Rating: 
Summary: Good solid basic real estate info.
Review: If you are looking for a good overall guide to investing in real estate, this book might be for you. It is not a no down, get rich quick guide, nor does it lead you to investing in risky situations. It does however lay out in plain simple language, the benefits of investing in residential real estate and how to evaluate what a specific property is returning as to cash flow, appreciation etc. Definite formulas are provided and explained. Best of all, after I read the book and realized that the two authors were located in the Southern California area, I picked up the telephone and spoke with them. They were more than happy to meet with me to discuss my real estate situation. After having met with them, I am looking forward to improving my situation. I'll write back in two years and give you an update.
Rating:
Summary: Should be retitled "The OFFICIAL Guide"
Review: Stone & Strauss have laid out a very well organized and easy to read masterpiece on real estate investing. The book focuses on an important aspect that most others miss- PLANNING for success by strategizing a step-by-step long term process instead of focusing on the unrealistic yet prevalent "get rich quick" strategy that so many of the other books try to lure you in with. The chapters are well organized with real world case studies and great anecdotal information that go into great technical depth without taxing your comprehension in the process. Among the 16 valuable chapters is one dedicated to assisting the reader in building a long term investment plan that is tailored specifically to their needs. I gotta go now,...there are quite a few 4-plexes out there to conquer.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent reference guide for investors
Review: The approach this book offers is refreshing and its laid out in a manner that makes it an easy reference guide. It covers a wide assortment of topics and has helpfull tips on the side of the pages for additional interest. I just counted my real estate investment book collection and including this book its up to seven.Of those seven this book would be one of the best. I would give this book a definate "thumbs up" and a buy for the novice to somewhat seasoned real estate investor. Another excellent (if dated) book is: How You Can Become Financially Independent by Investing in Real Estate by Albert J. Lowry. Too bad it is out of print but if you can find one buy it.My all - time fav.
Rating:
Summary: Real Estate Gurus Demystify Investing
Review: The authors' accomplishment with this book is substantial. It is a complete, nuanced, and digestable guide for real estate investors who need an established system for assessing risk, evaluating rates of return, developing investment strategies, managing properties, considering tax implications, and, in general, harnessing the power of a real estate portfolio to generate significant wealth. As a professional real estate and real estate investor, I use this guide on a daily basis as a trusted reference. I give it to all my clients who have ever thought about buying investment property because it answers every question a potential investor may have. If you have ever considered how to implement a plan for buying investment property, this book is essential for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Unofficial guide to real estate investing
Review: The book had good information, but it also had math errors and other, text typos. It made me question the source.
Rating: 
Summary: very light in content
Review: The book is very light in content and written with a very narrow approach. If you want to learn anything about real estate don't buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Packed with solid advice, analysis and examples
Review: The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing is "the" best book on the subject. I have read over 20 books on real estate investing in the last year. The Unofficial Guide made the information I had learned in the other books seemed sparse and superficial. This book is packed with step-by-step analysis from start to finish on not only on how and where to invest but how to do it wisely to maximize your profit over time. I could not recommend this book more highly. Put it in your collection. I have purchased at least one property since reading this book. Using the financial analysis provided in the book, I have already realized a handsome return on my investment. Pick it up today.
Rating:
Summary: The Inside Scoop On Real Estate...
Review: The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing
by Spencer Strauss, Martin J. Stone Contributors to this book also include experts: William Bronchick, Warren Ladenheim, and Ed Stevens If you want the inside scoop of how others have become rich in real estate, then this book will do the trick for you. This book will teach you the process of appraising everything you can imagine to investing in real estate and buying lifelong security on your road to wealth. The best thing I enjoyed about this book is the rare breed it has joined by not cohercing you into situations or particular types of deals due to being sponsored by industry insiders. This book is factual and unbiased in what it has to offer the investor, because it isn't influenced by a company or organization. William Bronchick is the president of the Colorado Association of Real Estate Investors, and being from Colorado, I and other investors here view him very favorably. The authors and experts deliver the information "the Official establishment" doesn't want you to know. You can expect:
Vital Information
Insider Secrets
Money-Saving Tips
The LAtest Trends
Handy Checklists and much much more... I highly value this book as elite among is peers.
Rating:
Summary: Best of the lot
Review: This 368 pages book, not counting 63 pages of Appendices, is a very comprehensive book worthy of reading. It is purposely written in easy to follow language and there is even a glossary of those terms that with which the reader might be unfamiliar. In general I'm not a big fan of glossaries as it seems that many authors use the glossary as filler for the book. That is not the case here. In the margins are helpful tips, watch outs and money saver tips. This is a good beginner or intermediate text, but experienced real estate investors will find this to be too elementary reading. The text is comprehensive and can be used for further reference, as it does have an index. The price is also right for this book at retail of $16.99 and is well worth the money spent. At $11.89 on AMAZON.COM its a great bargain. Besides the purchase of real estate, which many other books cover this book also gets into being a landlord, how to fix and upgrade a property and even whether you should rent to pet owners. They say yes! They recommend charhing extar security and extra rent to qualified pet owning tenants. I would recommend that anyone contemplating real estate investing either as a part time avocation or a full time career to start with this book. This is not the only book you'll want or need to read, but its a good first step. this book doesn't have everything that you'll need but will start you on the right road.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, and a Great Beginning....
Review: This 368 pages book, not counting 63 pages of Appendices, is a very comprehensive book worthy of reading. It is purposely written in easy to follow language and there is even a glossary of those terms that with which the reader might be unfamiliar. In general I'm not a big fan of glossaries as it seems that many authors use the glossary as filler for the book. That is not the case here. In the margins are helpful tips, watch outs and money saver tips. This is a good beginner or intermediate text, but experienced real estate investors will find this to be too elementary reading. The text is comprehensive and can be used for further reference, as it does have an index. The price is also right for this book at retail of $16.99 and is well worth the money spent. At $11.89 on AMAZON.COM its a great bargain. Besides the purchase of real estate, which many other books cover this book also gets into being a landlord, how to fix and upgrade a property and even whether you should rent to pet owners. They say yes! They recommend charhing extar security and extra rent to qualified pet owning tenants. I would recommend that anyone contemplating real estate investing either as a part time avocation or a full time career to start with this book. This is not the only book you'll want or need to read, but its a good first step. this book doesn't have everything that you'll need but will start you on the right road.
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