The Skinny on the Housing Crisis, What Every Homeowner and Homebuyer Needs to Know (Perfect Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: best homes, Main Street, Wall Street, National Lending (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Jim Randel has put together a no-nonsense, thoroughly readable book on what caused the nation's housing crisis and what we will need to do to get out of it. This plain English analysis of a complex subject is a must read for the millions of Americans impacted by this shattering event. --- Arthur Levitt, Former SEC Chairman<br /><br />The Skinny on the Housing Crisis is critically important reading for anyone contemplating the buying or selling of a home in today s drastically chaotic housing market and an ideal addition to personnel and community library reference collections. --- Michael Dunford, Midwest Book Review<br /><br />This book performs an extraordinary public service, and I hope that it is widely read. - --Richard Blumenthal, Attorney General, State of Connecticut

The Skinny on the Housing Crisis is critically important reading for anyone contemplating the buying or selling of a home in today s drastically chaotic housing market and an ideal addition to personnel and community library reference collections. --- Michael Dunford, Midwest Book Review

This book performs an extraordinary public service, and I hope that it is widely read. --- Richard Blumenthal, Attorney General, State of Connecticut

Product Description

Well finally someone has taken a new approach to a non-fiction book.

THE SKINNY ON THE HOUSING CRISIS: What Every Homeowner and Homebuyer NEEDS TO KNOW!!! is, well, skinny. This 168 page book is 2/3 illustrated with stick people and 1/3 text. The point is that less can be more and that it is time for writers and publishers to value the reader s time and attention span.

The Skinny is about a very serious subject how America dragged itself into the worst housing and credit crisis since The Great Depression. The story is told through the experience of a young couple, Billy and Beth, who in 2006 buy their first house. In 2007 they lose their house to foreclosure.

The Skinny takes the reader through Billy and Beth s experiences dealing with real estate agents, house inspectors, appraisers, mortgage brokers, lenders and attorneys. Each of these encounters is a lesson for any person considering the purchase or sale of a home, investing in real estate or, just taking out a mortgage.

After Billy and Beth close on their home, The Skinny follows the story of their mortgage from lender to investment bank to investor in Europe. We learn how mortgage sales and securitizations became a trillion dollar business, disconnecting the American borrower from the lender and de-humanizing the process.

The Skinny is an entertaining account of a multi-trillion dollar industry real estate buying, selling and borrowing that has lost its way. This skinny book intended to be read in about an hour or so will have more impact on its reader than a book with 10 times the verbiage which can take weeks to read.

Recommended for anyone considering the purchase, sale or financing of real estate, The Skinny has been strongly endorsed by a wide spectrum of real estate professionals across the United States.

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Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: RAND Publishing; First edition (April 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 098189352X
• ISBN-13: 978-0981893525
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #170,224 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun and easy read, September 9, 2008

By	Patrick Killelea (Menlo Park, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The stick figure format is a good way to get across points that would otherwise be lost in abstract arguments. Clearly inspired by the stick figure "Subprime Primer" that made the rounds on the internet, this book explains more gently and from the buyer's point of view how the US got into the current housing mess and how individuals can stay out of it.

It really is essential reading for all first-time house buyers. My own 11 year old son read it and understood the conflicts of interest inherent in the advice given by people who get paid only if they convince you you make a bad buying decision.

Patrick Killelea
[...]

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Housing Crisis!, September 17, 2008

By	Matthew A. Martinez - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is brilliant! It should be required reading for every college student in America ... and for anyone interested in owning a home. This book explains how Main Street brought down Wall Street.

Buy this book and you will better understand the Housing Crisis that is now ravaging our country -- and it will only take an hour to read!

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

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars essential reading for all and fun too, September 18, 2008

By	John Davidson - See all my reviews

A friend of mine who is a real estate broker gave me this book. I thought it was fantastic! In about 45 minutes I understood the whole housing mess, while having a few laughs.