INVESTING IN LAND is a comprehensive guide to land acquisition and development. It is designed to assist investors buy, sell, improve, and develop land for the highest potential profits at the lowest investment risk. The book contains practical and proven how-to advice and many checklists, worksheets, and other reference material, including actual case studies of land investment transactions. This is not a get-rich-quick in real estate book but a detailed text on how land investments make investors money and how development risk can be successfully managed. This book from explores the many myths and misconceptions surrounding land investment, starting with the most common which is that land ownership does not provide current cash flow. The book then divides off into four sections, each exploring a different aspect of land investment, including buying, selling, subdividing, and finally developing land. This is the new Second Edition of the book. The first edition sold in more than 91 countries around the world, making it the most widely sold real estate book in publishing history.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
There are a great many interesting things in Abalos' book. --John T. Reed, Real Estate Investor's Monthly Newsletter, July 2003
This seems to me to be a very good book. First: while I have some land investments, I am not a land investment specialist, so I can not evaluate the quality of the opinions and techniques recommended in this book. However, I have invested in real estate for about 25 years. I could find only a couple of things with which I disagree with the author, Robert J. Abalos. And those are on theoretical matters of how to look at investing, not the specific techniques and approaches he advocates. This is not a rah rah book, trying to motivate you, as you will find in other, well-known authors' writings, such as those of Robert Allen, Robert Kiyosaki, or Carleton Sheets. The writer does not promise quick profits, as is all too commonly done by many other authors of real estate investing materials. For instance, Abalos, recommends spending two years studying the land marketplace and dynamics where you invest. This is similar to my recommendation that real estate investors expect to spend 6-18 months studying real estate investing and their chosen marketplace before putting any money into real estate. The main theme is to be selective in what to buy, pay less than market value, and then resale as soon as possible for a profit. I call this real estate merchandising, as opposed to real estate investing, which is long-term holdings. There is some discussion of holding vacant land properties and of developing properties. Mr. Abalos' general suggestion is don't, leave it to others, such as your buyers. He indicates that carefully done, land investing can provide very handsome profits in a few months. However, it can take years to become financially independent, a sentiment with which I concur. The writing is clear and easy to read. I found a modest number of typographical and grammatical errors, which I judge do not detract from reading the text. Some sections were praiseworthly error-free. There are some brief accounts of actual investments and investing situations. I would have enjoyed more concrete examples and would have preferred some longer case studies of specific deals. I would also prefer to have more very detailed explanations of how to deal with the problems, issues, and difficulties one could run into. However, Investing in Land provides far more than just generalities. It does offer advice on major issues of investing and alternatives to make profits. I feel there is enough information for a self-starter to go out and get started on this approach to investing. On a five-point scale, I'd rate this book, Investing in Land, by Robert J. Abalos, Esq., at 4.5. Amazon limits us to full-point ratings. --Ronald Starr, experienced real estate investor
I've been in the real estate investment and discounted note business for over 20 years and have some hands-on experience in land development. I bought Robert Abalos' Investing In Land a few months ago. It is certainly a fresh approach. He has many ideas and suggestions I have never heard before. He draws on his years of experience in land development and uses real life case histories as examples. I learned more from it than any other book I have read on the subject. The book assumes the reader has no experience in land development and walks him through the process, pointing out the dos and don'ts, pitfalls and opportunities along the way, everything from what kind of land to look for to how to recover your profit in the shortest amount of time. But it is not just for beginners. I gave a copy to a good friend who has been a very successful full-time land developer for many years, and he even learned some new things from it. The author is most definitely NOT a get-rich-quick salesman. He says the worst thing you can do is to rush into land development, and recommends that you spend a year just getting to know your market! That's sound advice and unfortunately all-too-rare in this age of infomercial dream-sellers who prey on peoples' greed. He knows what he's talking about from first-hand experience as a land developer and a real estate and securities attorney. According to his bio he graduated from Boston College Law School and was a former real estate securities analyst with the international investment banking firm Morgan Stanley in New York City specializing in the formation and management of real estate investment trusts and the pooling of mortgage-backed securities like REMICs. Most importantly, Abalos is an active land developer. He has earned the right to teach the subject. If you are a beginner, I can think of no better way to get started than by reading Investing In Land. If you are a pro, you already know much of this but you will probably pick up some new ideas. --William Mencarow, The Paper Source Online
This seems to me to be a very good book. First: while I have some land investments, I am not a land investment specialist, so I can not evaluate the quality of the opinions and techniques recommended in this book. However, I have invested in real estate for about 25 years. I could find only a couple of things with which I disagree with the author, Robert J. Abalos. And those are on theoretical matters of how to look at investing, not the specific techniques and approaches he advocates. This is not a rah rah book, trying to motivate you, as you will find in other, well-known authors' writings, such as those of Robert Allen, Robert Kiyosaki, or Carleton Sheets. The writer does not promise quick profits, as is all too commonly done by many other authors of real estate investing materials. For instance, Abalos, recommends spending two years studying the land marketplace and dynamics where you invest. This is similar to my recommendation that real estate investors expect to spend 6-18 months studying real estate investing and their chosen marketplace before putting any money into real estate. The main theme is to be selective in what to buy, pay less than market value, and then resale as soon as possible for a profit. I call this real estate merchandising, as opposed to real estate investing, which is long-term holdings. There is some discussion of holding vacant land properties and of developing properties. Mr. Abalos' general suggestion is don't, leave it to others, such as your buyers. He indicates that carefully done, land investing can provide very handsome profits in a few months. However, it can take years to become financially independent, a sentiment with which I concur. The writing is clear and easy to read. I found a modest number of typographical and grammatical errors, which I judge do not detract from reading the text. Some sections were praiseworthly error-free. There are some brief accounts of actual investments and investing situations. I would have enjoyed more concrete examples and would have preferred some longer case studies of specific deals. I would also prefer to have more very detailed explanations of how to deal with the problems, issues, and difficulties one could run into. However, Investing in Land provides far more than just generalities. It does offer advice on major issues of investing and alternatives to make profits. I feel there is enough information for a self-starter to go out and get started on this approach to investing. On a five-point scale, I'd rate this book, Investing in Land, by Robert J. Abalos, Esq., at 4.5. Amazon limits us to full-point ratings. --Ronald Starr, experienced real estate investor
I've been in the real estate investment and discounted note business for over 20 years and have some hands-on experience in land development. I bought Robert Abalos' Investing In Land a few months ago. It is certainly a fresh approach. He has many ideas and suggestions I have never heard before. He draws on his years of experience in land development and uses real life case histories as examples. I learned more from it than any other book I have read on the subject. The book assumes the reader has no experience in land development and walks him through the process, pointing out the dos and don'ts, pitfalls and opportunities along the way, everything from what kind of land to look for to how to recover your profit in the shortest amount of time. But it is not just for beginners. I gave a copy to a good friend who has been a very successful full-time land developer for many years, and he even learned some new things from it. The author is most definitely NOT a get-rich-quick salesman. He says the worst thing you can do is to rush into land development, and recommends that you spend a year just getting to know your market! That's sound advice and unfortunately all-too-rare in this age of infomercial dream-sellers who prey on peoples' greed. He knows what he's talking about from first-hand experience as a land developer and a real estate and securities attorney. According to his bio he graduated from Boston College Law School and was a former real estate securities analyst with the international investment banking firm Morgan Stanley in New York City specializing in the formation and management of real estate investment trusts and the pooling of mortgage-backed securities like REMICs. Most importantly, Abalos is an active land developer. He has earned the right to teach the subject. If you are a beginner, I can think of no better way to get started than by reading Investing In Land. If you are a pro, you already know much of this but you will probably pick up some new ideas. --William Mencarow, The Paper Source Online
About the Author
Robert J. Abalos is a real estate lawyer, investor, and developer with more than twenty-five years of experience buying, selling, and developing rental properties.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Big on Theory, Short on Substance,
This review is from: Investing in Land: How to Build Wealth Buying, Selling, Subdividing, and Developing Land (Ring-bound)
I borrowed this book from a friend who bought it from the author's website for {..}. It came in a cheap, black vinyl binder, the variety that costs under (..) at Office Depot. My first reaction was, "you paid how much for this?"
Upon reading it, my general impression was that the book was well-written, but short on substance. The first 100 pages or so are "preparatory" topics which could have been wrapped up in the first chapter. For example, the first 13 pages are a long, drawn story about how the author's hometown has changed. The next 80 or so pages are dispelling myths about land and why land is a good investment. Ho hum, get to the point! Around page 115, he starts with some good advice - "buy great land at a fair price, not fair land at a great price". This is very good advice, and most experienced real estate investors will tell you that buying in the right neighborhoods is just as important as buying at a low price. The basic premise of the book is buy land cheap, improve the value by physically cleaning it up or subdividing, then resell it. The problem is, such a formula is entirely too vague and is way beyond the scope of most investors. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars to clear out bushes and other landscape on any parcel of a decent size, and this does not guarantee it will improve the value. Also, subdividing lots isn't as easy as it sounds - there's zoning restrictions, local politics, environmental impact studies, traffic studies, etc that has to be considered and often at a hefty cost. The author speaks of buying land with little or no cash by getting seller financing, options, or partners, but neglects to mention where the heck you get the money for all of the due diligence required to determine whether a project is even feasible? An investor can spend thousands in lawyer fees, engineering studies, environmental inspections, etc. only to find out that a piece of land is not even worthwile. The author makes it sound like the entire process is easier and more lucrative than single family homes and apartments, but I wouldn't bet on it. The scope of knowledge required to assess a raw land deal is way beyond the average consumer, and beginners would likely have less risk getting started buying a duplex. There's a few good chapters in the book about land leases and using options that are worth reading, but generally the book is mostly theoretical ideas, nothing concrete. All in all, I'd give the book 3 stars if it were a $20 paperback book. But in the price range of {...}, it think it should have an appendix with checklists and forms.
35 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good book on land investing,
By
This review is from: Investing in Land: How to Build Wealth Buying, Selling, Subdividing, and Developing Land (Ring-bound)
Investing in Land by Robert J. Abalos, Esq.Reviewed by Ronald * Starr, experienced real estate investor. This seems to me to be a very good book. First: while I have some land investments, I am not a land investment specialist, so I can not evaluate the quality of the opinions and techniques recommended in this book. However, I have invested in real estate for about 25 years. I could find only a couple of things with which I disagree with the author, Robert J. Abalos. And those are on theoretical matters of how to look at investing, not the specific techniques and approaches he advocates. This is not a "rah-rah" book, trying to motivate you, as you will find in other, well-known authors' writings, such as those of Robert Allen, Robert Kiyosaki, or Carleton Sheets. The writer does not promise quick profits, as is all too commonly done by many other authors of real estate investing materials. For instance, Abalos, recommends spending two years studying the land marketplace and dynamics where you invest. This is similar to my recommendation that real estate investors expect to spend 6-18 months studying real estate investing and their choosen marketplace before putting any money into real estate. The main theme is to be selective in what to buy, pay less than market value, and then resale as soon as possible for a profit. I call this "real estate merchandising," as opposed to real estate investing, which is long-term holdings. There is some discussion of holding vacant land properties and of developing properties. Mr. Abalos' general suggestion is "don't," leave it to others, such as your buyers. He indicates that carefully done, land investing can provide very handsome profits in a few months. However, it can take years to become financially independent, a sentiment with which I concur. The writing is clear and easy to read. I found a modest number of typographical and grammatical errors, which I judge do not detract from reading the text. Some sections were praiseworthyly error-free. There are some brief accounts of actual investments and investing situations. I would have enjoyed more concrete examples and would have preferred some longer case studies of specific deals. I would also prefer to have more very detailed explanations of how to deal with the problems, issues, and difficulties one could run into. However, Investing in Land provides far more than just generalities. It does offer advice on major issues of investing and alternatives to make profits. I feel there is enough information for a self-starter to go out and get started on this approach to investing. On a five-point scale, I'd rate this book, "Investing in Land," by Robert J. Abalos, Esq., at 4.5. Amazon limits us to full-point ratings.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Investing in Land: How to Build Wealth Buying, Selling, Subdividing, and Developing Land (Ring-bound)
Before I read this book I had no idea how to understand the real value of real estate now and in the future. Smart money is buying up farmland now for a reason.
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