Customer Rating: 
Summary: Very General
Comment: This book is so general that you will not learn how to do anything. You will learn the lingo and basic description of auctions and forclosures but it does not go into depth about anything specific. If you have any specific questions and/or research topics this is not the book. If you are completely clueless and never owned a house this is your book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Keys to Buying Foreclosed & Bargain Homes
Comment: This book was extremely disappointing. It is too high level and superficial to provide any actionable information. It provides the same level of detail I'd expect from a magazine article, not a book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Over simplified and short
Comment: I've read about 6 books on real estate bought from Amazon, and I have to say that this one is the most oversimplified. It is like reading one of those "pocket MBA" books, which just tells you terms and procedures. Don't expect to read this book and be able to transact "foreclosed and bargain homes". It is far from that! For instance, the chapters on how to identify and find a "bargain" home comes down to this: look it up at a bank, MLS, or internet. Heck! I could have told you that for free! Given that that is the most important step, I was really disappointed with this book. Don't waste your money...If you want to buy an overview or basics book on home buying I sugget the "Unofficial Guide to Buying a Home" which is much more detailed and straightforward about buying a home. And it covers in better details what are the pitfalls of buying a bargain home.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A good read for those searching for discounted real estate.
Comment: I got this book because I became disenchanted with attempting to purchase real estate through tax liens and was searching for a better way. What I have found by reading this book is that it is possible to purchase real estate at a discount if one is willing to do the leg work.
The authors do a good job defining bargain homes, dicussing strategies on getting the best price and locating repossessed homes. Also the book has a useful glossary, helpful checklist and locations of Hud and VA offices around the country.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Concise and easy to read
Comment: This book is wonderful for the novice trying to learn about the business of investing in real estate. There is not a wasted word in this book and each chapter is only 2-3 pages long so it can be read inbetween commericals during a movie. I read over half the book during one movie.There are helpful checklists and nuggets of suggestions that should help anyone wanting to buy a house or an investment such as Exhibit 1 showing how prices tend to change according to the season and the General Checklist to apply to any property you are considering buying. There are addresses for all the Hud offices in the US. There are tables to calculate mortgage payments based on the interest rate and there is an excellent explaination of the foreclosure process.
This a nugget of a book written in an extrememly readable and digestable manner. It may be a little too basic for experienced real estate investors but it is perfect for those just starting to learn the subject. I wish I had this book when I bought my first house and anyone facing foreclosure could benefit from reading it as well to understand the process.
