This manual, written by a team of contributors from the "Good Housekeeping Institute", opens with "Buying a Home", which considers everything from choosing a mortgage to the potential pitfalls of older houses. Subsequent chapters cover "Equipping the Home", which provides up-to-the-minute buying guides on all the major appliances you will need; "Care and Maintenance", which goes to the core of smooth home management and includes an easy-reference guide to repairs; "Cleaning" includes a guide to stain removal; "Creative DIY" has hundreds of time- and money-saving tips for home decorating; "Security and Safety" shows you how to guard your family and home against burglary and other threats; "Legal Matters" provides expert information on everything from insurance policies to dealing with noisy neighbours; and "Emergencies and Troubleshooting" gives at-a-glance advice for the times when things go wrong.