Rating: 
Summary: I admit, I'm jaded against IG-MONEY "rent house" books
Review: I just don't see how books such as this fall into the hands of the small-time investor. It's true that to be a big-time investor you need to learn what the big guys do. Having said that, this one just assumes you have bought and sold homes for as long as the author (20 years) but that pertains only to 1 out of 500 of us. Most of us have a few houses and we want solid advice on how to make our investment work better.If you buy and sell properties in the Manhattan or Los Angeles area this book is for you. If you are an average real estate investor or rent house owner, many better titles exist for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Good advice, but take it with a grain of salt...
Review: I think Heller and Frank have done a fine job of laying out their strategy and I commend them for their compassionate approach to selling their properties. Still...I found the inconsistencies in the book weakened their position considerably. One doesn't have to read far to find several. What's more the numbers they use in their example calculations are very optimistic, perhaps a little too optimistic. I can't speak for the real estate markets in the South East, where the authors appear to reside, but I can say that formulas presented in the book are not valid for `most' Western real estate markets. I think this book is worth a read (it can be read in one or two sittings) if only for the twist Heller and Frank have put on the lease / purchase approach. As long as one is aware that the authors' statements are purely for example and is further aware that substantially less gain may be realized than the authors state using their technique `by the book,' this is a worthwhile text to consider.
Rating:
Summary: Good advice, but take it with a grain of salt...
Review: I think Heller and Frank have done a fine job of laying out their strategy and I commend them for their compassionate approach to selling their properties. Still...I found the inconsistencies in the book weakened their position considerably. One doesn't have to read far to find several. What's more the numbers they use in their example calculations are very optimistic, perhaps a little too optimistic. I can't speak for the real estate markets in the South East, where the authors appear to reside, but I can say that formulas presented in the book are not valid for 'most' Western real estate markets. I think this book is worth a read (it can be read in one or two sittings) if only for the twist Heller and Frank have put on the lease / purchase approach. As long as one is aware that the authors' statements are purely for example and is further aware that substantially less gain may be realized than the authors state using their technique 'by the book,' this is a worthwhile text to consider.
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing concept
Review: I'm just beginning to explore getting into real estate for additional income, and have been reading every book that I can get my hands on. I'm so glad that a friend recommended this book to me - the authors have got a unique concept that is easy to follow (even for a novice like me!). With the step-by-step info and sample documents, I think I'm ready to take the leap and get into this business.
Rating:
Summary: Great way to get into real estate investment
Review: I've been reading books geared towards the real estate investor for the last couple of years and this book ranks at the top of the list. It's complete covering everything from legal to marketing to finance yet it also is remarkably easy to understand and navigate. This isn't just another dry text nor is it a stripped down real estate for dummies. The book does a great job of outlining real-life examples and bringing home exactly how to execute the authors' investment strategy. My only complaint is I wish this had been published a couple of years ago.
Rating:
Summary: A First!!!
Review: I've read many books on real estate investment and this is the first book that lays it all out for the reading. Most books give you bits and pieces to get you excited and then try and sell you a whole program for hundreds of dollars. Buy Low, Rent Smart, Sell High gives you a plan that is easy to follow and based on sound business principles. A must read.
Rating:
Summary: Buy Low, Rent Smart, Sell High
Review: I've read the other guys' books on Lease Purchasing. Their "take no prisoners" approach somehow just didn't fit my personality. I could not get potential lessees to come up with 3% to 5% up-front option money.
I ordered this book from Amazon and immediately knew I had found a business model that works for me. I think Scott Frank and Andy Heller have come up with a realistic, achievable business model that provides investors a structured process to be successful.
I have always been a believer that if one can provide true, consistent value, wealth and good fortune will follow.
Scott and Andy have tapped this formula by providing value in the form of providing good housing and a second chance for home ownership to deserving people, while providing consistent profitability to the investor.
To Scott and Andy...Well Done!
Rating:
Summary: Decent, but has the typical flaw...
Review: in books of this type. These guys supposedly based their business around REO properties. Usually buying from the bank after the foreclosure process for 25% less than market value. They must live in an area with absolutely NO competition. Where I live everybody and their dog is after these types of properties, thus it is impossible to buy these houses for this type of discount. If you can get one it will be a DOG and you had better be ready to pour some money in it to get it sellable. Another beef is with their numbers. They assume at one point purchasing a house with a mortgage for $67500 say that your PITI(principal, interest, taxes and insurance) will be $500. They then say you can rent this type of house for $1000. Not in my neck of the woods. Be sure to check your local numbers for insurance and taxes and rental rates. That said, I do like their Rent-to-Own sales plan and the premise that someone renting-to own will take better care of the property than a transient renter would. I also like their breakdown of the six profits centers they look for in each property. If you are looking for a way to get started in real estate I recommend their plan once you have purchased the property, I just wouldnt limit yourself to just trying to fight for REO houses. There are many opportunities for buying houses for less than market price, just do your homework and don't limit yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Decent, but has the typical flaw...
Review: in books of this type. These guys supposedly based their business around REO properties. Usually buying from the bank after the foreclosure process for 25% less than market value. They must live in an area with absolutely NO competition. Where I live everybody and their dog is after these types of properties, thus it is impossible to buy these houses for this type of discount. If you can get one it will be a DOG and you had better be ready to pour some money in it to get it sellable. Another beef is with their numbers. They assume at one point purchasing a house with a mortgage for $67500 say that your PITI(principal, interest, taxes and insurance) will be $500. They then say you can rent this type of house for $1000. Not in my neck of the woods. Be sure to check your local numbers for insurance and taxes and rental rates. That said, I do like their Rent-to-Own sales plan and the premise that someone renting-to own will take better care of the property than a transient renter would. I also like their breakdown of the six profits centers they look for in each property. If you are looking for a way to get started in real estate I recommend their plan once you have purchased the property, I just wouldnt limit yourself to just trying to fight for REO houses. There are many opportunities for buying houses for less than market price, just do your homework and don't limit yourself.
Rating:
Summary: The most useful book and guide on this topic!
Review: Kudos to Heller and Frank for a practical guide to profitable and socially responsible real estate investing! As a novice real estate investor, I found Heller and Frank's book the most useful of all guides I have read on the subject. In addition to providing a practical step-by-step program for maximizing profits, their method also makes it possible for people who have in the past been unable to buy homes do so. The tools provided through the book (sample contracts, residential rental agreement, option to purchase agreement, and more) were also very helpful...I'd highly recommend this book to anyone thinking about investing or to those investors who are seeking to maximize their profits.
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