Book Description
Rigorous yet practical, Real Estate Finance and Investments has been the leading real estate finance and investments text for over 25 years, consistently setting the standard for currency and coverage in real estate finance and investments textbooks. The 13th edition continues to provide students with the tools they need to understand and analyze real estate markets and the investment alternatives available to both debt and equity investors. New content and problems addressing current trends in real estate finance and investments have been seamlessly incorporated into the text, without disrupting the material and organization instructors have relied on in past editions.
Book Description
"This is simply the best book on the topic.”
—Randall Bell, Author, Home Owner's Manual
"Tyson and Griswold have truly opened the world of real estate investing to all by tackling often complex issues in this easy to understand and use book. I can't think of a better way to get smart about building wealth through rental properties than to read their excellent Real Estate Investing For Dummies!"
—Vern Hoven, CPA
Non-prime time TV is cluttered with infomercials about how you can buy non-prime real estate for next to nothing and get rich quick. Common sense should tell you that’s an exaggeration. (If common sense doesn’t tell you, bankers will.) Nevertheless, it is possible to get rich gradually by investing in real estate. Long term, you can expect to realize an annual return of 8 to 10% a year.
Real Estate Investing for Dummies gives you the keys to successful real estate investment, whether it’s in single family homes and condos, apartments, vacation homes, commercial properties (office, industrial, and retail), raw land, or REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts). With guidance from authors Eric Tyson, MBA, a financial counselor, and Robert S. Griswold, a veteran real estate investor, you’ll discover how to:
- Find and buy the best properties at a fair price
- Capitalize on opportunities such as foreclosures, no money down deals, auctions, tax sales, and more
- Secure financing and good mortgage terms
- Value, evaluate, and negotiate everything to do with real estate
- Work with agents and other professionals
- Project income potential and cash flow
- Handle contracts, inspections, and closings
Whether you’re interested in a fixer supper for rental, premier office space you can lease, or a vacation home you can enjoy and rent, when you become a buyer, you also become a landlord. That means you can hear from tenants any time, night or day. It means you may not hear from them when the rent is due. Real Estate Investing for Dummies also helps you:
- Find and keep good tenants
- Negotiate lease agreements
- Insure and maintain your property
- Keep good records for tax and accounting purposes
Remember, with any deal, you have to know when to hold them and know when to fold them. So Real Estate Investing for Dummies gives you guidelines on when and how to sell and how to reinvest to build wealth. It also lists 10 real estate investments you shouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole. Especially if you’re tempted by those late-night infomercials, that warning could save you a fortune!
Customer Reviews:
Great Information, but with a verbal tick.......2007-09-21
This book is stupendous! It covers a tremendous amount of information to get you started in real estate investing. My wife and I are starting a real estate holding company and this book has been the foundation of our learning.
The only strange thing about the book is that for some reason the authors decided to only use the feminine pronouns "she" or "her" when referring to general individuals, such as "It's very difficult for an owner to lose her home and it's often even more difficult for her to..."
At first this was just odd, but it became a real distraction and annoyance that they never use "he or she" or the common practice in English of using the male pronoun for such situations.
Despite this sort of printed verbal tick, this is an excellent book with a lot of information.
Quick Arrival.......2007-09-06
I was amazed at how quickly I received this book. The book was in excellent shape.
Details, details and more details ..........2007-07-09
This book is a great companion to other books of a more thoeretical nature. Many real estate books focus on why you should invest and the benefits of investing.
This book does that, but then goes one step further. I think the authors and the 'For Dummies' team need to be congratulated as they have given everyone enough detail to make some very solid decisions about your investing.
Very worthwhile and definately well worth the $$. And very solid to know it's written by investors not salespeople.
house buying.......2007-06-15
Good book. Extremely in depth. This book will give you the big picture on buying a house. But most importanly should help you to avoid buying a house using the wrong criteria or reasons(ie. helps avoid a bad investment).
Good read.......2007-04-11
I'm still reading this book. It is organized well, easy to understand and perfect for anyone who is considering entering the world of real estate investing.
Book Description
Based on sound economic and finance principles, the primary goal of this market-leading text is to promote a greater understanding of how real estate financial markets work. The authors blend theory with practice applying the theoretical aspects of financial economics to explain how Real Estate financial institutions and markets have developed and evolved to their present state, and why they take the forms they do. The impact of major federal legislation that applies to real estate finance (especially residential) is also addressed.
Customer Reviews:
excellent condition.......2005-09-19
Although the book was not shipped that quickly, the book was in excellent condition. I am very satisfied with the book's condition. I just thought I would have received the book sooner.
Amazon.com
This may be the best comprehensive guide for home buyers. Home Buying for Dummies is coauthored by Eric Tyson, author of several other books in the For Dummies series, and Ray Brown, a long-time real estate professional. Like other books in the series, this one is an easy and even entertaining read. But it does not gloss over details in pursuit of simplicity. Home Buying for Dummies covers all the bases, providing clear explanations and reasonable judgments on how to select a mortgage, hire a real estate agent, find the right house, and negotiate a good deal. The book goes further than most in providing helpful, specific information. For example, in discussing ways to save money for a future down payment, Home Buying for Dummies even includes the phone numbers for various mutual funds appropriate to different investment time frames. --Barry Mitzman
Book Description
Though fun and exciting, buying a home can also be complicated and confusing—and most people learn the hard way that a wrong move can cost dearly. In order to find the perfect home at the best price, you must have skill, foresight, and a little guidance from experienced professionals.
Home Buying for Dummies, Third Edition provides just that! Packed with invaluable advice in an objective, down-to-earth style that will have you sitting in your dream home in no time, this friendly guide contains everything you need to know to play the home buying game. It has the tools you need to:
- Improve your credit score and select a mortgage
- Choose a time and place to buy
- Determine the price you want to pay
- Assemble an all-star real estate team
- Make use of the wonderful world of the Internet
- Negotiate your best deal
- Inspect and protect your home
- Handle and become responsible for the title
- Cope with buyer’s remorse
Featured in this guide are tips and tricks on things you should do after you seal the deal, as well as things you ought to know about real estate investing. Also included is advice on how to sell your house, as well as a sample real estate purchase contract and a good inspection report. Don’t get chewed up by the real estate market—Home Buying for Dummies, Third Edition will lead you to the home you want!
Customer Reviews:
Obvious Find for Practical Advice.......2007-09-27
This text is an excellent primer for those of us who are novices in the terminology and techniques involved in what could possibly be the most important financial decisions of our lives. And aren't afraid to admit it.
Slow delivery.......2007-09-21
Still have not received this product as of today 9/21. Item was needed to give as gift for 9/22.
Informative and Useful Book..........2007-08-14
This book fully explains the process of deciding when and how to buy a home. I plan to purchase a home within the next three years, and feel that I will well-prepared.
Very helpful.......2007-08-06
We picked this up when we were going to buy our first home. It helped us to make the right decision and not feel stupid by asking questions.
Informative.......2007-07-13
I was hoping that by reading this book I would be able to buy a home on my own without a realtor, however, although truly informative, I doubt that it provided me with enough information to be that independent. Definitely a good book, but needs to be back up with other sources.
Book Description
This is the 2007 Edition of the first book in the "Practical Guide" series for the mortgage industry.
Published since 1992, and updated annually, this 198 page textbook was written as an answer to the "sink-or-swim" training methods of many mortgage firms. The format is designed to give the newly initiated loan officer/agent, lender, processor, or other initiate the practical information they need to do the loan officer's job.
The reader learns how to understand rate and point quotes, how to use a financial calculator, how to make basic computations customers require, how to understand loan programs and compare product features. The student progresses through understanding loan specifications - Conventional Conforming, Jumbo, FHA/VA and Sub-Prime program guidelines - to a practical understanding of ratios, income, assets and closing costs, debts and credit history. This is then placed in the context of the loan application - how to collect all the required documents and disclosures and supervise a loan from application to closing. Beyond the basics, students learn how to finance various property types; condos, PUDs, new construction and investment property. A detailed chapter on refinancing addresses the issues which most often confront the loan officer in a period of heavy refinancing - 10 reasons to refinance.
Finally, understanding how loans are made in the secondary market and the basics of interest rate quoting and behavior are covered.
This product is submitted for approval for use in continuing education in all states which have, or are adopting, a requirement. Many companies use this product as a handout to prospective new loan officers. Many loan officers give this product to their referral sources to help educate them to the requirements of the industry.
Customer Reviews:
Great book, but . . . ........2007-05-26
This is a great book and needs to be in your library if you are, or are considering a career in the mortgage industry. But, Mr. Morgan needs to do a better job of describing what is in the tables used as examples. It becomes confusing when looking at a box with numbers in it and little or no quantification of the rows or columns. If this book is truly a "guide to residential finance" then more examples are needed and perhaps some excises with answers, kind of like a text book. Even though this book has been around for several years, a few modifications could make it a well rounded text and an industry standard.
One of the best!.......2007-01-23
If you're new to the mortgage business, then I highly recommend buying this book. It's very detailed and contains all of the practical info that you need to get a start in the mortgage industry.
Other than that, at times it becomes confusing due to a few editing errors.
The Loan Officer's Practical Guide to Residential Finance.......2007-01-05
This is a text book for all loan officers. It is a must read for everyone interested in mortgages. The book is easy to understand and gives all the information in one place. This book will teach you everything you need to know about mortgages. Maximize your knowledge.
Great Info...Poor Editing.......2006-10-24
I agree with many of the previous posters as to the value of the information contained in this book....it is excellent. That being said, the book is evidently updated annually and the author does a VERY poor job of editing from one edition to the next. I believe this to be part of the reason a previous poster found the text to be confusing at times. In addition to typographical errors, there are errors in the page locations of certain topics, and errors with some tables as well.
That being said, I still highly recommend this book. It is not one to be read only, but to be worked through with paper, pencil, and calculator.
Good guide, but can be confusing sometimes.......2005-09-26
This is a good book. It is crammed with lots of information that is specific to the loan industry. It is a comprehensive guide covering most of the aspects of the loan industry. I turn to this guide every now and then to check up on problems and questions that I run into with my loans.
Only problem is that it could be written more clearly. It's difficult to decipher some of the figures and tables because the author doesn't explain them enough beforehand. Also he uses some jargon and other terms that might not be familiar to a new loan officer.
Overall, a good guide with lots of specific, useful information. Drawback is some parts and concepts are not clearly explained. I would still recommend to buy it though as its faults are not overwhelming.
Average customer rating:
- Good if you're serious
- the right book, at the right time, in the right place... dubai
- What a Phenomenal Job!
- MBA student
- A first class book on Real Estate Development
|
Construction Funding: The Process of Real Estate Development, Appraisal, and Finance
Nathan S. Collier ,
Courtland A. Collier , and
Don A. Halperin
Manufacturer: Wiley
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Similar Items:
-
Real Estate Development: Principles and Process 3rd Edition
-
Professional Real Estate Development 2nd Edition
-
Land Developer's Checklists and Forms
-
Real Estate Market Analysis: A Case Study Approach
-
Land Development Calculations: Interactive Tools and Techniques for Site Planning, Analysis and Design
ASIN: 0471394661 |
Book Description
This updated classic is unrivaled in its complete, single-volume coverage of financing real estate development
This thoroughly revised Third Edition of Construction Funding provides professional and student readers alike with the critical tools needed for developing any successful real estate venture. Using a case example of a 260-unit apartment development, the authors walk the reader through each project phase, offering invaluable guidance on raising capital, selecting markets, rating sites, securing insurance, creating joint ventures, understanding loan options, and mastering cash flow management.
Beginning with an overview of today's real estate industry, Construction Funding acquaints readers with various types of business organizations in real estate, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. An entire chapter in this first section is devoted to the most critical tool of them all: negotiation. The second section of the book provides a step-by-step outline of the typical development process from start to finish. Included in this section are guidelines for:
- Creating a pro forma that will make projects profitable, not a loss
- Understanding the appraisal-the key to financing real estate
- Navigating a loan application
- Correctly completing all required documents to close a construction loan
- Writing a commitment letter that can seal a $15 million deal
The final, third section addresses the mathematical and technical tools of construction, including chapters on forecasting cash flow needs, calculating the time value of money, and funding and feasibility problems. Also provided are appendices containing loan forms, interest rate tables, and valuable information on federal construction programs.
Written by a team of authors with broad experience in the construction and real estate industries, Construction Funding is the book to guide undergraduate and graduate students in construction programs, as well as an invaluable reference for professional developers, planners, and contractors.
Customer Reviews:
Good if you're serious.......2007-10-20
This isnt a book for someone who wants to dabble in real estate investment. This is a book for big time investors (or people who want to be big time.) It is great if you're looking at large projects like apartment complexes, and it's well written.
the right book, at the right time, in the right place... dubai.......2006-08-17
the right book, at the right time, in the right place... dubai
What a Phenomenal Job!.......2005-04-14
I read construction funding, prematurely perhaps, as one of my first ever real estate books - and I loved it! The book takes the reader through several once-real-life scenarios and explains the construction process step by step. I think that both ambitious beginners and more seasoned loan officers and developers would benefit from reading this book.
MBA student.......2002-03-05
Very interesting book; very easy to read.
As a small real estate investor I found it very helpful in understanding many of the ins and outs of real estate and financing, especially on the scale i would like to grow to.
A first class book on Real Estate Development.......2002-02-05
The third edition of Construction Funding by Nathan S. Collier et al is a remarkable demonstration of insight and expertise. Collier and colleagues provide an exceptionally lucid description and analysis of the process of real estate development that is accessible to non-experts while being authoritative at the same time. In addition to being an excellent text for students and others interested in careers in real estate development, this book serves as essential background for all those whose responsibilities include any part of the development process.
Book Description
So you want to be a mortgage broker?
Or maybe you're not sure yet.
Let's imagine a little.
Imagine a world, where you are your own master:
You have the time to do whatever you wish.
You have the ability to live up to your true potential.
No limits, no barriers. No handicaps or favoritism or discrimination. Nothing can hold you back.
You can be as successful as you wish. Your income is only limited by your desire.
No menial labor required. You can work whenever you want, wherever you wish. No time clocks to punch or bosses to bother you.
You can have a respectable white-collar universe. Computers, paper, and air-conditioned offices are your domain. High finance is your game.
Your market is virtually unlimited. Everyone wants and needs your product: money. And they will do what it takes to get it.
But you don't need any money to get started, you have nothing to risk. The money belongs to someone else, and you make money by helping them distribute it.
No formal education is required. Just be yourself, and through honesty and integrity you can succeed.
This is the world of the mortgage broker. And a world you can join, if you have what it takes to make a decision.
The trails are already worn. No new territory here. Thousands of successful brokers have walked this way before. And all you have to do is follow their path. No guesswork. No risk.
This is not a new opportunity. It has been around since there was money. And it will continue to be around as long as man walks the earth. The only question is, will you be a part of it?
What is it you desire out of life?
· More money?
· Financial security?
· A good future for your family?
· A chance to help others?
· Freedom?
All these can be yours, easily. If thousands of regular, everyday people can do it, so can you.
Mortgage brokerage is one of the last few remaining businesses, in which you are judged by your output, and not who you know, or where you went to school. It doesn't matter if you went to school at all. It might actually be better if you didn't.
Your income is unlimited. You alone determine your success. No external factors can stop you.
If you ever thought you could do great things, this is the opportunity to show what you can really do.
You don't need any money to get started. You don't even need a computer. All you need is the belief that you can succeed, and the desire to do so.
You can provide a much needed service. Imagine how it feels to get a hug from a man and a woman, who just bought their first house- a dream of there's for years, and one which they know was made possible only because you were there to help them.
That is the life of a mortgage broker. And our company will fill you in on all the details of this life: both the good and the bad.
First let me explain why I am writing this letter: My company, Kamrock Publishing has a website. This is our main site for mortgage professionals. We have several training and marketing resources available at this site.
But what we didn't have was a way to help people get into the mortgage business. And everyday we would get multiple emails from people wanting to know how to get a license, where do they start, how do they find a company to work for, etc.
And after a while, we got tired of answering these emails, so we put together the only book available that shows people how to get into the business. It's called,
So You Want To Be A Mortgage Broker?
If you have any questions about what to do to become a mortgage broker, or if you want a behind the scenes look at the world of mortgage brokerage this book will be invaluable to you.
In it, we cover all the questions we were asked repeatedly including several that people need to know but did not know to ask.
Some of the questions answered are:
· What does a broker do?
· How does a broker make money?
· W
Customer Reviews:
..........2007-07-16
Save yourself time and money - run a Google search to get info on the subject. This book is worthless, the author mainly advertises their websites.
Very Disappointed.......2007-03-15
This book was extremely BASIC. Hardly any useful information at all. If you have ever taken out a mortgage, you already know most of this. It was almost a total waste of money. The main focus of this book is to sell you a much more expensive program(s).
Going to enter the mortgage business.......2007-01-25
I loved this book.
For someone who knows very little about the industry and wants to get into it, this book is a great place to start.
The last review said that this information can be found on the internet. Maybe it is, BUT I doubt it. Anyway, I am not willing to waste countless hours and search through hundreds of websites to try to find it. Especially when the book is so cheap.
I really liked the section on what a typical day is like for a loan officer. But the best part, and something no one I talked to in the mortgage business was willing to talk about, was the section of how loan officers get paid. The author explains the frontend and the backend and how a loan officer can manipulate the numbers to make the client think they are getting a deal, but the loan officer is still making his money too.
If you are thinking about getting into the mortgage business, like I am, this book is a great place to start. Once you understand all the concepts in it, you will know what to talk about to propestive employers, and what questions to ask. Otherwise you are just going in blind.
Just the tips on getting a higher commission will pay for the book several times over.
Good Luck, God Bless.
Not worth the money or time..........2007-01-23
This book is definitely not worth the money or time.
The primary reason why you should NOT buy this book is that you can get the information that is found in this book (and MUCH more) by inquiring on any major search engine. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that there are only a FEW professions which have only ups and no downs. Being a loan officer or mortgage broker is not one of them. Almost all other information contained in this book is freely distributed on the net and I see no reason to spend my money to read something that I could read for free.
The second reason you should not buy this book, is the amount of unprofessionalism with which the book was written, that was unnecessary on Ameen's part and COULD be avoided if he chose to. But he chose not to. I've read quite a few books on many topics, including the mortgage industry, and I've never come across an author who had come even close to surpassing Ameen's ability to fill their book with as much promotion of their other products, as possible, to the point where the book could be considered to be only half book and half advertisement.
If that's what you're looking for, then buy this book.
So you Want to Be a Mortgage Broker.......2007-01-17
Great book that provided a lot of insight into the mortgage brokering.
Book Description
A one-stop reference for in-depth explanations of mortgage topics
With the creation of so many new, complex mortgage programs, it's difficult for consumers --not to mention real estate agents, attorneys, closing agents, and mortgage brokers--to keep track of them all. Written by nationally syndicated real estate columnist Jack Guttentag, The Mortgage Encyclopedia helps readers understand the various mortgage terms, features, and options by offering clear, precise explanations. The alphabetical organization of terms makes it easy to quickly find information on any topic, from FHA, Investor, and No-PMI Loans to Origination Fee and Rate Float. Each entry includes not just a description of the term, but also relevant advice for consumers, such as answers to the questions "Is this loan right for me?" and "Can I negotiate this fee?"
- Guides readers through the bewildering array of new mortgage programs
- Features definitions and explanations of common mortgage, escrow, and closing fees and arcane mortgage terminology
Download Description
A one-stop reference for in-depth explanations of mortgage topics
With the creation of so many new, complex mortgage programs, its difficult for consumers --not to mention real estate agents, attorneys, closing agents, and mortgage brokers--to keep track of them all. Written by nationally syndicated real estate columnist Jack Guttentag, The Mortgage Encyclopedia helps readers understand the various mortgage terms, features, and options by offering clear, precise explanations. The alphabetical organization of terms makes it easy to quickly find information on any topic, from FHA, Investor, and No-PMI Loans to Origination Fee and Rate Float. Each entry includes not just a description of the term, but also relevant advice for consumers, such as answers to the questions "Is this loan right for me?" and "Can I negotiate this fee?"
- Guides readers through the bewildering array of new mortgage programs
- Features definitions and explanations of common...'
Customer Reviews:
It is "fair" to "good", augments vocabulary that is unknown........2007-07-30
Been of the non-real estate profession, it has enlightened my reading arsenal, well at least I hope so. Also, I'd like to thank you for not having any problems during delivery. Once again thanks. Hubert M.
Wealth of info!.......2007-07-27
Wow, what a book!! Tons of info!! Highly recommend to anyone shopping for a mortgage.
It depends on context........2007-05-22
If you are in the industry, great reference book.
However, if you are a first time buyer, this book has a lot of technical terms within the definitions! So technical, it can make you head spin!
excellent reference.......2007-02-06
This as an almost indispensible tool for anyone involved in real estate transactions. If you own a home, or you're planning to buy one, you will want to have this book as a guide to the myriad types of loans available, and the dizzying amount of real estate terms that are used. All of it is explained in plain English. It can be used by real estate professionals and laymen alike.
I find this book also useful for notary signing agents. Although we're not required (or supposed) to discuss the loan terms with the borrower at the closing, it still helps to know what all of these terms mean.
What I like about the book is the organization. All of the topics are in alphabetical order, making it easy to find the information you need quickly. There are many cross references and references to web sites. And unlike an ordinary encyclopedia, there are opinions from the author. If you've read his articles or visited his website, then you're already familiar with the wisdom he shares with his readers.
This is one encyclopedia you'll want to read from A to Z.
BEST BOOK FOR MORTGAGE PROS.......2007-02-06
This is a great little book. We have a few copies at my office for all my employees to refer to when they can't get online. Love it.
Book Description
An all-time bestseller, Dolf de Rooss classic Real Estate Riches shows you how to find great deals and make great profits in the real estate market. Youll learn why real estate is such a reliable moneymaker and how to achieve the biggest return possible on your investment. Full of time-honored wisdom, proven tactics, and quick-and-easy tips, this book shows you how to find the best properties with the most potential, analyze deals, negotiate and submit offers, effectively manage properties, and dramatically increase the value of your real estate without spending much money. If you want to be your own boss and quit the nine-to-five life, Real Estate Riches shows you how.
Customer Reviews:
Real Estate Riches.......2007-01-10
This Audio program goes over all the different benefits or real estate investing versus investing in stocks or mutual funds. You will learn many valuable lessons from this program including how to find good investments, how to put deals together, how to manage properties once you acquire them. It will expand your mind as to what is possible for you to achieve. It changed my thinking!! Also, more importantly,it changed my actions. No product is worth anything if not acted upon. Thank you very much!!!
Not so much a "how to", more of a "why to"........2007-01-04
The main purpose of this book, as the author clearly states in the beginning of it, is not to tell you how to invest in real estate but more why you want to invest in real estate vs. the stock market and other investments. The author clearly knows what he's talking about, and his insights into the tax loopholes and financing options a real estate investor has are more than worth the price of the book. If you're a beginner, this is a great book to start out with. It's not going to tell you what to do, but it is going to tell you why you want to do it and give you some insight into the virtually unlimited leverage options a real estate investor enjoys as compared to a stock market investor who might as well take his/her money to Vegas.
If there's any doubt in your mind that real estate is the way to go, read this. I'd even recommend it for experienced real estate investors, for the reason that even though you won't learn anything new on how to go about your business, you might learn a few things about creative financing and tax loopholes that you'll wish you had known all along. Buy this book, read it over a weekend, then lend it to friends. It's not the real estate bible of the universe, but it is definitely worth reading if for nothing more than the author's upbeat, positive outlook and enjoyable writing style.
I especially like the author's anecdote about how he went through all those years of college to get a Ph. D. in engineering, then when he received his Ph. D. he was offered a job at $32,000 a year (this was the early 80's, I think, so that was a good starting salary for an engineer back then). But the week before he was offered the job, he had completed a real estate deal in which he made $35,000. So he turned down the job and to this very day has never had a job. Imagine that..... living your whole life without ever having to rent out your labor to the Man for a pittance and put up with the expectations of some moronic, terminally blue-collar boss. This guy has never had a job. He has always made his money--more than enough of it--working for himself rather than slaving away for fifty hours a week making someone else rich.
I recommend this book. It's definitely worth reading. I'm glad I have it.
good book........2006-11-03
The good thing about this author is he's very easy to listen to and he keeps your attention no problem. As opposed to the famous book "Blink" the guy has great information but he has a one tone voice that puts you to sleep.
The information is great but its not neccessarily a "how to" guide.
good points but overly simplistic.......2006-09-08
Dolf brings good points about property
1) having more control than paper assets
2)Leverage
3)Tax benefits
4)How inflation works in your favor
But a bit of it is overly simplistic.Anyone would know La is a hotter market than Idaho.
It felt good the first time --and still good for the firstimer.......2006-07-11
There is nothing detailed or even intellectually satisfying in this book. But I think the one thing that it does do is, (as another reviewer put it,) is to cheerlead. This book was exciting as it was the first book that I had ready on the subject. But now that I have done numerous transactions in real estate and handled millions of dollars worth of real estate and having experienced the ups and downs, DON"T DO REAL ESTATE AFTER READING THIS BOOK!!!!!!!! This book is so simplistic one does not know where to begin. For instance, Mr. Dolf, doesn't delve into possible set-backs seriously enough. He assumes that as long as you buy in a densely populated area, it is a safe bet. And he gives an example of "California" as one such place. There are many contingencies too numerous to list that destroys such a simplistic theory. Markets do have their time and in real estate, if you are stuck in a loan and a property you can't move, you are illiquid and repositioning is not as easy as it might seem. Therefore, being incapable of averting financial ruin is mmore difficult.
Real Estate is something that is experienced. You can't just "buy by the beach" and then just earn equity growth because no one is making beach front. And how many people have the kind of money that allows their first deal to be a fixer in Malibu. His other formula to look at a hundred-pick three-and buy one is really idiotic. There are no formulas in a mechanism that is continually shifting. The real estate industry is continually evolving. There is always an element of risk involved in any purchase. And buying single family homes is a mistake unless you are in a rapidly appreciating environment simply because there is less income potential to hold notes. And the more units, the better the rate (commercial properties). Also, the diversity of loan products just about allows anyone to buy their own home--no need to rent. None of this is even mentioned in these pages.
Then why three stars? Because, fundamentally getting excited is half the battle. And this book WAS exciting. Its simplicity is actually very appealing. In essence, he is right about one thing: Real estate is about debt acquisition ultimately. The SELECTION of the type and structure of debt and the INSTRUMENT against which a deed of trust is written is all-important. But Dolf miserably fails on these issues.There is a tremendous lack of serious dialogue and this book is simply an attempt to sell less than a mediocre work to a less than average society. For God's sake--HE TELLS YOU ABOUT THIS ONE HOUSE SOMEWHERE AND HE PAINTED IT AND LIKE MADE $20,000!! WOWIE!! $20k! You can buy gas for six whole months. Truth is, REAL ESTATE IS MORE COMPLICATED than one would ever assume. If you want something simple....buy an Index fund.
If you want to raise your I.Q. read another book. If you want to understand the simplest of simple items in real estate and get excited, read this book as a starter. But promise yourself you will wait before you jump into a ridiculous formula of see 100:make offers on three and buy one by the beach you cant afford!
Book Description
The procedure of buying a home can be a scary experience. There are a lot of people to deal with, from realtors to attorneys to bankers. There's tons of paperwork with terms and vocabulary that read like a foreign language. In this new book you will find vital information and great strategies that will allow you to find your dream home faster and feel confident about the purchase. You will learn to avoid some of the most prevalent—and potentially dangerous and expensive—mistakes made by first-time home buyers.
According to Money Magazine, "Over the past five years, home values nationally have risen 65 percent while the stock market has fallen." Now is the time to get into the real estate marketplace. With the help of this comprehensive new guide, you will learn how to find the best opportunities, negotiating, financing, budgets, needs and wants, credit reports, home-buying timeline, the process of building a house, manufactured homes, real estate and mortgage glossaries, setting values, home warranties, homeowners insurance, creative financing, buying with little or no money down, closing, moving plans, walk-throughs, closing and settlement inspections, legal contracts, mortgages, what you can afford, deciding which neighborhood to choose, hiring a realtor, which government agencies can help, considerations for veterans, IRA use, hiring an attorney, the offer, calculating monthly payments, and escrow.
This comprehensive resource contains a wealth of modern tips and strategies for financing and closing on a property. The author shows readers how to find out how much they're really worth, how to uncover unknown assets, and how to enhance credit ratings within six months, provides information and suggestions on everything from no-down-payment mortgages to finding the right agent. It leads you down the path to home ownership, one step at a time. Though you may be relatively cash-poor or have a less-than-perfect credit rating, you can acquire a mortgage and find the house you've always wanted.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic Information.......2007-08-27
I just recently finished it and I feel like having taken a course on Real Estate 101. It is helpful, practical, and easy to read. It has great tools like check-off lists and sample contracts all on a complimentary CD.
We are looking into buying a house and this has given me a great base of knowledge to start making smarter decision.
Worth the $$.
excellent advice for all homebuyers.......2007-01-11
Though this book's title specifies that it's for the first time buyer, my advice would be to pick it up and read it thoroughly regardless of how many times you've bought or built. It is a super compendium of all the steps a buyer needs to take, including information on motivation and emotions in home buying, taxes, paperwork, hiring a professional advocate such as a lawyer or real estate agent, and an in-depth discussion of how to find out your credit score. The section on credit also gives good advice about establishing and maintaining a good credit score that would be helpful for anyone trying to finance a large purchase. The information in this book should be available from the real estate agent you're working with, but it's good to know it yourself in case the agent isn't keeping your well-being in mind at all times.
I also appreciated the straightforward, matter-of-fact tone of this book. There were no embellishments, just the information in a logical, easy to understand format. It also includes a 15 page glossary, helpful for the novice. Five stars out of five.
Feel Confident Buying Your First Home.......2006-12-21
First off, let me say that my husband and I really appreciate the CD. It has all the forms and lists we needed to feel confident when we bought our first home. From building costs and budget worksheets, to banking support, these documents were a big help.
From why you want to own your own home, what to do when you find the one you're looking for, and what to expect at closing, this handbook walks you through the process. This step-by-step guide shows you how to fill out the attached forms and gives you confidence that is sure to eliminate any buyer's remorse you would have felt after your purchase.
Overall, the book was very helpful and will be a useful tool for anyone going through the process for the first time. Buying your first house doesn't have to be scary. This handbook makes the process an understandable and exciting experience.
Even building your own house is examined in this excellent, wide-ranging guide recommended for its easy explanations........2006-12-12
The First-Time Homeowner's Handbook: A Complete Guide and Workbook for the First-Time Home Buyer comes with 30 forms on a convenient cd-rom and covers the entire experience of buying a home, from understanding terminology and confusing points to avoiding common, expensive mistakes. Chapters cover the basics from how to look and assess to financing and closing. Even building your own house is examined in this excellent, wide-ranging guide recommended for its easy explanations.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Exceeded my hopes and expectations.......2006-11-09
I was a little nervous about buying yet another book on how to buy my first home. After all, if I had spent all the money I spent researching the concept on my down payment... Well, ok may that's a bit of an exaggeration. I was still skeptical I could learn anything new, but I was wrong. This book is different from other guides in that it provides accessible information for me, the everyday Joe Q. public person. I don't have a trust fund to take care of my bills, my credit isn't pristine for the past billion years, and my credit-to-debt ratio reflects 8 years of college from a working class environment. Yet, this book gave me answers, strategies, and lots of helpful information that was more than just hope. It made it seem possible. Nothing is just glossed over; rather there are comprehensive guides, tools, and strategies to make owning your own home a reality. The forms included on the CD are a bonus as well! And in PDF format for a win so it's simply filling it out on screen, printing and moving forward with no excuses left! I can't wait till I finally close!
Books:
- Rich Dad's Real Estate Advantages: Tax and Legal Secrets of Successful Real Estate Investors
- Rivers for Life: Managing Water For People And Nature
- Rutland Place
- Smooth Moves
- Special Edition Using Microsoft Expression Web
- Staffordshire Portrait Figures
- Texas Real Estate
- The Black Tower
- The California Landlord's Law Book: Rights & Responsibilities. Book with CD-Rom (12th edition)
- The California Landlord's Law Book: Rights & Responsibilities. Book with CD-Rom (12th edition)
Books Index
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