Real Estate Investing For Dummies (eBook)

Eric Tyson is a five-time bestselling author, real estate investor, and syndicated columnist who gives people the tools to better manage their personal finances and investments. Robert S. Griswold, author, teacher, and a successful real estate investor, is an active, hands-on property manager with a large portfolio of residential and commercial rental properties.

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Real Estate Investing 5

Chapter 1: Evaluating Real Estate as an Investment 7

Chapter 2: Covering Common Real Estate Investments 27

Chapter 3: Considering Foreclosures, REOs, Probate Sales, and More 49

Chapter 4: Taking the Passive Approach 67

Chapter 5: Fast Money: Small Down Payments and Property Flips 85

Chapter 6: Building Your Team 95

Part 2: How to Get the Money: Raising Capital and Financing 113

Chapter 7: Identifying Sources of Capital 115

Chapter 8: Financing Your Property Purchases 127

Chapter 9: Securing the Best Mortgage Terms 147

Part 3: Finding and Evaluating Properties 157

Chapter 10: Location, Location, Value 159

Chapter 11: Understanding Leases and Property Valuation 191

Chapter 12: Valuing Property through Number Crunching 205

Chapter 13: Preparing and Making an Offer 233

Chapter 14: Due Diligence, Property Inspections, and Closing 253

Part 4: Operating the Property 291

Chapter 15: Landlording 101 293

Chapter 16: Protecting Your Investment 329

Chapter 17: Recordkeeping and Accounting 341

Chapter 18: Looking at Tax Considerations and Exit Strategies 357

Part 5: The Part of Tens 385

Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Increase a Property's Value 387

Chapter 20: Ten Steps to Real Estate Investing Success 399

Appendix: Sample Purchase Agreement 409

Index 417