Table of contents

9 topics, start to finish

Read them in order for a full picture, or jump to whichever question you have right now.

1. 01What Real Estate Investing Actually IsBuying a thing that other people pay you to use.5 min
2. 02How a Rental Makes MoneyRent in, costs out, and the number that is left.6 min
3. 03Buying Your First PropertyThe money you need up front, and the money you forget about.6 min
4. 04Mortgages and What Interest Really CostsBorrowed money magnifies both the good and the bad.6 min
5. 05What Being a Landlord InvolvesThe part nobody puts in the brochure.5 min
6. 06The Numbers That MatterFour figures that tell you whether a deal is a deal.6 min
7. 07Risk, Reserves, and Staying SolventThe owners who last are the ones who planned to be wrong.5 min
8. 08Where Taxes Come Into the PictureA preview of everything the later installments unpack.6 min
9. 09Five Things to Weigh Before Investing in Oil and GasBig deductions, bigger risk — know the trade before the write-off.6 min