personal finance

I met the author at a meeting of the Institute of Real Estate Management in Chicago several years ago. I hold the same "Certified Property Manager (CPM)" designation. So, I did a double take recently when I saw this book on the shelf of a book store. And I did a triple take when I saw that Robert had written it! Robert Griswold is an educator, and it shows in the book. I've been in property management for over 20 years and I bought the book and took it home for several evenings of enjoyable reading. (By the way, my wife thinks I'm nuts! I can't leave my work at the office.) Robert Griswold writes at the easiest common denominator. The book is entertaining and answers the wide variety of questions. Most property managers are "generalists", meaning you have to know a lot of things about a lot of topics: collecting rents, fixing up space, evicting tenants, dealing with difficult people, roof specialist, bookkeeper/accountant, landscape specialist, plumbing specialist, HVAC specialist, etc., etc. One thing that any property manager will know, it is a very detailed career. If you are a person with an interest in property management, a novice or a long-time veteran, this is a must-read book.

Robert Griswold's Property Management For Dummies is a wonderfully practical digest on property management covering every applicable subject both for those considering becoming a landlord and for long time landlords. Easy to read, and easy to jump right to the subject on which one needs the most help, Mr. Griswold's years of experience and wisdom are made accessable to the reader. Having been a property manager for over three years now, I was surprised by how much I learned from this book. For anyone considering property management or being a landlord, this book lets one know in advance all the factors to weigh before making that leap. I'll state it again -- you must have this book if you are in any way going to be involved in property management.

Whether you live on the east coast or the west coast, looking to own a condo or a multi unit investment, this book will help answer a majority of the most puzzling questions a landlord might have in managing a property. It gives simplified step by step instructions on each process throughout the book....fun to read and very clearly written.

If you are about to enter the world of being a landlord, this book will tell you the rules. Every person needs this book for his or her financial self-defense and peace of mind. Read this book and preclude the problem before it happens.