Customer Reviews

The Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing, Second Edition

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Usually, when I buy an "intro to the subject' book I seem to find a general guide of (almost) obvious dos and don'ts. Not this book. It covers the territory of real estate investing with dozens of specific pointers backed up with examples. Great detail on financing, buying at a bargain price, and increasing the value of a property. Easy-to-read writing style plus lots of whitespace, headings, and boxed major points for quick scanning. All in all a gigantic value for a mere $10 or $11 bucks. I think even pros (as well as first-timers) could profit by reading this info-packed "how to" guide.

I'm a real estate agent, and I found this book easy enough for me to explain some basic concepts of real estate investing to some of my clients. This is basic, however, and that's fine for most people who has an agent. If you are serious about becoming a professional full-time investor, I would suggest you arm yourself with several books before plunking down cold hard cash on a property - books on selecting properties good for investing, finding other investors, how to buy properties, how to sell properties, flipping homes, real estate auctions, prepping homes for sale, home renovations that would help maximize the sale of a property, rental, etc. There are lots to know about real estate investment, and this book tries to cover the surface of it. Good reference for just beginning.

Gary Eldred's book, The Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing, provided for me a broad and comprehensible introduction to the world of the Real Estate business. From loans to Land lording, Mr. Eldred introduces techniques, formulas and a wealth of resources to help you find money, calculate risk and profit, maximize your investment and create wealth through an honorable, ethical and respectful business practice. I highly recommend this book to the beginners and the veterans alike.

This book provides you with a great primer on the world of real estate investing. Gary Eldred is also very encouraging and positive, but never sounds unreal or overly optimistic

It's a good book and an easy read. It was a little too general when covering material. The book makes other references to other books written by the author. However, for someone who wants or is thinking about going into Real Estate,it will tell you enough to help you make a decision and what other books to buy for more information.

I am a brand new investor, investing in real estate in the Miami-Dade/ Broward County areas. I have read several articles on real estate and also have listened to CD's on wholesaling, foreclosures, and other such topics. This is the first actual book I have read on any real estate subject. I have found that this book has been very easy to follow and comprehend.

The author is really informative and not only discusses how he invests, but he gives voice to alternatives. I have been attending the local real estate investor's meetings, so with my limited knowledge, I can ascertain that the author is in fact a professional in this field and not just another person trying to become a millionaire by repeating techniques that (he) hasn't utilized, himself.

I recommend this book to all real estate investors that are just beginning in this field. This book does not go into step by step detail on how-to do certain deals, however, it gives an overall understanding, for the beginner to better make a decision on which area of real estate they would like to invest in. I, myself have now narrowed my interest parameters to other subjects that I was not interested in prior to reading. Overall I give this book, 5 stars. It sets a higher bar for any book that I read hereinafter.

This book is comprehensive. It covers a lot of topics about real estate investing. Furthermore, it offers tips and tricks on how successful investors were able to pull off their deals. Something that is hard to come by, as many real estate authors aren't really investors.

Just a side note -- if you're an expert, you'd probably learn something from this, but overall you would be bored. So don't buy it thinking your going to get a "for experts" book, this is for beginners. Those that have not made their mark on the real estate market yet.

-Matt
co-author of the Ultimate Foreclosure Kit

This book is exactly what it promises. It is a beginner's guide to real estate investing. It shows you different ways to make money in real estate because there are many strategies. For example, you might want to flip properties or hold them long term for their cash flow. The book covers topics such as buying foreclosures and REOs, financing with little or no down payments, and adding value through various improvements. Chapter 11, More Sources of Bargains, is particularly valuable because the author teaches various sources of deals such as federal government auctions, sheriff sales, probate, and estate sales. You will also find Chapter 14, Twenty-One More Ways to Push Up the Value of Your Properties, useful. One example of increasing the value of your property includes converting a garage, attic, or basement into a living area that can bring in more rental income.

- Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market

This book is easy to sit down and read. It is motivating and informative. I love the way the other goes about informing you on the ins and outs of investing. Would love all books to use this format and tone of writing.

Eldred presents solid information on the topics he promises to discuss: how to find ways to pay for real estate, how to evaluate a good opportunity, not just by knowing your local market, but by doing the math, how to negotiate and write a good deal, and some basic tips toward "landlording". The writing is clear and to the point, not larded with "fluff" and stories. I borrow some books on the subject from the library. This one I own.