Customer Reviews

The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options: What Smart Investors Need to Know - Explained Simply

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

 

 

After reading this book, I gave it a low rating for two reasons. The first is that the title is misleading. I expected a book titled "The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options" to have at least 70% of its total content focused on matters of the title "Real Estate Options". I was very disappointed to discover this book full of decent advice and instruction for the person thinking of investing having never purchased an investment property. In fact, only pages 13-17, 27-30 and 175-183 are specific to lease options. The rest of the book covers general financial common sense advice that may be good for the inexperienced investor but not for an experienced investor looking for advanced investment strategies like options. The second reason for only 2 stars was that the book suggested hiring tenants to perform property upkeep / maintenance functions. I have tried this and know from experience that tenants should be discouraged from performing any work or maintenance on your usually expensive investment. This is potentially costly bad advice. But to this author' credit, pages 265 and 266 are resource pages that list several other books that are specific to Real Estate Options. How to Make Money With Real Estate Options: Low-Cost, Low-Risk, High-Profit Strategies for Controlling Undervalued Property....Without the Burdens of Ownership!

For those who have the drive to make money in the complex world of real estate investing, Steven D. Fisher's "The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options, What Smart Investors Need to Know --Explained Simply," is a useful guide for the journey. Throughout the book's 288 pages, Fisher walks interested investors through the process, explaining it in rich detail, accented by bullet points and screened text boxes.

If you're unfamiliar with the options process, in a nutshell, it provides a means to produce an income steam without the high amounts of money that property buying and selling require. Options can be undertaken as a part-time or full-time endeavor and by both beginning and long-time investors.

One of the best parts of this book is its clear writing, outlining everything in a step-by-step process. It's as if a friend who has knowledge in this field was sitting next to you, explaining the subject, but without going off on tangents.

Fisher is clear that this investment route is not for everyone. It takes a highly motivated self-starter, akin to a salesperson or entrepreneur, to succeed. Fisher also is a major believer of research, such as completely examining a property's history. As he puts it: "Lease options are a great way to build income and future wealth as long as a person is knowledgeable and performs due diligence."

The book also provides handy tools, such as sample letters, to permit investors to get under way. One section, which deals with how to find and keep good renters, and what to do about problems renters, is particularly useful for any landlord. Fisher also has helpful information on organization and office procedures, such as obtaining the right property management software.

The sole shortfall with this otherwise highly informative book is the lack of data provided in dealing with any unfortunate losses. Fisher is great at speculating what one's potential profits are, and how to realize them, but as any savvy investor knows, losses are as much a part of the game -- especially in today's volatile real estate market -- as profits are.

One simply cannot assume property values will increase, or be problem-free. Had Fisher spent a bit more effort in this area, other that a brief mention of it, his book would have been much improved. Aside from that oversight, however, "Real Estate Options" packs a powerful informational punch to set investors on the road to success.

The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options is an excellent resource for real estate investors and for those who generally want to make money with options alike. It really is a complete guide because it covers everything there is to know about investing in real estate options. The ideas are simply presented and explained, yet the extent by which they are tackled is quite in-depth. Readers will truly learn the ins and outs of investing in real estate options.

Steven Fisher is an excellent mentor. He was able to successfully cover the specifics of real estate options. His book will guide the readers in achieving useful insight to learn, among other things, how to: a) gather knowledge of the real estate market; b) make general and specific market analysis; c) evaluate financing sources; d) physically inspect a property; d) evaluate the profitability of a lease option; e) close a deal and maximize the appeal of the property; and f) exercise the lease option.


Overall, this is an excellent guide to real estate options. Readers will surely love the added features of the book like the list of useful references for further reading and the glossary of real estate terminology found at the end. Also indispensable are the valuable tips, key ideas and worksheets found interspersed within each chapter.

One could well imagine Mr. Stephen Fisher, author of The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options What Smart Investors Need to Know - Explained Simply sitting down to write this book and applying many of the principles he's about to articulate to the production of the book itself.
Aided by quotes from a variety of well-known personalities (Mark Twain, Warren Buffett, Tiger Woods, et al), Mr. Fisher sets out an exhaustive, step-by-step plan for anyone who is now, or ever has considered real estate investment as the best way to make a living. He does so very meticulously and with a great deal of attention to detail. Chapter headings and indeed, much of the text could be applied to starting any kind of business, or, as noted, to writing a book about starting any kind of business: Attitude is Everything (Chapter 2), Getting Started (Chapter 4), Some Basic Principles (Chapter 5).
It is clear from reading carefully that Mr. Fisher has done his homework in the field of real estate options and in particular, believes that the `lease option' is the best way for investors to go. With over 25 years of experience in the fields of business writing and training and development, it should come as no surprise that he has crafted an excellent instruction book on the ins and outs of buying and selling real estate. He has included interactive options for the practical entrepreneur, like check lists, and blank forms that the reader can use to track his/her own progress, whether it be in evaluating a property, the neighborhood that it's in or the buyers who want to own it.
He uses clever acronyms to crystallize reader thinking about specific subject matter. In an early section about "setting goals," he suggests that the reader/entrepreneur utilize the "SMART" method of creating those goals - Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic and Time-Bound. Near the conclusion of his book, he recommends that those seriously interested in pursuing real estate investment "SWOT" themselves; in other words conduct an objective analysis of individual Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
His style is very casual, very confident and well within the grasp of an average reader. Fisher isn't speaking to experienced professionals here, although even the most seasoned of those could likely find a great deal of food for thought here as they continue their pursuit of real estate deals. He's talking to the person who's considering this particular career path and if it's one that interests you, you could do no better than to start with him and this book.
Take notes. There isn't a quiz later, but if you head out on the route he's plotted for you, you're going to want to look back and remember some of the specifics

This book is like having a successful real estate friend whispering in your ear: "You might want to think about this first..." or "Have you considered the fact that..." The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options provides the basics before delving into advanced concepts. To those simply looking to start out, the guide gives practical, starter information about investing in real estate, including definitions and action plans, as well as specific links to relevant websites and outside resources.

For those looking for more advanced information, the book covers topics like liens, inspections, negotiations, and issues related to being a landlord. Most importantly, the author thoroughly discusses the legality and financial issues related to the various types of real estate investments, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. Let's face it, nobody wants to "risk it all" in a new business venture, and the Complete Guide to Real Estate Options puts you on alert for potential problems and tells you how to avoid them. Break-out boxes and bullet points are used to take complex concepts and formulas and put them into an easy to understand format.

This isn't a light read, and you'll definitely want to tackle it in chunks to get the most out of it, and allow some time to absorb, or to "refer back". Although I'm not an expert in the field, after reading the book, it's hard to imagine there is anything that hasn't been covered.

The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options (what smart investors need to know - explained simply) by Steven D. Fisher is a truly holistic and complete look at real estate lease option in a detailed, well-ordered format. Mr. Fisher does an excellent, forthright job of explaining the lease market in terms that even a novice can grasp.

The best part about the book is that it emphasizes everything the reader needs to be aware of, especially knowing themselves. The importance of attitude, perseverance, research and even ethical considerations get tackled in a no-nonsense manner, including pointing out personality traits that make for less-than-successful adventure into leasing. Additionally Mr. Fisher doesn't leave the reader hanging after they've entered the lease market. He goes on to provide concrete advice for everything from property improvements to finding good tenants. My rating 4 Stars.

Having always wanted to make a fortune in property I've just bought my first house. But I wish I'd read this book before hand! It would have given me a tonne of knowledge about my options in property and I may have made a different decision.

What I liked most about the book was that it really did assume no prior knowledge - it even started with a whole bunch of guides on how to get motivated and set goals and prepare yourself, before you even make your first step. Plus including things like real estate market psychology takes it beyond boring old numbers and statistics!

"The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options: What Smart Investors need to Know - Explained Simply" by Steven D. Fisher is an astoundingly easy to read book. It provides step by step guidance to becoming a savvy real estate investor and especially in view of the Lease Option Strategy. This book has everything a consumer needs to know. Fisher covers both the advantages and the disadvantages of the Lease Option Strategy. The book also covers every aspect of what it takes to become a successful Real Estate Proprietor ranging from the importance of developing and maintaining the right attitude to becoming a wise and successful landlord.

Fisher teaches you how to effectively get started as a new investor and how to avoid legal drawbacks by following steps to comprehensively set goals as you manage your business and property. You will learn the importance of organization in every area of your life in relation to success; from managing your credit properly to organizing your office. You will even learn how to organize and apply a successful "action plan."

"The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options" teaches the real estate student how to build a rapport by using exercises that will help you to become a success in the real estate arena.

This book, chapter by chapter will inspire any up and coming investor and even a seasoned investor to acquire his or her goals more quickly and easily. If you're looking for a good book that will teach you the ins and outs about real estate investing, this is the book for you. I give this book two thumbs up and without doubt a 5-Star rating.

The contemporary real estate market has left a wake of uncertainty in the minds of many investors. Though risk is inherent in any investment decision, the real estate market reflects real-world conditions as well as individual perception of market conditions.

The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options: What Smart Investors Need to Know - Explained Simply is a non-nonsense guide to a specific type of real estate transaction: the real estate lease option. As explained by Steven Fisher, the book's author, the lease option is a lower-risk approach. As contrasted against the real estate purchase option, the lease option requires less money and limits exposure to the risks associated with property ownership.

The Complete Guide offers strategies for researching, marketing and developing the necessary attributes to become a successful entrepreneurial investor. It also gives templates for sample letters and exercises that help build the skills required to build your own real estate business. The Complete Guide is a must for anyone interested in being successful in today's real estate market. It is a practical read as well as a handy reference for lease option investing. An added benefit: the publisher is donating a portion of their profits to the Humane Society, on behalf of the passing of their beloved office canine, Bear.

If you've been tempted to invest in real estate but the jargon, the paperwork and the cost seem a little scary, pick up a copy of Steven D. Fisher's handy book. This well-written volume offers a clear and concise picture of some of the basic tools you'll need to gain a foothold in the field. Whether your goal is to purchase just one investment property or create a massive portfolio, Fisher offers an understandable, common-sense approach to buying real estate.

He begins by explaining both the advantages and disadvantages of real estate lease options, a method that allows potential buyers to invest only a fraction of their funds in a property. The examples provided by the author allow beginners to visualize how the process works. One of his most valuable chapters offers readers the opportunity to create their own "action plan," which outlines all the goals they seek to accomplish. Planning is key, Fisher advises, along with a positive attitude and the willingness to learn more about changes in the real estate market. Don't overlook basics like knowing your financial limitations and credit rating before you attempt to invest.

But, Fisher does more than walk the reader to the front door of that new property. Once your purchase is complete, he takes you inside by explaining how to work with repairmen, how to find good tenants, and also provides an inside look at relevant matters such as taxes and maintaining your property. So, whether you're a newcomer to the field or someone who wants to brush up on investment techniques, let this clearly-written practical handbook be your guide.