Mike Means Business

by Mike DePue

Gerald O'Hara passed on this bit of fatherly advice to his daughter, Scarlett, in "Gone With the Wind:" "Land is the only thing that amounts to anything, for 'tis the only thing in this world that lasts."

While that bit of wisdom may still hold true today, things in the real estate game are a bit more complicated at the dawn of the 21st century than they were in the last half of the 19th.

?The offices shown in "Workplaces and Workspaces: Office Designs That Work," Q 725.23 H, demonstrate the creativity inspired by the challenges of cyberspace, new technology and changing modes of doing business.

Author Justin Henderson, recent senior and contributing editor to Interiors Magazine, makes spaces comfortable and user-friendly while enhancing corporate identity and maintaining the necessary level of functionality.

Office designs for law, banking, multimedia and biotechnology range from traditional to cutting edge. Seating, lighting, color, materials and textures, and space planning all receive attention.

?Problems that arise in a landlord-tenant relationship may end up costing serious money if not handled properly. Steven D. Strauss, an attorney and author of a number of books on practical legal issues, details the protection the law provides when fairness and compromise fail to patch up the relationship.

His book, "Landlord and Tenant," 346.7304 S, covers the rights, responsibilities and duties of all parties and includes sample scenarios.

?"Investing in Land: How to be a Successful Developer," 332.63 P, is a complete how-to guide to getting started and succeeding in land development, from what to consider when buying land through financing, zoning and settlement.

Ralph Pisani, a contractor, property manager and land developer since 1967, lists the 40 factors all developers must consider before buying land. A chapter is devoted to what to look for in the more than a dozen professionals you will need to retain in the course of even a small project.

?"Staying on Top in Real Estate: The Professional's Success Guide," 333.33 B, is packed with hundreds of tips, tricks of the trade, examples and real-world experiences that can help agents keep motivated and expand their client base. Karl Breckingridge, owner of a real estate firm and college instructor in real estate principles and practices, answers such questions as what you should do if a relocated seller asks you to serve as custodian of his vacant house while you're trying to sell it (especially if that includes free use of pool, spa or tennis court).

?Richard H. Jorgensen, who has successfully bought and managed rental properties for more than a quarter century, shows potential landlords the ropes in his book "The New No-Nonsense Landlord: Building Wealth with Rental Properties," 332.63 J.

With a modicum of sweat equity and common sense, a small investment can be parlayed into financial security. Despite the ups and downs of the real estate market and its prices, regardless of the unpredictable elements of our economic system, and notwithstanding the impact of foreclosures and bankruptcies, real estate offers attractive investment possibilities. It's also exciting and gratifying what more can you ask?

?Robert Irwin, real estate investor, broker, consultant and author for more than 30 years, gives a new perspective on investing that helps you understand the real estate market in his book "Buy, Rent, & Hold: How to Make Money in a 'Cold' Real Estate Market," 332.6324 I.

Learn about crucial market indicators, buying distressed property at auction, finding hidden bargains in foreclosures and FHA, VA, and other government repossessions, and maximizing profits from refinancing and selling. The seven "Rules for Buying Right," such as only buying property with a good price/rent ratio, are discussed, as is the influx of foreign investment.

(Mike DePue is the business librarian at the Main Library, 397 East Central. For almost 18 years he has answered thousands of questions on as many topics.)

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'Investing in Land: How to be a Successful Developer' is a complete how-to guide to succeeding in land

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