Recommended Reading

Property Investment Books

Landlord's Letters - Synopsis (Amazon)

Many of the problems that arise between landlords and their tenants can be put down to a universal human failing: lack of communication. Misunderstandings over contractual rights and obligations, for example relating to property inspection and repairs, can result in situations and incidents that produce at best a state of ill-feeling on both sides and at worst the breakdown of the relationship. Letting a tenant know in advance about matters affecting the property and the tenancy can diffuse tension from the start. This book can help. It contains ready-drafted letters for dealing with commonly-occurring letting situations. Guidance on when to use each letter and the procedures to follow are included, along with tips and background legal information. More than 80 template letters included for: vetting your tenant; gaining access; rent arrears; responding to your tenant's requests; complaints and breach of tenancy; handling notices; check-out and deposit return; utilities.

Renting out your property for dummies - Synopsis (Amazon)

Advice on profitable strategies, problem tenants, UK legal issues, and more! Minimise rental headaches and maximise cash flow without agent's fees. Whether you want to become a property tycoon or just rent out a second home, this guide to the UK rental market is your roadmap to success. Now fully updated with extra coverage on tax issues and company formation, let successful landlords Melanie Bien and Robert Griswold show you how to buy the right property, avoid legal problems, retain the best tenants, and maximise your rental income. Praise for "Renting Out Your Property For Dummies": 'This book is a comprehensive guide to the process of renting out your property, brim full of sound practical advice based on years of experience. It's an absolute must for the bookshelf of any would-be landlord, novice and experienced alike.' - Tom Entwistle, Editor of the rental property Web site. Discover how to: market your property and screen tenants; set the right rent and manage increases properly; master maintenance issues, from DIY to 'contractor dream team'; and stay on top of your finances and record keeping.

Property Developers Bible - Synopsis (Amazon)

Whether you want to start a new career as a developer, buy a single property as an investment or just add value to your home, Property Ladder: The Developer's Bible provides all the information you'll need to profit from property. Building on the solid advice of the previous two Property Ladder titles, this book takes readers further, providing a thorough assessment of the market and housing stock in the UK, as well as detailed plans and charts to guide you through the best development options. Sarah's advice is complemented by the professional expertise of solicitors, surveyors and estate agents who advise on the details of analysing housing statistics, buying and selling, funding your purchase, managing your investment (for sale or rent), and actually carrying out your plans. Giving information on how to cost your development, draw up plans, project manage the work and manage your budget. The Developer's Bible will ensure that you make all the right choices and avoid any potential pitfalls as you successfully develop your property.

Sarah Beeny's "Property Ladder": Hints and Tips - Synopsis (Amazon)

Whether you're viewing a property, negotiating a mortgage or sourcing materials, Sarah Beeny's "Hot Property Hints and Tips" places all the information you need at your fingertips. With handy checklists and no-nonsense text, this book provides all the information you need to make quick decisions, and maximise your profit from property. From choosing the right development to choosing the right builder, Sarah provides invaluable advice for anyone looking to buy to sell or buy to let, anywhere in the UK.

Have you decorated your home from top to bottom and are looking for something more - a real purpose and point to renovation? Have you ever wondered how you can really invest in a property to make the maximum profit? Have you caught the property bug and think you might have what it takes to becomes a successful property developer?

Sarah Beeny's Price the Job - Synopsis (Amazon)

Fed up with pricey plumbers, elusive electricians and bodgey builders? Have you got a building, plumbing, electrical job to sort out and aren't sure how much it could, should, would cost if the perfect builder, plumber or electrician could be found to help you sort it out? Property developer, building expert and television presenter Sarah Beeny is here to help with "Price the Job" - covering a break down of what is involved and the price to expect (materials, parts and labour) home maintenance and any building task imaginable - so that you need never feel that sense of panic, insecurity and desperation when faced with a quote again. Part one examines the job needed and how to find the right contractors for the job, how to estimate the time the job will take and how to calculate and assess quotes. Sarah explains her top five steps on how to get the job done: working out what you want done, breaking down the job and what each part entails, working out what you can do yourself, sourcing the materials, and sourcing the labour. Also included is a section on emergency repairs with advice on how to deal with a crisis, involving a broken boiler or smashed windows. Part two details exactly how much you should be paying for work done. Every job is covered, from the simplest rewiring or emergency repair to large-scale building jobs, inside and out. Each section of the house is looked at, the kitchen, bathroom, plus ceilings, walls, doors and floors. Costings on outside jobs is also included on roofs and landscape gardens. All the ins and outs of various trades are covered, from plumbers to joiners, to architects and pest control. Sarah Beeny's "Price the Job" is also endorsed by the Federation of Master Builders.

Climb the Property Ladder with Alvin Hall - Synopsis (Amazon)

Buying property may be a national obsession but bestselling author Alvin Hall's essential guide to making property work for you lays out the pros and cons behind the hype. Starting with the basic questions such as when is it the right time to buy, Alvin covers all the practicalities of property: shopping around for your mortgage; home improvements - which ones will add value?; re-mortgaging and equity release schemes; buying to let, buying to develop, buying a second home and buying overseas. Alvin's no-nonsense approach helps you plan a future in which your property really is an asset!

How to Avoid Property Tax - Synopsis (Amazon)

This unique and comprehensive tax guide shows you how to pay significantly less income tax and capital gains tax on your property investments and dealings. Written in plain English, it contains dozens of examples and a huge amount of invaluable tax saving advice that you simply cannot find anywhere else. How to Avoid Property Tax is essential reading for anyone investing in property, both expert and novice alike. Whether you're a buy-to-let landlord, an amateur property developer or simply own a second home, you will find numerous tax saving gems in this book.

The Complete Guide to Property Development for the Small Investor - Synopsis (Amazon)

"The Complete Guide to Property Development for the Small Investor" covers every stage of property development. Including both practical 'how-to' advice and important guidance on making a profit from property investment, this guide constitutes a helpful, user-friendly guide on property development for those interested in starting out on this path. It also provides a useful checklist and updates on much important information for the experienced developer. This fully revised and updated second edition includes vital new information on: changes to tax/VAT incentives, the tenant Notice to Quit and the Home Information Pack; additional information on the HMO Property Licence and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System; and, information on the ramifications of the Housing Act 2004 as it comes into effect.

How to Profit from Off-Plan Property - Synopsis (Amazon)

This unique new book is a must read for anyone investing in off-plan property. Inside you will find out everything you need to know about these exciting and lucrative investments, including how to source the very best investment deals, how to buy off-plan property at a genuine 15% discount, how to learn from others' successes and failures with real-life examples, how to avoid all the pitfalls and dangers, everything you need to know about financing off-plan deals and the advantages and drawbacks of using a property investment company.