark Howard presents the best of his experience as a consumer advocate. In his simple and clear style, he shows readers how they can build wealth slowly over time through real estate, and how they can capitalize on -- and protect themselves from -- the real estate market's many fluctuations over the long term. Following his own "save more, spend less, and avoid ripoffs," philosophy, Howard encourages people to get "Clark Smart" and lays out practical and information-packed answers to common questions anyone interested in real estate might have about buying, selling, or financing. When should you buy your first home? Is it better to purchase a preexisting house or one newly built? What are some hidden closing costs, and how can you avoid them? Should you sell your home yourself? How does one shop for a mortgage? What are the costs of refinancing? Sound advice in a handy format -- this is what Clark Howard's readers have been waiting for, and it's just in time to help the multitudes flummoxed by today's conflicting real estate market.