The Happy Couple's Guide to Investing in Real Estate - Softcover

Jaber, Chakib; Jaber, Jinan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1937359298 ISBN 13: 9781937359294

Publisher: Roundtree Press, 2013

Synopsis

This book tells the story of a hard working, middle class couple, who tried investing in different areas and then decided to focus their strategy on rental real estate investment in rural areas to build wealth and generate a source of continuous passive income because of volatility in the stock market, 401K and other investments. The authors tell their own successful experience of how they started with the purchase and rental of their first property and how they grew to fourteen units in five years. The book provides a practical guide that can be easily implemented by working individuals, especially couples who are both working, but aren't sure on how to build for their future and become financially independent. Couples can work from home in the evenings as well as weekends to accomplish this goal. The authors share with you how they leveraged each other's strengths and divided up roles and responsibilities to make it work.

They share their fun road-trip experiences to different rural areas, provide check-lists, resources and calculators to help you research, assess, and make an informed decision of where to invest your hard-earned money. They also offer valuable tips on how to build and maintain your relationship with real-estate agents, property management companies, and contractors, and provide resources on how you can manage your cost and cash flow when you remodel or update a rental property. The authors also share some of their mistakes as first time real estate investors to help you avoid potentially costly investments.

You don't need a significant investment upfront, and you certainly don't want to quit your day-job as soon as you start investing. The investment strategy discussed in this book is focused on long-term investment in the future, that is aimed to generate passive income. If you're looking for a book on how to get rich quick, this book is probably not for you.

About this title

Review

"When it comes to working with one another in a business venture, many couples might be wary of the negative effects it could have on their relationship. As Chakib and Jinan Jaber suggest in their excellent book, however, sharing a common business goal (in their case, investing in real estate) can actually bring a couple closer together.

The Jabers wanted a long-term investment that was likely to grow in value over the years. They became intrigued with investing in rental properties when they sold a townhouse at a tidy profit. Over the years, they have perfected their investment approach, and they willingly share it in this informative, instructive how-to guide. With a narrative that weaves their own story together with practical advice, the authors cover the gamut: how to save money to invest in real estate, how to research different areas, understanding the motivated seller, financing and pricing, how to negotiate, how to work with outside professionals, closing the deal, getting the properties rented, and tax considerations.

Each chapter starts by highlighting key points and ends with a 'Couples’ Action Summary,' offering helpful tips for how to proceed. The chapters themselves are relatively short, but they’re packed with useful information. For example, in 'Money Matters: Financing and Pricing Strategies,' the authors include their 'secret formula' for investing that offers a high-level guideline so that any reader can do a quick evaluation of properties for potential purchase. In 'Negotiation Strategies,' they provide a chart of negotiation tips with explanations based on their own experience.

Just as important as the information conveyed is the overall tone of the book. The Jabers share details about how they have integrated real estate investing into their family life; for instance, they turn road trips to evaluate properties into excursions with their daughter, Natalie. They even take into consideration Natalie’s reaction to a property, calling it 'the Natalie Yucky Test.' They write, 'It may seem silly that we are listening to a three-year-old, but for us it has made the decision-making process more fun and helped us stay closer as a family.' This novel perspective makes the book particularly enjoyable to read and lifts it above the typical how-to manual.

In the end, The Happy Couple’s Guide to Investing in Real Estate is a delightful glimpse into the personal lives of this 'happy couple,' coupled with good advice and wise counsel so other partners can minimize their risks investing in real estate."

ForeWord Reviews

About the Author

Jinan and Chakib Jaber met in 1997; they got engaged shortly thereafter on Valentine's day in 1998 and then got married in Long Island, NY on September 2nd of that same year. They've been happily together since, and they now live in Falls Church, VA with their daughter.

Both Jinan and Chakib hold Masters in Business Administration degrees from George Mason University. Chakib works in the IT industry, leading software development efforts, while Jinan works in sales and business development in the cyber security industry.

About this edition

• Publisher: Roundtree Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1937359298
• ISBN 13: 9781937359294
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 204