Rating: 
Summary: Good book
Review: Informative, with lots of good real life examples. Very context expanding.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book on RE investing but not the greatest
Review: The book is o.k. for novices in the real estate field. Dolf de Roos tries rightly to convince you that RE is the best investment, if you are patient, to retire with peace in mind. De Roos has a Phd in mechanical engineering and has never worked for someone, thanks to his decision to work for himself in real estate and he has made a fortune. But I still recommend the book "The Buy and Hold Strategy" by Schumacher which I hope I had read when I was 25-30 years old. I read it when I was in my mid-forties and the book helped me so much to achieve my goals for a secure retirement. I am retiring at 55, fully financially secure thanks to Schumacher's book.
Rating:
Summary: My 0.02
Review: I have two things that I would like to say.One, if you're reading these reviews because something inside of you has been awakened--because you realize that there's got to be something in life better than going through the grind of a 9-5 job, _DON'T_ let the negative reviews get in your way. Go ahead, this book will inspire you and get you going in the right direction. Two, this is _NOT_ a how-to book. While looking for background information about the author, I realized why. Have you read Michael Jordan write something about how to run, pass and dunk? No, because those are things that you can learn easily. Michael Jordan approach basketball from a higher perspective. What he writes about are the mental disciplines he uses to play the game. It's the same with this book. The author did not write how to get a mortgage, or how to do this and that. Those are the simple things. You can get that information from other books. What you will get from this book is a sense of what is possible. With that, it might help get you through your journey when you're feeling at the bottom and nothing seems to be working. You'll also know how a very good real estate investor thinks. In the long run, the how-to's may matter little compared to learning how to think and approach the subject of real estate investing. Just my 0.02
Rating: 
Summary: Serious Lack of Substance
Review: As stated in other reviews, this is not a how-to book. My take is the author wants one to look at real estate as a serious investment. The problem I have with the book is that it can be accomplished in 30 pages. There is a lot of fluff.
Rating:
Summary: This book offers little less than motivation
Review: I read this book in one sitting, and took notes on important ideas. Unfortunately, the notes filled only one page, double spaced. Robert sells the idea that leverage improves your investment returns and that leverage, with proper risk control, is the key to becomming wealthy. His main point: banks won't lend you money to buy stocks or bonds, but they will lend you money (9 to 1 ratio) to buy real estate. Dolf offers mostly motivation and very little on how to gain riches in real estate. Most of his information is based on experiences in New Zealand. He uses this book to sell his course. I am sure he is a smart fellow with good information, he just does not offer much in this book. He barely scratches the surface. There are better books in real estate investing than this one. Instead of buying this book, borrow it from a library or sit down in a bookstore's coffee shop and read it. It will only take you an hour and you will be glad you kept your money in your wallet.
Rating:
Summary: Well presented book. Keeps it simple and useful.
Review: This book is a testament to a time honoured investment strategy viz. real estate. By way of proof: the stock crash of 2001-02 barely even dented the real estate market. In most North American cities, the real estate market was HOT in 2002, while the stock market went from bad to terrible. (My wife & I lost over 20% in our stock protfolio, while our real estate value GREW 25%). This book and others have pointed out that while no bank advertises to finance stock/jewelery/antique purchases, they are all fighting to finance real estate purchases. Why? Because real estate is "real", tangile and always in demand....and hence a great investment. The ideas in this book are not for lazy people, who'd rather buy mutual funds and then hope for a miracle. Its for people who want to work hard to build financial independence. Does it work? Think about it. Nothing "works" on it own, not even your car or your marriage, so why should this? However, like your car and/or marriage it will work if you make it work. Bottom line: Buying a [$$$] book will not make you a multi-millionaire, but using its time-honoured wisdom coupled with hard work, surely will.
Rating: 
Summary: Too general and vague
Review: There are better books out there. Don't waste your money.
Rating:
Summary: Rich Dad taught this fellow well.
Review: I have read several of Kiyosaki books, listened to his audio tapes and I always end up asking myself... WHERE'S THE BEEF. All of his materials are all fluff and no substance. While a part of me thinks he may be sincere in his attempt to educate, he would fail as a teacher. His lesson plans are lacking and leave the buyer struggling so that they buy more of his "meatless" products making him the only RICH DAD in America
Rating: 
Summary: An Ambassador for Real Estate Investing
Review: I REALLYY don't understand the reviewers who have criticized this book. At one point in the book, the author states that most books that are written about real estate investing are right on point. I believe that illustrates the whole approach to the book. It is clear, almost from the first page, that the book is concerned with proving that real estate investment is the REAL DEAL. The book succeeds in SPECTACULAR FASHION!! The author addresses the topic by first helping the reader redefine the returns from a real estate investment as compared to other investments (i.e stocks), reminding the reader of the tax and funding factors that are quite unique to (and favorable to) real estate investing. Like another reviewer stated, it is definitely not a HOW-TO book but a WHY-TO. It is very compelling however, and the author presents enough scenarios and real life examples to keep it kicking. I have been considering real estate investing for almost 3 years, but this book finally got me to take the plunge. Another reviewer stated that he jumped into real estate investing AFTER reading the book, and has seen excellent growth. I am also embarking on the same journey and hope to GLOAT to the critics a few years from now. As a relative neophyte, I have not been exposed to too many books on this subject but the criticisms in these reviews do not appear detailed, systematic or well thought out. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR ALL BEGINNERS. IT WILL HELP MAKE YOUR DECISION!!
Rating:
Summary: A very good real estate book
Review: Emerson once said, "The hardest thing for people to do is to think."This book gets you thinking. It's not about techniques. For techniques, read Nothing Down, A Fortune at Your Feet, Flipping Properties or Real Estate Money Machine.What Dolf deRoos does do with this book is what the other books in the RDPD series have done; get you to think. To develop a philosophy. To show you how to become a Ultimate Investor instead of a average investor.QUESTION: All of those great Real Estate books and websites that keep getting recommended. If they are so great, where are all of the real estate tycoons? Hmmmm????Read. learn, apply and succeed. Then come back and tell us the truth about this book.Happy investing.
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