Economics-and-finance

The Nine Natural Laws of Leadership is interesting and valuable but The 108 Skills of Natural Born Leaders rises above and beyond. The message to me is that with attention to these laws and ideas, we all are (or can become) natural born leaders.

This newest Warren Blank book benefited me in many pratical and useful ways. I plan on buying one for my assistant and deputy and one for each of my division managers.

I'm an avid reader of business, management, leadership books and 108 Skills is one of the best I've ever read! It provides literally hundreds of practical suggestions on "how-to" improve Leadership skills. I was able to apply many of the ideas immediately to my own work environment, with great results. I then made sure all of my management and staff got a copy -- which has definitely increased our ability to work efficiently as a team. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is seriously interested in improving their ability to Take Charge and lead oneself and others. In fact, I'm planning to use 108 Skills as a guide in our new training programs, and have great confidence that my employees will learn important skills for both their personal and professional lives.

Gary Eldred, The 106 Common Mistakes Home Buyers Make (Wiley, 2002)

Reading this on the heels of Ilyce Glink's book may not have been a good idea, or it may have been a great one. I'm not sure yet. The two mostly cover the same ground, though Eldred never even brings up the possibility of buying a home without a realtor (Glink glosses over it), and Eldred does get into a little more detail about a few things. He also has a more cynical attitude towards the subject than Glink, but then looking at the books' titles alone should convey that well enough.

A good adjunct, but not sure it would be as good a stand-alone tome; Eldred misses a few beats in telling you the options you have while he's too busy shutting the door on the options you should avoid. Best read in tandem with Glink. *** ½

This book is written for the benefit of real estate agents. I am constantly irrated by the author bragging on how real estate would make money. Based on what? His calculations are seriously flawed to a point that it is not even funny. He assumes one does not need money to maintain his/her house - no money out.

I did a simple calculation which assumes $180,000 house with 10% down and 3.25% property tax and 6.5% interest rate on 30 years term. The out of pocket money WITH tax credit will run you up to $1100. If you add lawn mow, cable, water, electricty etc., you know what I am talking about. This is the money down the drain. You house needs to appreciate at least 9% to just break even, and how can the author say 4% appreciation rate would make you money?

I give it 3 stars because it does provide some good comments like priorities you need to list out before you buy. It is still a good read on many other topics. I just hope the author can save his sales pitch.

Having read a pile of homebuying books, I would rate this one tops for six reasons:(1) The author clearly knows what he is talking about from experience--unlike too many authors who are primarily journalist or biased real estate agents.(2) It's easy and fun to read. (3) It gives dozens of ways to buy with little or even nothing down. (4) It reveals scams and tricks that real estate and mortgage "profesionals" use to fleece the unknowing. (5)The author knows real estate across the country--not just in California or other specific locales(i.e., too many HB books are written by writers who don't seem to know that Chicago or San Francisco aren't the areas where most people are buying). (6)Unbelivebly, the author lists his telephone number and email in the book so as to invite comments and questions. I queried and he called and talked 20 minutes to adress my concerns. And no, he didn't charge me or try to sell me any more books and tapes.

This was a helpful book with lots of good questions and financially sound answers.

The author writes like a hustler who is trying to con you into believing he is something he isn't. From the quality of the information in this book, the author certainly seems to understand mortgage. Yet, the street-wise tone of the author actually curbs his own credibility. He uses phrases such as "Avoid the bang of a bursting balloon","How to borrow jumbo amounts without paying jumbo rates", and "[author] simplifies complicated math...[and] make sure your loan rep is being honest with you". Such lingo belongs in an infomercial. Beyond his own hoopla, the book does contain valuable information. Just don't buy into his own hype.

You won't be disappointed with this book. It really covers the territory--everything from qualifying tips to government programs to seller financing to saving big dollars. Before I read this book I didn't know a an ARM from a leg. Now I can talk mortgage talk with any lender and not feel like I'm prime meat for the wolves. Really gives the lowdown on all types of financing alternatives and how not to get caught by the fine print. Thoroughly shows how to pay off your loan faster and save tens of thousands of dollars. Nuff said. This knowledge will pay back a thousand times the cost of the book.

I previously read Eldred's book,Investing In Real Estate.It's the best,comprehensive, and most sensible guide to investing that you'll find (read the reviews for youself). Likewise, this book on financing goes way beyond the other authors that I have read. (Sidenote: I cannot figure out what the Seattle reviewer is talking about, Mortgage Secrets deals exclusively with the ins and outs of financing techniques, saving money, cutting mortgage costs,and building equity faster. This book says nothing about using high leverage to get rich in real estate. As to infomercial hype, Eldred actually lambasts these gurus and warns how their "techniques" can lead the gullible to financial ruin. He even cautions strongly against home equity loans.) If you want to learn your financing options as well as the "tricks of the trade", you won't find a better book than this one. Although I'm in the business, I liked this book because a much more educated borrower gives us true professionals a stong advantage over our competition. Read Mortgage Secrets, then work with a broker who follows the insights that Eldred reveals. I'll make more money and you will get a better deal.