Book Description

A good market study can make or break a development project. This new book will equip you with the tools you need to evaluate trends and understand the key factors affecting real estate markets. Using a step-by-step approach, the author shows you how to get started, where to get information, and how to apply it to multifamily, hotel, office, industrial, entertainment, mixed-use, and master-planned communities. Thirteen case studies written by top market analysts demonstrate how they implemented these methods and provide you with models to follow. Ideal for anyone new to real estate development ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Thorough Reference
This book is written like a textbook - starting with the most basic concepts - but moves on to discuss the tools and techniques of market analysis in considerable detail. Separate sections deal with residential, office and industrial, retail, hotels and resorts, and mixed-use developments. Case studies are given for each type of property. Technologies and data sources to assist analysis are discussed.

The two primary authors are a real estate consultant and an author/director of the Urban Land Institute. Many other professionals are listed as having contributed to the case studies.

The book includes an appendix of data sources of use to market analysts, a glossary of real estate terms and a thorough index. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

I Used Mr. John Tirone's HP-12C Real Estate Book to
I enjoyed this real estate appraisal book. However like just about every real estate appraisal book I have seen, the Williams and Ventolo book could use better supplementation on the HP financial calculators so I used a book recommended by one of my classmates, "Professional Real Estate Problem Solving Using the HP12C" financial calculator. This book is written by a Mr. John Tirone, a real estate instructor and attorney from Michigan. I heard that Mr. Tirone supports his books but I was skeptical until we called him with questions on using the hp12C in some of the real estate appraisal problems experienced in our class that used the Williams book.
If your appraisal course requires the William and Ventolo book, try to get a used copy from amazon since theer are lots of these books in the system. If you want to have extra help with the hp calculator, consider the Tirone book on the HP12C. amazon carries the book; this book is worth the money and if you need help Mr. Tirone will help you. His book is a win-win for the student of appraisal or real estate in general.

Excellent text, lousy index
This book was required reading for two different course-series I completed last year: real estate appraisal, and real estate broker. Of all the books I had to read (10 total) this was by far the best. Very well written, and it covered the subject matter very well (I wish I could say the same for the broker courses I took -- will have to re-take the state exam a second time because of that...).

One major flaw in the book though: the index is pathetic. I'm currently preparing for the state exam, and when looking to review particular words/phrases/concepts, the index is nearly useless. Was the index computer-generated by some software with a lousy algorithm?

Anyway, it's a great book for the student. But I worry that the lousy index will greatly reduce its usefulness as a reference text when I start work.

Good Start
I am a REALTOR, not an appraiser. I bought this book to give me a better understanding of how appraisers arrive at their conclusions.. to better price property or determine if a listing
I am going after will be over priced and not worth my time. As
with all books I learned things I did not know. Worth my money.

Fundamentals ofReal Estate Appraisal
I felt that this was an excellent book for the beginning student of Appraisal. It covered every area of this profession. It gave good examples and exercises and comprehensive examinations on the chapter covered. If you are serious about the Appraisal Profession, this book should be on your shelf.

Short on helpful advice
If you're looking to learn how to appraise a home than this isn't the best book to get. As a beginner it was hard to get a grasp of appraising. ... Read more

Book Description

This leading textbook for the college introductory real estate principles course is a comprehensive, well written text known for its easy to understand and practical approach to the principles of real estate.Highlights include:
* Instructor Resources available online at www.dearbornRE.com, including a PowerPoint presentation.
* "Real Estate Today" advisory boxes analyze specific legal cases and controversial issues in the industry.
* A recurring case study is woven thoughout the book,highlighting the decision process in a typical real estate transaction.
* "Close Ups", "Legal Highlights" and "Case Studies" appear thoughout to provide "real world" applications of the concepts.
* Contains a student study guide CD ROM with interactive case studies. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Book lacks modern finance perspectives
This book is good for residential licensees perhaps but otherwise is out of date.

Real Estate Principles
The authors introduce the principles of real estate at an elementary level using an impressive organizational style. Covers all fundamental aspects of real estate with no bias applications (ex. State Laws, Personal Experience). Perfect for the beginner of real estate. ... Read more

Book Description

EVERYBODY WINS

Inside stories and strategies behind the remarkable growth of RE/MAX, and how to use them for competitive success in virtually any industry

"This is a book about dreaming with your eyes wide open, a book about success and winning and leading, and most of all, it is a book that contains important lessons for all organizations that want to become great."
—Warren Bennis, author of On Becoming a Leader and Distinguished Professor of Business, USC

"I love the word 'Wow.' And though I've by now 'seen it all,' or most of it anyway, I found myself saying 'Wow' time and time again as I highlighted my way through Everybody Wins. The RE/MAX saga—the story of a huge industry turned upside-down and inside-out by an outrageously bold dream, incredible tenacity, and uncommon business sense—yields inspiring and practical lessons for all of us. As I said, 'Wow.' "
—Tom Peters, author of In Search of Excellence

"Everybody Wins is a must-read for any executive serious about sustainable growth and innovation. A powerful resource guide to the next generation of leaders focused on building great companies!"
—James D. White, Senior Vice President Business Development, North America, The Gillette Company

"When the business dream is applied with leadership, passion, a clear brand, and committed people, incredibly great sustained performance and growth occur. The RE/MAX story is one of those inspiring fairy tales where a dream and passion of the founder have led to an incredible success and one where there is a unique outcome—everybody does win!"
—Steve Steinour, Chairman Mid-Atlantic Regional Banking, Citizens Bank

"Everybody Wins offers valuable advice on how to build a culture that supports innovation, growth, and constant learning. The chapter on 'Pace Line Leadership' is essential reading for leaders who want to turn vision into action."
—John Hammergren, Chairman and CEO, McKesson Corporation ... Read more

Book Description

The bestselling author of Philistines at the Hedgerow probes the secretive world of Manhattan luxury apartments, where real estate costs the most and matters even more.

Steven Gaines once again trains his sharp eye on rich people behaving badly. This time, the arena is Manhattan luxury real estate and the outlandish displays of ego, outrageous behavior, blood feuds, status hunger, and conspicuous consumption that dominate that world.

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT reveals the apartment swapping adventures of many celebrities, from Jerry Seinfeld to Barbra Streisand, from Tommy Hilfiger to Gloria Vanderbilt--with typical Gaines verve and style. But Gaines digs much deeper to tell us the fascinating story of how boxes stacked on boxes came to be seen as the ultimate in status for the rich. He introduces us to a fascinating, diverse cast of carriage-trade brokers, whose most important task is to get their anxious clients past the dreaded co-op board. And, he gives us finely etched portraits of a few of the discreet, elderly society ladies who are the real arbiters of who gets into the so-called "Good Buildings." ... Read more

Book Description

Classic Insight into Building a Fabulous Career in Real Estate
Welcome to the world of real estate sales! Now, you control your destiny. A career in real estate offers endless opportunities, the freedom of flexible hours, and the potential to earn fabulous amounts of money. But to reach your goals you need to be prepared. Before you dive in, you must learn everything you can and discover the edge that will take you to the top.
Inside, experienced and top-notch real estate professional Dirk Zeller presents the secrets to success that will allow you to excel from day one. Full of practical answers and step-by-step solutions to the field's most common obstacles and challenges, Your First Year in Real Estate will help you build a solid foundation for a lifetime of real estate success.
Be a real estate champion from day one by knowing how to:
·Select the right company and get off to the right start
·Develop valubable mentor and client relationships
·Master your sales skills
·Achieve the financial results you desire
·Set—and reach—important career goals
"Dirk Zeller's approach is brilliant! He gives the best basic marketing techniques to his students. I applaud this book." ... Read more

Reviews (38)

This will give you the lead you need !
I am a new real estate agent. Like most new agent I was VERY lost (i'm sher you know the feeling). I had no one telling me the "how to's", the "when to's", and most importantly the "why to's" of the business. Is that what I signed up for, i asked!? I was overwhelmed and nervous. I invested in books and tapes of the highest level in relation to real estate (they where very good) BUT they never gave me the BOTTOM LINE (starting for the moment you recieve |THE CERTIFICATE|to actualy thinking of making 100 000+/year)!The best investment I made was the book "YOUR FIRST YEAR IN REAL ESTATE". If you are new in the business and are looking for a mentor !? read the book. You dont know where to start !? Read the book. You want to build a solid foundation for your carreer !? Read the book. Dont be fooled by it's simingly "basic" cover, this is the book you want. Dirk Zeller's philosophy is fantastic. It is possible to work 4 days a week and still make alot of $ and have time for your family...

Answered just about all of my questions, and MORE
I bought this book and one other as I was doing research to enter a new career in Real Estate Sales (from something totally different). It started out with how to "interview" potential brokers, questions to ask, and things to look for. This book was exactly what I needed to help me get my foot in the door and ask the right questions.
Also, this book talks about making and maintaining relationships with all of the different constituencies in the business in a positive, upbeat, "you can do it" tone. Not to say that you don't get the real scoop on the drawbacks as well, but overall, the tone the book is written in gives you the added push if you are at all hesitant about the industry.
I'm sure I will go back to this book time and time again.
(As of 7/2002) Three months later, I have started my career in Real Estate, and know more than at my review's first writing that Mr. Zeller speaks nothing but the truth. His plan for organizing your day, and working with only clients that will bring you business and results are DEAD ON. Also see his website for more GREAT real estate commentary and suggestions...

Easy to understand and follow
I purchased this book just prior to taking my real estate test and beginning my new career. It has helped tremendously and everything I have tried that was recommended has worked! The information is well laid out and presented in a format that is easy to follow and understand. Now, after being in this business for 6 months I have re-read the book and have picked up even more. I have recommended this book to others just starting out in their career and recommend it to anyone interested in beginning a career in real estate.

As good as it gets.....
I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is considering a career in Real Estate. Dirk Zeller is a down to earth, straight shooter and has a 100% grip on how to succeed or fail in Real Estate - starting from Day-1.

After reading the book I had a chance to personally meet Dirk. His attitude and demeanor reflect his success. His book helped me to make the choice to get into Real Estate, I am following his recommendations and am having great success - and I have been at it only 3-months. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

Your 1st Year in Real Estate
This is an excellent book for anyone thinking about real estate as a career. It really breaks down the basic ideas of what it takes to get started and succeed as a realtor. Choosing a company is one of the hardest decisions and Dirk leads you right thru it. I recommend this book to all new agents or agents who have been in the business for any amount of time. ... Read more

Book Description

The realtor's essential guide to harnessing true earning power

How to Become a Power Agent in Real Estate gives real estate agents both the powerful sales techniques and the practical management tips they need to double their income by closing more transactions. Based on the outstanding success of Darryl Davis's seminar "The POWER Program," this motivational guide utilizes POWER Principles to help the new agent as well as the experienced top producer dramatically increase listings and sales.

The book is full of Davis's surefire methods for managing the sales process, including time management for agents, prospecting for listings, handling the seller's and buyer's concerns, maintaining a winning attitude, and generating more sales in less time. He also reveals how clever use of the Web can provide a competitive edge and how the top producers work smarter­­not harder. Offering field-proven tools and techniques, Davis shows agents how to progress at their own pace to their own personal Next Level and accelerate their entry into Top Agent status.

Reviews (16)

What you can get out of " POWER AGENT IN REAL ESTATE"
The book is great. It is the same material used in the 12 month Darryl Davis Program. The program itself helps those not as self motivated, but anyone who reads the book, does what it says and can hold themself accountable, will benefit greatly. For others if they even get a couple ideas and put them to use, they will increase their income.

Excelent!!
This is a great book. I am about half way through at the time of this review. So far there have been many great tips on how to increase your real estate business. This book is great for a new agent or a power seller. I plan on using all of the techniques that are talked about in this book. Great book, definetly worth the price

Great Real Estate Tips
This is a very good book. The author gives very good advice for novice to professional real estate agents. I learned some good tips and adopted some great techniques from this book. The techniques work the more you apply them.

manipulation
This book is full of salesman scripts and manipulation. I was disappointed in the book. I dont think the days of just being honest are totally gone and I dont think you should have to have a script to answer your clients every questions, Why not just tell them the truth??? The book had a couple of good prospecting ideas and was somewhat motivating, but all in all it's a good book for a used car salesman.

This Book Got Me Fired
After reading this book four times I applied the principles described in this book and got myself three marketable listings in eight days. My creative ideas for farming postcards are more attractive and far funnier than any sold in catalogs. I was emailing, talking in person, and telephoning prospects from seven in the morning until seven at night up to seven days a week.

My broker called me aside and said, "Marcia, I have to let you go, you are so aggressive you are scaring everyone in this office. I am afraid you are frightening customers."

I had only been in the business three months so I am now broke, selling plasma and cleaning a few houses. As a single mom, facing a destitute Christmas is hard, but I keep smiling. I will save up enough to start over again: do the same things Darryl taught me at another office, (only under my broker, fellow agents and the support staff's radar screen). If you are an new agent who knows how to hide your light under a bushel basket, buy this book!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Help your students overcome math anxiety with this comprehensive workbook that improves math skill and prepares students for actual real estate practice.This must have text features step by step instructions for the mathmematical calculations required of real estate professionals.Highlights are:
* Over 60 problems give students plenty of practice ineach area.
* Step by step instructions simplify even the most complex calculations.
* Workbook format is ideal for both classroom and home study.
* Free Instructor Resource Guide includes learning objectives, instructional strategies, exam book, answer keys, and a PowerPoint presentation. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Mastering Real Estate Math
Whether you are entering the real estate market for the first time and are prepping for your exam, or are a seasoned pro, this book is a total Godsend! Ralph Tamper and his associates have amassed an impressive, comprehensive and easily digestible volume on any and everything you need to know about the specifics of real estate math to get started-and thrive-in the business. And, if like me me, it's been a very long time since you've even seen a math book, you, too, will be eternally grateful for this book!
Mastering Real Estate Math walks you step-by-step through every pertinent scenario and provides clear, concise instruction, practice questions, and a challenging test at each chapter's end, so you'll feel confident and ready on exam day...and beyond. The answer key shows the methodology used in problem solving, enhancing the learniong process.
I couldn't have passed my exam without it! This text should absolutely be a requirement in all real estate education curriculums in the USA, not just for exam prep, but for use in everyday practice. Even my mortgage broker in California who has 20 years in the business got it and he loves it!
Big kudos again to Ralph Tamper and Co. for a producing an essential workbook, and thus providing real estdate industry professionals with a tremendous asset. And kudos also to Dearborn Real Estate Education for their fine roster of real estate educational materials. ... Read more

Book Description

Whether youre a first-time real estate investor or a seasoned professional, The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings helps you map out your future, find apartment buildings at a fair price, finance purchases, and manage your properties. Now revised and expanded, this Second Edition includes tax planning advice, case studies of real acquisitions, and appendixes that add detail to the big picture. Plus, it includes a handy glossary of all the terms investors need to know, helpful sample forms that make paperwork quick and easy, and updated real estate forecasts. With this comprehensive guide at hand youll find profits easy to come by. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Great Book
This was the first book I have purchased on the subject of real estate investing in multi-family properties.I have been and interested in the subject for some time however.

I found the formulas and rules the book includes to be invaluable, and used them to create Excel spreadsheets to quickly analyze the hundreds of multi-family listings available.I found the book to be easy to read and understand.

The basics about multi-family properties
This book is very informative if you are a beginner to the multi family world.For anyone that has already dealt with multi family, then you do not need this book.However, Berges other book, real estate finance is a good review for the seasoned apartment owner.In that book he goes over some key performance and efficiency ratios that everyone should be aware of when dealing with multi family properties.

The book covers the general ideas behind multi family properties but of course it will differ by region slightly.The cap rates that he speaks of are not available in say california but might be available in indiana.Overall a good book for beginners to intermediate but definitely not seasoned investors.

Good beginners read. Beyond NOI and CapRate? Look elsewhere
This book devotes a fair amount of time on valuation from a beginners standpoint. Overall good, easy and quick read. The case studies and examples appear a stretch. The author suggest that the sweet spot is to find a property with 20% vacancy, a few minor cosmetic issues. It then claims that that by leveraging a 80% LTV, the owner, in a short period of time can increase the vale and sell for a healthy premium. Hmmm... I want to see Steve Berges try this in Chicago or New York metro areas.

As a relatively new property investor, I found the book useful and would recommend to others. I purchased and downloaded the software at thevalueplay.com which is adequate to complement the book's instruction bias. However, buyers beware, these are password protected Excel spreadsheets with macros and without the ability to add formulas, change things here and there, they are useless.

5 Stars for Berges' 5 Keys to Success
Out of all of the real estate books I've read over the years, this is by far one of the better ones.The author stays focused on the topic of buying and selling apartments and does it in a way that is easy to understand.Let me emphasize that when I say the book is easy to understand, that is not meant to imply that only the basics are covered.Not only does Berges do a great job of explaining the mechanics of the process, but he also mixes in a lot of personal examples which help the reader to connect the dots between pie-in-the-sky theory and real world applications.

Steve Berges concludes the book with an inspiring and motivational chapter he refers to as the 5 Keys to Success, which he points out are not limited to just real estate, but can be applied to any business or profession, as well as to one's personal life.I thought this section was very well written and gave me cause to reflect on my own course in life.

I've read several of the author's other books as well, all of which were good, but I particularly enjoyed The Complete Guide to Real Estate Finance for Investment Properties.Wow...what a great read!It's about time somebody wrote a book that really deals with the financial aspects of real estate (see my review).

Unique Insight into Apartment Market
The author, Berges, provides unique insight into investing in apartment buildings.There isn't much written about this topic, and what is, seems to be very generic.This book, however, provided lots of good examples with specific advice on what to do and what not to do.In addition, Berges sprinkles various tidbits of information throughout the book that while not directly related to real estate, are nevertheless quite relevant to being successful in it.I just finished another book of his, The Complete Guide to Investing in Rental Properties, which I also found to be very enjoyable. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

I TOO USED MR. TIRONE'S HP-12C BOOK TO STUDY FOR THE EXAM
I purchased as much material as I could to help me through the appraisal certification exams, especially so to help me through the books I had to buy! It semed that I kept getting deeper and deeper with each book I purchased, the reviewed book included. I then saw one of my classmate's book on the HP12C, written by a Mr. John A. Tirone from Michigan. I purchased this book and used it to supplement the calculations in Mr. Fisher's questions and answers book as well as his Income Property Appraisal book.
The Tirone HP12C book was clear, comprehensive, and as said by others who have commented on Mr. Tirone's books, I was able to call him with questions on how to solve various income capitalization problems and also on how to fine tune my understanding of the Hewlett packard HP12C financial calculator. To my thinking, every appraisal text I have seen is deficient in assisting us students with the calculations on the HP finance calculators. Mr. Tirone's book and his giving no-charge approach to supporting his books and the topic are essentially lifesavers for most of us.

I used Mr. John A. Tirone's HP-12C Book to get me through th
I used Professional real Estate Propblem Solving using the HP 12C to get me through this confusing book as well as help me get through "G1" and "G2" appraisal's computations materials. What stumped me was the lack of clarity in the Fihser Tosh book as far as computations. for coverage of the HP12C it was a lifesaver to have Mr. Tirone's HP-12C real estate book. Mr. Tirone was helpful as several in our class called him for help while trying to absorb the confusing aspects of the Fisher/Tosh book. Mr. Tirone should write a book like Questions and Answers... or team up with the likes of the authors of the reviewed book.
One example in the Tosh book shows a calculation using a terminal value-sales price of $10,000 when it should be $100,000. This gave us fits and I could not figure the problem out until I called Mr. Tirone and he showed us how to do the problem.

Didn't feel like it helped much but I did pass
I was nervous before this test and I went through and answered every question in the book. The actual test seemed to ask significantly different questions. The result, however, was I passed with over 90 percent. Can you argue with that? It must have helped.

Don't waste your money if you already have the yellow book
If you already have the yellow book "Questions and Answers to help you past the Real Estate Appraisal Exams", don't waste your money purchasing the new book that was put out in 2000. It's the same book - just copy written in October of 2000. I made the mistake of thinking that there would be new questions since 1994, or the questions would at least be asked in a different format, but they are not. Word for word they are the same. So save your money if you already have the yellow book and just study it a little bit harder!

A necessity if you're about to take "the exam".
I just took the certified residential appraisers exam and passed on the first attempt. I do have several years experience, but feel that this study manual gave me the added depth and confidence to pass the exam. (95% correct) Thank You, LWK - Brenham, Texas ... Read more

Book Description

This best-selling real estate book delivers the proven formula for creating a fast-track career and higher profits in real estate. Discover the trade secrets to building lifelong customers and gaining market share from the first-hand experience of one of real estates most highly regarded professionals.In her dynamic style, Danielle explains how technology will not replace the value of an agent but, instead, has increased the demand for personalized selling.Seize the opportunity to set in motion these NEW basics to your success in real estate. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Great Buy for the New Agent
I thought this was an excellent book. I've read it straight through and now I'm working on the Break-away schedule in the back of the book. As a new agent, it was very helpful to get an honest preview of the work it takes to be successful in this business. My broker said that I was the most prepared of any of the new agents that he'd interviewed with. I have Danielle's book to thank for that. It's worked for me so far, so now I'm going to hit the ground running with her break-away schedule! Worth the money, if you're willing to work it. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Makes you want to leave your desk and hit the streets!
From someone who recently passed the Real Estate exam, this book gets you motivated, eager to get started and the confidence to do it right! Mr. Hopkins shares his success right down to the small details. He practically provides a road map to success. This book is all the training in Real Estate you'll ever need.

Sure-fire strategies to build a great business!
Whether you are new to the business or are a seasoned pro, this book will give you all the techniques, strategies, scripts, ideas and more to build a great and lasting real estate business.

Probably the best feature about this book is that Mr. Hopkins doesn't just tell you what to do, he tells you EXACTLY how to go about doing it -- step by step, including the exact language to use. (My only issue with the book is that, even though it was written in 1991, it is a bit dated. But this is a minor point at best.)

This book covers essential real estate business development activities such as:

* Canvassing
* For Sale By Owner
* Expired listings
* Listing banks (farming)
* Listing Tools
* Listing Presentations
* Closing

Chock full of scripts to handle each situation, necessary charts and graphs for presentations, letters and notes, plus essential descriptions of how to be and what it means to be a real estate professional versus a run-of-the-mill real estate person, this book is worth its weight in diamonds for anyone willing to study it and put its ideas into action.

For the SERIOUS real estate professional ONLY, this book will kick your business into high gear!!

Classic Book For All Realtors
A must read for any new Real Estate Agents. The material is older, but there are timeless techniques that any Realtor can benefit from. There is an abundance of information and inspiration. Highly recommended.

Slightly outdated but many useful ideas
The book itself is slightly outdated with verbiage and action plans that are better suited to the 80s. However, it is still a good read. There are numerous ideas, scripts, and sample documents that can help any agent add a little something different to their business.
The author is reknown in our business and offers another point of view in handling difficult customer situations - I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it very informative.

Reads like a car salesman
Its an okay book. My only problem is the author provides a lot of scripts and selling techniques that use lies to manipulate people. For example he recommends pretending you may want to buy a home as a personal investment when calling of FSBOs who advertise "no brokers". Its also a very old book and some of the stuff that worked in the 80s doesnt work any more. ... Read more

Book Description

This popular business start up guide prodives an effective system for new agents to successfully plan their days and weeks.Up and Running in 30 Days features a results driven business development model that will increase productivity in new and seasoned agents like. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Keep Your Checkbook Open
If you buy this book, plan on keeping your checkbook open. You'll need it to buy the other books that Carla Cross frequently references and which are, unfortunately, key to using some of the charts contained in this book. Without the information from the other books it makes some of the charts useless. In the first 20 pages alone there are a dozen references to other books, either written by the author or others.

Up & Running in 30 Days
This book seemed very interesting but it still left me with a lot of questions..... For one where are these tapes that are continuously reffered to in the book? Also, this book assumes you are already an agent and I would think that part of getting running is how to get started! If anyone knows about the tapes for this book please e-mail me at mpdragon@netzero.net

Simply the best quick start business plan for realtors.
Very logical, simple, yet through. This book pinpoints why so many agents fail in their first year of real estate. Lack of proper planning from a true business perspective. Excellent jump-start to get going in this industry.

Not a good book
This book was a waste of money! The forms and checklists are great, but it lacks a lot of other important information. I would suggest "How to List and Sell Real Estate in the 90's" by Daniell Kennedy, it is very motivational and packed with excellant information. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

pass this book if you want to pass the test
I studied using practice tests that had been supplied to me by the professional school through which I had taken the Real Estate Principles course. I ordered Minnie Lush's book as a supplemental item and found it completely useless. In fact, during my last few days of "cramming" before taking the test, I found a question that was identical in two different books, and for which different answers were given. In a state of panic, I examined my study guides more carefully and decided to toss Minnie's book aside. I took the California salesperson test on June 14th for the first time, after using mainly a prep book from Anthony Schools, and PASSED.
Looking back, I see that Minnie's questions were vague in their wording and apparently incorrect in some instances. I would not recommend this book to anyone preparing for the state exam.

A good solid secondary source to complement your prep
For those of you currently preparing for the California real estate salesperson or brokers' exam(s), you're probably enrolled in a live or video course that already has its own books and materials that were included with it.

This book is a nice secondary addition to the primary materials that you alreadly likely have in place. That being said, I found this book to be extremely helpful to examine the various real estate principles one will face on the actual California real estate exam.

Often, I think many California realty students get too bogged down with materials generated by only one education company, professor, live lecture of video series, etc... and they forget that the California realtors examination covers a multitude of topics from many different angles.

I highly recommend that you buy and use this book as a direct and positive supplement to the core materials and/or educational sources that you've already been using while prepping for your California real estate exam.

Of particular value, if nothing else, in this book, is the Hot Tips/Hot Topics section of the book in which the authors have pleasantly reduced hundreds of nitbits regarding California law into exhaustive and easy to understand one-sentence blurbs. I found that cramming and/or memorizing these hot-tips on the last few nights before my actual exams were critical to my securing a passing grade.

Like other guidebooks, it comes with reams of practice questions, many that you've likely seen before--but as we all know, the secret to passing the California exam is practice, practice, practice. Buy this book. You wont regret it. ... Read more

Book Description

Modern Real Estate Practice in New York, 8th Edition is the latest update of the book that educates more New York real estate students than all of its competition combined.The book contains the material necessary for both salesperson and broker students.Some distinguishing features/benefits:
* Margin notes to help students find key topics andcrucial material.
* An expanded math section to give students a betteropportunity to ensure that their skills are ready for the real world.
* More than 625 review questions.
* Both salesperson and supplemental broker level chapters And more! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is the Standard Class Reference for NY DOS Class
I am in the middle of New York's prerequisite course for the Dept. of State exam. In searching for an acceptable school I became aware that hands down all the schools I engaged used Edith Lank's Mod R E Practices in NY (8th ed.) as the classroom text.

As far as it's readability, it is indeed a textbook, and reads that way. Pertinent areas are of the text are in a light blue to punctuate their importance ( I think I would have used red myself). These areas have mostly coincided with what the teacher asks you to highlight as important Exam points. Also, there are questions at the end of each chapter to reinforce the points of the chapter. A reasonable amount of time is spent on basic math concepts (algebra and geometry) if you paid attention in High School you can glean this chapter. The general topics include:

Deeds
Mortgages
Basic Finance
Liens
Easements
Laws of Agency
Contracts
Closings
Estates and Interests

Some of the students in the class complained that it uses too much legalese and reads like a Law book. Although this is not a law book per se, it deals with laws and statutes, regulations, interpretations of law, etc. So it should be a little more legalese than other types of reading.

There were a few typos in the main text as well as the Q/A sections. The book reads well enough to prompt me to purchase Lank's Test Prep guide as well, although I do not have it yet After taking the exam I will leave feedback as to the helpfulness of the exam Prep.

In general, I would recommend this book not only to those studying to be an agent, but for first time home buyers as well. The downstate region of NY (from Westchester down through Long Island) is different from the rest of the entire Unites States when it comes to Real Estate law and practices/customs. The information contained therein will help in knowing what your options are and who is working for/against you in the transaction. Or if you are just an information junkie, this is a great way to learn about the trade.

Everything You Need To Know
This is a great book although if you havent taken your Real Estate course yet you may want to wait because this book was provided for us when we took the class. This book teaches you about the laws, math, whos who, and who does what. At the end of each chapter there is a summary and questions and in the back of the book there is a test that will get you ready for the state test. The only thing this book does not do is that it doesnt really go over any skills or tips on selling real estate. Overall, its a must have book. ... Read more

Book Description

The fun and easy way to become a licensed real estate broker

There are currently more than 430,000 real estate brokers and agents in the U.S., and all of them had to pass a state licensing exam. Written by a certified real estate instructor, this plain-English guide gives would-be brokers the information and test-taking know-how they need to pass the licensing exam–and enter into a lucrative new career. It provides reviews of all subjects typically covered in state licensing exams–from property and agency law to contracts, mortgages, and real estate math–and offers study techniques, practice problems, test-taking strategies, and sample exams to help people prepare.

John A. Yoegel, PhD (New Fairfield, CT), is the President of a New York brokerage firm, Real Estate Reference Network, as well as a Certified New York Real Estate Instructor who teaches pre-licensing courses. ... Read more

Book Description

Fix and flip single-family houses for quick profit––and long-term prosperity

The Complete Guide to Flipping Properties offers proven, straightforward guidance for anyone interested in flipping properties for quick profits. This comprehensive guide to flipping will help any real estate investor design a detailed plan for achieving their financial goals as quickly as possible. Steve Berges, creator of the value play strategy, shows you step by step how to flip properties and lock in profits. With in-depth explanations of every aspect of the art of flipping––from finding properties and closing the deal, to repairing houses and reselling at the best price––this book is the ultimate resource for novice investors and real estate pros alike.

The Complete Guide to Flipping Properties includes:

• Time-tested strategies for flipping
• Ten proven methods for locating great properties
• Property valuation methods––and which one is right for you
• Financial analysis and modeling techniques
• How to create value and maximize your profits
• Seven steps of successful negotiation
• How to close the deal
• Foolproof exit strategies for getting rid of properties
• How to assemble a winning team of professionals
• Three keys to maximizing your potential as a real estate investor

With tips on writing business plans, investing on credit or with OPM (other people’s money), and creative financing methods, The Complete Guide to Flipping Properties gives any investor the tools they need to build wealth safely and reliably. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Excellent Financial Analysis!
I've read a half dozen or more books on flipping/rehabbing and none of the others come close to this one when it comes to financial analysis. Most authors focus on the "how to's" of flipping, which Berges does also, but he outshines all of them when it comes to analyzing real estate.

Berges walks the reader through using several examples in a financial model to help properly analyze an investment property . At the end of the analysis, if the returns are acceptable, you buy the property and if they are not, you pass on it and go on to the next one. No emotional attachments here. Buying and selling is done strictly on an analytical basis.

A lot of authors tend to focus on getting in to a deal for "nothing down" but say very little, if anything, about value. Just because you can buy a house for nothing down doesn't mean it's a good deal or that you should buy it. Out of all the real estate books I've read over the years, Berges is the only one to really emphasize value.

My guess is that Berges will lead the way among future writers by emphasizing value and financial analysis just like Robert Allen led the way with the nothing down techniques in the 80s and 90s.

Two thumbs up!

Not nearly as good as his first book
His book on flipping properties is not nearly as good as his "The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings."

I really liked his first book, and when I saw this one on the bookshelf, I picked it up without hesitation. To my dismay, this book doesn't do its job getting a REI newbie off the starting blocks, and it definitely doesn't give any additional information to the flippers who have been in the business for a while.

My advice is to skim through this one while you are at the bookstore, and then put it back on the shelf.

Excellent Guide to Flipping
I've read most all of the books on flipping and rehabbing. This book is by far the best! The author uses many examples and provides step-by-step instructions that are easy for readers to follow. He also includes an entire chapter on how to actually find these properties which was really helpful to me. I was able to use this information to locate four houses over the last month and currently have one of them under contract.

I highly recommend this book to both beginning investors and to those who are more experienced as the author seems to have a knack for writing to a wide range of audiences. Great book!

Another Great Book by Berges!
I read Berges' book The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartments about a year ago or so and liked it so well I couldn't wait for him to come out with another book. His book on Flipping is every bit as good as the book on apartments. Berges provides a comprehensive and complete approach to anyone interested in buying and selling houses. He wrote about a similar topic, which he referred to as "the value play" in his apartment book. In the flipping properties book, Berges applies the value play strategy, which is to buy, add value, and sell, all in a very short period of time. The idea is to get in, get out, and make money!

Although Berges covers one of the same topics Bronchick does, he does it in a different way which gives the reader another perspective. Authors write about similar topics all the time. There's nothing wrong with this. Berges also covered several topics that Bronchick did not. No harm there either. It's pretty clear to me that judging by their writing styles and backgrounds, Berges likes the finance end of real estate while Bronchick prefers the legal end. Maybe the two should consider teaming up!

Flipping is a State of Mind not a State of Being
Go through my catalog of book reviews and this will seem wildly out of place. However, my wife really really wants to buy a house. So I've picked up a good pile of books on purchasing a home, renovating a home and ... yes ... flipping a home.

My father was in the development business when I was growing up, so I've had the opportunity to be with houses from breaking ground to opening. I think I have a good eye for potential and love the creativity of improving a space.

So, my wife really wants a show house. It's a long story, but she really does. Given that we both own our own businesses and that those businesses are pretty young, I didn't feel comfortable adding a lot to our debt load.

So I convinced her to look at some less "show housey" houses. Let's just say that it didn't go over really well.

But I come from two families of creative thinkers and I thought, "What if we treated the first house or two like investments, rather than like homes?"

One puts a lot of emotional stock in their home ... but they can be more pragmatic about an investment. The concept took a while to get through to my wife, but now she is fully on-board.
Then I started reading ... I'm reading about six books at the same time. This is the first to be finished.

Steve Berges has written a concise entry-level book on flipping properties. He gets into some of the valuation of flipping. His methodologies are simplistic and geared towards the numbers only. I don't think he fully appreciates that artistic eye that it takes to see a house that has potential versus one that merely can be fixed up.

There's a bit of rah-rah in this, which I'm finding in a lot of these real-estate books. The end chapter is mostly rah-rah in fact. But this book is very helpful in getting the interested reader focused on the subject at hand.

Indeed, none of the books I've seen thus far will give you all the answers you want. But they will help you focus. ... Read more

Book Description

A complete preparation guide for the AMP Real Estate Exam, the book and enclosed CD-ROM contain over 700 practice questions, with rationales included for every question.Content throughout the book is aligned with the new AMP content outline.Thirty new broker practice questions have been added to the book.

This is the LATEST and most COMPREHENSIVE tool available to help students prepare for the AMP Real Estate Exam.Features topics related to, and in the order of, the latest AMP Examination Content Outline.With more questions and answers than any other AMP guide on the market, it features over 700 AMP-style questions, with rationales to help schools and students improve pass rates.A new CD-ROM has been packaged with this edition, containing 50 new salesperson and 50 new broker practice questions. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Very good book for study review.
I would recommend this book for anyone that is taking the AMP test. All material is laid out very well and it goes over just about everything.

Your Guide to Passing the Amp Real Estate Exam
Is a very good book, is comprensible and good ordered. ... Read more

Book Description

Learn the new rules of real estate marketing!

Old rule: Your website is all about you.
New rule: Your website is all about the customer.

Old rule: Online advertising will surpass offline advertising.
New rule: Integrated offline and online advertising wins every time.

Old rule: Delivering leads is the only job for a website.
New rule: The best websites deliver leads and customer service.

These are just some of the new rules of online marketing that you’ll find in this helpful, hands-on guide. In the REAL ESTATE RAINMAKER® Guide to Online Marketing, Dan Gooder Richard offers new solutions and proven ways to use the Internet to drive your real estate business. Whether you’re a novice or a veteran real estate pro, you’ll find all the cutting-edge online strategies you need to design and implement your own effective, profitable marketing strategy–with practical guidance on building a unique online brand with web domains, websites, and e-mail marketing strategies. Full of real-world examples and straightforward guidelines, the REAL ESTATE RAINMAKER® Guide to Online Marketing will help you generate more leads and more business than you ever thought possible! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Not Just for Realtors!
WOW! I am so energized after reading Dan Gooder Richard's book, REAL ESTATE RAINMAKER GUIDE TO ONLINE MARKETING! I'm not in Real Estate but in Retail with a store front as well as a website. I plan to use Richard's book as my bible for online maketing. Just wait. My website will be topnotch!!

Real Estate Online Marketing Made Simple
For once Dan Gooder Richard has boiled the complex world of real estate online marketing down to simple strategies novices and experts alike can put to use. This book is easy to understand and best of all it's practical. I would highly recommend this book to all levels of agents and brokers who would like to boost their online marketing efforts.

Dan Richard's Second Book Is Great
Dan Gooder Richard really nails it with this second book. His first book was all about advertising and direct mail. This new book is all about websites and e-mail and how to use them for advertising. At last, the second half of the real estate marketing story has been told.

There are so many helpful hints in this book that it is hard to keep track. You have to read it a second and third time to really absorb everything. This is a must read for anyone interested in real estate marketing or marketing in general as the tips could be applied to many industries.

Wow, e-marketing made easy!!!!
I truly enjoyed this book. It is a simple yet powerful guide to real estate e-marketing that really works. Dan Gooder Richard is in the trenches reporting on real life examples and telling what works and what doesn't. I use this book as a reference and a step-by-step guide. Get the book and get started maximizing your online business.

Great Reading and Easy to Understand
This book is great! It has everything the beginner needs to learn about how to use the Internet for marketing. I'm sure vertern Internet users would find the techniques helpful as well. It is easy to understand and gives step by step instructions for things like setting up a website and using emails effectively. I found it very helpful and would suggest it to anyone looking to grow their Internet business. ... Read more

Book Description

By giving students practice answering questions similar to those found on real estate exams, this bestselling exam guide is specifically designed for real estate students who want to pass their licensing exams on the first try.

With over 1,800 questions, including 80 item sample broker and salesperson exams and three 80 item review exams, this book is intended for individuals preparing for salesperson and broker licensing exams.It is geared toward the ASI exam, but is designed to be used to study for exams administered by any of the testing services such as: ASI, AMP, PSI, Experior (formerly NAI) and self testing states (CA, ME, MS, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, SC, WV).

Detailed explanations, in the answer key at end of each chapter, provide a rationale as to why a given answer is correct, giving students the needed information to handle any type of question on any topic.This key feature, not found in many other exam guides, makes the book equally helpful to students preparing for any type of real estate exam. ... Read more