4 comments about J K Lasser Pro Real Estate Investment Trusts.

1. Richard Imperiale's book is a must read for the conservative investor considering real estate investment to substantially expand, strengthen, and increase the value of the assests in his or her current investment portfolio. . Mr. Imperiale's advice and strategies are sound for the investor seeking both short and long term investment portfolio gains.



2. This is a great guide for the sophisticated investor or financial planner looking to learn more about investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts. Mr. Imperiale outlines the history and characteristics of REITs as well as how investment portfolios can benefit from exposure to REITs. The interviews with succesful real estate investment professionals is also very insightful. This is a must read for the skilled investor considering purchasing REITs!



3. This book provided a great overview of the REIT industry. As an analyst, I found the summary data at the end of each chapter most useful. I also liked the interviews with the real estate titans, such as Sam Zell, they added a practical dimension to the "hard data" in the book. I picked-up some good practical insights from the interviews. It's a substantial but easy to read book.



4. This book is an excellent survey of the world of equity REITS. And it does sum up the value of buying each type of equity REIT. But if you're looking for a book which shows you how to invest in REITS and how to analyze the figures of a REIT, this isn't the book.

   I also was hoping to find information on Mortgage REITS. There was only a paragraph or two on the subject --- certainly not enough information on this topic.

   This book is geared more toward the analyst or someone with a tremendous amount of experience in REITS. It assumes you have a good background in REIT investing. And it certainly does not cover the entire field of REITS.

   So it depends upon your needs as to whether or not this book would be a good addition to your investing library. I personally got three bits of information out of it that were worth the cost of the book. But I could have probably gotten the information elsewhere free.

   Susanna K. Hutcheson
   Executive Copy Director and Owner
   Powerwriting.com LLC

1 comments about Unlimited E$tate.

1. This book is the ultimate guide for new investors! It is very well written. It walks you through step by step, and contains all forms needed to complete your first deals.

5 comments about Real Estate Investing From A to Z : The Most Comprehensive, Practical, and Readable Guide to Investing Profitably in Real Estate.

1. The problem with a comprehensive "A to Z" book like this one is that it likely contains more information than the reader really needs. If you are interested in all aspects of real estate investing - commercial, residential and land - having to sort through the material for just one of these won't be an issue for you. But my interest is in single-family residential houses for investing and rental. The book is not organized so that I could read appropriate chapters to get the information I wanted. These three subjects are interspersed, often under the same section heading. Admittedly, there are many commonalities between the three types, but often it was difficult to discern which type was being written about or if it applied to all three. If you're mainly interested in residential real estate, check the reviews for "Rental Houses for the Successful Small Investor" by Suzanne P. Thomas. Also, just as I was beginning to get annoyed at the number of success stories about clever tactics for making "a killing" in real estate, Pivar finally wrote about a few failures - with post-mortem analysis - which helped to point out the risks in this type of investing. Perhaps because the book is about four years old now, it doesn't talk about on-line searches and some of the tax information may be not be accurate now.



2. This is a great book if you want to get excited about real estate investments. The first chapters give one the impression that there is minimal risk in real estate compared to a vast upside potential.

   The rest of the book surveys all the various kinds of real estate investments but does not cover them in depth. If you are looking for a book to help you evaluate a real estate transaction from a numbers standpoint, this book is not for you. I would turn to "The Real Estate Game" by Poorvu as a beginner's guide for evaluating real estate transactions.




3. Wonderful book for the beginner. While more motivational and thought provoking than purely step-by-step instructional it certainly de-mystifies the process and provides the average reader with enough real life examples that at least one (or more) should appeal to you. I would say this book emboldened me to get out and do something in real estate investing.



4. I found this to be a real meat-and-potatoes book. Crammed with lots of information, you should learn something from Pivar regardless of your experience level. Great addition to the library.
   
   He focuses on generating wealth through land ownership, commercial properties, single family homes, and property conversions. He also covers how using options and long-term appreciation can sweeten your deals.



5. I was searching for a good book that would give me the basics on real estate investment and came across this one at a bookstore. Judging from the title, I thought this HAS to have the most definitive information that I'm looking for in order to get started as an investor. What I found was this book made my head spin. Don't get me wrong, it has a wealth of information and I'll probably refer back to it as the need arises. I guess I was looking for more of a step by step guide or something with a more orderly approach. This is more like a dictionary - so, you'd better know exactly what you're looking for before you open it. I bought this several months ago and still haven't finished reading it. In my opinion, it's not the type of book that you would (or could for that matter) sit down and read from cover to cover, but it does have some useful info nonetheless.

5 comments about Secure Your Financial Future Investing in Real Estate.

1. If you only buy one real estate book in your life, make sure it is this one. Clear, concise, easy to follow. You cannot lose money buying this.

   This is not just a rich dad/poor dad book. This one works.




2. This book is wonderful. I'm a 31-yr-old computer programmer with a good income and lots of equity in a townhouse. I'm a reasonably good saver and make regular contributions to my 401k. Will this put me on the path to retirement riches? Not by a long shot, and this book clearly explains why in simple and plain language. This book makes too much common sense to refute. But fortunately its purpose is *not* to stir up doom and gloom.

   It's real purpose is to illustrate the riches to be made from the low-risk high-return world of long term real estate investing in income properties. The authors emphasize a long term investment plan, not the quick flipping pitched by so many marketing gurus. Through leverage we can turn a modest 5% property appreciation into a whopping 40%++ return on our money. How does that compare to 2% for your savings account, or 10% long term in the stock market? Throw in tax writeoffs, deferred capital gains, loan reduction and positive cashflow at the same time and I am hooked.

   This is a great eye-opening book for those new to real estate, and for those who their think social security and 401k will provide a secure retirement.




3. There are many positive things about this book that should be noted. First, it is presented in a way that is simple and easy to understand. Second, regardless of where the reader is in his/her life there are facts and suggestions that are thought provoking and appropriate to that stage of life. Finally, it's good to see in print ideas that some of us may have embraced, but never had validated by anyone other than friends.
   One of my childrren graduated from college last March, and the other should graduate this coming March. Because of the easy to read format, clear examples, and un-textbook like style, I plan on giving each of them a copy of this book - it will be "a great place to start" the next phase of their lives. With degrees in hand, it will be worthwhile for them to now get reality based instruction/information.



4. 'Secure your financial future investing in real estate' is a book that I recommend very highly. I have read over 25 books related directly to this topic and I have to tell you, I thought it was so good that I read it twice. I am what some would call an 'intermediate investor.' This book gave information that not only motivated me to do more with my real estate investments but how to aquire better and more properties so that I would have the future that I have always wanted. It is a more direct approach that gives you tools to go out and start the next day with the confidence that one would need in order to be a successful real estate investor. A more realistic approach aside from the other 'how to get rich' mentalities or the 'no money down' approach. It was an honest focus on not only the 'why' but the 'how' to get started and why you should not wait. If your intentions are to supplement your retirement with a few smart investments or develop a career in the real estate investing industry, this is the book for you. It covers the entire scope and lays the foundation for a profitable venture. The authors speak from experience and prove it by giving their personal email address that you can ask specific questions and get answers needed to succeed. It is like having a mentor at you finger tips and there is no way you could fail with support and advice like that. I strongly encourage anyone who is even thinking about the possibility of using real estate investments to achieve their goals and dreams. You + this book + a little desire = success!! Good luck!



5. This book is very helpful in figuring the proper way to look at profit potential in purchasing rental property. I also emailed the author Martin Stone asking some specific questions regarding particular types of properties and he was kind enough to respond with suggestions. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase his other book the unofficial guide to real estate investing.
   Thanks Marty.

No comments about Cases in Commercial Real Estate Investing.

No comments about Tax Advantages of Owning Real Estate.

No comments about Practical Guide to Real Estate Taxation (Fifth Edition) (Practical Guides).

1 comments about "Buy & Hold 7 Steps to a Real Estate Fortune"- New 2007.

1. You should have this in your library if you are a real estate investor. Great tips throughout this cd. I am a firm believer of the "buy and hold" strategy

5 comments about Complete Idiot's Guide to Real Estate Investing 2E (The Complete Idiot's Guide).

1. It is entirely possible that this really is a great book, as some of the reviewers suggest. But it wasn't what I was looking for.
   I am in the "study" stage of a plan to accumulate residential properties for income. I have read a few real estate books so far, and some of them have been very helpful.
   This book, however, was not designed for me. This book seems more designed for people who are planning major investments in sizeable properties or commercial real estate. It also would be good for people interested in becoming developers. Despite the information presented about the book, this is not a book for someone who is starting out in the early stages of real estate investing in small residential properties for supplemental income. However, it might be good if you have a lot of money to get started and are planning a career switch towards commercial development or large properties. Since I'm not interested or able to do that, I am not qualified to advise you if that is what you need. But if you are like me, you may want to start with some other books, like the "Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing" or other books like it.



2. I enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone who needs a comprehensive understanding of the entire process of commercial investment and due diligence. It's a great reference whether you are acquiring, managing, or disposing of your asset.



3. I was looking for a book on residential real estate investment, especially something on apartment buildings and how to figure value, such as using gross rent multipliers. I was disappointed. I needed to know current tax law on capital gains and some info on exchanges. The word 1031 is not found in this book. I was glad to see LLCs were included, but the information was vague since it had to apply to all states. Be warned: This book deals only with office and retail real estate investment. You will not find any information on apartments or single family rentals. If that is your interest, you definitely need a different book.



4. I bought this book recently and was so disappointed that I was compelled to write a review. I would not recommend this book to anyone. This book is so poorly written, I couldn't get past the first half. There were numerous misspellings, obvious grammar mistakes and an ongoing rambling by the author. I might have been able to get past the lack of English and grammar skills but this book was not helpful at all!
   
   For example, when it talks about assembling your team and it refers to the broker, not once does the author explain what the broker is expected to do. When the author discusses title law, he explains in the book that he doesn't know about it but if the reader gets in contact with a lawyer experienced in title law, one should be able to find out the info. HUH? This guy didn't bother doing any research at all. He should have looked for that info himself and answered those questions for the reader. That is what I bought the book for - for answers, not some guy writing a book off the top of his head about his experiences and only his experiences in real estate investing.
   
   Another annoying thing about this book is the author wrote it like it was a self-help book. I don't need someone telling me to follow my dreams and to keep going. I need the facts, the info, and the knowledge so I can accomplish what I want to do. I don't need a coach, I need a teacher and this guy definitely is not a teacher.
   
   Well, I'm sorry I can't tell you what book you should buy because I still haven't found it myself. But, I can tell you to stay away from this one. Don't waste your money.



5. I found this book to be too complicated and it seems more suitable for the advanced real estate investor. I have read other Idiot's guides and they have been basic enough and broken down with more examples to help someone who is starting out. The term "Idiot's Guide" is misleading for this book. I believe the author did not successfully keep the reader, in mind. The book should be called something like "The Advanced Guide For Real Estate Investing" I wish there was some regulation to keep it simple enough to be considered an "Idiot's Guide" . I am definitely disappointed with this one.

No comments about Big Bucks in Small Town Real Estate.