About this product: "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're ready.
In Flipping Houses For Dummies we stress that the first flip is the most important one, and we take the guesswork out of the first transaction, to lead you through a positive first experience on which to build a promising real estate investment portfolio.
Flipping Houses For Dummies provides plenty of examples of successful and not-so-successful property flips, presenting the total investment (in time and money), the work involved, and the net profit. Before-and-after photos visually illustrate the positive transformations from run-down-shacks to showcase homes.
About this product: Asking the right kind of question isonly the first step to becoming fullyengaged at work and in life.
In his bestselling book QBQ! The Question Behind the Question, John G. Miller revealed how personal accountability helps to create opportunity, overcome obstacles, and achieve goals by eliminating blame, complaining, and procrastination. The result? Stronger organizations, more dynamic teams, and healthier relationships.
Now Miller takes readers to the next level to show how they can use the power of the QBQ! and personal accountability every day.
When a light switch is flipped the flow of energy that is released reaches the lightbulb in an instant, bringing it to life. Similarly, asking the right kind of question-a QBQ-is the first step to empowering what Miller calls the Advantage Principles-five essential practices that will lead to a richer experience in every aspect of life:
- LEARNING: live an engaged and energized life through positive personal growth and change - OWNERSHIP: attain goals by becoming a solution-oriented person who solves problems - CREATIVITY: find new ways to achieve by succeeding "within the box" - SERVICE: build a legacy by helping others succeed - TRUST: develop deep and rewarding relationships
With compelling real-life stories and keen insights, Miller demonstrates how anyone can find success and satisfaction by "flipping the switch."
About this product: Master the art of flipping with KIRSTEN KEMP, host of the hit TV show Property Ladder!
"This book establishes a new standard for real estate authors. Kemp gives her readers delightfully written prose packed with her wealth of experiences. She lays out so many profit-generating (and loss-avoiding) ideas that while reading the manuscript my highlighter never got a rest." --Gary Eldred, Trump University Professor of Real Estate, coauthor of the bestseller Investing in Real Estate
Real estate isn't just for the rich! And this book proves it. In Flipping Confidential, Kirsten Kemp, the host of TLC's runaway hit show, Property Ladder, gives first-time investors the guidance and inside tips to buy cheap, fix fast, and sell high. With a positive attitude and a healthy dose of humor, Kirsten Kemp walks you through every step of a successful flip--from finding the right house to getting your financing in order, from making big improvements to pricing the home to sell.
If you've ever seen Property Ladder, you know that successfully fixing and flipping a property can be a deeply rewarding experience--both personally and financially--when you do it right. Kemp makes sure you do it right in Flipping Confidential, revealing all the inside knowledge she has amassed as a successful flipper. You'll learn how Kemp became a successful flipper and much more, including how to: * Get started with little savings or free time * Find great leads and follow up on them * Clean up your credit and find financing * Sign up a great agent, lender, or contractor * Learn when you can do it yourself, and when to hire a pro * Keep costs down during renovations * Set schedules and plan for costs and fees * Master home staging for higher profits * Manage mistakes before they become disasters
Real estate is the key to your financial freedom, and flipping is the fastest way to unlock that door. If you want to get out of the office, be your own boss, spend more time with your family, and make a truckload of money in the process, this is the ultimate guide to your new life. The key to financial success isn't a secret, it's Flipping Confidential.
About this product: Now in a newly updated and revised second edition, The Complete Guide to Flipping Properties covers all the ins and outs of buying, renovating, and reselling distressed properties at big profits. Steve Berges shows you how to excel at every aspect of flipping, from finding great deals, to analyzing property values, to negotiating sales, to closing deals. With new information on flipping in a soft market, this is the only guide you need to start turning a profit now.
About this product: In real estate markets all around the country, real estate “flippers” have discovered that a small down payment, a little paint, some cleaning, and some time can net them tens (even hundreds) of thousands of dollars in profits, possibly tax-free. Small upgrades to the kitchen, bathrooms, and living areas, and the “ugly” house they bought for $200,000 in June can be sold for $300,000 in October. Real estate investing has created more millionaires than any other investment vehicle in this country. Real estate flipping refers to the practice of finding a property that is for sale—usually priced below-market—and then selling it soon after it is bought for a quick profit. Finally there’s a comprehensive, no-nonsense book that teaches you everything you need to build wealth through flipping properties quickly, legally, and ethically. You don’t need great credit, a real estate license, or large sums of capital or experience to get started. There has never been a better time to invest in real estate than today. This new book offers first-time and returning real estate investors tactics for making a fortune. Even if you have little or no money, you can find success in real estate investing by “flipping.” Flipping properties can be a part-time or full-time business for anybody. You will learn all of the paperwork involved in real estate transactions, including deeds, mortgages, contracts, notes, and titles; new FHA regulations; how to begin investing with little or no cash; locate opportunities; work with real estate agents; increase curb appeal; locate the financing you need; and most importantly, purchase properties for pennies on the dollar and prepare them for a quick sale. The book is loaded with case studies and success stories—from real people. You will uncover secrets that expert real estate investors use every day. This comprehensive resource contains a wealth of modern tips and strategies for getting started in this very lucrative area of real estate investing.
About this product: Real estate investing has historically been one of the most consistent ways to achieve great wealth. Focusing on proven strategies for buying and selling properties quickly, (also called “flipping,”) Flipping Properties offers would-be investors the details on how to generate cash from this popular real estate investment method. The authors outline a step-by-step process for generating cash flow, with or without a stellar credit record, large sums of cash, or a real estate license. Guidelines help tailor a practical investing game plan for both experienced investors as well as beginners. To make a solid start, the authors reveal the essential elements of real estate transactions as well as the basics of what makes “flipping” such an appealing way to invest in real estate. Covering pre-purchase through closing and beyond, Flipping Properties is a complete reference that also includes legal forms, sample contracts, hands-on checklists and sample advertising and marketing materials designed to get properties to sell. At the heart are practical strategies to buy bargain properties, then rapidly resell them for cash profit.
About this product: "The more you find out about penguins, the more they seem to have in common with another oddly endearing flightless biped. Namely, us." --Flipping Brilliant
Think March of the Penguins meets Life's Little Instruction Book by way of National Geographic.
Award-winning nature photographer Jonathan Chester captures the essence of the Antarctic's most popular residents to illustrate the similarities between penguins' lives and our own. Patrick Regan's clever narrative offers surprising insights and humorously entertaining life lessons.
The appeal of penguins is undeniable and universal. And we can learn a lot from these fat, funny birds. Lessons like:
The meek sleep alone,
It's better to be smart than cute, and
You can be too thin. ("After all," the book explains, "if the Olsen twins ever get locked in a walk-in cooler for days and are forced to live off their own body fat, they're goners. Penguins? They're good for months.")
Flipping Brilliant includes helpful environmental information about the penguin habitat and the effects of global warming, including Web sites that show how you can help.
FLIP, the third book in the National Bestselling Millionaire Real Estate Series (More than 500,000 copies sold!) FLIP provides a detailed, step-by-step process to analyze each investment, identify the best improvements, accurately estimate the costs and intelligently oversee the construction. It takes out all the guess work and almost all of the risk. Here's what industry experts are saying about FLIP:
"Read this book before you flip that house! FLIP is an indispensable step-by-step guide to flipping houses that you will refer to again and again."-Carlos Ortiz, Executive Producer, "FLIP That House" (TLC's most popular real estate TV show)
"At HomeVestors, we're in the business of buying and selling homes for profit and I can attest that there are few, if any, who can rival Rick's and Clay's expertise when it comes to fixing up houses for profit. This book is a must-read for any investor."-Dr. John Hayes, President and CEO of HomeVestors of America (the largest homebuyer in America)
"FLIP is a must-read book for everyone in the real estate business. Every agent should have this book. They should read it and master its contents. Why? Because it is the best guide ever written on how to evaluate real estate and how to add value to a house."-Gary Keller, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Keller Williams Realty International and author of bestselling The Millionaire Real Estate Agent and The Millionaire Real Estate Investor
"For anyone looking to build wealth in real estate, FLIP provides a step-by-step approach that really works in any market."-Loral Langemeier, bestselling author of The Millionaire Maker
FLIP extends the national bestselling Millionaire Real Estate series with a step-by-step guide that is quickly becoming "the model" for successfully finding, fixing and selling investment properties for profit. Based on their involvement in over a 1,000 flips, Rick Villani and Clay Davis walk you through the proven five-stage model for successfully flipping a house: FIND: How to select ideal neighborhoods, attract sellers, and find houses with investment potential; ANALYZE: Identify which improvements to make and analyze the profit potential of any house; BUY: How to arrange financing, present the offer, and close on the purchase; FIX: A 50-step, easy-to-follow plan for fixing up houses that keeps you on time, in budget and assures top quality; SELL: How to add finishing touches to quickly sell for maximum profit. Woven through the book is an entertaining narrative that follows the flipping adventures of Samantha, Ed, Bill, Nancy, Amy and Mitch as they find, buy, fix and sell their first investment houses. With all this plus the experience of over a thousand flips condensed into one book, FLIP gives new investors the tools they need to avoid common pitfalls, make a profit, and enjoy the process of house flipping. Rick Villani and Clay Davis are senior executives at HomeFixers, North America's leading real estate rehab franchise. HomeFixers has been involved in more than 1,000 flips nationwide.
About this product: Blast off into the wacky world of gadgets!
Have you ever wondered what makes airplanes fly, how boats float, or why your doorbell works?
Would you like to build your own flying, floating, diving, spinning, howling, scooting objects?
Are you looking for a terrific science project that moves?
If you answered "Yes!" to any of these questions, then Rocket Science is for you. It shows you the science behind how things work by teaching you how to build a rocket boat, kaleidoscope, mousetrap car, stethoscope, compass, fruit-powered battery, and lots of other wonderful gizmos. All of the projects are safe and easy to make out of stuff you can find around your house.
This amazing book covers a wide variety of science topics, including mechanics, air power, water power, electricity, magnetism, chemistry, acoustics, and optics.
What is the least we need to achieve the most? With this question in mind, MIT graduate Eric Brende flipped the switch on technology. He and his wife, Mary, ditched their car, electric stove, refrigerator, running water, and everything else motorized or "hooked to the grid," and spent eighteen months living in a remote community so primitive in its technology that even the Amish consider it antiquated.
Better Off is the story of their real-life experiment to see whether our cell phones, wide-screen TVs, and SUVs have made life easier -- or whether life would be preferable without them. This smart, funny, and enlightening book mingles scientific analysis with the human story to demonstrate how a world free of technological excess can shrink stress -- and waistlines -- and expand happiness, health, and leisure.
This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.