Good property development books

[Sunstone]

Dear Guys,

Just wondering if there are any books relating to property development that you would recommend? Are there any ones written from an Australian perspective?

Cheers,

Sunstone.

[DaleGG]

Hi Sunstone

I would recommend Jan's books, naturally. Thereafter, two of the better ones that I have read recently are:

"Streets Ahead" by Monique Wakelin and
"It's easy to be a property millionaire" by Craig Turnbull

Have fun

Dale

[Sunstone]

Dear Dale,

Thanks for the reply.

Have read the somers books. When I looked at "streets ahead" I felt that it would have been okay but it is really just good for beginners I didn't feel (Consumed 15 property books in the last five months.)

What I am looking for is actually with residential property development. Eg. multi-unit or townhouse development.

Things like.

-Conducting feasibility study.
-Understanding basic principles on size of land required (e.g roughly how many units/twnhouses built on a certain size of land. How much common area needed. etc.)
-Recommendations on setting up project timeline.
-Recommendations on how to manage construction process (hints and tips etc.)

Generally how to take a property development project from start to finish.

Also do any of the local councils have publications that easily help with understanding zoning?

Thanks in advance for any input people can share in this area.

Sunstone.

[dionysus888]

Each state and for that matter each council will have its own requirements. Determine where you want to develop and then go and talk to the relevant authorities. One book you may want to have a look at is 'The Property Developmemt Process: Western Australia' by H.L. Reynolds & P.L. (1998) ISBN 0 646 35442 6

Most books on Property Development are written about doing large scale developments e.g. Office buildings, Subdivisions but the concepts are valid for any scale. The specific details you want, you will need to do some local groundwork.

[Sunstone]

Dear Dionysus888,

Thanks heaps mate.

Found the book for sale on the following link.

http://puffin.curtin.edu.au/Beru/property.shtml


Have tried to send through a fax to order it but for some reason their fax is not answering at the moment. Instead sent through an e-mail to order this book.

Thanks again.

Sunstone.

[JoannaK]

Try the Property Council.

http://www.propertyoz.com.au/data/bookshop/fs_shop.htm


Heaps of books and info on this site.

[Sunstone]

Dear Jo,

Thanks for the post. Definitely a good selection.

Did you use any of these books in your learning journey?

Or is most of the development knowledge you gained from the "school of hard knocks"?

Cheers,

Sunstone.

[JoannaK]

Hi Sunstone,

To be perfectly honest with you - I haven't even had a good look at the books on offer. My banker sent me the link when I was asking him about some software.

I wouldn't say that I have that much development knowledge - I'm currently on a major learning curve now and absolutely loving it. But the school of hard knocks is always my preferred learning method!

[michaelg]

Hi,

University of Hawksbury (Western Sydney) did at one time run a 1 week property developement course which I found very good. Give them a call.

Michael G

[Sunstone]

Dear Joannak and michaelg,

Thanks for the input guys. Always helps!

Cheers,

Sunstone.

[Sunstone]

Quick update on:

'The Property Developmemt Process: Western Australia' by H.L. Reynolds & P.L. (1998) ISBN 0 646 35442 6


Website link that I posted above no longer works (they have deleted it subsequent to my contact) and it had pre-GST pricing.

However if anyone is interested in purchasing it, it is:

$78.76 plus $11.00 for overnight delivery.

You need to ring the Curtin bookshop on (08) 9266-3469 to order it.

Will give you an update on the book later when I get through it.

Cheers,

Sunstone.

[dionysus888]

For those in Melbourne there is a book "Property Development: A Beginners Guide" put out by Greg Thompson earlier this year that may be worth a look. It takes you through the process of a recent development in Port Phillip. $69.95 at McGills in Elizabeth St.

[kheaver]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sunstone
[B]Quick update on:

'The Property Developmemt Process: Western Australia' by H.L. Reynolds & P.L. (1998) ISBN 0 646 35442 6

I've just borrowed this book from the library.
If you haven't already bought it, I'd have a look at it first.
It seems mainly aimed at large scale estate development, there's nothing that really applies to the small scale, subivide a block & build 6 units type development.
It seems mainly about the planning, and the input of the various parties involved.
Its all very general with little specific detail.

My recommendation is;
get it from the library and don't waste your money.

Regards,
Kim

[Jas]

Sunstone,

The other idea is to goto the councils themselves. Many of the bigger councils have downloaded building codes, and other have iformation nights.

Jas

[Sunstone]

Dear Kim,

Thanks for the input.

Already have purchased it although have to wait a couple of weeks until I get back to Aust to pick it up.

Still it is hard to get good Australian based material on certain things. Will pick out the good bits and give further feedback.

Jas - Have you come across any worthwhile material to purchase from councils?

Cheers,

Sunstone.

[kheaver]

- Have you come across any worthwhile material to purchase from councils?


Have a look at my other message in this section about the Residential Design Codes - WA.

This is chock full of good info and if you download its free.

Other states should have similar codes.

Regards,
Kim

[Donna]

:)

One more to add to this list would be Due Diligence by Hans Jakobi.

Cheers Donna

[Kevmeister]

Is this Due Diligence book specific to real estate investing? If not, does it have much regarding real estate investing?

[Donna]

Yes Han Jakobi's book is on investment property.

[geoffw]

Michael Yardney (Metropole Properties), who contributes to this forum, has run property development seminars from time to time.

http://www.metropole.com.au/

[Sunstone]

Dear guys,

Have just finished reading 'The Property Development Process: Western Australia' by H.L. Reynolds & P.L

In analysing it firstly Kim is right, it is aimed at large scale developments and is quite general.

Was it the "magical" book that I was looking for to give me all the secrets of property development............. No.

However currently it is the best AUSTRALIAN property development book that I have so far found out there until Michael Yardney decides to publish one.

It goes through the processes from the initial feasibility (Land identification, consultation with local authorities, preliminary financial testing etc) through to the approval process, construction and marketing of the development.

I will continue to look and add to this knowledge base however it was a certainly a welcome addition to my property development knowledge.

Thanks to Dionysus888 for suggesting it.

Cheers,

Sunstone.

[JoannaK]

Hi Sunstone,

go to the Property Council website and their bookshop has just launched a new book called Projects as Wealth Creators for about $35.00.

I haven't read it yet, but eagerly awaiting it's delivery.

[Sunstone]

Dear Joanna,

New information is always good. I had a look but it says it was published in November 2001 with a length of 34 pages.

Nonetheless am always interested if it is good. After you get and read it would be great if you can write a basic review or synopsis on it.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Sunstone.

[Francoise]

'The Property Development Process: Western Australia' by H.L. Reynolds & P.L

Yes, it is aimed at large scale developments and is quite general, but why don't you think that the same principles in the book apply to small scale developments? The DCF's (discounted cashflows) are invaluable and are used for assessing the deals; the figures don't care whether its a big or small deal. Where else can one find DCF's for property?

[Michael Yardney]

Originally posted by dionysus888
For those in Melbourne there is a book "Property Development: A Beginners Guide" put out by Greg Thompson earlier this year that may be worth a look. It takes you through the process of a recent development in Port Phillip. $69.95 at McGills in Elizabeth St.

I have this ook right in front of me - less than very basic not useful. Don't bother getting it

[wrappack]

Couple of good (dirt cheap) reads.

http://www.smartpropertydevelopment.com.au Peter combens smart development checklist- sheer brilliance, free download, only four or five pages of pure gold.

http://www.yourproject.com.au has two things for sale, and ebook and a developers toolbox. Buy the ebook, it is great, forget about the toolbox, it is a complete load of crap- most is not even related to property!

Will be receiving Colm dillons ebook soon- Residential development made easy. http://www.realestatedevelopmentcoach.com

Also ordered An Intelligent Guide to Australian Property Development from wrightbooks. http://www.wrightbooks.com.au/realesta.htm

Shall let everyone know how they go

I am esp. interested in finding out about options and subject to's to tie up properties prior to council da applications. Hopefully they will have some good info on this.

[Sunstone]

Dear WP,

Enthusiasm is always good to see, although all of these sources have already been mentioned elsewhere on the forum. It is interesting to note that that none of these were around more than 12 months ago.

On options a couple of comments:

An Intelligent Guide to Australian Property Development Ron Forlee
0 731401 31 X RRP: $29.95

A basic but useful read for $29.95. However you will not find any information on options in this book.

With Peter Comben his course will give you some information on options and it is possible to get copies of the option agreements that he uses. Currently what he is planning to do is to release on his DVD a separate section covering options in more detail. (Three weeks production estimation -$220 course graduates; $550 general public.)

Enjoy your journey.

Cheers,

Sunstone.

[BUNDY]

Sunstone,

Have you thought of doing an owner builders course? I am presently doing one through the open learning Institute in Qld. Fair bit of info re developments in this. - feasability, budget, timelines, research, cordells etc

Also REIQ has a property development subject that you can do.

Best of luck
BUNDY

[Sunstone]

Have you thought of doing an owner builders course? I am presently doing one through the open learning Institute in Qld. Fair bit of info re developments in this. - feasability, budget, timelines, research, cordells etc

Dear Bundy,

Time to have a look at when the original question was posted. ;) Though I'm sure the forum would welcome your feedback on the owner builders course.

Cheers,

Sunstone.