Book excerpt: Real-life stories help buyers and sellers navigate the shark-infested waters of real estate transactions. Get the best deal when buying or selling by understanding how the real estate game is played. Get tips on selecting real estate agents, home inspectors and builders. Avoid mistakes and learn important things often missed when choosing a house. Learn about many unseen problems that can lurk unsuspected in any home. Get savvy about repair contractor scams and how to avoid them. Actual court room experiences offer insight into builders of "bad houses". Beginning home inspectors will get valuable information on all aspects of the profession. Practicing inspectors may pick up a few new "tricks of the trade." Real estate professionals can get a better understanding of the home inspection industry from the inspector's perspective. Others will enjoy walking in the shoes of a real life person, in real life situations related in a most interesting and often humorous way.