Rating: 
Summary: Get Rich Quick Schemes
Review: I purchased this book because of all the positive reviews. After reading this book I can't for the life of me figure out where all these positive reviews came from. In fact, it looks like the positive reviews were all manufactured by the same person (presumably the author) trying to pump the book. Notice that abbreviations like IRE and REI keep popping up in review after review?That being said, this book is a combination of "get rich quick!" and "master of the obvious". For example: - Did you know that you could buy real estate with no money down? Just use your credit card to finance the whole operation! Are you serious?!?! Using credit card debt at 25% interest to finance real estate speculation? - Buy, flip, profit from real estate investments (that's REI for those of you who aren't the author of the book) by *cleaning* and *painting* the place. I'm glad someone told me that I actually have to *clean* the apartment that I just purchased. I don't know how I would have ever figured that one out without this book. - "You can name the price if I can name the terms". The author states that the seller can price the property at any price they want provided that the buyer can dictate the terms (for instance, agreeing to pay $500K for a property if the buyer gets a 6.5% loan). What the author fails to realize is that the seller can't give any of the concessions that the author states. How in the world is the seller going to give you a 6.5% loan? That's the banks job! This makes the author sound like they have very little practical experience in actually buying/selling property. Overall, I do not recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Horrible - Save Your Time & Money
Review: I bought this book due to all the positive recommendations, but what a huge disappointment once I received it. I would re-name the book "Some superficial stories about real estate & basic concepts that would even insult beginners." Given the tactics in the book, I find it very hard to believe either author has ever made a penny in real estate. For example, "get a win-win agreement buying foreclosure properties by being empathetic with the owner." I paid money to read "make sure you clean the house before you try to rent it." They wrote 8-pages on lease-options, and then go on to say "we've never done one, but Robert Allen says he has done many." So, they have no expertise or experience in writing about lease-options, but quote a well known real estate fraud as their proof of how easy it is. The back cover of the book says "they'll teach you how to buy with little or no money down." But open the book, and they spend 11-pages discussing why it is a bad idea. I doubt this book will add to anyone's real estate library. Instead buy Investing A to Z, by Pivar; or John T. Reed, etc.
Rating: 
Summary: This knowledge is power
Review: After reading a pile of the "flipping", "fixing'" and finagling r.e. books, at last I found something with some real knowledge in it-- instead of wishful thinking dressed up as "how to" info. IRE 4th gave me the feeling that I now really know enough to value a property. It also covers market strategy--which none of the other books mentioned. Overall, a great boook to get started with. Breadth with depth. A must read for beginners who want to invest seriously.
Rating:
Summary: Value packed
Review: Being an amatuer investor I found a lot of good information in this book. It's concise and has a lot of breadth. Though lacking in depth there really isn't much more you can expect from this ~300 page book. It gives you a lot of sober minded information that you can use or discard. It's not like a lot of the overheated dross passed as real estate investment books out there currently. If you want to get started in real estate this is a great place to find out a lot of information up front ,however, it's still up to you to get follow up education. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will your real estate empire. The only thing I found irksome is that someone apparently didn't check the math. One example, ROI= 12,021/125,000 = 48%. I mean, come on, this is the fourth edition and the editor is snoozing through it? Regardless, the content itself is what counts. I highly recommend it. Armed with this knowledge you can probably jump into real estate courses and seminars to further augement your knowledge, but it is an excellent starting point.
Rating:
Summary: Packed with insights and info
Review: This book amazed me with the amount of info, insights, and practical reality-based advice. After reading several of the "big promise --litle content" real estate books, I'm impressed by these authors' know-how and sincerity in trying to offer real wisdom.Let's say that I'm rather put off by the hyped-up (nearly impossible to carry out) flipping and finagling types of books. Whereas, I think IRE gives great value. A true classic work which I guess is why it's now in its 4th edition.)
Rating:
Summary: Superb, Concisely Written Guide to Real Estate Investing
Review: Andrew McLean and Gary Eldred have written a book that concisely presents some of the things they have learned as successful real estate investors. For those persons considering investing in real estate who would like guidance without the late night infomercial guru, the price of this book is a safe investment. As the title suggests, the book is general in nature and begins with the case for income properties as the most likely road to long-term prosperity and closes with a chapter on legally protecting gains from the IRS. I was especially impressed with the sections on valuing properties and the clear discussion of buying from HUD and the VA. Along the way, the authors present the strategies they have used to locate bargain priced properties and to buy those properties with little money down, to make the right kinds of improvements to the properties and to successfully manage the properties for the highest return. The style is direct and the language and illustrations do not require an MBA in marketing or finance to grasp. The concepts and basic mathmatical calculations for evaluating a property are well presented and clearly explained. Some specialized topics are touched upon and the authors cite other books for a more in depth treatment. If you are considering investing in your first income producing property or if you own several income properties and are looking for an overview and some creative ideas for maximizing your returns, you will not find a better book than the new 4th edition of McLean and Eldred's Investing in Real Estate.
Rating:
Summary: The why and how of investing
Review: By far, the most intelligent guide to real estate investing that I have seen.Want proof? Read the "free" pages here on Amazon. That's what enticed me. Then, just as I was anticipating, the rest of the book delivers as promised. A great guide for the investor who really wants to learn the ins and outs of real estate.
Rating:
Summary: An Objective Real Estate Encyclopaedia
Review: This book is highly informative. Most importantly, this book is also highly objective that will give you a realistic approach in investing in real estate. It also has good discussions on the many techniques out there (including basic calculations, financing, negotiation techniques, finding bargains, leasing etc.) The authors had done a lot of research and it clearly shows. Because of the amount of information, this book will probably require a few readings before one can absorb all the amount of information. Having browse through a lot of Real Estate books, this one really could classify as the "Bible" of them all (well, as close to a bible anyway) A few suggestions: You might be interested in further your real estate education with Robert Campbell's book "Timing the Real Estate Market" to get a better sense of how to look at the real estate market objectively as well as being able to identify early warning signs. Another book is Andrew Tompos's "Analyzing Investment Properties" which will help you learn more about calculating cash flows and analyzing a property from a financial point of view etc. Good Luck!
Rating:
Summary: Billiantly Written
Review: Not your typical book that claims everyone will get rich with no money down. This author definately has experience and tells you how it is. The author underscores a lifestyle of living below one's means and limited risk taking to be a successful real estate investor. A very level-headed and reality-based approach. I will read more books by Dr. Eldred.
Rating:
Summary: The Magic Bullet
Review: this book is a slightly updated version of edition number three. not much was changed - either version scores a 5 in my book. like many others, i have invested several hundred dollars in RE investment "how-to's". i seriously believe that you can obtain more usable, practical (read truthful and usable) information from this single volume than all the others on my bookshelf. you won't find a more comprehensive, relavent work on the subject. beyond content, its also written in a manner that invites understanding and complex subjects are dealt with in just the right amount of detail. i strongly recommend this work as a basic primer on making a living via real estate investing. the author(s) obviously take their subject matter seriously - offering a high degree of integrity with this book.
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