Rating: 
Summary: The beginner
Review: First,I am a sophisticated PAPER investor,not real estate tycoon. My advisor wanted me to diversify with real estate. With their book, I knew what to ask and how to evaluate. Though I went with condos,which they don't recommend, it fit my circumstances and with their tips, I made the proper evaluation. If you're even REMOTELY thinking of investing in real estate,even buying your first house, get this book. Couple this with The Roaring 2000's by Harry Dent to key in on potential boom real estate markets. Mine is considered mid-growth phase. BTW,and perhaps they don't want this advertised,but I sent off an email asking a question. They actually wrote me back within 24 hours. I didn't really expect that! Thanks again.
Rating:
Summary: I Got Lucky in Real Estate
Review: I am a recent college graduate who found myself not making much money and worrying about my future, until I was given The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing as a gift. Martin Stone and Spencer Strauss have cut through all the red tape and put my fears of investing, to rest. The book is easy to read and easy to understand. They answered most of my questions in the book, but even more, responded to some bigger questions via e-mail. Anyone who doesnt have this book, and is looking to live a little bit easier life, needs to run out and get it right now.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't get too excited
Review: I am new to the real estate industry, actually I am in the process of learning before I made any important transaction. What I've learned is that real estate is a very complex industry that requires very technical analysis. Don't expect this book make you an expert, it will not. This book is OK if no nothing about real estate and want to get the basics. however the knolwedge that you will receive from this book will not be enough to make an smart desicion. You will have to make more research by yourself. Don't get dissapointed, real estate is very exciting and you can make a lot of money if you really understand all of its aspect.This books provides some basics indicators and is pretty motivating. I recommend you to buy if you know, as I said, NOTHING, about real estate. In other case it will be a waste of money.
Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: I first met Marty and Spencer almost 2 years ago when they helped (read spoon fed) me through my first property purchases in the US. In their company Buckingham Investments, a more profesional, honest, dedicated and supportive group you will not find. I was greatly looking forward to reading the book they put so much work into. I was not disappointed. In fact I was very surprised at just how good it was. There is NOTHING that could happen to a real estate purchaser that is not covered in great detail in this book. They have done brilliantly to explain simply and accurately everything that 40-50 years experience in the Real Estate game could provide. I was actually given a signed copy and have since bought three for friends as gifts. It is that good.
Rating:
Summary: Great self help investing book!!!
Review: I found the book to be well organized and very easy to follow. I have purchased several properties using the information given in the book and have had great return on my money. I find myself going back over the text time and again and learning new things every time. Thank you for writing such an informative guide to real estate investing and cutting through all the hype.
Rating:
Summary: The #1 book on R.E. investing to buy!
Review: I have been a Real Estate Investor for several years - but never knew (or thought of) 90% of the things in this book. I wish I would have read it before I bought my first building. It is awesome for the person who knows nothing - but would like to learn. It is more than just an introductory book - it is a constant reference manual. Since buying the book( 3 weeks ago), I have purchased a great property & just signed an agreement to sell a different one. Check out the table of contents & you will see that it is very thorough. The ONLY negative thing about this book is that the publishers have made several typo's - none that I have noticed that changed a meaning or direction - just simple typos. Buy it & then get ready to want to read it from cover to cover without putting it down.
Rating:
Summary: Everything I wanted to know and more.
Review: I have been anxious to get into multi-unit residential investing for some time now but I have had too many unanswered questions. What kind of return can I expect? What kind of cashflow? What kind of financing options are out there? What are the different tax benefits? How do I find a good property? How can I be sure that I don't get cheated on my first property purchase? How much effort am I going to have to put into managing that property? Where do I start? I've looked to other sources for the answers to these questions and been frustrated by the vague generalities, and the many issues that are completely ignored by the authors. The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing answered all of my questions and then answered many that I hadn't even thought to ask. This guide was written by two long time veterans of the multi unit rental business and then approved by a "panel" of real estate experts. Consequently this is the most thorough, readable, and useable guide to real estate investing I've found, yet. This book tells you what the business is like, what the risks are, and then takes you through the investment process step by step from charting out your investment goals to managing your successful properties. I wouldn't recommend this book for investors interested in single family homes, condos, commercial rentals, or raw land. This book only lightly touches on those topics on the way to thoroughly educating the reader on investing in Apartment buildings. However if you are looking at acquiring a piece of multi unit residential income property this is the book for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Good information, well presented
Review: I have found this book to be useful in evaluating real estate investments. It is not the kind of book that you can use on its own; be sure to use common sense, and another good real estate book and/or a professional for backup. I personally used Robert Allen's book along with this. I liked the advice, the examples, and the tips. However, there is so much to cover, and the market changes from one place to another and from year to year. No book can cover all possible scenarios, so be sure to use your good judgment (and possibly someone else's, too).
Rating:
Summary: Everything You Need to Know to be successfull!
Review: I have read a lot of real estate investing books, they all talk as to what you can do. Most of them emphasize on a way of thinking, a mindsight, how to wheel and deal. This book shares factual information. It discusses the ways to actually get started and build your way toward wealth. From tentant relations to special creative type mortgages to NOI, ROI analysis this book takes you through it all. This was by far the most informative and best real estate investing book I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Beginner to intermediate? This is your book!
Review: I have read several books on real estate investing trying to get into the business and, while other books might touch on specific aspects better, this book is the most comprehensive by far. It is written in a clear-cut style that allows for fast and enjoyable reading. The notes given in the margins of the book are extremely helpful with explaining an idea more in detail. The ideas are well-explained and offers good resources for further exploration into any specific area. The book is also divided into many chapters, so you don't have to drum through long chapters and feel drained by the end. This is an excellent book to start out with if you are trying to get into the business or even if you already own one or two properties already. If you are an expert on real estate, this would be a nice review for you.
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