Book Description

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) make commercial real estate profits available to everyone! REITs are one of the hottest and most potentially lucrative investment vehicles in the market today. Find out how you can take advantage of these increasingly popular securities in the powerful new book Real Estate Investment Trusts. Professionals Richard T. Garrigan and John F.C. Parsons have gathered over 20 of todayÕs most influential opinion leaders to explain how investors both large and small are beating the S&P 500 with REITs, how these REITs combine superior income and growth with relative safety, behind-the-scenes information on how to assemble and launch a successful REIT, and statistical support for market confidence in the long-term appreciation potential of REITs. Whether you are a real estate investment professional seeking comprehensive information on todayÕs REIT operational requirements; an investment professional needing to better understand REITs; or an individual investor interested in diversifying your own portfolio into real estate, Real Estate Investment Trusts will open your eyes to the incredible opportunities available in todayÕs REIT market. Order this well-researched, interesting and informative book today. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent overview of the REIT Industry
The book provided an insightful overview of the REIT industry. The book was organized by various topics relating to investing and managing a REIT. The chapters were written by practioners and academics working in the different REIT industry areas. The authors were able to provide vital insights into their areas of expertise. As a new REIT employee I learned about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for my company and the REIT industry as a whole. some of the chapters were a bit technical in nature; particularly the analysis on historical private verses public REIT returns. Overall the book should be required reading for REIT investors and Managers as well. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Buying a home requires skill in a variety of areas. There's negotiating, financing, inspecting a home, and understanding legal contracts. It's really too much for most people to do by themselves, which, as you know by now, is why most of us pay good money to hire real estate agents, mortgage brokers, home inspectors, and other professionals to help with the process. But that doesn't remove the buyer from the role of project manager, whose job is to understand what each specialist is meant to do and recognize when one of those key players is not doing his or her job right. Books such as 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask help the novice gain a solid understanding of the basics involved in this often complex process. The questions in this second edition of author Ilyce R. Glink's book also make buyers think about their decisions. If you want to buy an older home, for example, do you understand that older windows may need caulking or new sashes, that bathroom tiles may need regrouting, and that an older home may need rewiring, a new hot water heater, or a new furnace right away? Other questions range from the routine (How much can I afford? How do I make an offer?) to some that are hard to anticipate (What if the seller wants to stay in the house after the closing? Who should attend the closing?). Chapters are devoted to key topics, including figuring out what kind of house you want (this effort starts with a "wish list" and improves with a "reality check"), knowing what you can afford, putting together and negotiating a deal, financing your home, closing on the deal, and then doing what it takes to live happily ever after. Of course, living happily ever after requires understanding when it's time to move on to your next home, a process that may find you dusting off this book in the coming years. --John Russell ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Forget 'Dummies'. Listen to Ilyce!
I'm in the process of learning about buying a home. I've read 5-6 books on the subject. Some books explain things a bit but still leave you with questions. Other books seem to "preach" their philosophy but that may not be right for everyone. By far the best book, I've read has been "100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask, Second Edition : With Answers from Top Brokers from Around the Country" by Ilyce R. Glink. This book is incredibly easy to read, but thorough enough to answer the questions that the other books left me asking. Whether you're a first time buyer or someone looking to brush up on home buying...this book is for you.

Great book for first time home buyers
My husband and I will be looking for our first home soon, so I picked up this book at the library. I think it is very helpful in explaining all the terms and steps you will have to go through when looking for and purchasing a home, but it has so much information it can be overwhelming. I would skim through it first and look at the questions that pertain to you instead of trying to read it word for word. Overall it is helpful if you're new to home buying and have no idea what to expect or do!

Overwhelming in its thoroughness
Wow! I bought this book and "Home Buying for Dummies." This is by far the better book. As my husband and I embark on this tenuous journey of home ownership, we are nervous to the point of being panicked, especially since we live in a very hot, overpriced market. This book is doing wonders to calm our nerves and abate our fears. Education is a powerful tool.

Glink's book is well-organized and about as thorough as it gets. I haven't yet found a question I had that she didn't answer in the book. The book is so jam-packed, though, that I found it's best to just look up my specific questions (once I got the "basics" covered). Otherwise, you may find yourself wading through vast amounts of information that don't apply to your situation.

I am very happy I bought this book. The information is probably the next best thing to having a trusted friend or family member in the business.

The best I have read yet
I have read 5 books on home buying in preparation of purchase of a new home and this book has been the best of them (I also recommend "How to save Thousands of Dollars on your Home Mortgage"). The book deals with mortgage, realtors, home inspection, price negotiation, and closing. Unless you are a real estate professional, you will learn plenty from this book. It also helps the author is a very fluid writer and her explainations are precise and easy to understand.

My only gripe is despite its 500 pages, the book is too short! The last 150 pages are spent on appendix and the book has a large print. Yes, the book is concise but at the expense of being more comprehensive. But I am being picky here, you will not regret picking this book over others in the market.

Good stuff.
Ilyce R. Glink, 100 Questions First-Time Homebuyers Should Ask (Three Rivers Press, 2000)

The title of this book, perhaps, does it something of a disservice. The information to be found here is useful for anyone in the process of looking for a new home. Sure, a good deal of it will be more useful to those who haven't been through the process before (the section on different types of mortgages, and different breeds of mortgage brokers, is likely to be especially helpful), but since buying a new home isn't something one does on a weekly, or even a yearly, basis most of the time, there's stuff in here that might make for it being a good refresher course when it comes time to sell. (As well, it may remind the sellers of the state of mind of the homebuyer and invoke a little sympathy.) Much of it may seem like common sense, but let's not forget that the vast majority of humanity are notably devoid of that particular capacity.

Good stuff, well worth reading. **** ... Read more

Book Description

In order to become a licensed real estate salesperson in most states, candidates must pass a real estate sales exam. There are several different exams that assess the knowledge and application of national real estate laws and practices. This book is appropriate for use in all 50 states. Designed to help all candidates who need to prepare for this important exam, this study aid includes 4 complete practice exams, a real estate refresher course, a real estate math review, a real estate glossary, as well as a free CD-ROM. ... Read more

Book Description

This brand new practical guide will assist all new home sales professionals in their daily quest for new home sales success. Designed to be always readily available, it is loaded with new and revised strategies, techniques and scripts. ... Read more

Book Description

The increasing interest in REIT's (Real Estate Investment Trusts) suggests that REIT's are becoming an increasingly important part of investors' diversified portfolios. Real Estate Investment Trusts: Structure, Performance and Investment Opportunities helps investors evaluate REIT's and identify those with the greatest investment potential. It analyzes REIT's and explains the changes that have occurred in the REIT's industry. This book discusses the existing scholarly research on REIT's in a way that will enable managers to improve their investment decisions and the operating performance of their REIT's. This text provides up-to-date original research on REIT's based on the authors' own database, which is the most extensive data base available on Real Estate Investment Trusts.This book is part of the Financial Management Association's Survey and Synthesis Series. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent guide to Real Estate and Urban Economics
This is an excellent introduction to understanding many of the economic forces which drive urban economics and real estate markets. The book is designed for a graduate-level course, but should be understandable by anybody with a rudimentary knowledge of economics and a desire to learn more. Certainly a 'must' for understanding these important topics and it certainly has some good 'ah ha' points where you 'get' something new and important.

High Price
It is an excellent book, a little pricy, but of high quality. It is not for someone that has not studied or worked in real estate, planning or land economics before though; it is a graduate level course book. ... Read more

Book Description

The governance of natural resources used by many individuals in common is an issue of increasing concern to policy analysts. Both state control and privatization of resources have been advocated, but neither the state nor the market have been uniformly successful in solving common pool resource problems. After critiquing the foundations of policy analysis as applied to natural resources, Elinor Ostrom here provides a unique body of empirical data to explore conditions under which common pool resource problems have been satisfactorily or unsatisfactorily solved. Dr. Ostrom first describes three models most frequently used as the foundation for recommending state or market solutions. She then outlines theoretical and empirical alternatives to these models in order to illustrate the diversity of possible solutions. In the following chapters she uses institutional analysis to examine different ways--both successful and unsuccessful--of governing the commons. In contrast to the proposition of the tragedy of the commons argument, common pool problems sometimes are solved by voluntary organizations rather than by a coercive state. Among the cases considered are communal tenure in meadows and forests, irrigation communities and other water rights, and fisheries. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

conventional theory applied to odd cases
Ostroms' book covers a variety of cases where allocational difficulties arise. She employs sound economic reasoning in analyzing a number of cases where ordinary property rights enforcment is difficult. This book illustrates how vital institutional arrangements are in managing natural resources. Self-described environmentalists should read this book to see how many of the problems that concern them can actually get solved. The history in this book is made interesting through the application of economic concepts. This is not light reading, but it surely is interesting- for serious readers. ... Read more

Book Description

How to buy low and sell high in real estate

Yes, timing is everything. In the real estate market, that means buying in markets that are ready to take off and cashing out before prices crash. In Timing the Real Estate Market, millionaire real estate entrepreneur Craig Hall reveals to America's 17 million real estate investors his secrets for maximizing profits, by knowing when to buy, when to sell, and what to do in between.

Following Hall's savvy advice, real estate investors will learn:

• The seven major trends affecting real estate prices
• How to predict when real estate prices are poised to increase
• How to capture maximum profits by knowing when to sell
• How to add value to a property while waiting for the real estate market to pick up
• How to survive during a downturn--until the next market upswing

Reviews (4)

Timing the Real Estate Market
Nobody... absolutely nobody knows more about real estate than Craig Hall. He's not only observed, but been an active participant in both the up and down cycles. He's learned the lessons with sweat equity.

-David Johnson, KRLD

Timing the Real Estate Market
Even after many years in the business, I found Craig Hall's book Timing the Real Estate Market to be full of useful and valuable industry insight. Obviously real estate, as well as other investment vehicles, is all about timing: evaluating local trends and identifying the stages of each cycle. Anyone, from the most experienced to the novice, can refresh and learn more about the unique real estate trading arena. Craig Hall's years of experience have paid off, and the advice and real life examples from both his successes and challenges can be helpful to anyone seeking knowledge on real estate timing.

The best real estate book I have ever read
In Timing The Real Estate Market author Craig Hall makes the complicated process of buying low and selling high remarkably understandable. While no one can buy at the exact bottom and sell at the exact top, using Hall's tips will enable you to confidently buy low and sell high most of the time.

Timing The Real Estate Market is very different from other real estate investing books. Most real estate investing books only tell you what to buy and how to buy it. Hall's book is the first to tell investors when to buy and when to sell. Other real estate investing books say the only way to go is buy and hold till you die. Hall's book shows that conventional wisdom is wrong and that investors are often much better off buying in order to sell.

There are many real estate moguls that know what Hall knows. But Hall is the only mogul who is generous enough to share these insider tips with the masses.

Essential reading!
Extremely valuable information for any real estate investor who wants an inside look at how a pro plays the game. ... Read more

Book Description

A PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

The first simple guide to understanding the real estate closing process

Closing and escrow are among the most important­­and least understood­­components of a real estate transaction. The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing takes the mystery out of the confusing, expensive process by giving real estate professionals, investors, and consumers a step-by-step explanation. In simple, everyday language, the book explains closing documents and paperwork, what to do when something goes wrong, mortgage options, how to save money on title insurance, problems that can occur on a title report,

and much more. With sample forms, work sheets, and more, this sophisticated but accessible book covers:

• Insider tips on how to save money­­from a closing professional
• Who does what: the real estate agent, lender, title company, closing officer, attorney
• State-specific information for all 50 states

Reviews (5)

The Best Guide
"This book has all the information anyone needs for all aspects of a closing. It tells you the right questions to ask, when to ask them, and includes helpful checklists, which are really user-friendly. I used this personally in my latest closing, and it was the best guide I could have had. The list of documents needed to be sure the closing goes smoothly was great. Sandy Gadow is the leading author and expert on closings and escrow and I appreciated the easy to read style of her book. Worth buying this book!"

The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing
I really enjoyed this book. The book is written very clearly, with great illustrations and examples. The easy to understand way in which closing was explained made sense and was easy to follow. I have read many real estate books, but never one written by a closing professional. Someone who really knows the subject matter from first hand experience. This book prepared me for what to expect at closing, what fees I was allowed to question and how to negotiate lower closing costs. I realized that settlement errors just don't happen at the mortgage level, they also happen at the title company. This book delivered on it's title. It really is a complete guide and a handy reference book. I went to closing with less worry and more confidence than ever before. I understood what I was doing and what to question. This is the only book I could find that really helps you with the final and most critical part of a real estate purchase (or sale).

just a little reassurance
This is a good choice if you feel skittish about following thru with the largest transaction in your life. Much of this book didn't apply to me because I'm buying just land in NC with cash --a transaction that's much simplified from the stuff she covers here. Much is made of escrow, but in NC, as far as I can tell, escrow is not as central to the closing process. There is an appendix on the differences between the closing procedures between all of the US states, but it would be nice if this was beefed out a little more. Still worth it, comprehensive, and good links to web resources.

One of the Top Real Estate Books
I was surprised to find a book so easy to read and yet was so comprehensive. This is a book which finally explains,in layman's terms, closing costs,legal escrow documents,and most important to me, what to watch out for. You will like how the book tells you who to ask which questions and what each person should be doing and when. The full page size sample forms were great and easy to copy for my use. This book contains more than just escrow and closing information - it includes tips on taxes, property inspections, and what to do after the sale is closed.

Easy to read and easy to understand!
Sandy Gadow's new escrow book is terrific! It is basically the same book as her previous book, All About Escrow and Real Estate Closings, but this new book is up-dated with the newest information and I especially liked the new chapter on tax deferred exchanges. I started investing in rental properties not too long ago, and Sandy's book on escrow and closing really helped me understand all those complicated closing papers and closing costs. I was able to save money on title insurance and I negotiated with the lender to reduce some of their closing fees. I would recommend this book to anyone buying or selling real estate. I found information in Sandy's book that I could not find in other real estate books. Easy to read and easy to understand. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Fantastic renovation guide
Dworin is a clear, engaging writer. He presents the pros and cons of this business honestly. I read this large book in a few days and was eager to go out and start rehab-ing straight away. I would recommend this book for 1) anyone thinking of doing this as a business, 2) anyone contemplating remodeling their own home, or 3) anyone thinking of buying a home.

Not very useful
This book is useful if you are your own handyman (as the author is) and want pointers on how to do things. Otherwise if you are going to hire your own contractor or handyman, it really is not very useful. For these investors, your money is better spent on a book that covers more in debt things you need to know about what kind of property to look for and how to determine a good buy and financing needed to secure it.

A lot of information for little money!
You know those ... get rich real estate books, videos and CDs that end up only giving you basic common sense information that you already knew (Like the last 45 minute video I watched the spent the whole time telling you to clean up the house before the potential buyer comes over. THIS BOOK IS NOT ONE OF THEM. This book is filled with tons of real, experienced info that you don't already know from common sense. 2 thumbs up!

Excellent, highly informative book on residential rehab.
This book provides an excellent guide to the kind of choices one has to make to be successful at buying, rehabbing and reselling homes. It's practical and realistic, and contains both general theory and strategy guidance as well as very specific, useful rehabbing tips. I have been doing this kind of work for 3 years myself and wish I had read this earlier to save me from some mistakes. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

great guide for planners and environmental studies
first chapter is dry but the rest of the book is a thorough compilation of techniques, history, design, purpose and review.

A good handbook for any planner
Dunne & Leopold's "Water In Environmental Planning" is a great tool of reference for the planner of any type. It addresses key issues in the role of water during the planning process and also includes important formulas for solving water problems. If you can get past a boring first chapter, this book is well worth the money and makes a great reference for the urban, rural or environmental planner. 4 stars. ... Read more

Book Description

The most comprehensive guide available for Experior exam preparation.Includes over 1,000 questions to assist the student in effectively preparing for the state real estate license exam.Provides an expanded content outline for topic review.Also contains salesperson and broker review exams.Highlighs are:
* Uses a drill and practice approach to learning, allowing the student to more easily identify any gaps in subject knowledge.
* Over 1,000 Experior specific exam prep questions with detailed rationales.
* Includes a glossery of terms.
* Serves as a reference manual with shelf life beyond the classroom and after the exam. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Useful but Not Necessary
In the my real estate school (Arizona School of Real Estate and Business), we were provided with more than enough study information and opportunities to review. Nevertheless, I felt the need to throw some more money at the process and went to Amazon and ordered the Guide to Passing the Experior Real Estate Exam. I looked through it a few times but found that the questions were remarkably exactly like the ones my school gave me to review. After taking the test I realized that buying this book probably contributed nothing to my passing of the exam.

I do not say all of this to say that the book is useless; it is far from it. However, I want to dispell the myth that you need to go out and purchase extra materials to pass the exam. I have since loaned my book to several licensees-to-be within our company and the book was much more help to them. This was primarily because I took the Experior exam immediately after classes, so the information in the book was something that I had immediate and more familiar access to within my study materials from school. However for the those who borrowed the book and proceeded to pass the exam, the book was helpful because quite some time had passed between their schooling and taking the exam.

The Guide to Passing the Experior Real Estate Exam is strong in that it has many questions to review and practice with AND it takes the time to explain the answers to the questions. Many of the answers are regretably short and not thorough, but many are very insightful into the questions that students have.

The faults of this book are not inherent to the book. The book accomplishes what it sets out to do very well. But the faults of the book are related to its relevance and necessity. Do not neglect the use of the materials provided to you at school thinking that the more money you throw at your real estate education the better you will do. It's generally not true. But if you are rusty on your knowledge and getting ready to take the exam or your school does not provide adequate study helps this book is a great option. ... Read more

Book Description

If you own a second home, you have the potential to boost your annual income by literally thousands of dollars by turning it into a vacation rental that earns money when you aren’t using it. In this book-and-CD package, you’ll learn exactly how to do it. Even if you’re already using your second home as a vacation rental, the book can help you maximize the income it generates each year. It doesn’t matter where you want to be along the spectrum of possibilities:

1. If you’ve never offered your property as a vacation rental before, you’ll find all the tools, tips, and information you need to save thousands in commissions by handling everything yourself. It really isn’t that hard to do.

2. If you prefer to have a rental agent or property manager take care of everything for you but aren’t quite satisfied with the number of bookings you’re getting, you’ll discover ways to inexpensively promote your property to prospective renters from all over the world--and how to negotiate lower management commissions on the business that you bring in.

3. Or maybe you’d rather steer a middle course by handling the marketing and bookings yourself and buying cleaning and maintenance services from a property manager or from some local firm. That, too, is a viable option.

Whatever course you choose, you’ll find everything you need in this book/CD package. Designed as a complete "Vacation Property Owner’s Toolkit," the package consists of a 320-page book in a three-ring binder, and a CD containing crucial rental forms and checklists that you can customize and print out for your own use. The CD also contains a collection of Windows programs selected to help you manage and market your vacation property easily and effectively.

And, by the way, after you’ve applied what you’ve learned, you can probably reduce or completely eliminate any current print-advertising expenses. The approach described in this package really is that powerful. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Finally, a book just for vacation rental owners!
I looked everywhere for something that would help me figure out how to advertise and manage my Maui condo as a vacation rental. All I could find were books aimed at "landlords" and people who do long-term rentals -- nothing specifically for someone like me who just wants to make some extra money renting a vacation home. Then I found this book. The authors show you step by step what you need to do to put your property on the Internet, and to make sure that it gets noticed! They also give you several really good forms and checklists on CD that you can use as models for creating your own rental agreement, confirmation form, etc. What a timesaver. Plus it made me feel really confident that I wasn't forgetting anything important, and that I would look professional when I started communicating with my renters. Which I'm now happily doing, thanks to this book.

Great Book
Great book. Worth every penny. My listings are going through the roof! I have owned long term rentals for some time, but this was my first venture with a vacation rental. After implementing a number of suggestions from the book, my bookings are now 30% above where they were a year ago. Very, very worthwhile purchase.

Rick Scali

Great book for novices and for experienced owners
I own three homes in the highly competitive Orlando rental market (www.Mickeytown.com) I've read several books about short term rental homes and I consider this to be one of the best.

For those of you considering short term rentals, you'll find a lot of great basic information here. This book can help you get a realistic view of this business before you make a big investment in a vacation rental home.

For those of you with vacation home rental experience, you'll find several tips that will help you increase your income far beyond the cost of this book. In my opinion, this book is a great bargain considering knowledge and experience it provides.

Great Advice
Amazing. I began implementing the strategies in this book soon after we purchased our beach home in Folly Beach, South Carolina. By the time we were on the second web site, I was recieving several phone calls a day to rent "Lamm's End", our Folly Beach home. The bottom line is that we are nearly rented for the entire summer after just two weeks on the web. All of our business has come from the web. Summer has just begun and we are already getting requests for fall rentals!

This book is for absolute novices
I just paid over $100 for this book and I was disappointed. Over 100 of the 300 pages of the guide are simply a glorified advertisement and screen prints (filler) from what the authors call the "big 4" vacation rental websites. There were a few useful tips that I got from the last two chapters of the book, but it is not worth the price. This book may help you if you have never rented a house before, and you are new to the internet, otherwise, it is much too basic to be useful. ... Read more

Book Description

Fiduciary responsibilities and related court-imposed liabilities have forced investors to assess market conditions beyond gut level, resulting in the development of sophisticated decision-making tools. Roger Brown's use of historical real estate data enables him to develop tools for gauging the impact of circumstances on relative risk. His application of higher level statistical modeling to various aspects of real estate makes this book an essential partner in real estate research. Offering tools to enhance decision-making for consumers and researchers in market economies of any country interested in land use and real estate investment, his book will improve real estate market efficiency. With property the world's biggest asset class, timely data on housing prices just got easier to find and use.

*Excellent mixture of theory and application
*Data and database analysis techniques are the first of their kind
*CDROM contains pre-written code for data analysis tailored specifically to real estate settings ... Read more

Book Description

Goodbye, old house-hello, good buy!

From looking to sell to finding a dream home, this all-in-one guide features new, updated, and vital information and tips on getting the best deal...no matter which side of the deal you're on.

€ Unlike other books, this covers both buying and selling-which usually go hand-in-hand
€ Revised edition includes more information on buying a second home, researching locations, saving on costs, and more
€ Existing-home sales are setting new records every year
€ Very low mortgage rates are making this a great time to buy ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Best home buying primer
I'm currently in the rush to buy a condo in a seller's-market city, and in the last two weeks I read through a dozen home-buying advice books. The Complete Idiot's Guide is by far the best of the bunch, and in case you are comparison-shopping, I think it's much better than the For Dummies title.

The biggest reason is the book, now in its fourth edition, is very comprehensive. The bulk of it covers the buying aspects, but there are a few chapters devoted to selling, and this is a great arrangement. As a potential buyer, it's to your advantage to know what it's like to sell, so when you select a property you will instinctly think of the time when you need to or have to sell. In my caes, I plan to live in the condo for about 5 years and then move to a different city, so having a seller's perspective while I shop for a condo is really helpful. For instance, I saw a nice condo yesterday which I would have bought but when I considered the selling perspective, I saw some problems and decided not to pursue it. As a home buyer, especially a first-time home buyer like myself (that's why I bought this book!), you really want to make a well-rounded decision. Sure there's no perfect house out there -- unless your definition of "perfect" is imperfect -- but the last thing you want is spend half a million dollars on something you regret right after you sign the closing docs.

Second, compared to many books this one is very well written. Maybe I have a slight bias in favor of female writers, but I find women tend to be better in explaining complicated concepts than men. This book is a perfect example of my stereotype. Every chapter is easy to read and follow, and you see the major points right away. The For Dummies title in particular suffers from information overflow and leaves you wondering what you've just read. Which makes it next to being worthless, especially if you are in a rush to get acquainted with the real estate market. There's a lot of information in this idiot's book but the top-notch organization makes it easy to digest... and remember.

(Don't forget, you don't want to carry a home-buying primer around when you shop for a house! If you did you'd simply be taken for an unpleasant ride by greedy sellers and brokers.)

Third, like I mentioned before, this book also covers aspects of the selling process, so it's a great book to keep in case you need to sell. In addition, when you do sell, you can review the home-buying chapters to learn what motivates the buyer, so to get your best deal!

To be honest at first I didn't like the format of this book; the page is wide and there seem too many words. But because the authors write well and clearly, I eventually found it the best primer on home buying, with bonus coverage on the basic of home selling.

Very highly recommended, especially to previously clueless people like yours truly.

3rd Edition
I reorganized the information and examples in this book for the 3rd edition and want to point out a few things to potential readers. Because the book just came out in September 2000, note that the two previous reviews are based on the 1st or 2nd editions, not this third revision. Please check out this new edition because it has been reworked to better prepare you to buy or sell a home. You get more information on determining how much home you can afford, understanding your credit, and finding a mortgage broker (to get qualified) before you find your dream home. I truly believe that the first five chapters in this book will help you be better prepared to buy and sell your home and guide you through the rest of the book.

Too moderate for me
Having read "Home Buying for Dummies" by Eric Tyson and Ray Brown which I highly recommend (with five stars) to all the home seekers, now I understand why I'm not really happy with this book. I find this "Idiot's Guide" approach too moderate, lacking in-depth analyses or comments in many areas. (e.g. how to spot ideal locations, etc. ) The author, in my view, doesn't take a stand and states her opinion clearly enough, which sometimes makes me feel like I am reading a free government brochure on home buying A to Z. Perhaps one single volume is not enough to cover such vast and complicated areas as buying and selling homes.

Although I will keep this book and use it as a reference/glossary when necessary, I'd probably rely on Tyson/Brown's book for "tips" most of the time.

Very easy to follow. Written in plain English!
I highly recommend this book. Because of the simple wording, I actually felt comfortable and understood the real estate terminology.

This book will ease your fears about buying/selling a home. ... Read more

Book Description

This new edition provides the latest and most comprehensive information available to help students prepare for the PSI Real Estate Exam.Based on the PSI Examination Content Outline, this text offers more questions and answers than any other PSI book.

Highlights:
* Over 800 exam-style questions with rationales pinpoint subjects that require additional review.
* Six practice exams--3 salesperson, 2 broker, and 1 math--help students prepare for the actual exam.
* Content aligned with PSI exam outline.
* Matching review quizzes help students focus on key terms. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The real test was MUCH tougher
This is a good study guide, and the tests helped me find weak spots.The Texas Broker test questions were significantly tougher than the test in this book, and included several "trick" questions (two answers appear equally correct) that the book doesn't cover.Do NOT plan to use this as your only study resource - it's much too concise for that.

Pass the PSI test the first time using this excellent guide.
This is an excellent text to prepare for the national portion of the PSI real estate test. It is up-to-date and comprehensive.This is much more accurate and up-to-date than the online test preparation courses available which I also tried and was quite disappointed by.

A Must Have for your Real Estate Collection
Purchased book 1 week before taken the PSI exam.Found that most of the sample questions were on the exam worded differently.Study your terms from your Real Estate Principals Book and use this book as a supplement.It is a great tool.I wish I would have purchased it sooner.I would have done alot better.

Helpful, says everyone
Everyone I talk to tells me this is a great book to have for the sample tests. The readability of it is zero---make sure you have a supplement with words and phrases and background before you crack this open. It summarizes key points and thats IT. Then gives you sample quizes. And vocab. The thing everyone says is great is that it gives you the answers to the test and tells you the answer---and why the answer is right to the question they ask. Its helpful as an alternative source---if you are new to real estate, PLEASE don't just use this book. The vocabulary alone will KILL YOU! Use this as a study guide and practice material to your main work. And good luck! ... Read more

Book Description

For those looking to raise a family in a storybook American town, or a change of pace from hectic city life, this book is the answer. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Part of the story
This book is a good place to start if you're thinking of moving to a town of 15,000 or less. It will point you to many interesting communities. However, having used his previous book to guide my last move, and as a resident of one of the towns highlighted in this book (Grinnell), I can honestly say that data only carries you so far. Crampton could provide readers with a great benefit by lengthening the amount of description and flavor for each town. In particular, one key element missing is the 'dynamic' of a town: is it progressive? conservative? excited about education? quick to vote down taxes and bonds? These elements form the 'culture' of a small town, and believe me, the culture of a small town will be *very* important to you!

A good guide to start
As a resident of one of the 120 "best small towns" recommended by Norman Crampton, I was delighted to see Silver City on the list.

While Crampton's book is a good place to start your search for small town living, it is important to realize that each small town offers a unique personality. Some generalizations simply do not apply to Silver City. For example, it is not necessary to join a church (or country club) in order to fit in here. Even a small community like ours has diverse sub-populations: recent retirees, most of whom have some affinity for the arts; old-timers, most of whom are the conservative church-goers Crampton describes; and Hispanic families, many of whom have worked in the mines.

These groups rarely interact, although we usually get along very peacefully. We also have a number of folks who teach at the university -- and we rarely see them around town.

To learn about Silver city, you won't get much information from the Chamber of Commerce or the editor of the newspaper. You'd do better to spend some time hanging out at the AIR cafe, talking to whoever comes in. The morning and afternoon groups are quite different and everyone is friendly.

The author gives some nuts and bolts about each small town. Unfortunately, with the exception of weather, much of this information will change by the time the book is printed. And your decision may well be made by factors that can't be added up.

The best part of the book is the section on economics of small town living. Here, he's right on. You have to budget for travel to a large city now and then. Air travel will be more costly and you need time to drive to a large airport. His view of housing prices seems optimistic. If you move to a desirable city (such as Silver City) expect to pay more for a house than he allows.
And if you move to retire, your economic picture will be quite different. Many newcomers to Silver City are beginning a second career as an artist or writer. Moving without a job is scary -- and I do not recommend it unless you fit the profile I describe in my own book, Making the Big Move. ... Read more

Book Description

Through case studies and actual client transactions, Selling Real Estate without Paying Taxes discusses basic tax deferral methods for new property investors, as well as introducing some uncommon and complex techniques that the seasoned real estate investor/agent may not have considered.

In Selling Real Estate without Paying Taxes, Richard T. Williamson breaks down the term "capital gain" and provides a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each method.Highlights of the book include how to use the Starker 1031 exchange, using installment sales to create a steady stream of income, and tax-free investing with an Investment Retirement Account (IRA). ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great Book!!
This book is very well written; logically organized and concise. The information is priceless! For the cost of this book you could be saving 30% of your capital gains money! That's what I call positive ROI. This book is a must have!

Great Book
Explains what you need to know in a simple easy to understand format. Highly recommended. Very satisfying read!

It's Usable and easy to understand.
I was extremely happy to find a "How To "book that got right to the point. It is obvious that the author has "Been There, Done That".
The technical explanations were clear and thorough.
There are alot of new (to me) and interesting approaches on how to structure transactions. Annuities,IRA's etc.
Easy read,a lot of useable content.

A must read for property investors!
This book is just what the doctor ordered. I am not an accountant or big time property investor but I needed to find out how to deal with the taxes I faced on the sale of a small apartment building. This book covered the stuff my realtor talked to me about and went far beyond. I quickly found out that what I was planning on doing wasn't going to work out the way I (or my realtor) thought. However, this book gave me other ideas and choices I hadn't considered; some of which would work pretty well for my situation. I don't necessarily enjoy reading business or tax books, but this one was surprisingly easy to read and understand. I was able to get through the book in a few days and didn't get bored or mind boggled. Now I've got both my realtor and accountant reading it. This one is worth the time invested. Hat's off to the author.

Excellent Book!
This book is a "must read" for anybody who is considering buying or selling real estate in their lifetime. Many of the strategies listed in this book are very cutting edge. There are so many detailed tax advantages that are expressed in an easy to read format. This book is an excellent resource and I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

This book explains in detail how to build cash flow from lower end houses and apartment properties. Not slum property, just simple housing for folks on lower income budgets.

This can be a highly rewarding business, since these properties typically produce a cash flow even when 100% financing is used. In fact, when purchased correctly, these properties can be financed using short, 10 year mortgages with no balloon payments needed. In 5-10 years, you'll have a debt-free asset!

The last thing the world needs in another real estate investment book that just skims the surface. This book goes into extreme detail on the nuts and bolts of buying lower-end properties. In fact, the rehab and repair chapter is almost 50-pages long.

Even if you don't currently invest in this type of property, you will come away with dozens of tips on buying, repairing, and rehabbing houses. This book goes way beyond the typical "bookstore" book on investing.

A brief list of topics includes: Buying defective titles for mega profit, low-budget repair and rehab secrets, 60-months until free and clear, how to easily get owner financing, buying houses for $3000-25,000, why private deals are best, finding free building supplies, risk avoidance strategies, managing low-income tenants, buying real estate at sub-wholesale prices, telephone buying techniques, real estate investor resources, finding personal freedom, business philosophy, why there's big money in nasty properties, and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Information without the fluff
Perpetual Income is an excellent book written by an author who understands that his readers. Each fact filled page shows that Bryan Wittenmyer cares about his presentation. I've enjoyed previous works by this same author and can tell you that this work is a welcome edition to my investment library.

Great no-nonsense Book
This is a great book. I heard about it on a real estate investing website and the comments on there said it was a great book packed with good info. I couldn't agree more. Good, practical, down to earth, information for the real world. After 20 years of investing in real estate, Mr. Wittenmyer knows his stuff and shares it with his readers. As the saying goes, it is easier and cheaper to learn from someone else's mistakes-if you are thinking about going into the renting/landlording business or are already in-do yourself a favor and buy a copy of this book. It will save you alot of headaches and alot of money.

Perpetual income NOT limited to low end houses
"Perpetual Income" by Bryan Wittenmyer is an excellent second book written by the Reading, Pa. native. He has done the investing in low end rental houses that he writes about in his book. He shares his experiences, observations, techniques, and secrets in an easy to read 183 page book. His vehicle of choice is low end houses to generate that perpetual income promised in the book's title. But his rich background of nearly 20 years can easily be applied to rental houses in all price ranges, He writes about favoring houses with 3 or 4 bedrooms to attract and keep family tenants. Gas heat is his favorite heat choice, for example, because it is the cheapest. And even when the tenants are paying the utilities, "cheap utilities mean happy tenants, which means less turnover." Conversely electric baseboard heat while being the cheapest to install is the most expensive to operate. Many a tenant has moved from an electrically heated unit because of the high monthly costs. Lack of vacancy is a major contributor to the success of rental houses. Bryan also extols the virtues of exteriors of brick, stone or cement saying "the more the better."

Tenant selection, repairs, revenue collection are other topics discussed in this book. The author writes of the pitfalls as well as the rewards without sugar coating the benefits of real estate. This is not a get rich quick scheme, though there is a chapter on his plan to have a house free and clear in 60 months. There are topics discussed in this book such as water, sewer and property tax traps, that are seldom if ever written about in other real estate investment books. He has obviously learned much about rental houses and shares his experiences with the readers. He discusses in the book buying houses with defective titles, and getting free carpet. I recommend this book as well as the 2 others written by Mr. Wittenmyer. ...I know that he will answer questions about his books through his web site.

Great Real Estate Book
This is one of the best real estate books I've read. It's obvious it's written from the point of view of someone whose "been in the trenches". Most of the books out there give only an overview of real estate investing, and tend to make it sound easier than it is. This book gives all the details, even the unpleasant ones. An interesting read even if you don't intend to invest in low end properties.

The book is much less "slick" than most, ie it doesn't seem to be professionally edited. It's more like the author sitting down to dinner with you and telling you everything he's learned in his years of investing. You may or may not like this style, and it does make more difficult to locate specific topics in the book. ... Read more