5 Responses to “The Real Estate Developer’s Handbook: How to Set Up, Operate, and Manage a Financially Successful Real Estate Development With Companion CD-ROM”

1. Randall Mirque
   February 9th, 2010 @ 4:11 am

   I’ve recently decided to venture into the somewhat unknown arena of development.
   
   I read this book in its entirety in two sittings. Enough said for a light reader.
   Rating: 5 / 5

2. Richard B. Gonzalez
   February 9th, 2010 @ 5:41 am

   Well writtan,all the information you are going to need on starting your own Real Estate development company.I flew through this book, I could not put it down.It really gives you the starting building blocks on how Real Estate development works.It comes with a CD,it gives you all the contracts
   
   you are going to need when starting your business.If you plan in getting into Real Estate development,this book is a great head start.
   Rating: 5 / 5

3. Shirley Qin
   February 9th, 2010 @ 7:56 am

   Upon first examination, the book is very well organized. The table of contents is easy to read, making the book easy to navigate. The language of the book is simple enough and gets point across. Overall, the book flows well. There are also many examples of sample contracts, checklists, financial statements, and other documents that act as helpful aids throughout the book. I especially found the glossary a wonderful bonus. However, the book does a bad job with road mapping which makes it hard to follow at times. Sometimes the author outlines steps, but you forget if you’ve read a new section or still on one of the steps because there’s no numbers or any signposting indications in headings. Much to my dismay, case studies do not go into detail on how person came about his suggestions. Instead, they seem more like impressive bios of the showcased realtor. Emphasis should be put more on specific instances, for example when Craig realized real estate involved politics, rather than how many lots he’s got developing in Oregon. (Craig does give a short anecdote at the very end of his case study, but it’s not followed by any message. I guess you’re supposed to figure it out yourself.) A long list of advice quoted in paragraph form (Donna Jones’ bio is replaced by a rant of her regrets without any specifics for support) as a whole case study doesn’t help much either.

   Case studies aside, the substance of the book is exemplary. The reader will get the basics of business management, law, finance, and marketing without ever having to sit in one of the undergraduate-level business classes. Plus you get to learn it in relation to what you’re actually going to be needing. “Traits of developer” (drive to succeed, flexibility, preparedness, attention to detail, able to accept disappointment, common sense, and ability to continue learning knowing that you’re not perfect) and “personal skills for success” (being schedule-oriented, treating public with respect, being able to negotiate, assessing long-term results) can be applied to any field, and general success in life. The persuasion strategies given throughout the book can probably come in handy elsewhere too. Of course, specialized skills (marketing, finance, basics in architecture, etc.) are also included.

   After reading this book, should have pretty good idea of what real estate developing is and how to do it. The book claims to save time and money spent on years of training and education (70% of learning) by revealing the secrets of real estate. I’m not sure how secretive these skills are, but you will certainly save tons of time and money from trying to figure this all out by yourself. The book not only gives you the basics, but also a good in-depth knowledge of real estate development. If you’re serious about real estate, this book is a great way to start. If you’re not, buy it anyway; the skills and tips here can be well applied to many other aspects of life. And to top it off, buying the book will save animals. You can feel that you contributed to a good cause because a portion of your purchase will go to The Humane Society of United States).
   
   Rating: 4 / 5

4. Jamila Jones
   February 9th, 2010 @ 9:39 am

   The Real Estate Developer’s Handbook: How to Set Up, Operate, and Manage a Financially Successful Real Estate Development by Tanya Davis is a thorough and serious book which presents material, which would take a novice developer seasons to learn. First of all, the author explains what developers do and outlines the traits that developers should possess to be successful in the business. How to create a business plan, market study, and understand the impact that demographic trends have on real estate development are some of the topics that the author addresses in this book.
   
   Any individual or corporation working in any aspect of real estate development whether it is predevelopment, operations, management or finance could benefit from this book. The author provides scenarios that a real estate developer may encounter with suggestions for possible resolutions. Lists of real estate opportunities and suggestions on how to describe products and services and set feasibility studies are furnished as well. The end is not neglected because Tanya Davis includes a section on how to manage a property once it has been developed or redeveloped.
   
   Local regulations, community and political issues are considered in a comprehensive objective manner. One completes the book with a better understanding of real estate development and respect for the role that developers have in all aspects of community life whether it is environmental, social, financial or political. I give the book five out of five stars.
   
   Rating: 5 / 5

5. Pedro Moreno
   February 9th, 2010 @ 12:22 pm

   I read the whole book and expected a lot more, the book is very general and not specific about any topic, it does not go into detail or any depth, the math and finance aspects are an overview at the best.
   
   Good luck
   
   Pedro Moreno
   Rating: 2 / 5

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