Investing in Duplexes, Triplexes, and Quads: The Fastest and Safest Way to Real Estate Wealth,   ISBN:9781419537257

Customer Rating: 

Loftis published this book a few months before the real estate bubble burst and it is completely obvious that the he NEVER saw it coming. He goes on and on about 25% annual appreciation in the properties he owns. He also comes off as somewhat bigoted when describing some working class tenants. Though the book contains useful information for complete novices, I would recommend a few other books in the field. There are authors less blind to the volatility of the field and more sensitive toward the individuals they will provide housing for.

Customer Rating: 

I was looking to get into real estate investment but knew to stay away from single family dwellings. I found Larry's book and gave it a shot. Although I'm new at this and my be out of line, but I can't see not doing a background check on tenants. I need to know if they have been evicted, don't pay their bills, etc... Other than that, he discusses GRM in great detail and I'm convinced I will stay in mid-level GRM neighborhood as the book recommended. Great read for those of us with little knowledge and repetative enough to let it sink in.

Customer Rating: 

I'm a homeowner considering investing in a rental property. I've spent some time obsessing over a spreadsheet re: how the financing, cash flow, etc. would work out. I got this book looking for tips. First, it was written in 2005. The author spends a great deal of time singing the praises of leveraging, which if you already own a home you should already have a pretty good grasp of that concept. And these days you are looking at 25% down, not 5% unless you plan on living there.

There are a few tips in there, but most are obvious: "go with your gut" wrt tenants, get a place in a nice neighborhood not a crappy one, etc.

I would like to see a lot more useful information. What kind of insurance options are out there? What if the place burns down? How do I get rid of a nightmare tenant? What are the laws that protect a landlord and a tenant?

I just spent 10 minutes on the phone with my mortgage broker (who is in the rental game himself) and it was far more useful than the 3 hours I spent going through this book... I suggest saving your money and seeking some current advice in your local market.

Customer Rating: 

This book is very good, very informative on how to get started in multifamily properties. I am already on my way to financial freedom.

Customer Rating: 

Even though this book was written in 2006, and we are currently experiencing the biggest real estate bubble burst, I think this book is still helpful for investors. As the author said, in the bad years, it is the buyer's market and sellers outnumber buyers. This is exactly true today. As a result, sellers are forced to reduce asking prices, sometimes far below their fair market value. Again, I believe this is very true today because all the sales occur with few buyers at the table, and these buyers are worried about job stability and the economy. Investors who are looking for a long-term investment will find this one of the best times to invest.

The author believes that multi-family investments (2 to 4 units) are superior investments compared to single-family homes and larger commercial properties. They are better than investments in single-family houses because they offer economies of scale, more control over vacancies, less competition, and better "rent-to-cost" ratio. In comparison to commercial properties (five units and up), they are easier to finance. I believe that real estate investors will find this book valuable.

- Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market