The Streetsmart Homebuyer: Investor Secrets Anyone Can Use to Buy a Home [Hardcover]

Charles Steed (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1997

The Streetsmart Homebuyer outlines a step by step plan that anyone can use to purchase that sometimes elusive first home or make great real estate investments. Charles Steed, a veteran real estate investor since the early 1980s, illustrates techniques any determined individual can employ to get a super deal starting with even the most modest of resources.

The book does a great job explaining conventional real estate financing as well as some very innovative financing techniques. There are illustrations of the types of classified ads to look for, sample letters one may write to prospective sellers, and several role-playing examples of the all-important questions a buyer making first contact with a seller must ask. The book explains the advantages a buyer has when she compiles a team of like-minded professionals to work with her. There's even a chapter that explains how a buyer can raise cash for a down payment.

The author takes the reader on a carefully planned walk through the home buying process planning for all or the possibilities. The book is written in an easy to read, conversational style using many real examples from the author's investing experience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The American Dream is still to own a home. If that's your dream too ... read Charles Steed's book... -- Bookviews Feb, 1997

The Streetsmart Homebuyer: Investor Secrets Anyone Can Use To Buy A Home takes the home shopper on a walk through the real estate marketplace identifying many of the hidden treasures while pointing out the potential land mines. Charles Steed shares his years of experience in an easy to understand, user-friendly "how-to" guide. Subjects covered include selected the neighborhood, recognizing a bargain, locating deals offered by individuals and institutions, the loan process, alternative home finance, getting qualified professionals to work for you, and knowing when to call in an expert. The Streetsmart Homebuyer offers six easy methods for determining home values in any market, essential questions to determine a seller's flexibility, 23 practical alternatives to bank financing, writing a risk-free offer to purchase, and negotiating tips anyone can use. The Streetsmart Homebuyer is the best of the books for aspiring homebuyer. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

With more passion than real estate savvy, Charles Steed bought his first investment property in 1982. The deal was a disaster that ended in foreclosure. After reading several books on real estate investing and taking an expensive seminar, he was determined to be successful. Armed with little more than knowledge and determination he began buying and selling real estate in Southern California.

After numerous transactions ranging from no money down, to all cash deals, lease options, fixers, and buying and selling notes, Steed closed several million dollars in transactions in the Puget Sound area of Washington state during the 1990s.

He distilled his experiences into a book. The Streetsmart Homebuyer outlines a workable plan that virtually anyone can use to purchase real estate - whether for generating quick cash, cash flow, or simply buying that all-important private residence.

Steed has written a real estate column for Seattle’s Eastside Journal, has penned numerous articles for The Financial Freedom Report and been a guest on more than 50 radio talk shows discussing how people can get get out of the rent trap. He has lectured for a major educational company on momentum stock trading and teaches real estate investing seminars primarily for individuals seeking their first homes. He does Motivational and sales talks for real estate sales companies, and consulting for aspiring and seasoned real estate investors. He lives on a small ranch in Puget sound.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 221 pages
• Publisher: Gold Standard Pr; 1st edition (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965439607
• ISBN-13: 978-0965439602
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,590,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After my discharge from the Navy as medic in 1982 I continued on in healthcare as a registered nurse since I'd already completed more than half the requirements in the service. I worked as an RN for nearly 15 years.

At that point I made a career change and began to flip residential properties in Washington state. In the course of a little more than three years I'd completed more than 60 transactions. I felt compelled to share some of what I'd learned as a real estate investor so in 1996 I published my first book titled, The Streetsmart Homebuyer - Investor Secrets ANYONE Can Use To Buy A Home.

Three other physical books followed. Toward the end of the 1990s I became an Amazon affiliate so I could make a little extra selling my own books. It was nice selling a book on Amazon because I got paid for the actual book and got a commission as well.

My favorite writing topics are personal development and business. I also have a couple of fiction pieces in the works incorporating both metaphysics and business, a nice blend.

Since writing is in my blood and couldn't imagine not doing it every day, and since people, some people at least, seem to enjoy it, I'm making every effort to continue. Thanks for stopping by...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Home buying made easy!, January 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Streetsmart Homebuyer: Investor Secrets Anyone Can Use to Buy a Home (Hardcover)

There are many more ways to buy a piece of property than just going to the bank and begging for a mortgage - this book explains them. I was told we couldn't qualify for a loan. I heard the author of this book on the radio in Florida, bought the book, and within 3 months was able to make a deal to buy a nice three bedroom house in Tampa with 100 percent seller financing. It is also filled with ideas on how to make money investing in real estate. The book comes from the standpoint of being optomistic while shopping for your house and always going for what you want. I doubt we'd be in our new house now without it. It also does a great job of explaining real estate finance so even a novice can understand it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Plan To Follow, January 14, 2001

By 

Jack Bixler (Dallas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Streetsmart Homebuyer: Investor Secrets Anyone Can Use to Buy a Home (Hardcover)

I heard the author at a financial seminar in Dallas in October of 2000. He spoke immediately after Wade Cook. Mr. Cook mentioned Charles Steed had a really good book about real estate (this was not a real estate seminar). After that, I heard about this book again so I ordered a copy. I must say, this is the easiest book to follow on buying real estate I've seen, and I've read most of them. It outlines a step by step plan a child could follow. Steed also uses stories that help make his point. Although the author seems to be speaking to people buying a home, the techniques are ones he has used in his investing career and are great for investors just beginning as well as people with some experience behind them. The technique for generating a cash down payment is EXCELLENT. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to get started investing in real estate or simply buying a home.