The SmartMoney Guide to Real Estate Investing [Hardcover]

Gerri Willis (Author), SmartMoney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 14, 2003

Praise for The SmartMoney Guide to Real Estate Investing

"Gerri Willis's SmartMoney Guide to Real Estate Investing is wonderful. It's easy to read and easy to use. In a matter of minutes after reading this book, I was able to make a decision on a piece of real estate I own that will potentially put tens of thousands of dollars in my pocket in the next ninety days. I'd say this book can pay for itself a thousands times over on your next real estate transaction."
-David Bach, bestselling author of Smart Couples Finish Rich and Smart Women Finish Rich

"Leave it to Gerri Willis to leave me angry! Had I taken heed of her advice on negotiating price and understanding how agents 'really' work, I'm sure I could have saved thousands, probably tens of thousands of dollars on my last house! Great book. Gerri hits a 'home' run!"
-Neil Cavuto, Vice President, Anchor, and Managing Editor, Business News, Fox News Channel

"An authoritative, informative, compelling case for real estate investment from a widely respected expert, Gerri Willis, who, most appropriately, thoroughly examines this issue from the individual investor's point of view."
-David M. Jones, PhD, President and CEO, DMJ Advisors LLC

Editorial Reviews

Review

"When we do make the decision to publish, a criterion we use is we want someone with an independent voice, with a way to deliver." (Publishers Weekly, December 23, 2002)

From the Inside Flap

As financial markets waver and mortgage rates continue to hover at historic lows, investing in real estate makes more sense than ever–primarily because real estate follows its own cycle, independent of stocks and bonds. But for those with little real estate investment experience, entering into this arena can be intimidating as well as costly. Filled with expert insight that only SmartMoney could provide, The SmartMoney Guide to Real Estate Investing has been written to help you gain a firm understanding of the potentials and pitfalls of real estate investing.

Whether you’re looking to buy a home for yourself or as an investment, The SmartMoney Guide to Real Estate Investing clearly walks you through the process from start to finish. This comprehensive guide will show you how to take advantage of the options currently available in this market, guide you through the questions you should consider–from what is the best way to get financing to how you can increase the value of your new investment through renovation–and instruct you how to sell once you’ve decided to liquidate your investment.

Easy-to-read chapters arm you with everything you need to become a self-sufficient real estate investor. Topics discussed include:

• Researching the market
• Zeroing in on the right property
• Financing and managing your investment
• The best way to renovate
• How to get your ideal second home
• REIT investing

Making the most of the financial opportunities available to you is what SmartMoney is all about–whether it’s stocks, bonds, mutual funds or . . . real estate–and in today’s financial environment, a properly balanced portfolio must include a real estate component to reduce risk as well as garner higher returns. Whether you’re buying a vacation home, an apartment building, or shares in a real estate investment trust (REIT), The SmartMoney Guide to Real Estate Investing will provide you with the tools, techniques, and advice that will help you make better real estate investment decisions today and allow you to excel during future forays into this market.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 250 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (March 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471223999
• ISBN-13: 978-0471223993
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,719,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars collection of magazine columns, June 6, 2003

By 

mt helix design (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The SmartMoney Guide to Real Estate Investing (Hardcover)

This book is not a comprehesive guide to Real Estate Investing but a collection of magazine articles written largely for homeowners.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Smart Money Guide To Real Estate Investing, March 11, 2004

By 

Timothy R Beck (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The SmartMoney Guide to Real Estate Investing (Hardcover)

two words: Don't bother! In a few more words...This book is a cursory look at real estate...it should have been trimmed down and used as filler articles. I have read a few real estate books lately and this one told me NOTHING new, it was a quick uninformative read.

It never got down to the brass tacks. If you want to know what to look for in a property or how to know you're getting a great loan or price FORGET IT...you would probably be better off spending the purchase price on lunch with someone you know that owns a rental already. Oh yeah, some of the stats will make property owners feel good.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Worst realestate investing book read so far!, May 5, 2003

By 

William (Detroit, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The SmartMoney Guide to Real Estate Investing (Hardcover)

Very superfical. More about purchasing a single family home to live in than investing. Obviously very little research was done, the writer does not invest her self.