Customer Reviews

The Commercial Real Estate Investor's Handbook: A Step-by-Step Road Map to Financial Wealth

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I guess I should've known better to look at the author's credentials before I purchased the book. Steven D. Fisher is an independent writer, illustrator, and instructional designer. (exerpt taken from the book bio at the back) Not necessarily the best person to learn the complexities of commercial real estate from. The book had some useful business and very basic real estate refresher type material but lacked the details I was expecting to find for a book entitled 'The Commercial Real Estate Investors Handbook'. I have a background in commercial real estate finance and found the lack of detail in the 'commercial loan documents' section neglecting critical details about how loan documents can make or break a deal and you as the investor. If you know absolutely nothing about commercial real estate, this book would be helpful as a simple introduction but nothing more.

ABSOLUTE WASTE OF MONEY & TIME. WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT PURCHASE THIS BOOK. HERE IS MY OPINION: As a professional residential real estate broker & investor for the past 10 years I purchased this book to get a glimpse into commercial real estate investing. However, to my surprise this book is nothing more than opinions that are worthless. The author speaks in general terms throughout the entire book and never discusses real "how-to" dive into commercial investing. Furthermore, he talks about sourcing real estate deals by implementing residential tactics such as cold calling and partnering up with real estate agents or doing drive-by on properties. Just imagine reading the "intro sections" of a real estate 101 section from 10 books on a shelf, however this time you have 25 chapters of introductory opinionated material. Please DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!

This book is for kindergarten level investor. Book is easy to read and the author lays out concepts that is common sense but lacks any benefits for its reader. If you are a novice, this book is for you. I stopped reading after page 16, then skim through the rest of the book in less than 10 minutes. Some parts are clearly erroneous. Here is a sample excerpt from the book. Please tell me if this is logical: "An apartment building appreciates faster than single-family homes because it costs more in the first place. A single-family home worth $300,000 appreciating at 10 percent generates $30,000 worh of appreciation. An apartment building worth $1,000,000 will generate $100,000 worth of appreciation at 10 percent, meaning more cash in your pocket" Now, people who gives 5 stars, ARE YOU SERIOUS???

Before I started reading "The Commercial Real Estate Handbook for Investors," I tried to prepare myself for a "dry read". However, I was pleasantly surprised. The concepts and explanations are written in a crisp and conversational tone. The author also explains the buzz words in real estate and how it pertains to the bottom line of your investment strategy. This book has it all, from goal setting to definitions of real estate terms to sample emails that should be sent to keep a deal alive. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. The concepts are such that you can apply them to not only real estate but other types of business as well.

I think this is one of the most comprehensive books on commercial real estate, but it is not like a textbook either. It includes everything that beginning and seasoned real estate investors need to be successful in the field of commercial real estate. Property types discussed are apartments, office, retail, industrial, and raw land.

I liked how the author is honest with readers about what it takes to be successful because other authors simply promise the sky just so that they can sell books or other products. He says that investors need knowledge because the lack of it leads to poor investments. In other words, ignorance is expensive. Second, they need significant capital because real estate professionals are not going to take them seriously.

Don't bring your no-money-down schemes into this game. If you have no money, you do not belong in this game. You need be prudent and save as much as you can. One option is to start off in residential real estate to build capital. The author also explores different career options to gain experience. I personally think that getting a job in the industry is the best way to learn the ropes. It's easy to get into it as an assistant to a broker or appraiser. Don't worry too much about pay because you can gain valuable experience.

- 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

Five of five stars! This book covers the risks and rewards of real estate investing, along with types of investments, the basics of getting started, factors affecting commercial real estate values, understanding real estate market psychology, sources of financing, finding profitable deals, and financing. In short, it covers everything a beginner would need or want to know before embarking on this type of investment.

That's not all it covers. There's also information about commercial real estate loan documents, an explanation of leases, negotiating purchase agreements, managing tenants, insurance, sale of commercial real estate properties, marketing real estate properties, and taxes. Two appendices include sample lease forms. A glossary is beneficial to beginners who haven't yet mastered real estate and investment terminology.

The Commercial Real Estate Investor's Handbook: A Step by Step Road Map to Financial Wealth is definitely not boring or dry. It's an interesting, practical and informative book that anyone considering real estate investing should invest in (no pun intended).

A well-written guide for the beginning investor. It differs from so many, in that it is not a book about getting rich quick. The author states upfront that making money is possible with hard work and dedication. Then he lays out all the steps necessary to achieve the goal. I love that author tips for bolstering your self -confidence using positive affirmations. He even gives examples of where to place those encouraging notes.

The book is written in plain English with a warm friendly tone. It is extremely well laid out and easy to read. It covers everything you will need to know to succeed. There is an excellent appendix that provides a wealth of sample documents and also, there is a glossary of every term used in the book.

After reading this book, you feel you have a good working knowledge of what it takes to become successful in the commercial real estate market. I highly recommend it.

THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INVESTOR'S HANDBOOK: A STEP-BY-STEP ROAD MAP TO FINANCIAL WEALTH is for any who would invest in a commercial building, whether it be a warehouse, apartment, shopping center, hotel or other type of commercial income property. Beginners receive tips on how to find deals, how to finance wisely, and how to make purchase offers, with many case history examples and tips on taxation and development included along with math calculations and sample forms. It's a 'must' for any collection catering to real estate readers.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

The Commercial Real Estate Investor's Handbook A Step-by-Step Road Map to Financial Wealth is an in-depth guide to entering the commercial real estate market. The author takes the reader by the hand in a logical progression from understanding the market to closing the deal. The book is straight forward and makes no promises of instant profit; the author lays out the facts and lets the reader learn what is needed to undertake a commercial real estate investment. The book is written in a way that takes all the mystery out of the whole process and the reader is left feeling that commercial real estate investment can be achieved by anyone willing to follow the steps laid out in black and white.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever contemplated trying to enter this market. It will, at the very least, let the reader know if it is right for him or her. This book is also useful to those who have already entered the market but would like to expand into other commercial endeavors.

When a book claims to be "a step by step road map to financial wealth," one might raise a cynical eyebrow and move on. Doing so in the case of Steven D. Fisher's The Commercial Real Estate Investor's Handbook would be foolish. This is no get rich quick manual, however, and Fisher is clear to point out that winning in commercial real estate requires hard work, a determined effort, and the proper mindset.

Borrowing concepts espoused by wealth producing experts Napoleon Hill, Stephen R. Covey, Dale Carnegie and others, Fisher has created a powerful step-by-step commercial real estate guide by implementing classic self-improvement principles and applying them to a specific field.

Highlights include a mindset questionnaire, how to get started, career options in real estate, sources available, different types of financing, negotiating, and closing the deal. Unlike most real estate investment handbooks, Fisher explains how to manage the property after the purchase, and how to sell it down the road.

The ultimate question is whether or not an average person could take the information contained in The Commercial Real Estate Investor's Handbook and transact a profitable deal. If you're looking to invest in commercial real estate or are open to new methods of amassing wealth, I suggest you pick up the book, and find out for yourself. You'll be very pleased.