http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/3/blog_posts/3041-books-that-have-helped-me-make-money#comments Comments from 'Books That Have Helped Me Make Money' in REISkills and Brian Gibbons at BiggerPockets.com http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/3/blog_posts/3041-books-that-have-helped-me-make-money#c_2750 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/3/blog_posts/3041-books-that-have-helped-me-make-money#c_2750 I read Wade Cook's "Real Estate Money Machine" in the early 1990's and it opened my eyes to creative financing. I did my first few deals using his methods with decent results. I went to one of his seminars and was a bit disappointed that it was all about upsell. Then even more disappointed when I learned of his legal troubles and his current residence in prison. That said, his book got me started and still influences me. http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/3/blog_posts/3041-books-that-have-helped-me-make-money#c_2751 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/3/blog_posts/3041-books-that-have-helped-me-make-money#c_2751 Thanks Jon. Many successful teachers (eg Wade Cook, Bob Allen, Al Lowry, Carton Sheets, even Ron LeGrand) have made TERRIBLE decisions about marketing their info and training. And dealing with the IRS (eg Bob Allen) And the FTC are looking to shut down bad claims of "how much can you make if you buy my REI course?" JohnTReed.com puts down over 100 gurus on his website, but sells real estate info. There is a real conflict of interest. I have about 5 of his books. AND the Attorney Generals of certain US states (eg TX) has placed stupid laws re: Land Contracts and Lease Options because some greedy entrepreneur ripped people off (probably Hispanics). That said, creative financing is THE way to make money when credit is tight. The CHALLENGE is finding Agents - Lawyers - Mortgage Brokers that speak the REI Language. Thanks for your comment. See: http://reiskills2.com/blog/?page_id=8 For a Buying Strategies Overview http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/3/blog_posts/3041-books-that-have-helped-me-make-money#c_5551 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/3/blog_posts/3041-books-that-have-helped-me-make-money#c_5551 Great post...these will go on my LinkedIn reading list now. I already knew about Nickerson's book, but the others were foreign to me. http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/3/blog_posts/3041-books-that-have-helped-me-make-money#c_5772 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/3/blog_posts/3041-books-that-have-helped-me-make-money#c_5772 Thanks, Bryan. I have a list of books here, about 70 of them....http://briangibbons.biz/tools-you-need/books-for-reis/ http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/3/blog_posts/3041-books-that-have-helped-me-make-money#c_5776 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/3/blog_posts/3041-books-that-have-helped-me-make-money#c_5776 Fantastic! I have read 20/150 of the books on my list so far....need to be more choosy I guess :)