Retire On One Property Deal, Barry Davies

Retire On One Property DealRetire On One Property Deal goes some way to addressing such questions. I have known the author Barry Davies for a few years and can vouch for the fact that he has been downright, brutally honest about the pain and downsides of investing, ie when things go wrong, as well as about the huge upsides. Only by overcoming the former in many cases can we achieve the latter, and so it has been for Barry. The book starts with a painful personal tale of a deal that went horribly wrong and the fallout that went with it, then goes on to showcase how grit, determination and know-how can lead to a spectacular recovery.
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Stairs for Breakfast, Patrick Souiljaert

Stairs for BreakfastA few months ago, I and several others in the property investment industry passed on the word about helping Patrick Souiljaert get his book published. I’m delighted that he has succeeded in his mission – as he has with so many other challenges he has set himself in life – and more than that, am both honoured and privileged to have been sent an advance copy to read. Continue reading

How I Bought a House for £1, Freddie Rayner

How I Bought a House for £1How I Bought a House for £1 combines Freddie Rayner’s own story, investing history and case studies with a bit of how-to guidance on the subject of lease options. There are references to more traditional buy-to-let models as well though and it’s a useful sprint through the very basic principles for new investors. Continue reading

The 4 Hour Work Week, Timothy Ferriss

The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy FerrissWould you like to work less but still earn enough to have a terrific lifestyle? The answer to that for many of us is going to be yes. I say “many” not “all” because there are plenty of people who are fortunate enough to love what they do and how they live and have no desire to change it. Continue reading

Cold, Ranulph Fiennes

Cold by Ranulph FiennesHow on earth can this be relevant to property investing, or to the property industry? Well, you might be surprised. Although uncertain about how Cold might be relevant when I started reading, there are several parallels that we can draw from what it takes to mount an expedition to one of the Polar Regions, and apply to reaching our own goals. Continue reading

Mayhem, Murder & Multi-Lets, Francis Dolley

Mayhem, Murder & Multi-Lets by Francis DolleyAnd now for something completely different … well, sort of. Author Francis Dolley (along with daughter Emily) is well known for his work with multi-letting and the rent-to-rent strategy, but Mayhem, Murder & Multi-Lets turned out to be much more than the theory of rent-to-rent that I expected. It is a thoroughly entertaining read, and one that might well have you laughing out loud at times and cringing at others. Continue reading

Four Seasons, Isadore Sharp

Four Seasons: The Story of a Business PhilosophyFour Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy is the memoir of the founder of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. It is an investor favourite and although I haven’t read it myself, I think it will likely be an engaging tale. Continue reading

Total Recall, Arnold Schwarzenegger

Total RecallAlthough this would not immediately have come to my mind when considering books for property investing, one cannot deny that Arnold Schwarzenegger has had an interesting and varied life. That he is also a successful real estate developer is less well-known. Continue reading

Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl

Man's Search for MeaningThis is probably a book that we should all read at least once during our lifetimes. Mentioned by Richard Brown, founder of The Property Voice, as one of his top five books in the Property Tribes Essential Book List, Man’s Search for Meaning is a classic in terms of understanding the bare essence of human nature. Continue reading

How to Get Rich, Felix Dennis

How to Get RichAnother favourite of Nick Fox and included on the Property Tribes Essential Book List, How to Get Rich is a combination of business wisdom and wealth development. Continue reading