How to Buy Real Estate for at Least 20% Below Market Value

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good
Review: I found this book to be a refreshingly straightforward treatment of the subject. Mr. Reed thoroughly examines a couple of dozen approaches to buying real estate (and a couple of money-making programs not directly related to real estate), including an analysis of ethical and legal considerations.

Getting a really good deal on *anything*, not just real estate, involves either or both of the following factors:

1) Finding something nobody else knows is for sale (there are people out there who are incredibly poor at marketing), and/or
2) Finding something nobody else wants (for a reason that can be remedied for a cost that still leaves you adequate profit).

That's the whole philosophy. Mr. Reed supplies many case studies and analyses showing how to find and evaluate those two factors.

You should be aware that the author of this book currently refuses to deal with any other bookseller, and will sell only through his own website. IOW, you won't be able to get this book from Amazon. I read the copy I obtained from interlibrary loan.

Rating:
Summary: OK book
Review: This book isn't too bad, but it lacks the how to factor. It makes a better reference guide. Also John Reed is such an unpleasant man, I think he feels a real need to "expose" other real estate authors. Perhaps he does this to boost his own career. It doesn't help. It just leaves a nasty taste in my mouth. I'd rather get help elsewhere. I am by the way, a real estate investor. Who needs the negativity?