For some unexplained reason "The ABC's of Real Estate Investing" by Ken McElroy has become a best seller on several national lists of business books. After reading the book, "publicity hype" seems to be the prime reason for the book's popularity. Content alone certainly is not the reason.

If you want to become a tycoon real estate investor, acquiring large apartment complexes, this new book shows how a "big time" investor goes about investigating and buying large property acquisitions.  more...

Dear Barry,

My home was built in 1978 and has "popcorn" ceiling texture in most rooms, some of which is peeling and cracking. I began to scrape off the material, but then became concerned about asbestos. Is there an inexpensive way to determine if this material contains asbestos? I've read that spraying with water makes it safe to remove it yourself. Do you know if this is true? Also, I am concerned about past and current asbestos exposure to my family. – Lauri

Dear Lauri,  more...

DEAR BOB: For the last three years we have owned our condo in what was once an upscale condominium complex. But mismanagement by the board of directors has allowed it to decline rapidly in maintenance quality and ambiance. Too many renters have been allowed to move in. They park their campers in the parking lot and the place looks like low-income housing. Fortunately, the market value has held up because of a very desirable location. My husband and I have decided to sell and move to a better condo complex. If we sell, our net profit will be about $145,000.  more...