4 comments about Mastering Real Estate Investment: Examples, Metrics and Case Studies.

1. "You should recognize that investing is a program for the long-term building of wealth, and it has little or nothing to do with speculation."
   
   The above quote, directly from the book, instantly resonated with me. Frank Gallinelli wants to help you become the (unassuming) 'millionaire next door.' Not with get-rich-quick, info-mercial jargon, but by prodiving the reader with real, wealth-building knowledge. The book spills over with pearls of analytical wisdom specific to real estate investing. The current market is ripe with opportunity and this book does a great job of simply explaining complex calculations that should be part of every real estate investor's evaluation process. All the best to you.



2. Frank comes out with another book on Real Estate Investing. Once again this book helps you to make an informed decision on investment opportunities. This book goes a step further than his last book by giving the reader more examples to work through to reinforce the principles and the part that I really enjoyed were the very realistic case studies.
   
   The case studies show how complicated an analysis can be and how critical they are for the success of your project. The case studies work through house rental (my area), apartment complex and commerical. In today's market, there are so many opportunities for good investments, Frank will help you pick the better ones.



3. Frank's books seem to tell you what you need to know without the fluff. Written for those who are looking for the answer, or if they think they know, can confirm or deny those instincts.
   
   Building on the 37 Essentials, he compounds the effort with case studies, to help those build beyond ratios and into real-world practical applications. All business school's should teach this way as most people enjoy practical learning so they can immediate apply the principles learned.
   
   Frank's book are the "keepers" in the personal real estate library.



4. Way to go Mr Gallinelli with the volatility in real estate these days, it's nice to know I can come to your latest book for the answers that un-candidly seem to hit the mark most every time.
   
   Numbers crunching isn't much fun for a lot of folks but you keep it understandable and in many cases quite entertaining, your examples, case histories, benchmarks and historical data applied to today's environment will no doubt save more than a few from catastrophic implosions while leading others to sound long-term investment.
   
   Thanks so much for taking the time to consider today's tough challenges and putting it all into perspective in one value packed volume, it's nice to be able to use this book again and again to cross-check moves to be made and adjust as necessary.
   
   Dan Auito(Owner)www.magicbullets.com The home of over 5000 real estate investors on the web.

5 comments about Mortgage Ripoffs and Money Savers: An Industry Insider Explains How to Save Thousands on Your Mortgage or Re-Finance.

1. Michelle Singletary recommended this book in the Washington Post. It's clearly written, full of very useful information, and fun to read. I only wish I'd had it before I signed the loan contract. But, no worries, an email to the author, a quick reply, and I received more valuable advice. Don't get a home loan without reading this book first.



2. Can somebody please clone Ms. Warren? We can all benefit from her in-dept knowledge and experience of mortgage issues, not to mention making a perfect life-coach. Being that I'm a novice in the mortgage world, she has illuminated all the tips and tricks of securing the best mortgage for the money. This is fair-warning for people who don't buy this book before they take their first mortgage or even re-finance. You *WILL* be sorry!



3. I am doing my research before buying a my first home, and found this to be one of the highest rated home buying books on Amazon, so decided to give it a shot. All I can say is wow!
   
   Carolyn goes through every step of the mortgage process, describing what documents to request, how to tell if they are complete, and questions to ask. She tells you how to protect yourself by requesting written guarantees about closing costs, how to spot junk fees, and a slew of other great information.
   
   Her advice about loan types is particularly timely given the financial mess in the world. She describes sub-prime loans, and the risks that are associated with them. The greed of the lenders, and the delusions of the borrowers is quite illuminating.
   
   Carolyn also offers services to review your documents, and will answer questions through her website. I haven't taken advantage of either yet, but when the time comes I will.
   
   I plan to re-read this book when I get closer to making a purchase, unless I luck into an honest mortgage professional immediately it will save me money, no doubts.
   
   I highly recommend this book. Even if reading it only allows you to cross off one junk fee, it will have paid for itself many times over.



4. Very helpful book on mortgages. Very well put together and an easy read. Great job Carolyn and thanks for the tips!



5. An interesting book with some some amusing anecdotes. But generally, more hype than substance. She could have summarized the book in about 10 pages. Good for entertainment though.

5 comments about Commercial Real Estate Investing For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)).

1. An excellent book covering all aspects of commercial real estate. Dominantly multi-family residential. Many enhanced checklists to follow, real life examples, and internet links for more info. I look forward to following Peter's techniques to one day be able to close large profitable deals, too!



2. I noted that most of the positive reviews occured in a 5 or so day period around the 1st of March -- all are *too* well written to be considered from the 'common' reader. And, each of the reviews only says positive things, where most people would find positive aspects of what was written, and at least one negative aspect. Be aware.



3. thanks Peter for this great publication
   Easy to understand and well developed.
   Looking forward to possible mentoring



4. I had just read four commercial real estate books and this one was by far the most comprehensive. Well-written, very accessible. This clearly illustrates that with a persistence and focus, one can dispel many myths about getting started with investing in commercial real estate.



5. This is a solid investment book directed at investing in commercial real estate ventures. Well thought out and well executed, the book should make a great reference for years to come!

5 comments about The Real Estate Developer's Handbook: How to Set Up, Operate, and Manage a Financially Successful Real Estate Development With Companion CD-ROM.

1. Well writtan,all the information you are going to need on starting your own Real Estate development company.I flew through this book, I could not put it down.It really gives you the starting building blocks on how Real Estate development works.It comes with a CD,it gives you all the contracts
   you are going to need when starting your business.If you plan in getting into Real Estate development,this book is a great head start.



2. Once in awhile there is a book that stands out that is well-written and informative. This book has a lot of easy-to-understand insights on becoming a Real Estate Developer and the process and pitfalls that one may encounter.
   
   Almost all Real Estate Developers have to learn the ropes through real world experience; with this comes a lot of trial and error. This book displays the common problems that Developers face, which speeds up the learning curve rather than enduring years of learning the "kept secrets" of Developers. The core of this book covers a lot of Real Estate and Developing concepts!
   
   This Handbook is very up-to-date and provides a lot of resources to turn to for additional help and research; it also has a CD that has useful forms that is sure to be of great benefit.
   
   I am very glad that I picked up this book... I have learned so much and it has saved me years of learning on my own. Thank you!



3. This book is essentially a step by step guide as to how one can enter the real estate development universe. It outlines the various opportunities available and the processes through which a beginning developer can systematically approach the onslaught of obstacles he or she will encounter throughout the development process. The beneficial aspect of this book is that it provides a birds eye launch point from which a person can prepare for and begin to research the intricacies of what is an incredibly complex process. On the other hand, I would argue that the book borders on being uninformative. While I did not expect a comprehensive guide to a successful development, I found the content to be lacking actual substance even short what I would expect from an introductory level text. The author writes the book as if one could carry out the process simply by bringing the book with them as a checklist. However, I think the best use of my time would have been to simply write a list of topics touched upon so as to seek out other books that more comprehensively address those points. But, as I said initially, this book is a fine introduction to real estate development if you are simply trying to understand what is involved in the process.



4. I am a real estate developer in a family business.
   She does a great job at making the complex subject of development easier to understand.
   Excellent for beginners.
   Great for intermediate.
   Very Good for the Big timers as well.



5. This book is excellent. Due to it really gives you clear step by step instructions which do not leave you confused. This is an excellent book
   for individuals starting out in the real estate business.
   
   Thank you

5 comments about Saving the Family Cottage: A Guide to Succession Planning for your Cottage, Cabin, Camp or Vacation Home 2nd Edition.

1. My wife and I have been wrestling with how to make sure our cabin can stay in the family. This books discusses all the issues and helps you think about the way you would like to manage your cottage in your estate.
   
   Very Informative!



2. This book is a great resource for familites who want to try to keep a family second home over multiple generations. Wish we had read this before putting our family property in a trust- after reading it, we will probably be changing to an LLC holding entity instead! Heartily recommend this book, we got 2 copies and are passing it around.



3. Good basic introduction, with good insights into the issues that need to be understood and addressed. Tends to be repetitious, and is strong on advocating LLCs (limited liability companies) as the best way forward. Would have been more useful if additional material had been presented on alternative solutions (trusts, corporations, etc.). Would also have been more helpful to have explained the different elements that should be included in LLCs (the elements are listed in an Appendix) in more detail. Bibliography and notes provide a good basis for more research.
   
   All in all, well worth the investment -- learned a lot. Would give it an extra half star (3.5), had it been possible!



4. Our children want us to keep the beach house in the family. This terrific book explains how to do it and how to avoid fights and bad feelings among the children after you are gone. We still had a lawyer draw things up, but this was an enormous help to us. We bought copies for each of the children and have recommended it to friends with vacation homes.



5. This book was recommended by my brother in law-- and it might keep my family intact while we figure out how to share my dad's beach house. It might not though-- so much can go wrong!

5 comments about Short-Sale Pre-Foreclosure Investing: How to Buy "No-Equity" Properties Directly from the Bank -- at Huge Discounts.

1. This book is a good tool for understanding and developing a working base in the "Short Sale" industry. I have taken several classes with Dwan and was impressed with her level of knowledge and expertise. Dwan's teaching style is very open and down to earth. Once you read this book, you'll want to immediately maximize your investing opportunities with foreclosures. I highly recommend any book or course from Dwan, you'll learn from the Best!



2. This is a very good book. I give it a 5-star rating.
   
   I would highly recommended this book for both the experienced and especially for all beginners.



3. I had taken several short sale seminars from other real estate gurus, but when I tried to actually do a short sale, I found I was missing information. I had heard about Dwan and Sharon from my local REIA group, so I decided to order their book. It helped me to find "the missing pieces of the puzzle." It is well-written and easy to understand.



4. This is a great book. I wish I would have purchased this book before I wasted my money on many other short sale books.



5. This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in foreclosure investing. It gives and excellent step by step guidance through the pre-foreclosure investing process. Since the authors are successful investors, they know "the ropes" and can give much insight and knowledge to give new and old investors insight into working with the banks and with homeowners. It is imortant that anyone who is considering investing read this bood first!

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Locating, Negotiating, and Buying Real Estate Foreclosures: What Smart Investors Need to Know - Explained Simply.

1. Real estate investors can amass a fortune by purchasing foreclosed homes at various foreclosure auctions, and this guide is the resource novices and pros will find an outstanding key to locating such bargains. From auctions and online processes to making it easy for bargains to come your way, THE COMPLETE GUIDE is a survey investors will find easy to begin with, making it the perfect item of choice for public libraries.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. If you hesitated about getting into real estate investing during the real estate housing boom, the new boom - the one in foreclosures - may be your chance to build wealth by buying forclosed real estate.
   
   This book is not for everyone. As a licensed real estate agent for eight years, I have seen people try to get rich quick using various schemes they have heard about on television or read about in books - with little success. This method is no fly-by-night strategy and not everyone who would be able to invest successfully. Investors need - at the very least - good credit, some ready cash and a willingness to work hard and stick to the plan.
   
   Those who are able to take advantage of the foreclosure niche in the current buyer's market can create for themselves a life making income as a real estate investor.
   
   The authors wrote this book for the brand-new investor, including not only basic information on how to choose and invest in foreclosures, but current information on where and how to find and choose foreclosure properties, current real- estate and foreclosure laws from state-to-state and detailed information on what to expect during every step of the process. The are even chapters on how to rent your new property, if you choose to do so.
   
   While this book is primarily for investors, buyers looking for a home of their own will find this book filled with useful information. Foreclosed homes can be found at bargain prices and home buyers can use these same procedures to find the home of their dreams. Too many buyers, frightened by the headlines, are not taking advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime buyer's market to buy their own home.
   
   Investors will also find the real estate dictionary and extensive list of references extremely helpful if they plan (and they should) to continue to learn about investing as the foreclosure market changes.
   
   The authors do not pretend that making money by buying and selling or renting-out foreclosures is easy and they caution that in real estate investing, money can be made, or it can be lost. That attitude is what makes this book superior to most. If your plan is to buy foreclosed homes with no money down, no assets and no risk, then look somewhere else - an good luck to you. But, if you are looking for a levelheaded approach to real estate investing in the current market, this approach is a winner.



3. In digging into this book, the author continually quoted other books. That annoyed me quite a bit and kept me asking, "Why didn't I buy the other book?" If you're starting off at "ground zero" and know nothing about mortgages, etc. this book is a helpful guide. It also contains concise explanations of different types of "legalese" and gives you places to look. Overall, a good place to start.



4. This was my first foreclosure real estate book I've purchased. This book is more of an overview of the topic. This book feels like reading a college text book. It has no soul or spirit behind it. What I mean is that, you will rarely read about the author's first hand experience with foreclosure. To tell you the truth, this book feels like a research paper or an article written by a college professor who has no real world first hand experience in the subject. Don't get me wrong, the information presented in this book was great and accurate. But it lacks the entrepreneurial spirit found on RE books. I recommend this book to people doing research on the topic or someone who just wants a general overview on the subject. If you want a "how to book" this book may not be the answer for you. I would recommend The Pre-Foreclosure Property Investor's Kit: How to Make M Buying Distressed Real Estate -- Before the Public Auction. The problem that I had with this book was that the author just presented the information but really didn't give a formula on how to buy foreclosures. It left it up to the reader on how to go about it.



5. 
   To the experienced real estate investor, a lot of the ideas in this book are already familiar and redundant but overall I am pleased with this book. It is by all means, not an "explain it all book" on foreclosures.
   But like what most previous reviews have already stated, a great book to
   start.
   
   The author's writing style is very easy to read & understandand just as his title reads "explained simply". Introducing readers to the different types of procedings involved in the pre through post foreclosure process and how one can score deals and profits any time in the process, i love how we are constantly reminded that we are making profits based on other people's misfortunes. Very to the point and 100% true.
   
   If your interested in learning about or new to foreclosures and looking to capitilize on the coming tide, or should i say TSUNAMI of foreclosure opportunities, this book is a MUST READ and a perfect place to build a foundation.
   
   Good luck, fellow real estate investors and happy hunting!

5 comments about 2 Years to a Million in Real Estate.

1. I have been a realtor since 1999 and this is the first book I've read about RE investing that gets to the point. Many other investors like to talk about themselves, which I could care less about. Matthew Martinez gets to the point on how to invest in real estate. By the way he does respond to email, how is that for service. Great book Matthew.
   
   Rick



2. As a bookauthor and investor I highly recommend anyone getting involved in the real estate arena to read Matt's books.
   
   I have personally known the author for many years and I can tell you that there are few top notch investors like him out there that have his knowledge and financial saviness at the time of purchasing and managing multifamily units. We all have a lot to learn from him.
   
   In "2 Years to a Million in Real Estate", I enjoyed reading his stories and the way he positively handled difficult situations with tenants.
   -- A Must read! --



3. I really enjoyed this book. I've read several like it and most are filled with essentially the same point worded differently again and again. This book was not like that at all. Instead, it is a comprehensive, detailed read on all aspects of finding, purchasing and (most importantly) RUNNING a rental business. The author does not pull any punches and delivers clear suggestions, pertinent examples, and ultimately, a well structured missive that should be required reading for anyone looking to learn more about getting into the rental real estate market. Highly recommended.



4. The book gave his account of how he continually acquired real estate properties and became a very successful real estate investor. Unfortunately, his method is a little outdated. Many of the loan programs he discusses are no longer available due to the current mortgage crisis. It's now nearly impossible to acquire a investment property with only 10% down and most people no longer have the equity in their homes to do what he did in 2002.
   He does make some very good points about skipping the properties that don't produce monthly income and I like his strategies to avoid equity-only investing. It's proven to be very good advice since the book was published.
   Overall, I'd recommend it as a read to beginner investors but in today's market, the title just won't hold up.



5. I just finished reading your book. Excellent. The best one I've read yet. It explains the real, traditional way to buy properties.
   
   Robert G.
   Staten Island, NY

5 comments about Profit by Investing in Real Estate Tax Liens: Earn Safe, Secured, and Fixed Returns Every Time.

1. This book had some really good information. It is well written by someone who has spent a lot of time buying tax liens. The author does not give any false hopes and is very realistic about what to expect.



2. Arrived quickly and in good shape.
   
   Haven't started to read it yet.



3. I saw a notice for Tax Lien Certificate auction in my local paper. This made me interested in looking for additional information. This book was just what I was looking for. It provided the information I was hoping to get and them some.



4. Now in an updated second edition, Profit by Investing in Real Estate Tax Liens: Earn Safe, Secured, and Fixed Returns Every Time is a straightforward guide to making money through relatively safe investment in tax liens (sometimes called tax deeds, depending on one's state). Profit by Investing in Real Estate Tax Liens covers how to purchase tax liens or deeds on the Internet, the difference between tax liens and deeds, a walkthrough of the bidding process at tax sales, the requirements of tax liens and tax deeds as well as how they differ from state to state, how to protect oneself against the most threatening risks, and much more. Author and Florida attorney Larry Loftis has literally millions of dollars' worth of experience in real estate investing; he presents the ins and outs of these lucrative opportunities a straightforward, easy-to-follow terms for readers of all backgrounds. "...many properties can be bought for very low prices, perhaps for even pennies on the dollar. However, many properties are not worth buying! For example, you might buy a vacant lot that is so small it is unbuildable. Or the lot is configured in such a strange way that it is also unbuildable, except possibly for use as a parking lot. In other cases, the property might be under water or next to or part of a drainage ditch! So in tax deed investing, rule number one is always to personally view the property." A "must-read" of both basic and advanced tips for anyone considering investing in real estate tax liens.



5. I bought Profit by Investing in Real Estate Tax Liens: Earn Safe, Secured, and Fixed Returns Every Time and Complete Guide to Real Estate Tax Liens and Foreclosure Deeds: Learn in 7 Days-Investing Without Losing Series (Investing Without Losing. Investing in Real Estate Liens was a better book with more detail.

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings.

1. This is the first book I have read that focused solely on buying multi-family real estate. It uncovered some basic information for me, and I consider it a great primer for future learning before I actually get involved with attempting to purchase anything in commercial real estate. It does seem, as others have mentioned, that the author really wants to up sell you on his other products, but if he's selling something that is worth buying then I am not going to fault him for that. If you are brand new to commercial real estate investing that focuses on apartments and other multi family properties then give this book a day in court. Like the "basic" title says, it's a book on how to buy and sell apartment buildings, and I found it to be a great starting point.



2. provides a good overall basic understanding of buying smaller multifamily properties (2 to 25 unit properties) that will undoubtedly help prevent real estate newbies from losing their shirts.
   anything larger, and you definitely want to make sure that you have a good team around you.



3. This book presents a well written and comprehensive guide to buying and selling apartment buildings. As one who has brokered, managed, and owned a large number of multifamily units, I feel I am fully qualified to endorse this as a competent source of information on the subject.
   
   This book avoids the hype often found in many real estate books and completely disassociates itself with the "get rich quick" mannerisms often seen in guru style books. As a result, this book offers much value as it focuses on principals and sound information giving you an honest and genuine taste for what is involved in this industry.
   
   Buying and selling apartment buildings and becoming successful within the industry is certainly not easy. The best start is building a solid foundation of understanding, and this book accomplishes that task. I would certainly not suggest one should cease their study after a single book, or even a solitary resource for the matter; however, this is a very qualified initiation and one I recommend keeping as a resource.



4. Steve is a prodigious writer of numerous real estate investing books. That said, this one is my favorite. He explains how one can invest in multifamily assets to gain financial independence. He avoids encouraging his readers to speculate in real estate. Instead, he offers sound advice for both the novice and experienced investor alike.
   
   I highly recommend you purchase this book!
   
   Matthew A. Martinez
   Author of Investing in Apartment Buildings: Create a Reliable Stream of Income and Build Long-Term Wealth 2 Years to a Million in Real Estate
   www.matthewamartinez.com



5. This is an excellent book for those starting out in this business. It has motivated me to acquire my first investment property. However, after presenting some of the facts of this book to experienced investor friends, their comment was that the book may be overly optimistic. In particular, Mr. Berges provides an example of how one can virtually double one's capital every 12 months by buying, rehabbing, selling for a profit one's property and rolling it over to a new property doing a like-kind exchange.
   
   What he misses in his computation are the closing costs and commissions one incurs each time one sells a property (which can go up to 6 or 7%). Moreover, investors are skeptical about being able to sell a property after 12 months in this 2008 market.
   
   Nonetheless, most of the other parts of the program are well written and shows the depth of Mr. Berges' experience. The level of financial analysis appeals to me - an ex-banker as the numbers are the end of the day will determine whether one is buying a good deal or not.
   
   I would recommend this book to investors.