For years the traditional way to finance a real estate purchase was with a 5-20 percent down payment. Investing in real estate in this manner was a slow go, but things have changed with the release of this new book. There are now hundreds of different methods for creatively financing your real estate investments. Smart investors know the secrets to using other peoples money to finance their investments and now for the first time you can learn how to buy houses, lots, land, and commercial properties for nothing down and in some cases even receive cash back at the closing. These truly effective techniques are closely guarded secrets that are revealed for the first time. In this new book you will learn: how to negotiate with sellers, proven effective valuation techniques, how to use other people's money, use other people's credit, sell it before you buy it or pay for it, create positive cash flow, subject-to deals, over twenty nothing down scenarios, profiting from foreclosures, dealing with over-financed properties, working with judgments and liens, quit claim deeds, discounting mortgages and liens, lease options, wraparound financing and wrap notes, using trusts, self-directed IRAs, 1031 exchanges, create assumable loans, VA loans, options, and futures. The book also includes numerous tables, reference charts, and financial tools that one can use in analyzing and financing your investments while building your personal fortune.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Too general
Comment: This book presents a variety of financing options, but is far too general to be very useful to an investor with much experience. Too heavy on the theoretical and too light on the practical application.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: For the new real estate investor
Comment: At first glance my thoughts were that Susan Smith Alvis had written a book that is great for beginners but for the seasoned real estate investor this booked did not seem to provide any information that is new and enlightening. How wrong I was! I consider myself to be a fairly seasoned real Estate investor and I still learned something new from this book.

"How to Creatively Finance your Real Estate Investments and Build Your Fortune" takes an in depth look into what it takes to start investing in real estate and how to finance your venture. Real estate investing can be a lucrative business but if not taken seriously and understanding exactly what you are getting into can get you into real trouble real fast.

Ms. Alvis does a great job of not only pointing this out, but also gives clear examples of how to find good properties and determine whether or not they will be profitable. Ms. Alvis also makes good use of the industry lingo and explains in great detail what it means and when and where it will be used.

Much of the information in the beginning chapters seemed more relevant to young couples who were just starting out and wanting to buy their first home. But if you hang in there Ms. Alvis does get around to what I believe investors are hoping this book will deliver.

The latter chapters are informative and do get around to giving practical on just what creative financing is and how to go about making it work for you. She explains in clear terms what options are available to investors at all levels and walks you through the pros and cons of each scenario.

I enjoyed reading the break out boxes that gave real life examples of people who have lived through each example that Ms. Avis presents as options for us as readers. Like many investors experiences, Ms. Avis starts out nice and slow but then picks up speed and moves forward with information that is useful to investors at any stage of the game.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Susan Smith Alvis is My New Best Friend!
Comment: How to Creatively Finance Your Real Estate Investments and Build Your Personal Fortune: What Smart Investors Need to Know -Explained Simply is a book that does exactly what it purports to do. The author refers to the book as "your reference as you embark on a new way to invest in real estate". Filled with examples, case studies, ideas, charts, and food for thought, you will find page after page of simple and realistic goals and how to work to achieve them. Written in layman's terms, this book helps you know exactly where to start to be able to receive the highest possible return on your investments. For instance, you will be taught to be a smart landlord, how to find and work with foreclosures, and where to get your financing. She explains the secrets to good negotiating, how to make loans work for you, and when and how to speculate successfully. For those of you with any desire to better your financial standing via real estate investments, Ms. Smith Alvis is your tutor, your advisor, and your new best friend in your quest to financial success.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: An excellent read for entrepreneurs
Comment: Would you like to increase your real estate profits by using some new investment tools? If that's the case, then this is the book you need to read to learn the ins and outs of creative financing. Sharpen your approach, understand what tools are tailor-made for you and move forward with a new perspective! When you're ready to expand your financial horizons this book shows how to maximize your profits as either a buyer or seller of investment properties.

Knowing how to negotiate using creative financing is the essence of using this book to its full potential and author Susan Smith Alvis takes you through the process with amazing clarity and a user-friendly approach. The reader will understand everyone's role in putting together a tight package. Choose the right agent, line up your financing (VA, FHA, assumable, wraparound or seller financing) and set the terms to buy a property that works for you.

Taking a creative approach to financing opens up a world of profitable advantages in the realm of vacation rentals, foreclosures and "damaged by reputation" real estate. Use this book to find the money and learn how to build a portfolio of no-down properties that give you the leverage you need to be a successful owner and savvy seller--on your terms. When you're ready to start thinking outside the box, give yourself a treat and read this book for a look at what's going on around the traditional business of real estate.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Very Useful
Comment: The down-to-earth, conversational tone of How to Creatively Finance is positively refreshing. The book's attractive layout and neat organization make it a pleasure to read. I found the anecdotes and case studies to be both informative and thoroughly enjoyable. Tables and charts make the financial examples clear. How to Creatively Finance offers a variety of scenarios for real estate investors, including advice on buying in unpopular markets, vacation rentals and foreclosures, and acting as landlord.

After reading the book, I actually found the title of the book to be a bit narrow. The topics of advice on the various aspects of real estate investments are much more varied than the title might indicate. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in discovering how to invest in the real estate market without emptying the bank account.

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