Investing in Real Estate: Second Edition [IMPORT] (Paperback)

~ Andrew James; Eldred, Gary W. McLean (Author) "My telephone rings. I pick it up, and it's Dr. Cynthia Stephens from Los Angeles (where during the past three years property prices have jumped..." (more)
Key Phrases: repair escrow, distressed property owners, creative finance, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, San Francisco (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: WILEY-INTERSCIENCE; 2nd Edition edition (1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471153982
• ISBN-13: 978-0471153986
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (119 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,070,160 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

321 of 328 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with knowledge and techniques, June 13, 2002

By	john zack (Miami, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Investing in Real Estate (Third Edition) (Paperback)

I bought the top 3 r.e. books (Investing in Real Estate, Real Estate Riches, Unofficial Guide). I could have bought just this one. It covers EVERYTHING the other books go over, AND it gives you FAR MORE DETAILS and far better explanations. I urge you to compare the contents--buying foreclosures, buying bargains, creative improvements, financing, paying less taxes, predicting appreciation, valuing properties. You will see what I mean. While Unofficial clearly beats Riches, it still gives you wrong or glossed over info much of the time. Unofficial is especially weak on financing, buying bargains, foreclosures, and valuation, though it's pretty good on management. I can offer this critique because Investing In Real Estate set the standard from which I could make an intelligent comparison. All of those readers who rated UNOFFICIAL with five stars could not have known much about real estate. They surely believed that they learned more than they actually did. Over and over, I read similar topics in IRE and Unofficial, and each time I developed my understanding from IRE and quickly spotted the glibness of Unofficial. Don't take my word for it. Go into a bookstore and compare for yourself. As to Real Estate Riches, DON"T BOTHER--unless you're a rich dad groupie.

263 of 268 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On target for today's market, May 15, 2002

By	Cassidy Uranne (Panama City, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Investing in Real Estate (Third Edition) (Paperback)

This is the 5th r.e. book on investing I've read. But it was the first one to recognize that we're no longer living in the 1980s or even the early 90s. Sorry folks you can't buy foreclosures at pennies on the dollar. You can't find "motivated" sellers who will let you steal their properties for 60 cents on the dollar. Non-qual assumptions? Good luck trying to find one that's workable. Cash back at closing--dream on! Yes the gurus will lead you to believe that anyone can use these and many other outdated and super risky "creative" techniques. I know from experience because I wasted much money, time and effort chasing after their promised rainbows. Luckily, this book offered welcome relief. Factual, up-to-date, and very specific about the real opportunities (and pitfalls) in foreclosures, high leverage, property improvements, and tenant management. Do yourself a favor. Before you run amok with illusive hopes, read this "state-of-the art" guide. Some years ago I read a great book (Million Dollar Habits) by Robert Ringer. The first chapter was called "The Reality Principle." Well, Investing In Real Estate stands as one good dose of reality. This is the most real-world introduction I've found.

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for Real Estate Investors (Novice or Expert), August 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Investing in Real Estate (Third Edition) (Paperback)

This book is a very long read, so be prepared for it. It is jam packed with information and is probably the best real estate investment book I've read so far. The difference between other books and this one is that there is no hype or BS. I can't stand Carlton Sheets and just love the slamming of the "investor wannabe who just graduated a nothing down course." This book puts all hype to rest and reads facts. If there was a college textbook for Real Estate Investing this would be the one. I would have to say the only downside is the lack of detail when dealing with Probate and Sheriff's Sales. I think they were so brief is due to the localized nature of them and differing laws from state to state. Other than that is excellent. But like I said, it's a long read, but well worth it.