Customer Reviews

Investing in Apartment Buildings: Create a Reliable Stream of Income and Build Long-Term Wealth

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book covers the basics of purchasing an apartment complex or duplex. It doesn't throroughly cover how to inspect the potential building, sources to learn about inspection, purchasing foreclosures ins and outs, handling renters, laws pertaining to landlords, etc. This book has some information to learn about this potential investment but is not in depth enough in my opinion.

As an investor in apartments and commercial real estate broker specializing in apartments, I found this to be a great primer with accurate information for the novice investor. It's an easy read and provides up to date information on the state of the real estate market. Investors will find this book to be a great tool and resource in helping them understand how and why apartments can be a launch pad to greater wealth and larger properties with positive cash flow.
I have found that many uninformed investors buy the wrong property at the wrong price and get burned. Using the income approach to value gives investors the knowledge to become successful and build wealth through their real estate investments.
I am ordering more copies of this book to hand out to my novice investors in an effort to educate them.
Thanks for such a well written piece.

Mathew Martinez continues his good work with this book on apartment investing. I knew he was different than most real estate authors after reading his first book, '2 Years to a Million in Real Estate'. He writes about his personal experiences in a clear, informative manner and does not cloud information in hyperbole.

The introduction about the woes facing the middle class is timely. I believe that, one by one, millions of Americans will find out that the comfortable life and retirement they expected for themselves will not be possible without some diversification out of paper assets. Real Estate, and apartment buildings in particular, offer an excellent means for people to go beyond their 9-to-5 grind and to establish some financial security and perhaps even prosperity.

Matthew's logical description of working your farm area, sourcing properties, buying smart, doing your due diligence, financing, property management (which in the beginning includes landlording) and finally exit strategies is brief and yet complete. These are the steps you'll need to go through and the basic information you'll need to understand.

In addition to helpful advice and simple language, Matthew's inclusion of inspiring quotes, useful websites and major multifamily lenders rounds out this superb book for the novice apartment building investor. As with all books like this, the real value is in putting the information into action. I've been a real estate investor for a few years and have seen many investors make good money by combining simple techniques with consistent effort. The best review of Matt's book is the positive results you can achieve by following his advice!

Great job!

- RAJ

I bought this book anticipating a reasonably sophisticated treatment of apartment building buying/selling/operating. What I got was a book that couldn't have taken more than a month to write. Blah Blah Blah, why apartments are great/risky/worth it. About 3 pages of number crunching in the entire book. Save your money for something else.

I found this book to be the best one on the subject of apartment investing. The author says that there are three types of income: earned, portfolio, and passive. Most people have jobs so they earn income, but they might also have some portfolio income from stocks or bonds. Real estate, and specifically, apartments, can provide passive income. Apartments fall into two categories: two to four units and five or more units. Two-to-four units are considered residential and can be financed with residential loans. Five units and up are considered commercial and have to be financed with commercial loans. This distinction is important because residential loans are usually 30-year loans and can be refinanced whenever the owner wishes, while commercial loans are either 3, 5, or 7-year loans, and they must be refinanced at the end of these terms.

The author does a really good job showing readers how to source properties, perform due diligence, find financing, and sell properties. I also liked how he provided resources at the end of the book such as top multi-family lenders. I definitely recommend this book to readers.

- 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

I got this book because I wanted to start learning about how others have approached buying investment properties and what were some of their "lessons learned," so that I could avoid making the same mistakes with my own capital

The author, Matthew Martinez took a unique approach to writing this book. Part of this book is about his own personal journey of leaving Corporate America and embracing the notion of passive income. As he shares his own story, he also explains in clear language some of the important areas that a new investor needs to understand

One of the key reasons I bought this book, is that I did not want to read a "get-rich-quick" book that was full of sizzle and little substance that can actually help me navigate the new territory.

Matthew's book provided sound advice and a strategy based on clear thinking and planning. Like any other business, sound planning and clear objectives should be articulated before the first offer is sent to the seller.

I especially enjoyed reading the chapter about Tenants and Landlord-laws. For example if you don't know how to deal with security deposits and the legal issues surrounding that, you may want to read page 118-119 a few times.

I end this review with Matthew's introduction to his book: "The way to get started is to stop talking and start doing." - Walt Disney

"Start doing" by reading this book and begin to arm yourself with knowledge that will help you be successful in real estate investing.

This book is a great primer, and takes into account the most recent changes to the real estate market. This book is not necessarily for the advanced / experienced real estate investor reader, but is absolutely ideal for someone who needs motivation, and a great starting point to help delineate the path on how to become successful at multi-family / apartment building investing. This book provides plenty of well thought out and readable content that you can put to immediate use.

I also like the fact that the author does not seem to be using the book to sell expensive seminars and CD subscriptions, his objective writing style lends credibility to the content. Way to go Matthew Martinez!!

I just finished reading "Investing in Apartment Buildings: Create a Reliable Stream of Income and Build Long-Term Wealth" I found it a wonderful book. My family has been in the business for over 100 years. And since I was a little boy I have been hearing conversations about apartment buildings and real estate. But I'm just getting started in this business and I learned a lot of things from this book that my father and grandfather never told me. In addition to this I got to tell them some things that they didn't know. That was a great feeling. Great book, it's worth your time.

I bought this book for my grandson who is thinking about going into the real estate business next year with our company. I wanted a book that explained the apartment business simply yet covered all the important points. I read the book myself before giving it to my grandson and was pleasantly surprised with the way Matthew Martinez covered all the bases regarding buying, selling and managing. He explained the terms we use, how values are determined and gave good examples.

This book will be required reading for any new brokers that join our company, and an excellent read for the experienced ones as well. I look forward to reading other books by the author as well.

After reading his books I finally closed on my first investment property this week, it is a 3-unit multifamily property. His books have been a tremendous help and inspiration to me...THANK YOU!