Books like The advanced guide to real estate investing by Ken McElroy

"This book is designed for realty investors who want to profit from buying below market, making cosmetic improvements to add value, and then quickly reselling. But real estate agents and home buyers should also study it because of the valuable insights offered by a longtime, very successful real estate broker. On my scale of one to 10, this superb book rates an off-the-chart 12." --Robert Bruss You've probably seen TV shows like Flip This House and Flip That House, in which Real estate investors buy, renovate, and sell a house in a matter of weeks for tens of thousands of dollars in profit. They make flipping houses look so easy that you want to jump out of your recliner (during the next commercial, of course), run down the street, find a house for sale, flip it for a 50 percent profit, and run back home to continue watching the show. I, Ralph Roberts, have flipped hundreds of houses, and it's never as easy as it looks on TV. People don't generally line up at your front door begging you to buy their house for 30-50 percent below market value. Renovation expenses always exceed estimates. And you can't always sell a house for what you think it's worth. Flipping houses for a profit requires time, money, and what I like to call sticktoitism--dogged determination in the face of overwhelming uncertainty. Not just another house flipping book You can find plenty of books about flipping houses that claim "anyone can do it" and make flipping look easy and risk-free. Flipping Houses For Dummies takes a different approach--honesty. We don't claim that flipping houses is "easy" or "simple" or "risk-free," because, quite frankly, it isn't. Flipping Houses For Dummies reveals the risks and rewards of flipping properties; helps you determine whether you have the time, energy, cash, and other resources to be successful; and then conveys the expert knowledge that those who wish to pursue house flipping need in order to minimize risk and maximize potential profits in a very competitive market. Did you know? Most books on flipping houses gloss over the key factors that that make or break the novice house flipper. These are the very items we focus on in Flipping Houses For Dummies. For example, did you know: You should secure financing before you look at houses. As a flipper, you want dontwanners--houses that the owners obviously don't want. You make your profit when you buy the property. You realize your profit when you sell. Always plan on earning at least 20 percent after your total investment--purchase price, repairs and renovations, real estate agent commissions, and holding costs (monthly mortgage payments, insurance, property taxes, and utilities). Working with a top-notch real estate agent can save you thousands of dollars more than what you pay in commissions. You should choose a limited geographical area to work and then become an expert on the houses and property values in that area. Your goal when renovating a home should be to bring the property up to market standards, not exceed them. A flipping book for real people Flipping Houses For Dummies speaks to the mom and pop investor, steering you clear of the gray areas, which tend to carry high-risks and low-returns, into safer, more potentially profitable areas. We encourage you invest in your comfort zone and take on bigger, riskier projects with higher profit potential only when you'r...

Ken McElroy builds on his bestseller to give advanced, practical lessons on real‑estate investment, covering market analysis, deal closing, tax structuring, and building a winning team.

Want to get rich through real estate? Then you need The ABC's of Real Estate Investing. It's the definitive guide that will teach you how to find property, evaluate its worth, negotiate the deal and make money in the process. There are no 'get rich quick' tricks on these pages, just proven methods that deliver bottom-line profits and increased property values. -Ken McElroy, Real Estate Investor, Property Management Expert, Business Owner, and Author The ABC's of Real Estate Investing will: Achieve wealth and cash flow through real estate Overcome the myths that are holding you back Find property with real profit potential Evaluate a property and set your own purchase price Negotiate the deal based on the numbers Discover hidden profits in the properties you buy or own Increase your income through proven property management techniques.