Rating: 
Summary: One for those of us who don't buy into "get-rich-quick"
Review: Rental Houses for the Successful Small Investor was a welcome inspiration after finding nothing about owning rental properties except the get-rich-quick writers who proclaim that you won't make money unless you find foreclosures, or do lease-options, or swing a "no-money-down" deal. It's not so! Suzanne Thomas's conservative approach relies on realistic down payments, patience, and executing the fundamentals of acquiring and managing rental property.For example, she encourages all investors to give owning rental property a try for at least 5 years before deciding that it may not be for them. She also says to plan on owning a property 7 years if you are counting on it to appreciate. Even if I was one who didn't find her approach appealing, I couldn't argue with the fact that the author has overcome a huge obstacle which most of the "How I Did It" books do not surmount: she has developed a system which can repeatedly produce success for herself and for her readers. She does a nice job of explaining the practical details involved in real estate investing, such as * a practical method for calculating rate of return on your invested capital * the ability to partially insulate yourself from increasing interest rates with ARM by pre-paying the principal * advice on reserve funds for property maintenance. It's not as though this is the only tool you'll need to be a successful investor; you'll probably want a real estate attorney to review your lease agreements and some of the trickier transactions such as a 1031 exchange, but I think that after reading this book you will be able to say to yourself, "If I have the discipline to do this, I can make it work."
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Summary: Just what I was thinking
Review: I had started investing before I read this book. When I looked at the review I just had to pick it up and see what Suzanne would say. I read the book in its entirety in just 2 nights. Many of the things she did were similar to my own thoughts. This helped me build the confidence I need to move forward. I learned things about ARM's that I never knew before. I called my bank and they verified everything she said. They also said I could apply for a 0% down and I might qualify. If not, maybe they could do 1% to 3% down. As it is, I am doing 5% down with great terms. I highly recommend this book. Suzanne explains everything in an easy to read style, and only expects you to user your head and common sense. I don't know why others think she is tooting her own horn. I didn't get that feeling at all while reading the book. Definitely worth a read if only to see another approach that might fit your investing style. My spouse is very cautious about investments but thinks the same way Suzanne does and this has helped us move forward.
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Summary: Thanks to Suzanne I now have 2 wonderful rentals
Review: ....though I'm itching to own more. Ms. Thomas' book is excellent in its plain-sense, easy to read format. Perhaps people are taken aback by her no-nonsense, anecdotal style. I don't find any "bragging" other reviewers are alluding to, rather I find straight talk -- what has worked well for her and what hasn't. From cover to cover, each chapter has helped me move closer to excellent cash flow. Thanks Suzanne ! I was tired of the get rich quick set and now, through careful thought and application of your advice, I'm on my way.
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Summary: Common Sense Conservative Approach
Review: After reading several "get rich quick" type real estate investment books, I was getting frustrated. I am a much more conservative person than that and was just not interested in the late night TV approaches to real estate investment. This book hit me directly where I was at. Thomas is a smart common sense investor with real life experience. Much of her advice, I either already knew or would have done anyway. However, there were a number of areas where I had serious "ah-ha" moments. One example is using ARMs for cash flow. I would not have touched an ARM prior to reading this. Her explanations of the loan industry was invaluable. As a result of reading this book I am closing on my second property in 3 weeks. I highly recommend this book. I keep going back to it as my reference guide..
Rating: 
Summary: used as an opportunity to brag?
Review: This book is not very informative or practical for actual investing. The price ranges she uses are not realistic for most people that are going to buy properties & rent. Many of the examples (these are her personal properties) seem like they are an opportunity to brag. The only reason I am giving 2 stars rather than 1 is the various topics discussed will potentially prompt a beginning investor to think & make him/her curious to research more detailed information.
Rating: 
Summary: informative but used as an opportunity to brag
Review: This book is a good source of information for those really new to renting property. Its focus is on renting to tenants not actually the practice of investing. Although the different type of loans such as conforming, nonconforming, and portfolio are explained to give the reader an idea of what each one is. The examples used are the writer's rentals - approximatelyy 99% of the examples are her own rentals. I do not think she realistically protrays the rental market. Most of the examples are well over the $100,000 range - ranging from $120,000 - $150,000. Many people will not use these types of properties as rentals - much less have serveral in this price range. Although there is some good information especially in reference to rates of return and taxes, I think the writer makes this an opportunity to brag about the six figure properties she has bought to rent. I just do not think it is realistic for the major part of the United States that is going to purchase to rent. Plus her restriction on pets having to be neutered is absurd. But I am a pet lover. I gave this book 3 stars instead of 2 because the information will at least get you thinking and help you decide what topics to look at in more detail.
Rating:
Summary: Basic but an okay book
Review: If you have already read Bob Allen's classic Nothing Down or Nickerson's How I turned $1,000 into $5 Million (should be retitled How I turned $8 thousand based on todays dollar), you probably will find Suzanne's book pretty boring and basic. On the other hand, you may find it a great review. If you are a newbie, it makes for an interesting read.
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Summary: Good Conservative Approach
Review: This was the first book I read on real estate investing two years ago. It details a good conservative approach to real estate investing. I purchased my first rental home shortly after reading this book, and had good cash flow immediately. I've recommended this book to numerous people that are interested in getting into real estate investing. I highly recommend this book.
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Summary: Excellent, easy to read book!
Review: I own two rental properties and when I first started out I had no idea what I was doing. This book has helped me get organized and has taken some of the fear out of being a landlord. I bought this book because it looked detailed but 'to the point' - and that's just what it is. It is very well written and easy to follow. It is broken down logically by subject matter so I can use it as a quick reference whenever I have a question about how to manage my properties. I would highly recommend this book to anyone considering or already in the rental house business!
Rating:
Summary: Basic & direct
Review: The field of real estate investment is broad and success is possible in a myriad of ways. There is no one right way to do it and i'm finding it helpful to read as many books as possible on the subject. I know a few successful real estate professionals and each has a unique approach, too. Compared to other types of work, I think it's actually pretty easy (I am a CPA - passing that exam was a little harder than buying a house and renting it out) so I am not reading books primarily for the few details about depreciation or how to fix a leaky faucet. What really interests me is how each individual came up with a winning strategy, whether it's a focus on super-low purchase prices & major rehabbing, using debt to leverage the investment, buying cheap houses in soon-to-be hip urban neighborhoods or managing the properties well. I think I will succeed in my efforts when I determine the approach that best fits my personality, not after I read the "right" book. This book is very well written. I think she took a simple subject and presented it very clearly and makes a very good case for her approach to successful investing in rental properties. Worth every penny!
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