Fraught with arcane rituals, hidden traps and pitfalls, and confusing legal mumbo jumbo, the closing can be the most harrowing part of the home buying equation.

Modeled after Robert Irwin's popular Home Buyer's Checklist, this book is packed with checklists, pointers, questions, and tactics that help a home buyer close the deal without losing his or her sense of humor, sanity, or shirt, including:

• A complete lowdown on what to ask, where to get the answers, and how much things cost
• A list of information and documents needed to ensure a closing goes smoothly
• Guidance on issues such as attorneys, bankers, title, inspections, insurance, surveys, and walk-throughs