23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting premise, well written, but not perfect...., 17 Jan 2003
By Real Estate Investor - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: How to Invest in Condominiums: The Low-risk Option for Long-term Cash Flow (Paperback)
I enjoyed Andris Virsnieks' book very much. The author writes in an informative, intelligent and down to earth style. His premise is buy brand new condos as investment rental properties, and hire a professional management company to deal with the tenants and the day to day grind. I like it. I like the premise. I like the low involvement approach, and I'm convinced that the author did what he said he did. As opposed to some OTHER real estate authors whose books belong in the fiction section. New buildings should have fewer physical problems and many of those will/should be taken care of by the builder/developer. The author has been sucessful using his techniques and for that I applaud him.
There were a few things that I was less than satified with the book. The author only bought 7 or 8 condos and the last one was in 1986. His condo purchases were only in the Seattle, Washington area and some of his experiences and therefore conclusions may not be universal. And lastly though the book was published in 2001, it appears that much of the book was written in 1997 and many of the statistics end in 1996. A re-edited version NOT referring to the last stock market downturn as being in 1987 would have been appreciated.
I've owned condominiums myself and currently still own condos. I can attest to the truth and wisdom in Mr. Virsnieks' book. He has a plan, he executes that plan, and has written good accounting of his personal path to a steady income, very little hassle and time, as well as early retirement. This is not a get rich quick book, and the author does not have the bluster of late night informercials; but this is a clear worthwhile read.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply awesome! One of my Top Selections, 11 Feb 2002
By Martin Perrien - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: How to Invest in Condominiums: The Low-risk Option for Long-term Cash Flow (Paperback)
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It is obviously written for the individual that is just getting started in rental properties, but that is the intent of the book, and the author makes that very clear on the cover and forward. BUT, then he actually delivers!
I have had countless students in my passive income investment courses, and now I intend to add this easy read to my rental income properties classes as a must read!
I would have liked to see some more meat in certain chapters, such as how did he construct the financing of his purchases, and possibly a financial blueprint of his year by year ROI as he developed his portfolio. Also, there is little to no mention of the tax implications of his investments, but I can only speculate that they are great. Overall Andris Virsnieks accomplished his mission, and that was to write a "How-To" for the absolute novice!
Some of the most important and unique areas of the book involved the detailing of his condominium purchase's, and how he amased his portfolio of rental properties and the cash flow details of each. He then goes on to advise what he learned through each experience, and what he would do differently in hind sight.
Adris compares his condominium purchases with traditional single-family style homes, apartments and duplexes. He makes a strong case for the freedom associated with condominiums versus other rental real estate properties. I'm looking forward to a second edition of this book, and hopefully he will include some of the areas suggested above.
This is a must buy for anyone wanting to create passive income through rental properties.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The one guide you need to invest in condominiums, 7 Jan 2002
By Christopher G - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: How to Invest in Condominiums: The Low-risk Option for Long-term Cash Flow (Paperback)
This book is the one investment book I recommend for everyone, and certainly the one book for investing in condominiums. In concise and thorough detail, Andris Virsnieks lends his own personal experience to show not only how to get started in investing in condominiums, but explains how if properly researched they are a superior investment to apartments, the stock market, and other more time-consuming and volatile investments. This book is free of superfluous bull and get rich quick schemes, but is instead focusing on steady monthly cash flows with little maintenance through good property management. A great book.