This page contains lists, reviews and links to a great many books, tapes and training for landlords and real estate investors. Please note as you review the information here, that y ou can spend hundreds of dollars on books and tapes that become outdated soon after you buy them. Your tax deductible RHOL membership entitles you to living, growing and evolving information and services that we are always working to make the best investment in your peace of mind ... and financial future you will ever make.

There is a great deal of good printed, recorded and programmed information on property management and real estate investing. We try to help you wade through the mountains of material to find the best of the bunch. 

Section One contains titles and reviews of books and material that we have found to be particularly helpful.

In Section Two you will find rental housing newsletters and periodicals worth reading.

There is a movie that every landlord should watch periodically to remind them why they need to know everything they can about the business they are in. Education and anticipation is one major reason that Rental Housing On Line has been built. Please ... rent or own Pacific Heights.


Section One, Resource Reviews

You may find the books we review by searching Barnes & Noble. If you don't find one of the older selections on your initial search, select: "search our rare, secondhand, & out of print store."

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Being a Smart Landlord, by Brian & Casey Edwards, with foreward by Larry Lick of RHOL The ins and outs of owning and maintaining property for profit. Idiot-proof steps for understanding landlord legalese. Smart advice for dealing with tenants. "Brian and Casey Edwards ... have thoroughly learned the landlord profession and have the unique skills necessary to teach. This book is an honest and practical guide to help make your family's dreams reality." -Larry Lick, RHOL

How You Can Become Financially Independent By Investing In Real Estate, by Albert J. Lowry, Ph.D. Published by Simon and Schuster, New York. One of the true classics in the real estate investment field. This book was first published in 1977 and is probably the most widely read book of its kind. Many of the expensive real estate investment courses advertised on TV have their origin in Mr. Lowry's books, and in seminars developed and widely presented for many years with William Nickerson, author of How I Turned $1,000 into Three Million in Real Estate. Some areas like the capital gains and losses, deprecation schedules and other tax ramifications are a little outdated, but the principals remain sound. Investors new to the field should search out the book on the Net or at their local library. Old timers should re-read it. It will be like spring training; back to the basics. 

Hidden Fortunes In Real Estate , by Albert J. Lowry, Ph.D. Published by Simon and Schuster, New York. Another fine book by Mr. Lowry, written in 1983 . Many of the principals that are taught in his other books are reworked here, with some new wrinkles and ideas.  Albert Lowry also wrote: How to Manage Real Estate Successfully - in Your Spare Time and How to Become Financially Successful by Owning Your Own Business.

How to Buy & Manage Rental Properties, the Milin method of real estate management for the small investor. By Irene and Mike Milin. Published by Simon and Schuster, New York. Revised and updated 1988.This book is targeted at the largest group of real estate investors, mom and pop landlords who own less than 4 units. It is a very comprehensive, handy size, self help and reference resource. One interesting idea that does not get enough attention in other books is their "Hands-off" program for tenant participation in property management. Third Edition* (140 pages) This valuable book is packed with money-making and money-saving practical information written in clear, understandable language.

Real Estate Exchange & Acquisition Techniques, preserving capital in real estate investing through like kind tax free exchanges. By William Tappan. Published by Prentice-Hall, 1989. If you are buying and selling real estate, or just contemplating doing so, this book is a should read and have handy. It covers the mechanics of exchanging, both two and three way, and special buying techniques that require little money down.

Real Estate Exchange & Acquisition Techniques, preserving capital in real estate investing through like kind tax free exchanges. By William Tappan. Published by Prentice-Hall, 1989. If you are buying and selling real estate, or just contemplating doing so, this book is a should read and have handy. It covers the mechanics of exchanging, both two and three way, and special buying techniques that require little money down.

So, You Want to Build Multifamily: getting started in Multifamily Development David P. Cole, editor (National Association of Home Builders, Washington, D.C., 286 pp) The book is designed to appeal to the beginner. It starts off with guidance on weather development can be justified. Other topics include: assembling a development team, analyzing the market, joint venturing, construction and property management.

Multifamily and NIMBY: Overcoming Community Objections David P. Cole, editor (National Associations of Homebuilders, Washington, D.C., 65 pp.) This book is said to be helpful to developers facing the " N ot I n M y B ack Y ard" syndrome, How to recognize NIMBY, developers legal defenses and more.

LANDLORDING, a Handymanual for Scrupulous Landlords and Landladies Who Do It Themselves. Written by Leigh Robinson. Published by Express, El Cerrito, CA. Revised and updated nine times since it was originally published in 1975. Last revision July 2001 . A very worthy resource for any "scrupulous" landlord or tenant. It is enjoyable to read and stocked full of valuable nuts and bolts information. Lots of hints, tricks, legal forms and practical principals.

Business Strategies for Real Estate Management Companies. Institute of Real Estate Management, Chicago, 428 pp. Written for experienced property managers who want to enhance company performance. It would also help newcomers start a management company. 

The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing, Martin J. Stone, Spencer Strauss 

How to Make Big Money in Real Estate,
Tyler Gregory Hicks, Tyler G. Hicks 

Making Money in Real Estate: How to Build Financial Independence with Residential and Commercial Property,
Carolyn Janik 

The Real Estate Investor's Tax Guide, Vernon Hoven

Buy or Sell Real Estate after the 1997 Tax Act: A Guide for Homeowners & Investors , Robert Irwin

Tips and Traps for Saving on All Your Real Estate Taxes,

Robert Irwin,

Real Estate Financing Manual --
A Guide to Money Making Strategies, by Jack Commings, Prentice Hall.

The Landlord's Troubleshooter, Robert Irwin, Real Estate Education Company, Chicago, Ill., 1994.

The Buy and Hold Real Estate Strategy, David T. Shumacher, John Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y., 1992.

The Landlord's Law Book, David Brown and Ralph Warner, Nolo Press, Berkeley, Calif., 1991.

California Rental Housing Reference Book, 5th Edition, California Apartment Association, Sacramento, Calif., 1992.

Tenants Rights, 11th Edition, Myron Moskovitz and Ralph Warner, Nolo Press, Berkeley, Calif., 1991.

How to Buy Real Estate for at Least 20 Percent Below Market Value, John Reed, John Reed Publishing, Danville, Calif., 1993.

PERIODICALS WORTH READING

Apartment Owners News . 32nd year of publication, the Apartment Owners News magazine has become Northern California apartment owners' most reliable source for information, upcoming events and services. Now our information on the rental housing industry is available to apartment owners worldwide through our website.

MAINTENANCE, REMODELING AND CONSTRUCTION

Fine Homebuilding: This is really a builder's magazine, but it is the most intelligent and handsomely done construction magazine around. Landlords will find its excellent in-progress remodeling photography and sketches informative, stimulating and more meaty than the usual magazine fare.

Remodeled Homes: The lite version of their other magazine, Professional Builder. Its feature projects are reasonably priced and vary from serious, whole-house overhauls to little upgrades. The floor plans are included for each project - something that any landlord considering a remodel should get into the habit of looking at, sooner rather than later.