Book Description

Written by an expert with 20 years of experience in commercial site evaluation, The Site Book is a practical book that takes a logical and process-oriented approach to site evaluation. Built around dozens of real-life examples of sites that work, sites that don't - and all the reasons why - this book explores the dynamic and sometimes complex relationship between site features and other factors that will ultimately determine the success of any restaurant or retail location. The Site Book features:

In depth discussion of the major areas affecting a site evaluation including customer sources, usage patterns, demographic reports, day parts, linkages, drop-in features, physical surroundings, image, trade area, growth strategies, competition, and cannibalism.

A step-by-step guide through the site evaluation process using a unique site evaluation worksheet.

Strategies for measuring and weighting the relative importance of each site feature and calculating a final site score.

Practical tips for specific concepts and varying market conditions - such as opening a first destination in a new market, adding a second store, or backfilling in a saturated market.

Strategies for site selection in competitive markets where the best locations are in short supply. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

It's a Roadmap for Site Selection!
This book was referred to me by a co-worker (who happened to be an expert in real estate). Thanks!! I only wish I'd stumbled upon it years earlier.

After struggling with a homegrown spreadsheet modeling approach in my first retail business, this book brought together all the missing pieces in a way that made perfect sense. It gave me a framework to account for the qualitative site feature data that is so important, yet so difficult to deal with. It became my roadmap for site selection.

The logical model outlined in this book comes to life through Fenker's humorous examples of tips & traps.

If your business depends on good sites, you must read this book!

Great for everyone
This book is great for everyone from the beginner to the seasoned sales forecaster.

I browse it every now and again to remind myself that there are fundamentals to this business, and we know how costly veering from those can be.

It's a fast read, and I highly recommend it to those doing site selection. ... Read more

Book Description

MAKE MONEY IN REAL ESTATE TAX LIENS

How does a guaranteed short-term profit of fifteen, twenty-five, or even fifty percent sound? What if you could acquire a property valued at $100,000 with just a $10,000 investment? In the tax lien game, those kinds of profits aren't just possible, they actually happen! In Make Money in Real Estate Tax Liens, Chantal and Bill Carey show you how to profit from this safe and reliable wealth-builder. Inside, you'll find answers to all your important real estate tax lien questions:

• What are real estate tax liens?
• What are the risks versus the returns of tax lien investing?
• Why should I buy tax liens?
• How, when, and where can I buy tax liens?
• Will I have to foreclose on properties?
• Does my state offer tax liens?
• How do investors redeem tax lien certificates?
• Will I end up owning property?

Look inside for the answers and start making money today! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

You Can Purchase Tax Lien Certificates
These certificates pay a guaranteed rate of interest which varies, but can be about 5 or 6 times the interest rate of money in the bank. In additon, there can be a bonus at the end of the certificate time (sometimes 2 years). If the lien is not paid off with interest and fees the governmental taxing authority will sell the lien to you and then you own the property because you paid the taxes on the property.

Some useful details, but ...
... the text is written in an informal conversational style targetting an average 8th grade student.If you want something that can fill its pages with solid substance, look elsewhere.On the other hand, if taxes and legal jargon intimidates you, the baby-talk tone of this book is for you. ... Read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Description

Written exclusively for the real estate professional, How To Farm Successfully By Mail tells you how to cultivate your farm area, and increase your listings and sales by mail. You'll learn how to create and maintain your farm mailing list; publish power-packed newsletters; write top-notch sales letters from Dear Neighbor to the P.S.; farm FSBO's, renters, investors and absentee owners; produce, print, and mail your farm sales letters and newsletters; track the results of all your mailings. Plus the book includes over 40 sample farm letters you can use right away!

Truly, How To Farm Successfully By Mail is a perfect reference source for first-timers and "old pro's" alike. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good book for if just starting in real estate or novice.
The book goes from "what is a farm" to "Getting successful results". Several example letters are in the book. Most are quite lengthy and therefore wouldn't get read. Others are shorter and to the point. All can be modified to fit your situation. Example farm letters go from initial contact to "Thank You" letters after the close of the sale. Overall, a lot of imformation. Take the info. you can use and leave the rest. ... Read more

Book Description

Expert money-making advice from the nation's leading fixer-upper guru

"Excellent book on the fixer strategy."--John T. Reed, bestselling real estate author

"Filled with practical examples of how to profit from rundown fixer-upper properties."--Robert J. Bruss, syndicated real estate columnist

Nobody wants to buy an ugly, decrepit, rundown house--which is exactly why they provide real estate investors with the best bargains! In Investing in Fixer-Uppers, nationally known real estate guru Jay DeCima reveals how investors can add thousands of dollars to the value of an "ugly" house. He discusses how to substitute personal skills for traditional down payments, strategies to profit without waiting for appreciation, and dozens of other value-adding tips.

Reviews (9)

Carbon copy of every other book out there
These books all seem to be the same -- give a few basic ideas, then repeat them for 200 or 300 pages. By the time I got to the end of this, I was half expecting him to finish with a pitch for one of his seminars. I am interested in the renting aspects, and there were a few helpful nuggets in here, but I suspect it could have all been boiled down to a much shorter book.

I really...
dont see the other reviewers beef with this book. Nowhere on the cover does the book mention anything about flipping. I also wonder if they bothered to read it. It clearly does not advocate becoming a "slum lord". It recommends against investing in these types of properties. It does recommend investing in older neighborhoods, in fact on pg. 97 it breaks down the 5 general types of areas or neighborhoods in most towns or cities and tells you exactly where to invest.
As far as flipping, if you follow Jay's advice instead of renting you could then sell. The book is all about how to find these types of properties and how to purchase them for the right price( As most real estate investors know, the profit is made in the purchase.)

Starting on pg. 56 he offers 4 ways to find such properties.

On pg. 73 he tells you step by step what to do when you find such a property.

On pg. 86 how to find the right real estate agent to help you.

It covers negotiating, fix-up strageties, where the profit centers to each deal are, financing and refinancing,finding partners, other avenues for investment monies and landlording skills towards the END of the book.

I really thought this a practical book full of good advice for the beginner.

Misleading Title, Cover, and Table of Contents....
As with most of the other reviews, this book was disappointing. Instead of the title saying "Selling (and renting)" it should say just "Renting." He discourages selling consistently, so if you are looking for a book on buying, fixing, and selling, this is NOT it. He also seems to completely ignore the power of the internet in the process of marketing and selling houses, doing research on properties, etc. Additionally, he uses terms frequently that are never defined, especially for discussions on financing. Overall, a real disappointment... Too bad I did not read the reviews before buying the book. I would have made a different choice.

Not too much help
This book offers very little advice in the way of flipping real estate. If you are looking to buy houses and use them for rental property than this is the book for you. If you are looking to buy-fix-sell then this book overlooks that type of audience.

Focused on becoming a landlord-NOT SELLING
This book doesn't go into "adding value" as the title suggests. He also goes little into selling property.

Here is the whole book:
Buy a crappy looking house with apartments and slummy tenants. Slowly get rid of the slummy tenants. Do cheapo paint jobs, put blinds on the windows, clean up the trash and water the grass. Now raise rents for tenants. The profit is from rents. Not selling.

If you want to become a slum lord this is a great book. ... Read more

Book Description

Buying, improving, and reselling single-family homes for profit

Countless investors and do-it-yourselfers are eager to profit from buying, improving, and reselling homes. In Fix It and Flip It, two of America's leading home improvement authorities provide expert advice on how to maximize profit and minimize turnaround time on any remodeling-and-resale project.

Featuring unique, step-by-step project time lines for three types of investment properties, this comprehensive "fixer-upper" guide covers everything from the day-to-day workload to tips on tax issues, financing, and more.

Katie and Gene Hamilton present guidelines for choosing an investment property, leveraging investment dollars, and finding investment money. Readers will find clear explanations of the rehabbing-for-profitprocess and learn how to schedule work for:

• The 60-Day Fast Fix-Up--for quick resale or easy rental
• The Makeover Conversion--A 180-Day Wonder that expands living space and resale value
• The Live In, Fix Up, and Sell Later House--occupied by the investor for one year or more, which features architectural restoration and modernization

Book Description

The Complete Guide to Second Homes for Vacations, Retirement, and Investment

Choosing the perfect location

Finding the right home

Forecasting investment potential

How to save thousands on financing

Here’s the knowledge you need to find, buy, and get the most fun and profit from your second home

If you’ve been thinking about buying a second home for getaways, vacations, investment, or retirement, now is the time to do it. You’ll gain from low interest rates, easier financing,large tax savings, and strong potential for appreciation. Smart buyers are getting into the marketnow, before aging boomers push prices even higher.

But what’s the best way to afford a second home? How much should you pay? What are the tax benefits? How can you be sure you’re getting good value for your money? What kinds offinancing are possible? How can you negotiate the best deals and bargain prices?

Nationally renowned real estate expert Dr. Gary Eldred provides complete answers to these and all your other questions concerning the purchase of a second home. In a simple and clear style, he fills you in on everything you need to know to:

• Develop a strategy to increase affordability
• Research the market to find your best location
• Choose a home that will quickly appreciate
• Make the most of current tax-saving techniques
• Select the right homeowner’s insurance
• Rent to minimize risk and maximize profit
• Create value through home improvements
• Vacation free worldwide through home exchanges

Reviews (10)

This book saved us thousands
Although we are experienced homebuyers, we picked up much useful advice from this well-written book. Most importantly, it told us how to really learn the property values in an area where we were unfamiliar. Good discussion of how to save money on financing and taxes, too. Overall, anyone thinking about buying a second home or retirement home will be alerted to a lot of things they may have forgotten from past purchases or were never aware of. We especiaaly liked the chapters that helped us explore our locaton options.

Great book for exploring your vacation/retirement options
As a voracious reader of books in real estate, I didn't think I would learn much from this book. But I was wrong. Perhaps the best overview of things to consider in buying a vacation/retirement home of any I've seen.I also liked the "how to evaluate your home as an investment" chapter. Overall profitable read.

Great Book! I can't put it down!
My husband and I are building a vacation rental. This book has been great for us. If you are thinking of investing in a second home it gives you all the information on how to go about buying. It has the advantages & disadvantages & how you could meet trouble. We had already bought our property before the book. Now that I've read the book. It's got me excited to look for a 3rd home after our house is done being built. You might as well have fun in your vacation home & make $ at the same time. Read the book, you'll like it!

This is a great guide for a very big purchase!
Eldred guides you through all the questions you must ask and answer before you buy any home, but of course with special considerations on buying a second home. Midlifers who have that chunk of money from a house sale, inheritance, or investment can ensure that money will be well spent to set them up for later years. Eldred has both been there (bought real estate) and done that (his research) and you will benefit from his experience.

A Must!
I have read and re-read this book. I just bought a second home in the Arizona mountains with the idea of renting it out part-time and this book helped me to solidify some ideas and develop an action plan. I recommend it for anyone who has a second home or is thinking about it.. ... Read more

Book Description

Increase Your Profits and Lower Your Tax Bill with Tax Loopholes for Every Investor

The Insider's Guide to Real Estate Investing Loopholes reveals all the best and most effective tax loopholes that successful real estate investors use to maximize their profits. Completely updated with over fifty percent new material, this Revised Edition also covers all the new tax laws, and features new and updated case studies and examples.

Real estate is probably the best investment money can buy, in part because there are so many profit-maximizing tax loopholes that directly benefit real estate investors. In this practical and straightforward real estate classic, bestselling authors Kennedy and de Roos show investors how to increase their investment profits and use real estate as a legal tax shelter. Inside, you'll find practical guidance and trustworthy advice on:

• Tax loopholes that turn your home into a profit center
• Tricks for using your vacation home as a tax-savings investment
• Real estate investment strategies for taking advantage of international tax laws
• Creative cash flow techniques for increasing your investment's profitability
• How to cut taxes through the 1031 tax-free exchange, pension funds, real estate loss deductions, homestead exemptions, and joint tenancies
• Real estate pitfalls and how to avoid them
• And much more

Book Description

Comprehensive volume on buying and selling country property for profit. This book is designed to help anyone with a basic education make profit in rural real estate. Written by Accredited land broker, B.K. Haynes, this indexed, easy-to-read volume traces the country property field backyears. If used as instructed, this book can literally make you rich! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The most inspiring how-to book I have ever read.B.K. Hayne
I am convinced that BK's book is quite simply the best country property real estate book available. This is not your typical pompous "how-to" book filled with maxims that do not relate to current market realities.

BK does not lecture or preach, he simply teaches you how to think like an investor and developer. He generously reveals why real estate investment in country property is a hidden goldmine in 2005 just like it was in the 60's when BK got his start.I enjoyed following BK through the years as he tracks the many real estate cycles and mixes humorous and personal autobiographic experiences with current events and pop culture. An added bonus for me are the many examples of winning sales ads.

With BK and his book as inspiration, I recently purchased 20 acres in WVA planning to create 3 lots near a stocked trout stream. Thanks to BK, I was unintimidated by the list of State and county requirements as I worked through the subdivision process. The reward is more satisfying than I ever imagined.With BK's help I may just invest myself out of the rat race.

A Treasure Trove of Teaching from a TRUE Master
B.K. Haynes' first book GROW RICH THROUGH RURAL LAND, STARTING FROM SCRATCH taught me his principles of subdivesting, and led me to develop thousands of acres and miles of waterfront, while enjoying the outdoors and harvesting millions in profits.Now he is giving away the OTHER HALF of his genius as he updates and adds to the real estate knowledge he has already given the world.There are two key principles of B.K.'s amazing success readers will find in this book and nowhere else! How to conceptualize an offer of country property, and how to use direct response advertising to make customers literally run to their cars, race to the country and shower you with profits. The extensive collection of real ads from B.K.'s past bring these principals to life, and make the book a true treasure.I retired to Malibu while still young because of B.K. Haynes.Now you can too!

I should have listenedto BK Haynes
BK Haynes' 500 page book is filled with stories about how he bought farms and waterfront properties, subdivided them into 5 to 20 acre estates and sold them. He made a nice profit. The buyers mightnot have realized it at the time,but they got GREAT deals.

Here is one 1985 ad selling land near my town of Fredericksburg, VA.

"10 Acre Commutable estates north ofFredericksburgfrom $12,950 to $19,950 with access to RappahannockRiver."

They are worth a small fortune now. I shouldabought one. This is called "Shoulda - Coulda - Woulda."

The book is packed with practical advice - not from a professor in the ivory tower - but from someone who actually did it.

Here are some examples:
- 50 Ways to Buy Land with Little or No Money Down
- How to Get Financing on Country Properties
- Anatomy of a No-Money-Down Land Deal
- How to Write a Direct Response Ad

I would love to work for BK Haynes. Every day would be an education.

Buy this book. It's worth far more than the cover price.

A very good book
This is a very informative book. It is very specific and insightful. It also tells some of his life story , which is very interesting. I like this book a lot, and I recommend it for anyone and everyone.

Outstanding
If your interested in land acquisition for recreation or profit, this book is a must read. I am in real estate brokerage myself and found this book easy to read, inspiring and insightful all at the same time. ... Read more

Book Description

Real estate development is one of the great opportunities for building substantial wealth.

Developer, broker, landlord, investor, and teacher Mark B. Weiss, CCIM, offers proven strategies using his step-by-step process to achieve success, which is outlined in Secrets of a Millionaire Real Estate Developer.

If real estate development calls to mind images of Donald Trump, gleaming office towers, or imposing industrial facilities, real estate investors mustrealize that's only part of the picture.Opportunities to develop real estate begin on a local scale, from single-family home renovations to small apartment buildings to small commercial or retail projects, before moving to larger, more complex properties.

Secrets of a Millionaire Real Estate Developer outlines what to do and how to do it at each stage of a development project, including making decisions as theteam leader and understanding the numbers.This book unravels the complexities, such as dealing with bureaucracy, financing, negotiation, taxation and zoning. This is a practical guide which clarifies the process for those new to the business, while providing advanced strategies, reference sources, and motivations for those with some experience.

Weiss shares his detailed technical knowledge to help readers:
* Determine if this is the right opportunity.
* Build diverse teams of reliable experts to get anyjob accomplished.
* Renovate for fast re-sale, or for long-term profit.
* Read and write a contract.
* Work with state, local, and federal governments.

Those considering a career change, landlords and investors looking to ratchet up results, real estate professionals ready to add a profit center, part-timers,and even established developers will find authoritative, real-world insights (including the author's "Success Secrets" not available anywhere else) to become a master real estate developer. ... Read more

Book Description

Successful Real Estate Investing is written specifically for novice investors who want to get started with confidence. It highlights 75 of the most common mistakes investors make and offers specific, real-life strategies for avoiding them. Each mini-chapter covers one mistake and offers pearls of wisdom based both on Robert Shemin’s long experience as an investor and on case studies of investors he has met or assisted along the way. For investors worried about making a particular mistake in any step of the investment process, this is the only real estate guide that offers quick, expert guidance on avoiding everything that could–but won’t!–go wrong.

Successful Real Estate Investing covers these mistakes as well as many more:

• Forgetting to screen all tenants
• Not taking in adequate cash flow
• Missing out on special loan programs
• Not having the proper insurance
• Holding onto a rehab or rental house that won’t sell or rent
• Thinking short-term when you should be thinking long-term
• Punishing bad tenants without rewarding good ones
• Failing to establish minimum requirements for tenants
• Failing to inspect properties regularly

But Successful Real Estate Investing is more than just a list of troubles to avoid, it also teaches the most important keys to real estate success: keep it simple, believe you can do it (because you can!), inform yourself so you know what you’re doing, and stick with it! With common sense and the uncommon guidance you’ll find here, there’s nothing standing in your way! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A superb supplementary resource for savvy investors
Successful Real Estate Investing: How To Avoid The 75 Most Costly Mistakes Every Investor Makes lists many common errors in judgement that real estate buyers make - mistakes that can be horrifically costly when investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into property. From relying on what people tell you instead of what they actually do, to overspending on rehab projects, to failing to review one's finances, progress, and overall activity at least once a week (a comon business problem) and much more, Successful Real Estate Investing charts critical pitfalls to avoid. Appendices offer means to find great real estate deals, top 10 common mistakes complete with lists for the reader to write in, six basic rules of negotiation such as "never mention a number unless you absolutely have to" and "get it in writing", and much more. A superb supplementary resource for savvy investors seeking to learn the easy way - from other people's mistakes rather than one's own.

Great Book....sound advice for every real estate investor
This is a very good book that offers sound advice to investors. Any one of these 75 mistakes could cost someone a bunch of money if they didn't know what to look for and avoid.

Someone once said about investing, "At all levels of play, the secret of success lies not so much in playing well as in not playing poorly." With that in mind, this book will serve a very definitive purpose for real estate investors who are going about investing one investment at a time, learning as they go, and trying to keep as much of their profits as they can.

Absolutely Worthless
This guy is very intelligent. He is getting $12 or more per book, to sell you a book where he is trying to upsell you his other products. Basically, he writes about 75 mistakes to avoid but when it comes to explaining them, he does a terrible job. It is either too general or he tries to sell you on how one of his books, home courses or whatever he's trying to sell, will help you avoiding that. The mistakes mentioned in the book are valid and perhaps, very real but, if you have already made a mistake or just made the mistake and would like to use his advise to overcome the error, guess what, you are on your own. Now, if you want to avoid the mistakes, some of the mistakes mentioned here are self-explanatory, the rest are not, so it might be difficult to avoid these pitfalls, especially for "newbies". In conclusion, THE BOOK IS WORTHLESS. There are plenty of other authors out there that do a much better job at explaining not at selling other products.

Very Disappointed, Please Read!!!
In all actuality, this book lacks all due diligence it portrays. I opened this book up after foolishly spending $12.00 on it and was disgusted by the integrity of the content. This is one of those late night real estate gurus throwing some words onto paper trying to call it a book but in all reality, trying to sell his real estate courses and seminars. I read through the book just because I spent the money and every other page was a sales ad for his course and seminar. I was disgusted and very disappointed. I have been in Real Estate for quite some time now with many deals under my belt, dealing almost exclusively with Rehabs. If your into the buy and hold strategy, I recommend anything by Robert Irwin, an excellent and down-to-earth author. If you are into rehabs, I would recommend "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fixer-Upers" by Stuart Leland Rider.....Best of Luck!

Want to Stop Spinning Your Wheels?
If you are in a real estate investing rut, sitting on that investing plateau, or are having trouble moving forward and need to sure-up your strategy, this book is an excellent resource to get you over the hump and on your way.

I heard once a quote about investing that I think this book nails on the head, "At all levels of play, the secret of success lies not so much in playing well as in not playing badly." Anyone who has ever been involved in real estate investing, or any kind of investing for that matter, knows this to be fundamentally true.

Mr. Shemin, in this book and a couple of his other books I've read, has a way of breaking down those hard-to-understand "investing doctrines" and presenting them in laymen's terms, quite a feat given his background as an attorney, just kidding. I think here, he covers critical real estate investing material that is applicable to every real estate investor, regardless of level or experience. Two thumbs up. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

I hate thinking up titles
Very good, eye-opener book if you are considering buying a manufactured home. Lots of behind the scenes information on how dealers operate when they sell you a home. Many good checklists to go over and plenty of tips on how to save a lot of money and headaches when purchasing. I read the book in three hours and wished there was more on what it's like to live in one of these homes. It would have been nice if he had provided a list of reputable or even just all home manufacturers in general with website links. Glad I bought the book.

Manufactured Home Buying Required Reading
This book should be required reading for anyone considering a manufactured home. A few evenings spent with this book will not only save you thousands of dollars it will result in you getting a much better home. Be sure to make notes and take them with you when you visit the dealers and the manufactured home factory (something you really must consider doing before you sign). Buying a manufactured home isn't like buying a car - so don't treat it that way.

A Must Buy!
Aloha,If you are in the market for a manufactured home you *must* get this book. He tells all the ins and outs of the manufactured home buying process written from the perspective of a guy who is simply trying to tell you the truth. He is sincere and *very* knowledgeable and will save you significant money and hassle.As one reviewer noted, this is not the best editing job. There are a number of grammatical errors, careless things like a missing pro-noun or mispelled words. But you don't buy a book like this looking for pulitzer prize level literature. You buy it to arm yourself with information. Mr. Burnside does a very good job of doing just that, arming you, and does so in an easy to read/understand fashion. I read the whole thing in about 4 hours.He gives tips on all aspects of buying a manufactured home and setting it up on your property. But the primary focus is how to handle the home dealers and how to get the best deal with the right options. In that light it would be wise to have this book as but one book in your home buying collection. A great book that covers other important areas like finding and buying land (etc) in a more comprehensive way than Mr. Burnside's book is "Finding and Buying Your Place in the Country" by Scher & Scher (husband wife team). This is also a *must* have book. Do not as much as set foot inside a manufactured home dealer without reading this book.Good Luck! It is a best seller for a reason.

Disappointing at best....
This book did a good job of explaining the sales office process, but skipped over the really scary things, like buying the lot, lot upgrades, working with contractors, water, sewer, septic, etc...If Mr. Burnsides wanted to be really thorough, he would have given us better statistics, like the Consumer Guide info he refers to, but does not elaborate on nearly enough. A manufacturer list or customer service survey of manufacturers would be nice too. Last but not least, the author's credibility was not helped by all the mis-spellings and errors. Didn't anyone edit this book for him?

Insider reveals Secrets of Manufactured Home Dealers
Kevin Burnside does a good job of covering the comprehensive subject of "Manufactured Housing"; what we used to call mobile homes. He reveals the secrets of the dealers and arms the buyer with the tools needed to make a good deal and avoid the scams of high pressure salesmen. The author also details the best options and features to order along with those features to decline. He reveals the type of construction that is desired and the type of contruction that is not desired. He includes real life dollar figures to guide the prospective buyer and provides the needed help particularily for first time home buyers who lack the knowledge and experience to distinguish between a good price and a bad price. This book is long overdue and brings the author's expertise to the table. There has been much written on car values and how to get a good deal on a new car. This book is one of the few written for mobile home/manufactured home buyers. I recommend this book to anyone looking to buy a new factory built home. I would have liked to seen the "Consumer Reports" article reprinted in the book instead of merely mentioned; and I would have liked some attention to used or older homes not just new homes. Perhaps that will be Mr. Burnside's next book? ... Read more