Book Description

Do you feel that home ownership is a dream but not a reality for you? Equity sharing can be your answer to provide the down payment cash and give you the key to the American dream - your own home. In the equity share purchase, the parties co-own the property. They are called Investor and Occupier. The Investor is the one who provides the down payment cash. The Occupier is the one who occupies the property and makes its payments. They split the tax deductions and appreciation.

Real estate investing is an extremely valuable investment with tax deductions and tax deferrals that no other investment can provide. With the equity share, your investor won't have the tenant headaches and monthly payments that can often make real estate investing a nightmare. Instead, the Investor receives a valuable investment while the Occupier occupies and takes care of the property and pays all expenses while the property appreciates in value.

When the real estate market is good, it should be easy to find an Investor. When the real estate market is less than good your best Investor is the seller of a property. Always, your most willing Investor is a family member. The Equity Share transaction puts the Investor and Occupier on title, backed by a deed of trust for the Investor to foreclose in case the Occupier defaults. This protection is essential for the Investor. In the 70's and 80's when Equity Sharing first became popular, the Investor did not have this protection and sometimes lost. Our other protection for both Investor and Occupier is automatic continuance of ownership if a certain appreciation is not met. Discover why Equity Sharing is the Great Equalizer - and your best strategy for Real Estate as we begin the 21st century!

Beyond the Traditional Equity Share. The above relates to the traditional equity share between Occupier and Investor. Other forms of Equity Sharing include any co-ownership of real estate. The term equity sharing means co-ownership -- sharing of equity. ... Read more

Book Description

Business Leasing For Dummies covers the fundamentals of the leasing process, and objectively addresses the To buy or to lease?" question. This friendly guide describes -- in plain English -- the financial and legal ramifications of entering into a leasing agreement. It also explains how to evaluate leases for "unique" assets, such as: aircraft, software, railroad equipment, etc.And it provides negotiating tips and hints for those playing both sides of the game: the lessors and the lessees. The book highlights the financial advantages of leasing equipment, and relates those benefits to company costs and cashflow." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Business Leasing for Dummies
This book is more about the benefits and features of leasing. It does not give the reader any information on structuring a lease. The only benefit that I saw in reading this book was that it did inform me about different lease types.

Excellent if niche book
For anyone in the leasing business, this is a wonderful book to own. It is a complete training course in equipment leasing. The author has the only good explanation I could ever find of concepts such as leveraged leases. This book is a _must_ for anyone in the equipment leasing industry.

I wish that the author had worked out a few examples with the reader on cash flows and pricing of leases. There is some math that is not very clear to the first time reader. I also wish that there was some more information about vendor leasing and lease origination.

Regardless, this is one heck of a training course in leasing for under 20 dollars. If you are in any way involved with leasing, this is money well spent. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is well suited for an audience of sinlges/couples who would like to buy or who already own a home, and wish to offset their current mortgage with subsequent income from rentals. Property managers of small rentals could also find this very helpful. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

NOT the best bang for your buck.
I bought this book as a novice in the rental business hoping to find information that would get me started out on the right foot. I WAS QUITE DISAPPOINTED. I will not go as far as to say that this book is worthless; there are some useful tidbits of information that i found helpful, but there are other books out there that are so much better. I strongly suggest LANDLORDING, by Leigh Robinson (Ninth Edition or newer). It's available on amazon, of course.

Good Information For The USA
On reading this book no matter how much I tried to focus I found myself wondering whether the content actually related to my own situation in the Uk.

I purchased the book looking for straightforward advice on being a landlord covering aspects such as legal implications, inventory advice etc. However from the information I read on site it was not clear that this was very much a book for those in the USA. Once I started reading it soon became apparent when it spoke of the different laws for different "states", forms with "zip codes" etc. Whilst the general information was useful I felt that I couldn't rely on any document or legal advice as this might not hold for the UK.

A good read but I felt that it should have been highlighted on the site that it was for the USA

I use this book in my Rental Property Management Class
As a landlord for over 30 years and teaching classes on the subject in two different schools, this is one book that I have found invaluable as a resource for wannabe and experienced landlords. Don't think you know it all no matter what you read, learn, experience... I'm still picking up tips and hints! Much of my curriculum was already covered in this book but still there was more to use and learning from each other is the way to go! Very happy to see this book on the market and in laymen's terms and with the prominent hints and smiles to make it easy reading.

A-Z Information on how to manage rental property
This book is a must read if you plan to manage rental units.

I once was lost, but now am found...
There was a point in my life that I was lost as to what to do or, more importantly, not to do, but with this book under my belt, I know feel like Super Landlord. It answered all the questions that I had and even some that I didn't. I would not only suggest this book to first-time Landlords, but to those of you who have been around the block for a while. ... Read more

Book Description

This unique book covers in detail over 40 different real estate business and investment opportunities that can be started with minimal cash. Start your own part-time or full-time real estate business or investment career with the ideas contained in this virtual encyclopedia of real estate opportunities. There is no other book on the market like this. Most real estate books cover only a few topics. This book covers dozens of small business and investment ideas that will give you the ideas to get started today. In addition, the book has extensive additional resources and websites to help further your education.

Here is a small sampling of real estate businesses and investments covered: Apartment Preparation Services, Flipping Houses Fast, Mobile Homes Profits, Multi-Unit Income Property, Perpetual Income from Houses, Low-Budget Land Deals and Flips, Rooming House Money Machines, Cell Tower Land Leases, Foreclosure Consulting and Mediation, Bad Paper Profits, Title Examiner, Real Estate Publishing, Real Estate Sales Careers, Note Brokerage, Master Leasing and Subleasing, Parking Lot Rental Space, Garage Storage Unit Rentals, Property Management Services, Wholesaling Property, Lease Options and Rent-to-Own Houses, Eviction Services, Land Trust Trustee Services, Discount Note Investing, Marketing Consulting, Land Deals, Maintenance Services, Home Inspection Service, Creating Notes/Income Streams from Wraps, Mortgage Brokering, Judgment Recovery, 1031 Exchange Services, Landlord Consulting, New Construction Cleanup Services, Low Income Housing and Section-8 Housing, Handicapped Rentals, 4 New Real Estate Consulting businesses, and many more...

Beyond real estate, the book contains numerous chapters on street-smart entrepreneuring, along with tips, guidelines, and strategies for operating a business or investment program with minimal cash.

If you like a book with plenty of ideas, quotes, tips, and resources for further information marked in bold, then you will like this book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

WOW, This book is jammed packed with real estate ideas
This 2002 book is the latest of Bryan Wittenmyer's three books and it is the best. I recommend all three, but this one is my favorite. For one, this book appears to be professionally edited and comes with an index, unlike his previous two endeavors.

At 370 pages this is also his longest book and it is jam packed with over 40 real estate business plans. Included are such far reaching opportunities as title examiner, cell phone tower lease, real estate paper, publishing, broker, land investor and many more.. He provides the business model and the tools and skills required for these diverse paths. I expect that many of them are paths taken by the author and some close associates. If you can't find a real estate opportunity in this book, there probably isn't one for you. Mobiles homes, real estate consultant, professional management, home inspection, are just some of the topics in this book.. There are chapters on marketing, business tips and secrets and the 10 stupid things business owners do. The amount of good information contained in this book is just overwhelming. The author has a website ... and I know he'll answer your questions about the books as he has answered mine. Some of the things that I like about Bryan Wittenmyer's books is that there is no fluff, he has done much of the things that he writes about, and that he presents his material in an easy to read, informative, and intelligent manner added details missed in other books and telling you the pluses and the minuses.

Real Estate Business and Investment Opportunities
I just received the book (real estate bus and inv opp)
and am blown away by the amount of information that is packed
in it. It appears to be about 5 books crammed into 1
book.

There are so many new ideas in there with the interesting part being pros and cons for each idea. Very seldom, do I come across books with the cons distinctively spelt out. I can use this book as a primer because it talks about how to start simple yet
effectively, where to spend money and where not to. ... Read more

Book Description

Although designed to be used with the Mortgage-Backed Securities book, this workbook contains sufficient explanatory material to stand alone. You will discover ways to: Successfully calculate MBS prepayment rates; Combine MBS analytical techniques for maximum effect; Understand and manipulate scenario, binomial and option-adjusted spread analysis. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent book; stands on its own
While you can use this workbook with the text, it is also very useful by itself. In fact, I didn't know it was a companion to a book until after I bought it.

The topics are covered in enough detail to answer all those small questions I have. In addition, it's the only book I've found that leads the reader through the details of building a simple prepayment model. There are some advanced questions in the book for more mathematically inclined readers.

Limited, but Very Good Nonetheless
This workbook was written as a companion to "Mortgage-Backed Securities" by Davidson and Herskovitz. Frankly, I think this book works much better on its own and I would recommend Fabozzi's "Handbook of Mortgage-Backed Securities" instead as a general guide to the subject. The workbook confines itself to a limited number of topics but it covers these very well. Beginning with simple cash flow and yield calculations, the authors move on to provide guidance on (simple!) prepayment modelling, basic structuring, the yield curve and regulatory tests. The approach is attractively practical, and I think of this text as a useful secret weapon to have up one's sleeve.

Read it!
Best book I ever red about mortgage-backed securities. I recomend this book for everyone who work with mort.back securities. ... Read more

Book Description

"IMAGINE A SOLID INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO WITHOUT BEING IN THE STOCK MARKET!"

Since the Tech Stocks Crash of 2000, trillions of dollars of investor wealth disappeared from existence. Investors throughout the world saw their investment portfolios and retirement accounts crushed by their holdings of stocks and mutual funds. Simultaneously, investors of residential property continued to see their real estate portfolio appreciate and generate steady returns.

Because of the financial devastation, investors have changed their investment priorities. Speculation and Volatility are Out. Safe and Steady Returns are In.

If you watched your stock portfolio get crushed and want to invest differently, this book will show you ANOTHER WAY! Through the simple acquisition of small houses, safe and steady returns can be generated with the Lease-Options strategy.

You will learn the "TurnKey Investing" philosophy of building, investing and managing your real estate portfolio with Lease-Options.

"WHAT FINANCIAL ADVISORS WILL NEVER TELL YOU!"

You will learn how to:

* Use Lease-Options to simply and safely build your portfolio!

* How to generate steady, spendable cash flow through Lease-Options!

* Find the right real estate market to safely invest in!

* Profitably manage properties without ongoing maintenance expenses!

* Find the right Management Team to build and guard your portfolio!

* Invest in the Lease-Options Strategy without owning property!

TurnKey Investing with Lease-Options is an investment book like no other. It goes against what the traditional financial community sells and sure to upset the establishment. This book is only for independent-minded investors who want to take control of their investments ... not for the conventional "follow the herd" speculators of Wall Street. ... Read more

Book Description

If your dream is to own a vacation home - and not break your bank account - this book is what you've been looking for. Author and speaker Christine Hrib-Karpinski offers you practical, hands on advice, showing you how to do it without property management companies so you can keep 100% of the income. Not only will you have realistic strategies for your renters to pay your mortgage - you'll also enjoy several weeks a year in that little slice of paradise with your friends and family.Discover the secrets of successful vacation home owners:

- Choosing the best property for you - Different financing options available - Organizing all rentals, paperwork, money and maintenance - Advertising for quick results - Identifying and avoiding "bad apple" renters - Maintaining your property from a distance - And much more!

The concept of Renting by Owner is catching fire throughout the nation. Whether you want a beachside condo in Florida, a ski cabin in Colorado, or anything in between, the answers are all herein this comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide. Vacation homes are no longer just for the wealthy. Start enjoying the benefits of your own marvelous home away from home. It can even be a legacy you leave behind for your children. Just make that first move. You'll be amazed by how much potential is within your reach - right now! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

How to Rent
A totally engrossing book! A definite 'must -have' for any would-be renter.

Hunter Melville
http://CyberRentals.com

Practical Advice for Overcoming Your Mental Hurdles!
If you haven't ever owned and rented out a vacation or second home, you probably have the same concerns that I have: How will I find renters? Will people destroy the property? Will people sue me? How will I get the toilet unclogged at 4 a.m. from a distance? How will I avoid having a terrible negative cash flow? How much time will this really take? Am I turning myself into a minimum wage slave?

Relax! Ms. Christine Hrib Karpinski answers all those and many other questions you didn't know enough to ask. She also provides details of how she does everything efficiently and relatively painlessly.

Further, she gives you good advice on how to decide what property to buy, how much to charge, who to rent to, where to advertise, how to write the copy and even how to create great photographs for a Web site. In fact, both the marketing and the administrative details she provides are outstanding. My only suggestion is that you have an attorney in the state where your property is check out the forms she suggests (or obtain the standard forms used by landlords in that state).

The only area where the book doesn't cover a related subject in detail is in the tax advantages. If she does another edition of this book, I suggest that she have a c.p.a. write up a section on that point. As a result, the book makes it seem like you will make less than you actually will.

Her focus is on long-term ownership and rental, but she also points out how you can make substantial short-term gains. The section on the current mortgage options is excellent.

Even if you decide not to buy a vacation home and rent it, I suggest that you read the book for advice that will be valuable to you as a potential tenant of such properties. You can more than save the price of the book in that context.

I recommend that you do the work she describes for setting rental prices and marketing a property BEFORE you purchase a home.

Good luck!

Best Vacation Rental Book I've ever read!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you currently own or are thinking of investing in a Vacation rental this book is a must have. My husband & I are in the middle of building our dream home. Christine's book answered all the questions I had & then some about renting our vacation home. This book is very easy reading. In fact I found it very difficult to put down. It is a book I think I'll refer to over & over again. Get clicking & buy this book! You won't be sorry!!!!

For some, an invaluable source of information and counsel
Obviously, the value of this book will be determined entirely by its relevance to a specific reader who is now thinking about buying (or who now owns) a vacation rental property and needs expert advice on HOW to manage, furnish, maintain, and promote that investment. I have never owned such a property but have rented several over the years. Some were rented directly from their owner; others were rented through an agency engaged by their owner. The comments which follow are based on the premise that I have decided to purchase a second home. Let's say it is located where there are two peak seasons, summer (swimming, boating, golf, tennis, etc.) and winter (skiing, skating, snow boarding, etc.) My objective is to maximize rental income from it during both seasons. These are some of the questions I need to answer:

1. Where and how to begin?

2. How should I finance it?

3. Which numbers need to be crunched?

4. How to determine which property is the right place for me?.

5. Should I have a management company handle everything, use a management partnership program, or self-manage the property? Why?

6. Which are the most effective strategies, tactics, and resources for marketing my rental property?

7. What about financial terms and conditions (e.g. pricing)?

8. Which criteria to use when selecting renters?

9. What is the best system for processing reservations?

10. Which are the most common problems? How to solve each?

Karpinski addresses these and other critically important questions throughout 18 carefully-organized and well-written chapters, followed by seven appendices in which she provides forms (e.g. rental rules and regulations), identifies most helpful Web sites, explains special discounts, identifies vacation exchange Web sites, lists state sales tax offices, refers her reader to learning centers throughout the U.S. (e.g. to improve computer skills), and concludes with an annotated list of individuals and companies she highly recommends.

If you are thinking about purchasing a vacation rental property or if you now own one and are dissatisfied with its ROI, this book will be invaluable. However, with all due respect to Karpinski, I think it would be foolish to rely on only one source of information and counsel. Once again I am reminded of Derek Bok's response when outraged parents of Harvard students complained about a tuition increase: "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." Deciding whether or not to purchase a vacation property obviously requires rigorous and extensive due diligence. In my opinion, a careful reading and then (yes) re-reading of Karpinski's book is essential to that process. That said, check out other sources on the same subject, including books offered by Amazon which have received the highest ratings by readers. This book will also be helpful to current owners who have hired a management company or participate in a management partnership program. In Chapter 5, Karpinski explains why self-management "is the only way to maximize your income on your vacation property." For many current owners, that may well be true but only IF they are willing to invest the time and energy self-management requires.

Excellent information source for vacation property owners
As a vacation rental owner myself, I found this book to be full of solid information. I had purchased other books in the past, but they didn't address all the issues of ownership. In fact, this was the first book I had read that emphasized not using a property manager. This book outlines chapter-by-chapter how to take reservations, get deposits and payments, how to handle keys, choose good renters, deal with problems, how to find cleaning and maintenance people, etc. How to Rent Vacation Properties By Owner is easy to read and understand--I finished it in a day. There are lots of helpful tips and owner stories, but the references and resources in the back of the book are what sets this book apart. There are web sites for all 50 states tax departments, dozens of vacation rental sites to advertise on, special offers and more. The author has clearly done her homework so you don't have to. Worth every penny. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Apart from the title,this book is worth money in itself!!!
I found this book a month ago and have been reading it ever since....I am from the construction background...so to speak if you have any knowledge in the real estate industry...this book will open your mind to many ways ofbuying and selling homes for an astounding profit.....Although it is longterm investing....read and decide on yourself which investment in thiscountry is the MOST secure!!! For you Teens out there....please read it andhave your parents with you...maybe you both can develop a partnership withthem.......As a country we need to help our children....because as acountry we have failed in knowledge to them...... ... Read more

Book Description

Investors battered by today’s tumultuous stock market—and attracted by continued low interest rates—are making real estate one of today’s hottest investment markets. All About Real Estate Investing, Second Edition, provides objective, time-tested techniques and worksheets for evaluating a property, negotiating and closing a transaction, and more.

A simple yet comprehensive overview for anyone who owns—or is considering owning—real estate, this common sense guidebook explains how to buy and manage any property, from fixer-upper two flats to multi-unit complexes. New information includes:

* How to make inflation—whether moderate or raging—work for the investor
* The changing broker/client relationship, including the role of the buyer broker
* Extensive updates based on new tax laws and regulations

Reviews (1)

Focuses on profit analysis
I've read the 2001 edition, and I must say the title is rather misleading. (1) The coverage is not complete by any means. It focuses on rental houses, apartment houses, and land. Leaves out many other types, plus details on REITs, etc. (2) The book is about profit analysis. There's a chapter on negotiating and another on financing, but both are very short and not very enlightening. Instead, you are fed a lot of time-value math. This is actually good stuff, since as a RE investor you should be very clear about your profits and the impact of leverage and macro factors. I just wish the title accurately reflected the book's content. ... Read more

Book Description

Successful real estate investors and entrepreneurs who've spent countless hours building wealth often see their profits dwindle due to an IRS hitch or other legal snag.After working so hard to be prosperous, investors need to know how to hang on and preserve their wealth.In a clear, methodical, and accessible way, Wealth Protection Secrets of a Millionaire Real Estate Investor outlines the steps and techniques to safeguard investments.

Until now, William Bronchick's wealth protection secrets have been available only to attendees of his powerful seminars, who have consistently praised his cutting-edge, concise, money-saving advice.In Wealth Protection Secrets of a Millionaire Real Estate Investor, Bronchick shares his proven methods, including how to:

* Use trusts for asset protection and tax savings.
* Hire family members for tax deductions.
* Create a paper trail to help during a lawsuit or IRS audit.
* Defer income tax payments without a penalty.
* Slash taxes through the use of corporate entities.
* Gain protection from financial ruin in a divorce.
* Understand the "secrets" of life insurance tominimize costs and financial risks.

Also included are sample asset protection plans that can be easily modified.Smart real estate investors and successful entrepreneurs will get an indispensable collection of some of the best ethical and legitimate tactics for maximum wealth protection. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Plain English explanations of complicated subjects
Once again, Mr. Bronchick does an excellent job of taking complicated legal subjects and making them readable for the average person. I am an attorney as well, and I often recommend this book for clients to read as a primer to the subject (especially when I tell them what it will cost for an hour of my time to explain it!). There are a few books on the market on asset protection, but this is the only one that is geared towards the landlord or small-time real estate investor. One caveat for the reader- there are some sample forms in the appendix, but they appear to be for example only. One should always review these concepts with an attorney to make sure the forms are drafted to comply with the client's specific needs and appropriate state law.

Easy to read, good overview of the topic
This book was very reasy to read, considering the magnitude of the subject matter. Short, but to the point on a variety of topics involving real estate and small business liabilities. I particularly liked the sample asset protection plans laid out in detailed diagrams. The book also covered a lot of things NOT to do, such as "trust scams". There's quite a few legal forms in the appendix, but not enough information on how to fill them out and use them. For my purposes, however, the book gave me what I needed, which is a bird's-eye view and the background knowledge to visit with an attorney to implement the strategies. Anyone who expects a book give them 100% of the information necessary to draft complex legal documents involving all their assets needs a reality check.

Another helpful and informative book from William Bronchick
After reading several books on the topic, I found this book to be the most helpful. This was one of the few books I've read on the topic that was geared specifically towards the real estate investor. Other asset protection books I've read are more generic in nature.

The topic of corporations and other legal entities is pretty dry and often hard to follow, but this book does a great job of making it simple and easy to understand. Although the book does give some free legal forms, it does not give you the specific tools necessary to accomplish forming entities. Then again, I don't expect an $18 book to teach me what a lawyer would charge thousands for. However, it gave me the necessary info to decide what to do next, which, after visiting with 2 lawyers who didn't know this stuff, was VERY useful!

I recently saw Mr. Bronchick speak at a real estate convention. I've been to a lot of seminars and heard a lot of hype, but Bronchick is a straight-up guy, giving no-nonsense advice. This is refreshing in an industry full of BS artists.

Very little practical value
I bought this book thinking that it would provide some practical REAL information and examples of asset protection. Basically, this book is all smoke and mirrors and never comes close to detailing exactly 'how' to accomplish any of the 'ideas' that are floated by the author. Most information is presented as a glossary of what something means...who needs that? Skip this book and save yourself the $18.95 plus shipping...it is not worth the money! ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Don't Read this one First
This book explores most of the issues involved in buying real estate. It also covers areas most people don't think of, like debt management, how to get loans, is no-down such a good idea, and how to compete against people who do this for a living, etc.
On the negative side, he's had extremely bad luck with tenants, is pretty negative about amateurs trying this, and has a pretty low opinion of people for a real estate guy. I wouldn't let this be your first book on the subject. The author thinks only "pro's" should be investors and the "nesters" (amateurs) should stay away.

Not Very Detailed
This is very average book. It will help you a little bit but it doesn't give you all the info you need to make such a risky decision. It skims through, not giving much detail on process, nor explaining how to make a profit. The set up of the book is pretty confusing. Doesn't seem to flow, it jus jumps around & will make you confused. The one good thing about the book is that it does do a very good job on giving you the pit-falls of investing in a foreclosed property. That's the biggest asset of this book, I think!

Decent overview of foreclosure process
Dallow provides a decent overview of the foreclosure process, and the attendant risks, but does not give many enlightening ideas. At least it is not some glossed over, salesy piece.

Seems honest, but a bit confusing
The author seems to make an effort at being honest. He makes it abundantly clear that buying foreclosures is very risky, something ignored or downplayed by many other books on real estate speculation (specifically I have Tyler Hicks in mind; shame on Prentice Hall!). The book starts with why there are foreclosures, how you can contact banks for safer deals, and, if you do want to go to an auction, what to do before, during and after. There's also a chapter on the dangers of zero-down deals.

While I liked the content, I found the material somewhat difficult to follow. For example, in the very first chapter the author tries to explain to you what "mortgage" really is; but after re-reading the two pages three times, I still couldn't fully grasp what he meant. Maybe it's because I'm dumb. But there are many, many other sections which are not easy to comprehend, and they are not helped by fragmented sentences and illogical since-hence conclusions.

In short, I think this book is worth reading if you are thinking of doing foreclosures like I was. There are some valuable tips that can help you avoid costly pitfalls; I know first-hand what a nightmare dealing with destructive tenants and former landlords can be, and so should you.

More detail would have helped.
This book provides information on buying foreclosed properties and properties that are going to be foreclosed. Dallow attempts to explain the big picture of how the process works rather than simply giving you instructions. I am certain that you need the big picture to be successful in buying foreclosed properties.

Unfortunately, although he tries to explain, Dallow fails to make it clear me the details of the foreclosure process. It seems like he has so much experience (50 years, he says) that he real estate seems natural to him. He no longer remembers which things are common sense for an educated reader and which things are only common sense for someone who has spent his life doing real estate. As a result he tends to spend much time reviewing pitfalls he learned through experience. These parts were useful. The sections where he sets out to explain the basics confused me. The details of how a foreclosure works just aren't there. I still don't understand how all the lien holders gets paid, who pays them, and when. I wouldn't even *think* about buying a foreclosed property without knowing these things by heart.

I appreciated the cautionary tone of the book. Readers have criticized it for not displaying entrepreneurial spirit about extraordinary gains possible in real estate. People, IMHO, don't need help getting excited about the possible rewards of an investment. They do need warnings about the potential pitfalls. ... Read more

Book Description

3rd print version of Buy & Hold. Updated for 2004 -2005 and includes a new Chapter on the Alameda Corridor and its impact on real estate values and future growth of the economy of the United States.

2 awards in 2002 were as follows:- Industry of Writers In The News award for the most inspirational campaign from the Book Publicists of Southern California.

North American Bookdealers Exchange, Oregon. Pinnacle Achievement award for the Business category. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Terrific!
I cannot believe that someone found this book to be worthy of only a two rating. I have bought countless Real Estate books on this site and found Schumacher's book to be the best one yet. I have only been investing for four years and currently have four properties and I have re-read this book countless times for insight, and inspiration.
Just because this book was written about properties purchaced in the 60's doesent make the information dated at all. IN fact, it proves that the lessons are timeless. The one negative review that I read stated how silly it was to think that a lesson about picking up cheap properties could possibly be applicable today. Well, they seem cheap now but in the 60's they were very expensive to Mr. Schumacher just as today's "crazy" prices are expensive to us today. Im sure 30 years from now two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars will seem like nothing to us and that is one of his points. So, Im going to keep buying one house a year and if Mr. Schmacher is right and I can hold on through the early years, then I should be sipping cocktails on my water front property not doing a whole lot of work in about 20 years.
Great book!

Valuable Reading
This book manages to be insightful as well as entertaining. It's buy-and-hold emphasis is much welcome amidst the abundance of get rich quick texts out there. While most popular real estate books focus on various techniques for getting properties at a discount, this one takes the more sober approach of buying with substantial long term appreciation in mind - and explains how to accomplish this. Although occasionally a little repetetive the book is very well written and is rich in interesting concrete examples. It is aimed at persons who already have some investment experience.

Dynamic Duo
I bought "Buy & Hold" along with "Income for Life from Real Estate" and read both books. I found them to be quite compatible and also complementary. What one book covers only briefly, the other handles in more depth. Both make a compelling case for holding, rather than flipping properties.

Both the authors seem to have actually done the things they are recommending, which makes these books far more valuable than many of the books and tapes from "promoters".

Buy and Hold has my HIGHEST recommendation!
This is one of the best real estate books ever written. I have read over 200 books on the subject of real estate and this one is in my top ten. I also read the earlier 1992 version called "The Buy & Hold Real Estate Strategy" which sometimes sells for hundreds of dollars. The later 2000 version is just as good if not better and costs ... on Amazon. It would be a bargain at many times that price! Today the author, David T. Schumacher, Ph.D owns approximately 66 units worth about $15 million. While he owns his property in Hermosa Beach and Orange County, California, the principles apply to all areas of the country. He has certainly benefited by the great appreciation rates in California, and while other areas have not appreciated as much, given a long enough period appreciation will build your real estate wealth. He started buying Hermosa Beach in 1960, so he has had the luxury of 40 years or nearly as many years of appreciation on some building.

He shares the real estate stories of himself, his brother, mother and father as well as other friends and associates. This vast wealth of 40+ years of real estate experience comes through in Dr. Schumacher's books. He relates about a real estate investment that his parents made in 1939, buying a single family house with a garage and apartment for $7,000 with $500 down. And his first real estate purchase on his own in 1956 of a 4 unit building in Hollywood for $20,000 with $1,000 down. Some people might look at these deals done long ago as a negative and not relevant to today. That is just not so. The author is still an active investor and lecturer today and the principles of his book make sense now. He had worked as a real estate appraiser for many years and relays in his book how to value a property. In this book his 7 step approach includes:

1. Finding the Location
2. Buy
3. Long-term Financing
4. Hold for 20 years
5. Appreciation
6. Sell
7. Attain Your Fortune

Schumacher is strongly against short term financing and balloon notes, feeling that they are time bomb waiting to exploded for the investor. He prefers long term financing both from conventional institutions as well as owner financing. He writes in his book about making personal sacrifices to ensure the comfort of his tenants as well as at earlier times
to make up for negative cash flow. He is willing to accept a negative cash flow if the property is a sound property located in a growth area.

One of his strong principles is to figure out what the value will be in 20 years. By studying government planning, building trends, and growth patterns, he feels that you can become proficient in determining what areas will have growth in 20 years and which areas will not.

The author writes that he likes to charge maybe 10% below the market rent to attract and keep the best tenants. He states that a vacancy is better than a bad tenant. His mother would bend over backwards for her tenants and would even lower the rent to keep a tenant. He doesn't do a lot of re-financing and prefers to keep existing financing in place.
He advocates not paying off a mortgage early for example.

In his book he advocates buying rental properties with a good prospect of future growth.
And while he suggests trying to negotiate the most favorable price, that is not the biggest issue. Schumacher relates of negotiating on one property for 9 months, so he is not suggesting buying at any price. However, when you have a long term prospective of 20 years or more, the price you pay is not that large an issue. If you pay $105,000 instead of $100,000, it won't make any difference in 20 years if the property is now worth $400,000. Or in the case of Schumacher, he bought a six unit in Hermosa Beach in 1960 for $85,000 with $3,000 down, that is now worth more than $1million. Buy and never sell, or seldom sell is one technique that this book explores in detail and that you can learn to grow wealth over a long term. This is not get rich quick, but more get rich slow. In a way this book reminds me of William Nickerson's "How I turned $1,000 into $5 Million in Real Estate in my Spare Time", which just might be the first if not the best real estate book. (Nickerson's book is out of print and can cost hundreds of dollars.) I highly recommend both of these books.

A Warren Buffett-like approach to RE investing
I found this book to be very helpful in reinforcing my own philosophy for RE investment. I also found it to be very logical and down to earth, with lots of real life examples that the reader would need to apply to his/her own situation. A real easy read, with loads of simple and useful advice from someone who's been at this for quite some time. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to invest in RE. ... Read more

Book Description

Written by a leading authority, this book examines the complexities of seniors' housing markets and explains what developers, investors, and other professionals need to know to understand and operate in these specialized niches. Beginning with a historical overview of seniors' housing, to familiarize the reader with the various product types and how they relate to the needs of seniors, the book goes on to explain the details of market analysis, consumer research, market segmentation, financial analysis, market maturation versus market saturation, and gauging performance of seniors' housing. Three case studies of regional markets are also included comparing the development trends of both independent and assisted living within each market. ... Read more

Book Description

Everything real estate investors need to know about finding, financing, and closing real estate investment deals

Navigating the complexities of real estate financing can be a major obstacle for the real estate investment novice. Now this quick-reference guide arms them with a road map for finding, evaluating, and financing golden investment opportunities. From due diligence made easy, to writing winning loan proposals, to successfully negotiating with sellers, to making sense of closing statements, Insider Secrets to Financing Your Real Estate Investments covers all the bases. Using dozens of annotated forms and checklists, Frank Gallinelli tells you what you need to know about:

• Selecting the best real estate investments for individual investor needs
• What lenders are really looking for in real estate investors
• Creating winning loan presentations
• Closing statements and what to expect when the deal is sealed

Book Description

The most complete guide to buying a home in the Golden State.

A thorough, practical guide to every aspect of buying a house, How to Buy a House in California will help you make informed decisions that can save you thousands of dollars. With this bestseller in hand, you'll learn how to:

choose a house and neighborhoodfind the right agentget the most up-to-date information on mortgage options and ratestake advantage of creative financing strategies – from seller financing to government loansfigure out how much down payment you can affordmake an offer and negotiate with confidence for the best pricebuy a new house in a developmentinspect a house for physical problems and environmental hazardsjuggle buying and selling houses simultaneouslysuccessfully go through escrowThe 10th edition, completely updated, explains how to use the latest mortgage financing options – such as no-interest loans – without getting burned. It also covers how to research a home's insurance history, deal with problems with newly built homes, and to what extent a buyer can trust inspection reports provided by a seller.

Home buyers beyond California: Even though this book provides state-specific forms and information for Californians, most of the material in it can help home buyers in the other 49 states as well. Don't buy a house without it! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Informative and easy to understand
This book explains all the little nuances about buying a house.I read the whole thing and parts of it more than once before I bought my first house.It is well organized so that you can read just certain chapters if you need specific information right away.I actually sold my copy online after my house closed.Later, I ended up buying a copy as a gift for a friend.I recommend this book to all my friends who are thinking about buying a house.

As usual, the only book you'll need.
I used the Nolo Press tenants' rights book in the past to (successfully) sue my deposit-greedy/law-breaking landlords. I just used this book to buy my first home in the competitive Bay Area (yes, it's still highly competitive even in these "tough times"). Nolo's book is accurate and insightful, written in a voice that's accessible and, at times, fun and tongue-in-cheek. The organization of information, as usual, is right on. And the links and helpful sidebars are fantastic! Don't waste your money on all the other books. I swear this one is the only book you'll need.

As usual, the only book you'll need.
I used the Nolo Press tenants' rights book in the past to (successfully) sue my deposit-greedy/law-breaking landlords. I just used this book to buy my first home in the competitive Bay Area (yes, it's still highly competitive even in these "tough times"). Nolo's book is accurate and insightful, written in a voice that's accessible and, at times, fun and tongue-in-cheek. The organization of information, as usual, is right on. And the links and helpful sidebars are fantastic! Don't waste your money on all the other books. I swear this one is the only book you'll need.

As usual, the only book you'll need.
I used the Nolo Press tenants' rights book in the past to (successfully) sue my deposit-greedy/law-breaking landlords. I just used this book to buy my first home in the competitive Bay Area (yes, it's still highly competitive even in these "tough times"). Nolo's book is accurate and insightful, written in a voice that's accessible and, at times, fun and tongue-in-cheek. The organization of information, as usual, is right on. And the links and helpful sidebars are fantastic! Don't waste your money on other books. I swear this one is the only book you'll need.

Highly recommended - Nolo Press does it again
This book was recommended to us by a friend who bought a home inCalifornia. Since then, we've bought it for other friends and family. NoloPress publishes excellent books, and this is no exception. If you only readone book on buying a home (in California), this should be it. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

A virtual advertisement for Cook's methods
Before reading and then applying the concepts in this great little book by Wade Cook, I too thought that the guy was a charlatan.

After following the great advice in this book, I was able to buy my first property. And it was easy! Now I am sold, sold, sold.

Also recommend Real Estate Money Machine, Real Estate for Real People and 101 Ways to Buy Real Estate with No Money Down all by Wade Cook.

I made a lot of money with this book
I fail to understand the 1 star reviews here. "How to Pick Up Foreclosures: A step by step for getting super discounted property before the announcement is supposed to be about foreclosures and an adjunct to Mr. Cooks other books. No doubt if Wade Cook would have written a much larger volume, taking information that was already in his prior outstanding books, his critics would be saying; "Real Estate Money Machine on another cover" or "Real Estate for Real People Pt. 2." Or "Just another version of 101 Ways to Buy Real Estate Without Cash" etc. etc.

Wade's critic may not be very honorable or truthful and obviously ethics doesn't seem to matter, but he is very creative.

"How To Pick-up Foreclosures" is an excellent book to teach you how to pick-up foreclosures before the announcement. It is not a large book, but the it covers the necessary information very well.

For more detailed information on buying real estate the right way, I recommend "Real Estate Money Machine", "Real Estate for Real People" and "101 Ways to Buy Real Estate Without Cash."

Mr. Cooks strategies are time tested, been used successfully now for over 23 years and have worked very well for me.

An excellent book on foreclosures
This book is not large at under 150 pages but is jamm packed with useful information that you won't find anywhere else. If you are looking for thick books jammed with frivilous information, read the other books. If you want the real meat, read Wade Cook.

Good, solid advice. On the money. Ignore paid bashers.
This is a small but very good book on how to work the foreclosure business. Don't judge this book but it's size. Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson is also a small book, not much bigger than this excellent book by Wade and has been a best seller and changed peoples lives for the last four years or so.

Wade cut his teeth in the real estate business. I like the fact that WADE IS OFFERING a system that has been tested and is based on his own experience. This is NOT a me too generic real estate book written by someone who has never done the business but is only a writer.

I am also glad to hear that Wade Cook is back after a sabattical. Looking forward to his next book coming out this spring.

A good foreclosure book
No, this is not a big book, but it is jammed packed with powerful information that really works.

You will learn how to pick up foreclosures before the announcement and how to help people who have fallen on hard times while earning big profits for yourself.

Over the last three years in particualr the foreclosure business has been incredible. Had you read this book and taken advantage of it, you could have amassed a small fortune while being a helping hand to the unfortunate at the same time.

Also recommend Real Estate Money Machine for more meat on how to do the deals. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Selling property can be a legal minefield, but Seller Beware! tells how to navigate safely around the problems that can arise from an undisclosed defect in a home. Many states now require sellers to disclose some defects. Author Robert Irwin, a former real estate broker, urges sellers to go further to avoid ending up in court. He explains what defects to disclose (all), when to disclose them (up front, if major), what to fix, and what to leave. Seller Beware! is a scary catalog of household dangers: electrical systems about to catch fire, plumbing awash in heavy metals, walls flaking lead paint, foundations emanating radon, attics full of asbestos. The book is intended for sellers, but buyers looking to stay healthy can learn what to look out for in Seller Beware! --Barry Mitzman ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very informative for sellers AND buyers
This book explains how to look for physical defects with the house, environmental concerns, toxic substances on the property, faults with the title, proximity to floodplains and earthquake faults, termite and pestdamage, safety hazards, conditions of financing, and so on. The reader canalso use this book as a "know how" about what to look out forwhen purchasing a home and the tricks a seller might use to cover up somedefects and faults. This book is very well written and easy to understand.A perfect reference book. ... Read more

Book Description

Facing a volatile stock market, many people have turned to real estate as a way to invest their hard-earned money.While many investors opt to buy property and then sell it quickly, other investors choose to hold onto their property for a longer period of time to realize a greater return on their investment.Real estate experts Scott Frank and Andy Heller have developed a proven and diversified program for real estate investing that incorporates both approaches and enables investors to take control of their financial futures and build wealth over time.

Their new book, Buy Low, Rent Smart, Sell High: Real Estate Investing for the Long Run outlines a win-win-win program, one where average people can reap significant financial rewards by investing in real estate.

* Win One:Buying Low - The investors firstwin occurs by purchasing real estate at a 10-20percent discount by seeking out motivated buyers and avoiding paying agent commissions.The book reveals the secret to buying foreclosed homes with clean titles from banks and mortgage companies.

* Win Two:Renting Smart - The property is rented through a lease/purchase agreement.Not onlydoes the investor get a down payment from thelease/purchasee, but he or she also receives monthly rent that usually exceeds the monthly mortgage payment.Also, the lease/purchasee takes on the maintenance and repair responsibilities and tends to be a better tenant in return for their special lease/purchase terms.In addition, as the owner of the property, the investor is able to receive taxwrite-offs.

* Win Three: Selling High - The final win results when the lease/purchasee exercises his or her right to purchase the property.The owner hasrealized the benefits of owning the property and has sold it to the lease/purchasee without agent commissions.If the lease/purchasee decides not toexercise his or right, the investor still wins because he or she can either extend the lease purchase agreement and increase the purchase price(based on property appreciation) or enter into another lease/purchase agreement with a new tenant and begin the cycle of wins all over. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

The most useful book and guide on this topic!
Kudos to Heller and Frank for a practical guide to profitable and socially responsible real estate investing! As a novice real estate investor, I found Heller and Frank's book the most useful of all guides I have read on the subject. In addition to providing a practical step-by-step program for maximizing profits, their method also makes it possible for people who have in the past been unable to buy homes do so. The tools provided through the book (sample contracts, residential rental agreement, option to purchase agreement, and more) were also very helpful...I'd highly recommend this book to anyone thinking about investing or to those investors who are seeking to maximize their profits.

excellent strategy
As a person contemplating real estate investing, this book offers an excellent opportunity to invest wisely and help others in the community. The book is clear, concise, and easy to follow. "Buy low, Rent smart, Sell high" allows families to have a piece of the American Dream. This plan provides a unique opportunity for the investor to not only make a profit, but to feel good about what they're doing. I highly recommend this book to anyone thinking about real estate investing.

Great book for mid/long term Real Estate investors
This is a handbook for Real Estate investors. Lots of useful tips and examples and an honest and fair way of doing business.
I found very useful the real life cases and the examples of contracts, letters, and way of working with the lease/purchase model.

Decent, but has the typical flaw...
in books of this type. These guys supposedly based their business around REO properties. Usually buying from the bank after the foreclosure process for 25% less than market value. They must live in an area with absolutely NO competition. Where I live everybody and their dog is after these types of properties, thus it is impossible to buy these houses for this type of discount. If you can get one it will be a DOG and you had better be ready to pour some money in it to get it sellable.

Another beef is with their numbers. They assume at one point purchasing a house with a mortgage for $67500 say that your PITI(principal, interest, taxes and insurance) will be $500. They then say you can rent this type of house for $1000. Not in my neck of the woods. Be sure to check your local numbers for insurance and taxes and rental rates.

That said, I do like their Rent-to-Own sales plan and the premise that someone renting-to own will take better care of the property than a transient renter would. I also like their breakdown of the six profits centers they look for in each property.

If you are looking for a way to get started in real estate I recommend their plan once you have purchased the property, I just wouldnt limit yourself to just trying to fight for REO houses. There are many opportunities for buying houses for less than market price, just do your homework and don't limit yourself.

Very Good, but I'm no Expert.
This book was very easy to read, and very clear. It offers a clear plan how to sell medium income family homes on contract and make a nice profit. I find the ideas very exciting because I would rather the renter take more responsibility for the home, and when they are working to actually OWN the house, thats exactly what they do. One note, you need to get the homes at %20 below appraised value, which basicly means getting foreclosed homes, but it does tell you how to do this. I only have one rental house, but I believe I'm going to use this book to sell it on contract to my renters. ... Read more

Book Description

Take full advantage of the tax code and avoid taxes, saving as much as one-third of the profit on the sale of a property.

Real estate investment is the best tax-advantaged road to wealth available today.Through depreciation, real estate investments have the potential to provide tax-free income for years, even shielding other income from taxation.And when the time comes to sell off theinvestments, capital gains taxes can even be legally deferred or eliminated-that is, if investors know the secrets.

Richard T. Williamson, Esq., a renowned real estate attorney, has compiled these tips and more into a nontechnical, straightforward look at how individuals can use the tax code to their advantage.From thesimple to the sophisticated, the author explores various tax deferral and elimination methods, discusses the pros and cons, and gives examples of how they work in everyday practice.

Geared toward real estate investors, apartment building owners, developers, realtors, financial planners, and accountants, Tax Secrets of Millionaire Real Estate Investors explains how readers can:
* Build wealth tax-free.
* Shelter real estate income from taxes.
* Buy and sell real estate without being taxed.
* Minimize taxes on final divestment.
* Create tax-advantaged streams of income at retirement.

Tax Secrets of Millionaire Real Estate Investors describes commonplace tax-deferral devices like installment sales and 1031 exchanges, as well as the lesser-known private annuity trusts and charitable remainder tax-advantaged trusts.Williamson also includes case histories, sample forms, relevant IRS codes, and sample IRS forms and publications. ... Read more

Book Description

More personal finance than home improvement, this book will teach readers the art of finding the right kinds of homes to purchase; how to determine what kinds of repairs will translate into high returns; how to work with contractors or subcontractors to get the work done; and how to sell properties for a profit. ... Read more