Book Review > The Property Investor's Handbook, (3rd Ed Rev)

There is no better time to write a book on property. Stockmarket returns have been in the negative for an extended period. Property has out preformed the stockmarket especially over the last five years. As you read the first section of chapters there is no hiding the lean this book has to telling you that property is one of the best investments.
I recommend this book for someone who has at least read and have a basic understanding of investments and investing. This book takes you to the next stage of understanding in property investments. It is a useful reference to the property sector as it looks at just about all the areas of property including property related businesses.
This book covers the property sector starting with residential to the different types of commercial property. Then we are told of the different stages from development, new and established buildings. There is space for listed and unlisted property trusts.
We are taken to the area of financing one's property investment, including other costs that appear when we are purchasing, maintaining or selling property, and a brief look at lease contracts. There are tables at the back of the book listing interest rates versus principal amounts. He also manages a chapter on strategies to paying off the mortgage.
Property management options and issues are given a thorough consideration. Taxation issues during the life cycle of property ownership are noted. Although I do question the accuracy of the items included in "Acquisition Costs" p266.
In painting too good a picture I do question the idea that one can increase a residential rental each year by the CPI which the book leads us to believe residential property is, "The rent payments serve as a virtual indexed annuity" p37.
Aside from the above items I found this book to be a useful reference for people who have a property investment or have gone just pass the point of being considered a novice.

3.5 out of 5.