Give the Gift of Real Estate Knowledge

Written by Posted On Sunday, 17 December 2006 16:00

Holidays are typically frantic and even stressful as people try to decide what to give that special someone who has everything. The gift of real estate knowledge is a present that's useful and practical. It's also something everyone should know about.

I believe that learning about real estate is as important as knowing how to cook yourself a meal. You may like going out to dinner and having a meal served to you, but it's good to know how that meal was prepared. Same too for real estate; even though, hiring an expert to assist you with your home buying or home selling is the smartest way to navigate through a real estate transaction. Having knowledge about the process and what to expect will give you not only peace of mind, but also the knowledge to make wise decisions.

This year there were a number of books on real estate that hit the market. Here are just a few that would make great gifts and provide information that would benefit a novice or a well-seasoned real estate investor.

Trump The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received. 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies. In this book, you'll hear from Realtors, brokers, CEO's, writers (even Realty Times' own Blanche Evans and myself). Trump writes the introduction. In it he says why he wanted to publish this book. “What I know, I know well, but I don't have a monopoly on good ideas and real estate wisdom. I can't know everything. As Susan Penzer points out, underlying my success is my 'ability to gather the best information from the brightest people.'"

The book is indeed a wealth of information for consumers and practitioners of real estate. It's easy to read and consists of 100 short educational stories sharing the writers' experiences, advice passed on to them, lessons learned, and even mistakes. It's real estate and good solid business advice that is worth adding to your library.

The Real Guide to Making Millions Through Real Estate. Author Lisa A. Vander has produced a book that all investors can learn from. The nearly 300-page book contains information on why to invest in real estate -- how you can start a real estate portfolio with as little as $3,000 -- the fears, risks, and values, diversifying your portfolio, timing the real estate market, and even a chapter on developing a legacy of real financial intelligence. There are worksheets, hot tips, and sections for you to explore the psychology of your spending habits. A well-written book that is loaded with knowledge will be a welcome addition to your financial library.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying Foreclosures by Bobbi Dempsey and Todd Beitler offers expert advice on finding bargain buys in your area. Additionally, they include tips on common and costly mistakes and basic information about the entire foreclosure process. Also, I have written a section on Top 10 Financing Fumbles to Avoid in the appendix of the book. Whether you ever plan to buy foreclosures or not, this book has handy and interesting information that can benefit everyone.

2 Years to a Million in Real Estate is an account from author Matthew Martinez, about how to quit your day job. It's the kind of success story any real estate investor hopes for, and Martinez says it can, indeed, become your reality. In his book, 2 Years to a Million in Real Estate, he gives readers a step-by-step guide of vital information to get ahead in real estate. While Martinez doesn't promise overnight success, he does believe, you too, can become a millionaire in just 24 months through real estate investing.

The proof is his track record. Martinez fast-track to success is revealed in his book. He shares how he left his full-time job -- director of international business development for an Internet portal and search engine company -- and built his career in real estate. His captivating story educates readers on the process of becoming a real estate investor. It's another helpful book to help family and friends ring in 2007 with a wealth of knowledge for a productive year in real estate.

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Phoebe Chongchua

Phoebe Chongchua is an award-winning journalist, an author, customer service trainer/speaker, and founder of Setting the Service Standard, a customer service training and consulting program offered by Live Fit Enterprises (LFE) based in San Diego, California. She is the publisher of Live Fit Magazine, an online publication that features information on real estate/finance, physical fitness, travel, and philanthropy. Her company, LFE, specializes in media services including marketing, PR, writing, commercials, corporate videos, customer service training, and keynotes & seminars. Visit her magazine website: www.LiveFitMagazine.com.

Phoebe's articles, feature stories, and columns appear in various publications including The Coast News, Del Mar Village Voice, Rancho Santa Fe Review, and Today's Local News in San Diego, as well as numerous Internet sites. She holds a California real estate license. Phoebe worked for KGTV/10News in San Diego as a Newscaster, Reporter and Community Affairs Specialist for more than a decade. Phoebe's writing is also featured in Donald Trump's book: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Buying Foreclosures. She is the author of If the Trash Stinks, TAKE IT OUT! 14 Worriless Principles for Your Success.

Contact Phoebe at (858) 259-3646 or [email protected]. Visit PhoebeChongchua.com for more information.

www.phoebechongchua.com/

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