Confessions of a Real Estate Entrepreneur: What It Takes to Win in High-Stakes Commercial Real Estate

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I have over 100 RE books in my library and I would rank this in the top 5. It's very different from most books you will read - how many authors admit to, and document their mistakes? I have a Master's in RE, done some development projects and I still learned alot from this book.

Note: It's not a book for a pure beginner. For them I recommend one of the non-no money down books to learn the basics of LTV, cap rates, etc. Then study this book over and over.

Doing that will save you years in your real estate education. It's cost me over $100,000 in life "lessons" to learn what you will learn in this book.

Thanks Mr Randel.

It would appear as though I am in the minority as the previous reviews all seem to tout this book as the go-to guide for for anyone with an interest in real estate investing. I have my doubts that Randel's sophisticated guide to making money in the real estate business will leave any serious Investor scratching his head asking "Why didn't I think of that?" For someone who is so internationally acclaimed I found it odd that in my 34+ years in the real estate business I have never once heard of him, but then I have never lectured at Harvard either.
While I have no doubt there are a select few that may be able to glean some useful information from Randel's book, I'm afraid the "Priceless Lessons" that the book description provides are little more than common sense. Spend the extra 2 cents and pick up a copy of Real Estate Investing for Dummies.

James Randel shares great concepts that were acquired over 25 years of deal making that are well worth anyone's time who has any interest in real estate. I've been on Wall St. for 11 years and doing real estate deals for 6 and must say I agree with 100% of what is in this book. He gives you the play by play on a few multi million dollar deals that have worked out well and surprisingly enough on some that have not. A few great lines:

"Never believe your own press clippings"
"Never take anything for granted"

He lists 13 "Success Skills" and says, "I do not believe success is an accident" The 1st skill is PASSION, where he says, "A small difference in energy can sometimes be the difference between success and failure."

Next is "Work Ethic" I love this one, "If you're not willing to work hard at the real estate game, do not come out of the dugout."

Also key for people to understand is how NOI (Net Operating Income) affects the price of a property, and how improvements in the net can boost the price of a property even if nothing else has changed.

Interestingly he talks about South Florida where my partner and I have also had tremendous success. He's hot on "North Beach" which is just north of South Beach in Miami. We are a bit further North in Hollywood Beach, but none the less our premise is the same as his; the wave of growth is heading north.

By Kevin Kingston author of, A 20,000% Gain in Real Estate

My Blog bloglines.com/blog/KevinKingston

I just received this book today and am only about 40 pages into it, but it is so great that I had to stop and post my praise.

I own about a half-dozen various books on real estate and have looked at dozens. I've owned a couple investment properties and am going to get back into the game very soon.

This is certainly the best book on real estate that I have seen or read.

The author is a real investor who wants to share the ins and outs of the biz with other people, and he does a fantastic job.

The author doesn't just say something empty like, "real estate is a great investment with many tax benefits. You can do it if you put your mind to it, so get out there and get it done!" nor does he give other inspiring but utterly meaningless "advice" or information like so many books on the shelf.

Instead, this author talks about how the real estate game actually works in real life, gives you examples which are drawn from real deals he's done, and then (are you ready for this?) he actually explains everything in layman's terms that anyone who graduated high school can understand!

He is certainly not condescending, he just explains things thoroughly and clearly. While many authors make an attempt at doing this, they either can't drop their jargon long enough to explain something or they only give a cursory explanation that still leaves you in the fog.

I'm educated and intelligent, but the reason I'm reading books like these is to learn about things I don't already know (obviously). With many (if not most) other real estate books, you are forced to look up many of the terms or ideas or read other real estate books in order to clarify what was said in the first one.

That's not necessary here, as the author explains everything to you just like a friend or mentor would.

If you are looking for a book that will truly give you a solid foundation in the language of real estate and also give you real-world examples of how actual deals work, look no further than this book.

If nothing else, this book is worth the price for the first chapter alone, where he gives excellent explanations of the basics of real estate such as the components of a contract, partnerships, corporations, etc.

Good luck!

This book is for the advance group. The author-lawyer-broker shares his bad experiences on all of his personal bad deals. For those interested he covers Condo Convertions, Residential Land Development, Building Convertions to Storage and Retail Facilities.

James Randel is the real deal, an investor in commercial properties who tells you how he did some of his deals. Not some puff merchant telling you how to buy with no cash down. Write another please soon!

I have to admit that this book was a real disappointment. I was expecting more from an internationally known real estate developer but was highly disappointed. Sounds to me like he got into the market at the right time and that is more luck than skill.

I have read numerous real estate investment books over the last 10 years and have to say that most of them make numerous promises on how to make money. This book is no different although I was hoping for something new based on the reviews. It is a let down. I preferred David Bach's line of books so much more.

To a large extent this book is a series of stories of deals that either the author or someone with whom he is acquainted made. For the absolute beginner, this book and its deals make a certain amount of sense. Its shows the basic kinds of situations you are likely to find in the real world. From these situations you may understand better what is going on when you see a real life situation.

About this book, and indeed about just about all the real estate investing books I've every read, I have two major comments.

First, the marketplace is pretty even. The information you get is almost certainly the same information that every other potential real estate investor is getting. Yes you can find super deals once in a great while, but most properties are fairly priced for what they are. A lot of the kinds of things that some books recommend are in my mind at least borderline cheating of the seller.

Second, I recommend that if you are serious about real estate, go get a job, part time if you have another job, selling real estate. Take the classes to get your license. Working in the business you will see more deals go down, you'll learn what buyers want, you'll learn about the sections of your town. And yes, once in a while you'll find a deal that you can make happen.

I have bought and sold a number of residential properties and a few commercial in the past few years. I have a pretty good understanding but always wanted a better understanding of financing commercial properties traditionally, the development and renting of commercial space. This book is perfect with the exception that it is too short. The author gives brief accounts of his actual deals, I wish he would write 50 pages on each deal, show contracts, HUD1's, tell how he made and evaluated the various contacts in the industry. I saw other reviews complain that the book contains a lot of the basic information - but some of it is stuff you do not read in most REI courses. If you are going to take the risks of commercial - I want the confidence that I have a strong grasp of the basics(so I did not mind it). The information is very well organized so you can skip certain sections that you feel you already have a good grasp of.
Great book - a very fun read. I am online to buy the author's prior book. I wish this book was 10X the length it is, I would read every page.

This is a great book for someone who wants to learn how to become a successful real estate investor. The book covers the basics...terminology, financing, buying right, valuation analysis, maximizing cash flow, and knowing when to cash out. The book takes a practical approach in describing how to execute real estate transactions and make money doing it. The author describes several successful deals and some unsuccessful ones in an effort to illustrate keys to successful investing. A good read, this book will help both the first time investor and the seasoned pro.

If you are looking for a step by step buy a house, rehab it, and get rich, please find another book. If you are looking for a dull textbook type presentation you should also pass.

If you are looking for clear explanations of concepts and illustrated with some small case studies to kick start your brain, then this might be just the thing to get you from dreaming to doing.

Although I knew almost all the concepts presented, this book made them much more concrete. I have already begun the process of actually doing instead of sitting on my butt thinking about doing!

Thank You!!

This is an excellent book for an investor who has been investing in strictly residential property and is now looking to move into bigger commercial or industrial projects. After reading this book, I came away with a much better understanding of commercial and industrial real estate and I am now looking to invest in these types of properties. The book is easy to read, and easy to follow and understand. James' offer us some great examples of his experiences in this game and how he both made and lost money. I really enjoyed this book.

As a practicing commercial real estate professional who has read many books on the subject, I found Mr. Randel's book to be one of the better books on the subject. The real life examples used in the book (he gives both the good deals and the not so good deals that he's done) made the book very enjoyable if only because he corroborated some of the practices that I use in managing my commercial properties. There was also enough insight to ensure I make the next deal better or don't make the same mistake twice. The book is not too technical in that it doesn't go through long drawn-out calculations on valuing property/deals however it does give you the important figures to watch out for so that you don't overpay or undersell. The most valuable thing about the book were the countless examples of how to improve the properties "value" to the next buyer. Mr. Randel seems very honest to say that most Real Estate deals are not get rich quick schemes and most take a lot of hard work and possibly time to work through. He is also humble enough to admit that a little luck doesn't hurt either. Several different types of Real Estate investment are covered in the book including land development.

I'll hope to see another book by Mr. Randel in the future.

This is an excellent book for first-timers and probably anyone else interested in commercial real estate. The book is easy to read with enough variety to hold your attention for hours. I found the step-by-step examples and analysis to be very helpful. The author takes the facts a step further by showing the reader how the theory can be applied to real world situations by providing actual examples of his own.

Randel beomes your real estate mentor as you read his latest book which is filled with advice, real estate basics, and most improtantly the best lessons: stories of past deals. He walks the reader through a variety of situations, allowing one to understand the risks as well as the potential upside of playing in the market. I read this at a time when I was buying/selling/buying...and his book was very helpful in providing advice and strategy that kept me focused on goals and objectives as oppossed to emotion. I would recommend this to the first time investor and big time real estate entrepreneurs.

Jim Randel generously shares his successes (and occasional mistakes) from his 30+ year career (and still going strong) as a star real estate entrepreneur. It's an interesting read from cover to cover, from the basics to sophisticated strategies for making big money in real estate. Buying Jim's book has definitely been one of the best investments I've made in real estate.

Finally a real estate book without the millionaire promises, just good old fashioned know how.
I couldn't put it down.
I have read many real estate books but this one reads better and is jammed pakced with useful information.
It gets me excited to go out and make deals.

Someone finally wrote a book that does not talk down to the reader. I thought I had a good understanding of real estate investing until I read this book. This book sets the bar higher then anything I have ever read on Real Estate Investing and gives the readers many ideas for creative deals. I really enjoyed the chapters on persuasion and success.
The stories were terrific and very important to understanding the point the author was making. I give this book my highest recommendation.....

Most unusual book because it shows the up's and down's of being a real estate player. I learned more from this book than the other ten I've read combined. My strongest recommendation.

Mr Randel writes a very straight-forward book which all sales professionals in real estate should read----they can bring "value-add" to their skill set and make additional $$ by understanding the tenets of commercial real estate in addition to selling homes----plus Mr Randel's style is done not in a "preachy" mode but with self-deprecating humour which is not normally found---buy it, read it, apply it---mike murray

This is the best commercial real estate primer I have ever read. I run a commercial real estate brokerage and this is required reading for all of my agents. I highly recommend it.

Confessions of a Real Estate Entrepreneur: What It Takes to Win in High-Stakes Commercial Real Estate At the urging of a friend, I attended one of Mr. Randel's seminars a year ago in the Washington D.C. area. I had just moved out of a career in the corporate arena (in banking, where I saw these types of transactions from the other side) and was looking to pursue other options for myself. I had read his first book a number of years ago and found it to be very informative. I found both his presentation and this book to be "top-notch" -- written to be understood, but not understated with respect to technical information and emphasizing qualities in the entrepreneur which are absolutely essential in order to be successful, such as: taking knowledgeable risks and knowing your customer -- hearing what they want in order to structure your deal to get it done. His examples are to the point and understandable -- and based on more than 25 years of valid, successful experience. It's impossible to argue with that! I highly recommend this book and look forward to hearing more from Mr. Randel in the future.

This is the best book on real estate investing that I have come across. Unlike the "get rich quick"-type books which are full of empty promises, this book gives specific strategies for making money on real estate. It starts with the basics that everyone needs to know about contracts, types of financing, and so on. It then goes on to explain how you can add value to a piece of property or to the process of obtaining the property. The author explains in detail the steps to follow, and also the mistakes to avoid. He explains the role of brokers, how to find deals, successful negotiating strategies, how to finance with the help of other people's money, and so on. This book is absolutely essential for both the beginner and the seasoned professional real estate investor. And it's really well written--the author talks directly to the reader and guides you through all the steps in a way that makes it all easy to understand. If you are looking for a book that really tells you how to make money in the world of real estate investing, without those empty promises, this is the one.

Jim Randel's Confessions of A Real Estate Entrepreneur has something for everyone from the first-time investor to the experienced high-stake investor. Anyone who is considering investing in real estate, this book is definitely a must read.

Informative and entertaining read. Author recounts stories of previous real estate transactions he completed personally or on behalf of clients. Best advice is to purchase under one pricing model and sell under a different and more valuable pricing model (i.e., purchase multifamily buildings valued as apartment rentals and then sell individual units as condominiums). Author admits that condo-conversion opportunities have all but eliminated the ability to purchase convertable multifamily buildings at apartment value, so he advises to "look around the next corner versus in the rear view mirror." Therein lies the problem with the book-- such advice is easier said than done.

Excellent book about industrial real estate and very little details about apartment buildings, and retail plaza`s.

Confessions fo a Real Estate Entrenpreneur packs loads of great insight into a smooth and fun read. The clarity with which the concepts were introduced made it an enjoyable read for anyone, not just the advanced entrepeneur. I look forward to more material from James Randel in the future.

Wow, what a book. I'm a beginner in real estate investing, this was my seventh book.
It's good that it's written by real investor, but what makes it best and different he is also a lawyer. So he talks about everything from a different angle and with different approach. One of the best parts is how to lock a property/land with as little money as possible, and how to use laws and contracts in your favour and there are lots of other good information.
The best part of this book comes in chapter 19, none of the previous 6 books that i read talked about this and I think it is the most important thing in real estate investing, he calls it "The Art of Persuasion" or in other words how you connect with other people and your abilities to persuade them. Most of us know that good deals aren't found on internet or in newspaper classifieds, good deals are found connecting with the right people and getting information from them before anyone else does, and you need to know as many of those people as you can.
This book is a must read for any real estate investor or entrepreneur.

This book is very complete, very interesting, easy to read, and flows well. The author gives a lot of his own practical experiences as object lessons. I highly recommend it for anyone considering purchasing or developing commercial real estate investments.

This is the real thing by someone who clearly knows what he is talking about - not a get rich quick scheme designed to sell books. I found myself, the further I got into the book, thinking I should retire and start investing in real estate using this book and the hard work discipline it advocates.

I'm always looking for a good read on the subject of RE investing and I almost passed by this one. I think it was the back cover's promise to share "Insider's Secrets" that grabbed my interest. I'm very glad for that because this has turned out to be the best real estate book that I have ever read. There are a number of sections well worth going back to for a more careful look because they are so valuable and insightful. A unique book, well worth the money.

I have to say, I enjoyed this book even more than I thought I would. As a practical person, I stear clear of "dummy" or "get rich quick" books because I find them overly simplified and often boring, but CONFESSIONS was just the opposite! Randel teaches his lessons in a humble way and only suggests you learn from his mistakes. His principal rules could be labeled "basic", but many people don't know these basics (except the reviewer with 35 years experience, maybe he really wants to write his own book), and they are an imperative part of the learning process. Without those ground-rules, any real estate book would be utterly incomplete and the author irresponsible. Most of all, I actually ENJOYED READING THIS! Well done, Randel, I can't wait to see what you have in store next!

If you already know that you can make money by simply buying and holding on to real estate or fixing up a property and then flipping it, this book will blow your mind! It shows how you can make even more money in real estate--by taking it to the next level. When it comes to the "inside secrets" of making big money in real estate, this guy isn't afraid to tell it like it is! I guess that's why the book is titled, "CONFESSIONS (emphasis mine) of a Real Estate Entrepreneur". It might have been titled: "A Really Handy Guide on How to Find and Create Bigger Opportunities in Real Estate by Knowing How to Add Value"...but, I guess that would be kind of a long title, so maybe James Randel should stick with the title he gave his book. It's packed with tips and terms and real case stories the reader can learn from. And not just stories with happy endings--Randel "confesses" how he learned by making some mistakes along the way to all the successes he's also piled on in 25 years of being a real estate entrepreneur. Should be on the bookshelf of every real estate investor...or anyone who wants to become one.

Using a friendly narrative style that keeps the reader locked in to the book, reading this book is like having the greatest real estate "player" in the world invite you into his office, and into his world to teach you the ropes step by step, even providing easy to understand definitions of complex legal terms for the novice. I am left with the thought " Wow...why would this guy share the knowledge that took him 25 years of working 14 hour days to accumulate?". The answer is that he truly wants to see you succeed. And you will have the tools to succeed once you read this insightful, easy to read book that will both teach you the ropes & make you laugh at the same time.

A smart book for the beginner as well as experienced investor. Randel takes nothing for granted as he lets us in on actual deals, some for better, some for worse. He clearly has a talent for teaching in a unique and natural style that gives the reader valuable insight into the makings of a real estate entrepreneur in a simple and direct way. But make no mistake about it, hard work must be part of the equation. You only succeed by doing the research and being prepared. So do your homework and read this book. There is much to be gained from the author's experience.

This is a read for anyone who dreams entrepreneurial dreams! Randel concedes to the reader that risk is part of the equation of real estate dealings. He then outlines through wonderful conversational style anecdotes that there is a way to minimize this risk. There is homework to be done, and just as our teachers and parents assured us, with this thoughtful research will come handsome rewards. What sets this book apart from so many self help books is the author's down-to-earth instruction alongside the numerous real life examples of his own successes and failures. Randel is not falsely modest. He knows that he has experienced more positive than negative, but he seems to make the most of mistakes--he learns from them. He passes along his wisdom in an easy-to-read, instructive, entertaining format. I heartily recommend this book.

Most real estate investment book author wants to keep the details and real meats off the book so that they can sell other tapes and seminars late. Not this one. The author goes into a lot of details that I have not seen in other real estate invesment books. I love the stories that show the inner workings of the deals. He also told us that luck is a factor in real estate deals, but he admitted that he did do lots of due diligence for all deals.

This book really offers insight into genuinely successful real estate strategies and techniques. Examples come from the author's successes and failures and it's refreshing to hear someone talk about and derive/share valuable lessons from both types of experiences. I thought the "Options" chapter was particularly fascinating - it's amazing how a relatively small amount of cash can produce such impressive results! This book is a must read for anyone interested in learning about or participating in profitable real estate investing.

The confessional aspect of this highly readable book, makes for chatty, credible, honest and interesting reading. Mr. Randel's stumbles along the road to success are told with humor and an eye for the "teachable moment."
Rather than use a traditional, didactic approach, read "boring." his lens has a wider angle. The author repeatedly speaks to the significance of forging solid, respectful relationships while creatively persuading his clients to think and create along with him. There is no arrogance here, only warmth, intelligence and a lot of good information.

I have read several real estate books and many are just fluff. This book is the opposite, with lots that I want to re-read. For anyone wanting to invest in real estate, this book is far and away the best I've ever read.

I've been dealing with real estate developers and investors my entire business career. I believe this book to be a road map for anyone so inclined to follow that path. However, what really made this book a great read for me were the life lessons shared by the author which made the book more than just a passage on real estate investing. There is a lot in here that applies to whatever career or venture one may undertake. It is for that reason that I called it a great read.

A friend of mine gave me this book over the holidays and I just finished reading it and I must say that I have never read a book on real estate like this one. I feel like I need to read it again even though there were parts that I have already read twice. I was so impressed with this book that I just bought one for a friend of mine. I suggest that anyone who is interested in real estate must read this book.

I have been buying real estate in South Florida for over 10 years and thought I was pretty savy but this book has opened my eyes to many new ideas. It is well written and the many anecdotes makes it easy to comprehend and relate to my own real life situations. The author has a very clear writing style and helped me better understand many concepts I thought I knew but did not. I recommend this book to anyone interested in making real estate investments regardless of their experience.

Finally someone has written a book about real estate investing that challenges the reader. This book is informative, funny, thought-provoking and most of all insightful as to how to really make money in commercial real estate. I recommend it strongly!

I am a sophomore in college and my parents gave me this book as they know that I am interested in real estate investing. I have read several other books but nothing like this one. This book had stories of deals gone good and bad and I learned an enormous amount from those stories. I still have a lot to learn and plan on reading the book again. I am writing this review so that others can enjoy this valuable book. I reccomend the book to anyone who is interested in real estate.

Randel's Confessions is an interesting and valuable read. Many business/RE books read like a text which to me detracts from the lessons being taught. Randel's Confessions reads more like a memoir in which he uses anecdotal lessons often with a hint of humor to convey valuable techniques and strategies to the reader. The book accurately depicts several effective investment strategies and does not overcomplicate the subject matter.

Here is a commercial real estate investment book that doesn't require a degree in finance to keep up with. At the same time it is not too simplistic for experienced investors. I found this a little surprising, considering Randel is a real estate attorney. It doesn't take long to understand what he means by real estate entrepreneur vs. investor. The entrepreneur gets creative and is willing to try things in his market that haven't been tried before. Having no money doesn't stop him, it just encourages more creativity. He isn't satisfied with institutional type returns, but looks to hit the ball out of the park, while still managing his risk.

Each major technique is illustrated with a story that describes a transaction in detail. In the more complex examples, Randel slows down and defines his terms to help us "get it." His deals range from half a million dollars on up to near 50 million. These stories make the book entertaining. I could hardly put it down. Now I have a idea (Randel's) for a commercial office building that could double its value within two to three years, even if the market is flat.

The principles stay the same, it is the applications that change. Learn these principles to apply this year in your market to create returns worthy of a real estate entrepreneur.

Jim Randel shares his 30+ years of real estate experience in this outstanding book. You might not know that he leased Bed, Bath and Beyond space in one of his buildings and they tried to hire him to expand nationwide. He turned down the job. Also, he leased Martha Stewart her first store in the 1980s in Westport, CT. He has closed more than 5,000 transactions as an attorney and is one of the brightest real estate investors in the country. His self-deprecating writing style is refreshing. He once made almost $1,000,000 for an hour long meeting that resulted in a 50/50 split of a brokerage commission. You'll learn more about these stories and much more in "Confessions of a Real Estate Entrepreneur".

You simply must buy this book!

This book is absolutely excellent. Jim's writing is straightforward and easy to understand even when he is discussing fairly complex ideas. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in any aspect of commercial Real Estate!

Finally a book for someone in the NE to read and understand NE real estate numbers, both insightful and inspirational.

Jim Randel has written an excellant book on commercial real estate. I only wished that I had read it earlier in my career, I might have chosen to be in commercial real estate instead of residential. His candor, ability to talk about his mistakes, and full stories of his successes and failures is a great read, and motivational in the fact that it shows you how hard work, and being creative can pay off.

This is a great book for real estate investing--it's got the big picture and the nuts and bolts. As an amateur in the real estate market, who has an interest in a few rental condominiums in Florida, I found Randel's book an introduction to everything I didn't know and should have. He describes his own deals in detail so you can see all the angles, what works and what doesn't, when to buy and when to sell, how to manage properties to increase valuation and above all--how to make money. His methods are sophisticated, but his presentation makes them easy to understand. He makes it clear that real estate investment is not for the timid, but guides you with the principles you need to feel confident. Best of all, I'm a lot smarter than I was before, and with the market the way it is today, the timing couldn't be better.

I found this book to be a worthwhile read. I've had a lot of exposure to commercial real estate development and ownership, without much personal experience. The level of information was helpful for my needs and the book was an easy enough read. It helped give me another perspective to consider when evaluating commercial real estate investments.

Excellent book in commercial real estate investment. It is very easy to understand and very interesting to read. Full of author's creative ideas and expertise. Whoever learns one little idea from the book will make his money worth.

Not rocket science but gives good, basic information on how to approach potential deals and create value. Unless you're an experienced developer, this is a very informative read.

Sharpen your skills............

This book is very informative and at the same, a friendly, quick read. I immediately liked the author's approach to teaching me how to become a better investor while at the same time emphasizing the importance of a good understanding of basic investing principals. I couldn't agree more! He demonstrates how to find and add value in real estate through stories of deals that he made in the past. The more I read, the more it opened my eyes to options in deal making I previously did not know existed. There is also a chapter on success skills. For those who are serious about commercial real estate investing, this book is very insightful!

I thought this book was excellent. Randel clearly knows the trade and he shares the skills to be successful.

Finally the truth! No shortcuts, no bull. Just lots of good old fashioned know-how. I hope this book can get the attention it deserves among the confusing and misleading books that are out there on the topic of easy riches through real estate. Finally - someone who is willing to give it to me straight.

For a novice like myself I found Randel's book to be informative, engaging and most of all fascinating. If you are interested in any aspect of real estate you should pick up this book.

I recently bought this book for my boyfriend, and when he told me how excellent it was, I decided to read it myself. As someone employed in the marketing world, I didn't think a Real Estate book would interest me all that much, but this one couldn't have been more fascinating. Mr. Randel's lessons do not simply apply to his business but to the world of business itself. The balance of risk and patience to achieve success was something I've heard a lot about, but never seen in motion until I read these real-life scenarios. It was nice to learn something about Real Estate beyond the "get rich quick" schemes and TV shows constantly in our faces. Thank you, Mr. Randel, you have planted the seed for a new Real Estate fan!

The author has dozens of years of experience as a real estate laywer, broker, and entrepreneur. He talks not only about what he believes it takes to be successful but also candidly describes the mistakes he's made (as embarrassing and painful as they may be for him). The book is chock full of real world commercial real estate deals and how he did them. Great stuff. I look forward to his next book with anticipation.

Loved it! Not only will this book leave you better-prepared for your next investment, but it will also leave you with the motivation to get started. An energizing and inspiring read! Thanks Mr. Randel.

I just finished reading Confessions of a Real Estate Entrepreneur and it is spectacular plus the best business book I have ever read!!! I found it very informative and very human. The author, James Randel, shows why he made mistakes and his efforts not to repeat them. His stories of the deals gone good (and bad) are used to illustrate principles of investing and are extremely entertaining!!! I highly recommend this book for any investor and entrepreneur.

The author shares some excellent tools for real estate success. He is in the industry and not an "ivory tower" instructor. I enjoyed this book greatly and highly recommend it to anyone in commercial real estate.

This is an outstanding book to me. I am writing this review because I think that anyone who has any interest in Real Estate should get this book, which is very different from the usual how-to book. Besides giving the reader lots to think about when it comes to investing, it covers the personal side of being an entrepreneur. What a challenge Mr. Randel puts to the reader to consider motivation as well as execution. What a different world American business would if some of these priciples were actually in broader use today. Congratulations Mr. Randel; no wonder Real Estate has worked well for you.