The Appraisal of Real Estate, 12th Edition

The Appraisal of Real Estate provides readers with a solid foundation for a broad and substantial understanding of real property valuation, with detailed information on appraisal theory, highest and best use analysis, land value, valuation procedures, and the preparation of appraisal reports.
Customer Review: A Requirement for Future Appraisers, Yes, BUT……
If you are planning on taking your local state appraiser’s exam, you no doubt will be required to purchase this text. It is, for better or worse, a “standard” in the industry. Unfortunately, as a professional educator with 17 years college teaching experience, I can honestly say that this book is incredibly verbose, repetitive, and badly organized. This 600+ page tome could EASILY be reduced by 50% (or more) without losing ANY necessary/vital information. If you have ever had to read a book on managment or education, then you KNOW what I am saying here. For published works on real estate appraisal that are concise, to-the-point, and not mind-numbingly boring, look elsewhere…….. Click here to find out more …

Your First Year in Real Estate: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional

Classic Insight into Building a Fabulous Career in Real Estate
Welcome to the world of real estate sales! Now, you control your destiny. A career in real estate offers endless opportunities, the freedom of flexible hours, and the potential to earn fabulous amounts of money. But to reach your goals you need to be prepared. Before you dive in, you must learn everything you can and discover the edge that will take you to the top.
Inside, experienced and top-notch real estate professional Dirk Zeller presents the secrets to success that will allow you to excel from day one. Full of practical answers and step-by-step solutions to the field’s most common obstacles and challenges, Your First Year in Real Estate will help you build a solid foundation for a lifetime of real estate success.
Be a real estate champion from day one by knowing how to:
Select the right company and get off to the right start
Develop valubable mentor and client relationships
Master your sales skills
Achieve the financial results you desire
Set—and reach—important career goals
“Dirk Zeller’s approach is brilliant! He gives the best basic marketing techniques to his students. I applaud this book.”
—Bonnie S. Mays, vice president, Reality World America, and executive director, Reality World Academy
“Follow the advice in this book and you will join the growing list of real estate professionals who call Dirk Zeller their mentor!”
—Rick DeLuca, nationally recognized real estate speaker
Customer Review: After one year in the industry, I found the book was misleading.
After one year in the real estate industry, I needed to clean my book shelf. This book was thrown into the box marked “useless”.
Let me tell you why.

The first time I bought and read it, I had no real working experience and thought I got great information about industry. Thus I thought I was ahead of other newbies. I read this book so many times, underlined, and dog eared.
Looking back, the only thing this book was right is “average income is very low”.
For the rest, unfortunately, I found this book actually mislead me too much and lead me to costly mistakes.

One example. The author suggested that office located in busy street is better for newbies. I found this was not true. I worked with 3 offices.

The other example is that the author suggested that bigger office is better for newbies. I found this is absolutely not true. The reality is it’s much better to start with small office where you can easily find mentor. In reality, in large offices, competition among salespersons are high to the level that no one cares about helping newbies. Get the fact. Everyone is working on commission. They don’t even wast time to go lunch with you!!! And here’s the facts. This business of real estate sales is not really intellectual, not even to the level of professional. It’s all about how much people you know and how much people know you. This is rather a business of convenience. Every other salesperson even in the same office is a potential enemy for your business!!! Why they help and teach you to suceed. It only reduces their chance of making listings and sales!!!

Once I realized this, after actually working in industry, I knew this book was useless and never refered to this book for anything.

One and a half year after I actaully got into the industry, I found the very useful book. If you are about to be a real estate salesperson, read “How to suceed in commercial real estate” by John L. Bowman. I know this is for commercial real estate. But this book is WAY BETTER than “Your First Year in Real Estate”.

Don’t make costly maistakes by reading “Your First Year in Real Estate”. 80-90% newbies fail in first 3 months. Reading wrong books can be fatal for your career.

Customer Review: Your First Year in Real Estate
The book is overly simplistic and aasumes the reader has absolutly no common sense. I see little useful information here. The book lacks the detail anyone would be looking for entering into the resl estate business. Click here to find out more …

Real Estate Riches: How to Become Rich Using Your Banker’s Money

An all-time bestseller, Dolf de Rooss classic Real Estate Riches shows you how to find great deals and make great profits in the real estate market. Youll learn why real estate is such a reliable moneymaker and how to achieve the biggest return possible on your investment. Full of time-honored wisdom, proven tactics, and quick-and-easy tips, this book shows you how to find the best properties with the most potential, analyze deals, negotiate and submit offers, effectively manage properties, and dramatically increase the value of your real estate without spending much money. If you want to be your own boss and quit the nine-to-five life, Real Estate Riches shows you how.
Customer Review: good book.
The good thing about this author is he’s very easy to listen to and he keeps your attention no problem. As opposed to the famous book “Blink” the guy has great information but he has a one tone voice that puts you to sleep.
The information is great but its not neccessarily a “how to” guide.
Customer Review: good points but overly simplistic
Dolf brings good points about property
1) having more control than paper assets
2)Leverage
3)Tax benefits
4)How inflation works in your favor
But a bit of it is overly simplistic.Anyone would know La is a hotter market than Idaho. Click here to find out more …

Investing Without Losing: The Beginner’s Guide to Real Estate Tax Lien, Tax Deed, and Foreclosure Auctions

Customer Review: Intriguing Investment Book
This book presents innovative ways of investing to gain higher returns than through customary methods. The book focuses on investing in tax liens and tax deeds, areas of particular interest given the uncertain state of the economy at this time. The book presents the process in straightforward language, with good use of visuals such as flow charts. The author has been careful to insert information about jurisdictional differences and tax laws that could affect investment decisions. He also walks the investor down the path of financing these investments, including potentially using underperforming IRA assets. Also included is additional information on research, bidding strategies, and selling properties to recoup assets. This is an outstanding work sure to at least provoke serious thought about this alternative, and is a great start on getting involved in this investment approach.
Customer Review: I brought this book to the AUCTION!
I brought this book to a tax lien sale in Colorado and was actually able to use two strategies listed in this book! I won 6 tax liens on my FIRST auction cheaply! I’m trying to hold on to them to convert them into a tax deed so I can own 20+ acres of land with $350.00 worth of tax liens. The normal market value for 20 acres in the area is expensive. Don’t even ask. According to the book, everything depends if the tax lien gets paid off or not. But I identified proprety owners that were rejecting their land and are unlikely going to claim it. Hehehe. Thanks Mr. Sausa for writing an awesome guide! Hopefully I’ll be a ranch owner in a couple of years. Note: I’m buying another copy of this for a Christmas present for a fellow ranch owner who didn’t know about tax liens either and paid for his land the normal way, he was wasting money down the drain. Click here to find out more …

Modern Real Estate Practice in North Carolina

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Real Estate Loopholes: Secrets of Successful Real Estate Investing

We’ve all seen the get-rich-quick real estate ads. There is something compelling about the idea of starting with nothing, investing just a little time and getting wealthy. It seems all you have to do is buy real estate and riches will be immediately and effortlessly yours. But REAL ESTATE LOOPHOLES shows that the real estate industry is not just a get-rich-quick game. Just as with any business venture, the key to finding wealth through real estate investing is through knowledge, a good plan and by building a team of advisors and mentors who can provide the expert guidance you need. By examining the three keys of successful real estate investing-selection, taxation and protection- REAL ESTATE LOOPHOLES shows what it takes to make a real estate investment work for you.
Customer Review: Learned alot
I think that it is a good book for people who are just getting into real estate investing. It gives you information on many creative things that can be done. I learned alot and plan to use some of the suggestions and tools soon.
Customer Review: Plug for other products – all fluff
The authors of this book touch on many subjects, giving very little detail in any of them. The legal and accounting loopholes are very basic – and they keep referring you to other products and sites they’ve written/published – making this book one big commercial. In one area, when talking about the benefits of real estate investment, the fail to even mention costs associated with using equity, cash flow, repairs, etc. I am a new entrant to real estate investing, and would not recommend this book to anyone. It is no different than the get rich quick schemes you see on tv/internet. Click here to find out more …

Maverick Real Estate Financing: The Art of Raising Capital and Owning Properties Like Ross, Sanders and Carey

Real estate financing lessons from some of the best minds in the business The real estate market is booming, and over the last few years, people have turned to this reliable investment because of its incredible potential. However, real estate investing is a much different beast than buying a home. The objective is no longer real estate for individual use, but to lease the property to others in order to create income. In this follow-up to the widely acclaimed Maverick Real Estate Investing, Steve Bergsman describes in detail various real estate financing methods that can be used for real estate investment success. Each chapter discusses a different financing technique from first mortgages, equity financing, conduits, and agency loans to low-income housing tax credits, distressed mortgages, and UPREITs and profiles real estate financing mavericks who have used these techniques to capture huge profits. While advice on real estate financing abounds, Maverick Real Estate Financing offers proven techniques and strategies from some of the best minds in the business including: W.P. Carey, and Robert Taubman. Steve Bergsman (Mesa, AZ) is a nationally recognized financial and real estate writer. For the past 20 years, he has been a contributor to many leading publications and regularly writes the “”Ground Floor”" real estate column in Barron’s. He is also the author of Maverick Real Estate Investing (0-471-46879-7).
Customer Review: Examine Your Motivation
This rating is based on how well the book met my expectations. If you are honestly ready and focused on joining the ranks of Zuckerman, Shorenstein, Zell, or Trump, then a book like this might serve well as a type of guide post. You would then be dealing with projects in the $100 million plus range. If, however, your focus is on the lower end of the spectrum … like financing apartment buildings under $5 million – with or without the aid of an investment group – you will not gain much in the way of practical knowledge from this book
Customer Review: Real Estate Entrepeneurs – This is Your Must Read!
I live, breathe, eat, and sleep real estate – everything from the single family homes to the development deals to the commercial turn-key acquisitions.

There are few books that are must reads in the world of the cookie-cutter industry that is dangerously overplayed. That is why Steve Bergsman’s book is a must read (several times over). Financing, especially in the world of commerical lending, is a complicated subject that many investors across the spectrum do not put enough thought into. Bergsman offers great insight on not only the mavericks that pioneered (or help to pioneer) the concepts, but he also provides great examples of deals done in every creative, yet ethical and legal, way to structure financing.

As the owner of a capital funding group – this is what makes me tick – this book should be refreshing for those that are fed-up with the over-leveraged (and often danagerous) ways to finance real estate. This is a long-term success book that highlights how multi-million dollar deals that keep you in business are structured. Donald Trump’s most famous saying regarding thinking big fits this book. You can reach it if you just know what to look for.

I believe in meat-and-potatoe reviews, so here is the meal:

- Sale-leasebacks are discussed
- REITs
- Commingled Capital
- Raising Capital/Equity Financing

and much more are discussed in impressive detail. So think big by buying this book. Stay in business by buying this book!

Real Estate Business People – This is Your Must Read! Click here to find out more …

Negotiating Commercial Real Estate Leases

While many books offer sample forms and advice about drafting clauses for retail, office, and industrial leases, few examine the essential business issues underlying each clause of the lease from both sides of the negotiating table — tenant and landlord alike.

Whether you are a business owner about to sign a lease, a real estate professional determined to draft the ideal transaction for your client, or a landlord looking to protect profits and property simultaneously, Negotiating Commercial Real Estate Leases can help you understand

*The obvious and not-so-obvious differences between “standard” landlord and tenant leases.
*Specific negotiating strategies for retail/shopping center, office and industrial leases.
*The critical economic and legal issues at stake in each clause of the lease.
*Which points are most easily negotiated under what situations and which points aren’t worth the time spent arguing.
*What alternative clauses and solutions can be offered to create a deal that works for both parties.

As the basics of term, rent, premises, assignment, maintenance, insurance, default, taxes, alterations, and more are covered, author Martin Zankel uses wit and wisdom to break down confusing legalisms and offer basic negotiating strategies for each situation.

The book also includes two appendixes that provide examples of a tenant-oriented lease and a landlord-oriented lease.
Customer Review: Review by Steven Vornea
Negotiating Commercial Real Estate Leases is an informative guide for the business owner and full of important information regarding the ins and outs of leases. I would highly recommend this book, although it might not be as helpful to those who work outside the specific niche that the title suggests.

Steven Harry Vornea
Customer Review: Negotiating Commercial Real Estate Leases
This book is very informative and well written. Mr. Zankel offers a number of excellent examples and some very well written and usefull clauses. I enjoyed his writing style and sense of humor. The only negative is that I was hoping for a more step-by-step plan that was offered. It is a fine book and should be in every leasing agents library.

Adam P. Von Romer, CCIM Click here to find out more …

Real Estate Principles: A Value Approach

Real Estate Principles: A Value Approach demonstrates how value is central to virtually all real estate decision-making, including whether and how to lease, buy, or mortgage a property acquisition; whether to renovate, refinance, demolish or expand a property; and when and how to divest (sell, trade, or abandon) a property. Students using Ling and Archer should finish the course with a value-oriented framework, and a set of valuation and decision making tools, that can be applied in a variety of real-world situations. Real Estate Principles: A Value Approach provides students and instructors with the most modern, engaging and attractive textbook available on the subject, with helpful pedagogical features unmatched by any other title.
Customer Review: I love this book!
This is my favorite real estate book. It covers all the basics and leaves you wanting more. If you want to get into commercial real estate, especially the finance end of it, I would highly, highly recommend this book.
Customer Review: Ling and Archer is not bad….
The organization of the Ling and Archer book is weird but otherwise the book is not bad. Click here to find out more …

How to List and Sell Real Estate: Executing New Basics for Higher Profits

This best-selling real estate book delivers the proven formula for creating a fast-track career and higher profits in real estate. Discover the trade secrets to building lifelong customers and gaining market share from the first-hand experience of one of real estate?s most highly regarded professionals. In her dynamic style, Danielle explains how technology will not replace the value of an agent but, instead, has increased the demand for personalized selling. Seize the opportunity to set in motion these NEW basics to your success in real estate.
Customer Review: Fair review
This book was o.k. I learned a few things. I thought it was a bit corny on some topics.
Customer Review: Great eye opener
I’m a new agent and this book is giving me the tools to understand how this industry works. AWESOME tips!!! Click here to find out more …