Just in time for year-end contemplation, here is my annual list of the best real estate books of the past year. It took 52 weeks of preparation. Each week I reviewed a new real estate book.
Here are the best of these 52 new real estate books from 1995. All are available in stock or by special order at local bookstores and public libraries.
– “Yes, You Can Own the Home You Want,” by Gary W. Eldred (John Wiley and Sons, New York), 235 pages, $14.95.
This optimistic, upbeat book shows prospective home buyers the many techniques for acquiring a home. The emphasis is on financing for first-time home buyers, with many success examples. Also explained are how to select a realty agent, choosing the right home, and how to stretch your home buying budget.
– “Your New Retirement Nest Egg,” by Ken Scholen (National Center for Home Equity Conversion, Apple Valley, Minn.; Order Phone 1-800-247-6553), 336 pages, $24.95.
Author Ken Scholen is the nation’s expert on reverse annuity mortgages for senior citizens. He has been writing on this topic for many years. In his latest book, Scholen explains the best and the worst reverse mortgages, as well as the lender pitfalls seniors over 62 should avoid. This book is aimed at house-rich but cash-poor seniors, as well as their adult children.
– “A Fortune at Your Feet, Revised Edition,” by A.D. Kessler (Probus Publishing, Chicago; Order Phone 1-800-998-4644), 284 pages.
Dr. A.D. Kessler was the pioneer real estate author, magazine publisher, and seminar instructor who showed investors how to become wealthy in real estate. In the latest edition of his best-selling book, Kessler shares his personal success stories of how anyone can use creative financing to acquire and profit from real estate with little or no cash.
– “Up and Running in 30 Days,” by Carla Cross (Real Estate Education Co., Chicago; Order Phone 1-800-829-7934), 153 pages, $24.95.
Aimed at the new real estate sales agent, this book explains the steps to take for getting off to a quick and profitable sales start. Experienced realty trainer Carla Cross counsels new agents what to do week by week to become successful. The book is filled with charts and forms new agents can use to plan their sales development.
– “Tips and Traps When Negotiating Real Estate,” by Robert Irwin (McGraw-Hill, New York), 204 pages, $12.95.
Home buyers, sellers and their real estate agents should carefully study this unique book, which explains how to profit from successful negotiation. Topics such as negotiating the price, the commission and the sales terms are carefully discussed, as are negotiation tactics and strategies. Anyone involved in the home sales procedure who has not read this book is at a severe disadvantage.
– “Build Your Dream Home for Less,” by R. Dodge Woodson (Betterway Books, Cincinnati, OH; Order Phone: 1-800-289-0963), 192 pages, $18.99.
Many dreamers want to design and build their homes to meet their expectations. This book shows how to accomplish that goal on a limited budget. Author R. Dodge Woodson is a contractor and his new book applies that extensive experience to virtually every aspect of custom home construction.
– “From Ads to Riches,” by Joan McLellan Tayler (Mansion Press, San Francisco), 233 pages, $19.95.
The author, a retired Realtor, was famous for her newspaper classified want ads which attracted buyer attention and sold homes. Her book shares, in a humorous way, the reasoning behind what makes real estate advertising work or not work. Tayler’s many real-life examples make the book fun and profitable reading.
– 100 Questions Every Home Seller Should Ask,” by Ilyce R. Glink (Times Books-Random House, New York), 390 pages, $14.
Selling a home is potentially one of life’s most tramatic experiences. But Ilyce R. Glink’s book anticipates questions most home sellers have and provides answers which solve typical home sale problems. Home sellers should study this book before contacting a real estate agent because it will avoid many mistakes home sellers make.
– “How to Buy a House With No (or Little) Money Down, Second Edition,” by Martin M. Shenkman and Warren Boroson (John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York), 261 pages, $14.95.
This is the best of the how-to-buy-a-home books. It is filled with solid, practical information plus methods of buying which won’t take much cash out of your pocket. The authors carefully explain the many choices home buyers have and then give their suggestions. Numerous examples, tips and cautions make the book fast-paced, enjoyable reading.
– “How to Find Your Ideal Country Home,” by Gene GeRue (Heartwood Publications, Zanoni, Mo.; Order Phone 1-800-787-2522), 332 pages, $24.95.
This extremely well researched and well written book resulted from the author’s quest to find his ideal country location. It includes 32 subjects, over 300 illustrations, and 85 maps to answer reader’s questions on what makes the ideal country home and where to find it. Before moving to a rural location, study this book if you want to make the right move.
Honorable mention:
– “My Kind of Town,” by Eric and Margaret Burnette (Chronicle Books, San Francisco), 182 pages, $15.95.
When the authors decided to move out of a large city, they carefully researched many small towns before deciding the criteria their new location must have. Readers share in this quest for the ideal town with all the right attributes. The book is extremely well organized for easy reading with many worksheets to assist readers in their personal search for the perfect small town.
– “Squeeze Your Home for Cash,” by Ruth Rejnis (Real Estate Education Co., Chicago; Order Phone: 1-800-829-7934), 221 pages, $14.95.
Realizing many homeowners have substantial home equities and their residence is a major asset, author Ruth Rejnis shows how to use a home to produce cash. Whether it be taking in a renter for additional income, saving on utility bills, or getting the best price when selling, this unusual book shows how to make a home produce cash.
– “How Your House Works, by Don Vandervort (Ballantine Books, New York), 219 pages, $23.
The purpose of this unusual book is to show homeowners the mechanical aspects of how their residence works. Excellent illustrations and explanations show how virtually every home component operates. Even architectural styles and home design basics are explained.
– “The Homebuyer’s Survival Guide,” by Kenneth W. Edwards (Real Estate Education Co., Chicago; Order Phone: 1-800-829-7934), 179 pages, $14.95.
Real estate broker and instructor Kenneth W. Edwards shares his sometimes unorthodox advice to home buyers by suggesting how to avoid serious mistakes. He is especially tough on real estate agents by warning buyers to beware of “games” some agents play with unwary home buyers.
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