Acknowledgments.

PART I: PREPARING TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE.

Chapter 1: Introduction.

How This Book Is Organized.

Before You Begin.

Career Preparation.

Insurance.

Pension Planning.

Home Ownership.

Savings.

Conclusion.

Chapter 2: Comparing Real Estate to Other Investments.

Cash.

Savings Accounts.

Debt Instruments.

Bonds and Notes.

Stocks.

Collectibles.

Precious Metals.

Mining Stocks.

Real Estate.

Leverage.

The Miracle of Compound Interest.

Real Estate Investment Trusts.

Conclusion.

Chapter 3: Evaluating Types of Real Estate.

Personal Homes and Other Small Residences.

Starter Homes.

Small Apartment Complexes.

Other Residential Properties.

Garden Apartment Complexes.

High-Rise Buildings.

Land.

Types of Land.

Net Leases.

Rate of Return.

Build-to-Suit.

Shopping Centers.

Anchored Shopping Centers.

Strip Centers.

Condominium Stores.

Office Buildings.

Warehouses and Public Storage Facilities.

Conclusion.

Chapter 4: Understanding Economic Cycles and Their Effect on Real Estate.

Economic Cycles and Real Estate.

Speculation.

Who Is a Speculator?

Economic Cycles and Lenders.

Types of Lenders.

How Lenders Profit.

Conclusion.

Chapter 5: Calculating the Long-Term Potential Profits from Real Estate.

Real Estate Profit Sources.

Positive Cash Flow.

Appreciation.

Leverage.

Conclusion.

PART II: INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE.

Chapter 6: Getting Started as a Small Investor in Commercial Real Estate.

Safety in Numbers.

Forming an Investment Club.

General Guidelines for Starting an Investment Club.

Forms of Ownership.

Individual or Joint Ownership.

Joint Ventures.

Partnerships.

Corporations.

Limited Liability Companies.

Conclusion.

Chapter 7: Finding and Evaluating Properties for Investment.

Finding Properties.

Real Estate Brokers.

Periodical Advertisements.

Word of Mouth.

Foreclosures.

Government Surplus.

Auctions.

Private Sales.

Sale Leasebacks.

Real Estate Source Roundup.

Evaluating Properties.

Self-Evaluate or Hire an Appraiser: That Is the Question.

New or Used: That Is Another Question.

Evaluation Approaches.

Conclusion.

Chapter 8: Negotiating, Financing, and Closing Real Estate Transactions.

Negotiating.

Using Brokers or Other Intermediaries.

Negotiating Leases.

Contracts of Sale.

Summary of the Negotiation Process.

Financing Commercial Real Estate.

Determining Interest Rates.

How Mortgages Work.

Types of Mortgages.

Sources of Mortgages.

The Closing.

Documentation.

At the Closing.

Conclusion.

Chapter 9: Managing Your Real Estate Investment.

Professional Management Companies.

Finding a Management Company.

Management Fees and Operations.

Monthly Reports.

Rent Collections and Billing.

Leasing.

Insurance.

Repairs, Replacements, and Capital Improvements.

Marketing Space.

Preparing for a New Tenant.

Leases.

Lease Designations.

Addendum Clauses.

Lease Summary.

On Your Own: Your Future in Real Estate.

Appendix A: Additional Deals.

Appendix B: Understanding Taxes and Real Estate.

Appendix C: Common Real Estate-Related Forms and Documents.

GLOSSARY.

INDEX.