Streetwise Investing in Rental Housing: A Detailed Strategy for Financial Independence (The Panoply Press Real Estate Series) (Paperback)

by H. Roger Neal (Author) "You've seen it on television many times, perhaps on one of the late-night shows, advertising expensive real estate tapes and books that are sure to..." (more)
Key Phrases: Children's Services, Case History, Annual Expenses Property (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Streetwise Investing in Rental Housing: the best guide ever published for both novice and professional housing providers... a 'must read'!" -- Henry A. Duncan, President, National Real Estate Investors' Association

Product Description
A sound and sensible guide to investing profitably in real estate, H.R. Neal's popular hands-on strategy will help you establish realistic goals, uncover hidden bargain properties, negotiate great deals, manage difficult tenants and maintain a portfolio of units to give you an excellent monthly income and long-term profit.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Panoply Press (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1882877039
• ISBN-13: 978-1882877034
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #738,131 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The author has been there, and done that..., December 30, 1999

By	David Krulac (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

H. Roger Neal quit his job in Columbus, Ohio as a sewer inspector to become a full time real estate investor. He has done it, he has been there and offers some excellent advice, that applies to not only the low income or lower middle income duplexes in which Neal specializes. He primarily buys these duplexes for the income stream, but does also buy other properties to flip as well as single family houses. He recommends that you replace the roof and the furnace when you buy a property as a preventive maintenance procedure. I have never done that and have furnaces that though not new have lasted up to 20 or more years after buying the building. He also recommends that you replace slate roofs, which I would rather repair and replace individual slates or nails. He recommends doing more than the minimal to get by and has good suggestions like replacing the toilet flapper every time a tenant moves out. They wear out eventually anyway, they cost next to nothing and save water and a service call later. He recommends covering porch decks with plywood as a reasonable priced alternative; I would only add indoor outdoor carpet glued down. Most of his other advice is top drawer and comes from the school of hard knocks. He's practical and realistic which many other real estate authors lack. Some authors clearly have not done half of the things they propose or claim in their books. That is NOT the case with Neal who has done it all. I'd recommend this book to both novice and expert. This book has it all over the late night infomercial people and cost a fraction. So what are you waiting for, buy this book from Amazon.com. Neal didn't pay me, I'm not related to him and have never even met him, but his book is a keeper!

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for everybody, August 22, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

The author does give sound advice for the management of a portfolio of properties (duplexes) in low-income areas. His plan is to purchase duplexes in low income areas using no financing (or seller financing). He then rehabs the properties completely and rents them to those who may not be the most credit worthy individuals. Unless you are extremely handy and want to go to your buildings with a rent-a-cop to collect your rents, this strategy may not be for you. The strategy seems like a lot of work for little cashflow and a high potential for problems. The buildings targeted in low income neighborhoods will also probably not appreciate very much either.

If you want to own buildings in a decent area that attract quality, long-term tenants with the capacity to pay $500-800/mo. in rent, the author's strategies are not for you. There is also no mention of commercial real estate or apartment buildings. Traditional bank financing is not discussed (other than that it should be avoided completely).

The author may also consider discussing savings strategies for future purchases.

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not into Low Income Housing? Then Forget It!, July 30, 2000

By	Marne Krikava (Appleton, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Unless you are interested in the ins and outs of low income rental housing this book is NOT for you. The more I read the more dissapointed I became. For example, he notes that many of his tenants won't have telephones.

As a first time investor in rental property, I was looking for a good all-around reference. I later found the book Landlording by Leigh Robinson which is an excellent and practical reference.