Field Guide to Investing in Real Estate
(Updated January 2009)
Is now the right time to be investing in real estate? Some say yes, some say no, and some say it depends. In a declining market, there are bargains, but don't look for a quick flip. If you're thinking long term, you can find some great deals. So if you're ready to take the plunge or want to be ready for brighter days ahead, find out how to get started, invest with IRAs, use real estate as a retirement tool, get information on rental homes, buying tax liens, real estate partnerships and much more in these books and articles. (D. Shumaker, Senior Information Specialist)
Why Invest in Real Estate? 
5 Alternative Investments to Protect Your Portfolio, (U.S. News & World Report, Dec. 11, 2008). The housing bust makes it easy to shun the real estate sector entirely, but REITs historically offer unique risk-management benefits.
The Storm Inside; Investment property is a better buy than it was a few years ago, but there's no rush to snap up low-cost real estate, (Financial Planning, Nov. 2008).
Real Results Through Real Estate Investment, (Real Estate Finance, June 2007). Q
How to buy... investment real estate, (Market Watch, Sept. 14, 2006).
Some real estate agents also like owning a piece of the pie, (Memphis Business Journal, Sept. 22, 2003).
Real estate fund investors build house of rising returns, (USA Today, June 5, 2008).
Real Estate Funds to Buy Now, (Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Jan. 2008). Q The best opportunities in coming years will be in less-traditional real estate securities. This article recommends five funds that have the freedom to dig into obscure niches.
Real Estate Investors' 10 Big Mistakes, (MSN Money, July 17, 2007).
Think Small: Getting Started as a Real-Estate Investor, (Wall Street Journal, Jan. 10, 2007). Q
Stocks or real estate? Why not both?, (USA Today, Mar. 6, 2006).
Issues you should consider before you invest in real estate, (Realty Times, May 25, 2005). You may think that investing in real estate is simple, but you first must decide on your investment objectives.
Real estate as a retirement tool -- Tips from the players, (REALTOR® Magazine Online, 2005).
Investor Report: Best Opportunities Ahead, (Realty Times, Oct. 24, 2008). According to the Urban Land Institute: residential lots, multifamily, Canadian properties and REITs.
Three Ways to Flip Houses in a Down Market, (RISMedia, Mar. 16, 2007). Focus on foreclosures, look for deeper discounts, and consider buy and hold.
The investor's guide to real estate investment trusts (REITs), (National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, 2007). PDF Document.
Green Real Estate: Interest in green investment products is building, (Financial Planning, Mar. 1, 2007). Q
Is a real estate partnership a good way to invest?, (Realty Times, July 26, 2004).
Roth IRAs offer way to invest in real estate, (Wall Street Journal, July 23, 2003). Q
A list of investment analysis software, (The Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University). Looking for the right software to help with your analysis? Texas A&M's Real Estate Center has compiled an extensive list of available programs.
Real estate professionals show wait-and-see attitude, (Portland Business Journal, Sept. 5, 2008). A recent survey by Grant Thornton of top commercial real estate professionals predicts vacancy will continue to rise, but the bottom isn't too far off. What advice do these top players have for owners of all sizes to survive the downturn and to prepare for a brighter future?
Investing in Real Estate, (The Practical Accountant, Apr. 2006). Q
The Investment Value of Home Ownership, (Journal of Financial Service Professionals , Jan. 2006). Q This article presents an overview of some of the tax savings opportunities available to homeowners and analyzes the investment value of home ownership.
Analyzing real estate so you can make money, (Realty Times, Dec. 23, 2003). How can investors be assured that they are making the right decision and assembling an income and expense statement that is accurate?
Making a real estate investment? Ask yourself these 9 questions before you buy, (REALTOR® Magazine, Feb. 2001).
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
The Complete Guide to Real Estate Finance for Investment Properties (Adobe eReader)
How a Second Home Can Be Your Best Investment (Adobe eReader)
The Insider's Guide to Tax-Free Real Estate Investments (Adobe eReader)
Insider Secrets to Financing Your Real Estate Investments (Adobe eReader)
Make Money in Short-Sale Foreclosures (Adobe eReader)
Real Estate Investing for the Utterly Confused (Adobe eReader)
Trump University Real Estate 101: Building Wealth with Real Estate Investments (Adobe eReader)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Commercial real estate investing: a creative guide to successfully making money, (Chicago: John Wiley & Sons, 2008). HG 4521 D34
Real estate 101: building wealth with real estate investments, (Chicago: John Wiley & Sons, 2006). HF 5438 El2
Commercial real estate investing: 12 easy steps to getting started, (Chicago: John Wiley & Sons, 2005). HG 4521 C91c
Real Estate Investing Made Simple: A Commonsense Approach to Building Wealth, (New York: American Management Association, 2005). HG 4521 C23
Successful real estate investing, (Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, 2004). HG 4521 Sh3s
Goldmining in foreclosed properties, (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2003). HG 4521 Ac4
Investing in real estate, (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2003). HG 4521 M22i
Investment analysis for real estate decisions, (Chicago: Dearborn Financial, 2003). HG 4521 G81 Ed. 5
IRA wealth: revolutionary IRA strategies for real estate investment, (Garden City, NY: Square One Publishers, 2003). HG 4521 R36
Real estate investing from A to Z, (New York: McGraw Hill, 2003). HG 4521 P68
Real estate investment trusts: Structure, performance, and investment opportunities, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003). HG 5095 C48
Real estate investor's deskbook, (Boston: West Group, 2002). HG 4521 Ar6re Ed. 3
Essentials of real estate investment, (Chicago: Real Estate Education Company, 2001). HG 4521 Si7 Ed. 6
Real wealth by investing in real estate, (Paramus, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2001). HG 4521 R59
Rental houses for the successful small investor, (Boulder, CO: Gemstone House Publishing, 1999). HD 1394 T36
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to REALTOR® Income
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