Property Magic 4th Edition - How to Buy Property Using Other People's Time, Money and Experience

by Simon Zutshi

In this fourth, updated edition of the Number 1 Amazon Property best Seller, Property Millionaire Simon Zutshi will show you how you can build a GBP 1 million property portfolio and a GBP 50,000 income in just 12 months, by revealing some of the success secrets behind his Property Mastermind Programme. This revised edition includes a brand new chapter on Property Options, New case studies and extra content such as: The 5 questions to ask Estate Agents to get them to find the best properties for you; How to pay off your mortgage in 8 to 10 years and build a property portfolio at the same time: How to quickly and easily asses if a property will make positive cash flow for you; and How to recycle your deposit every 6 months using Momentum Investing The essence of the book is that no matter where you live, there are motivated sellers in your area who will sell their property to you for well below the true market value. This means that you can build a substantial property portfolio using very little of your own money. Simon will show you how to find these motivated sellers, how to deal with them and structure an ethical win/win deal. The book is designed to open your mind, stimulate your thinking and make you aware of some of the current possibilities available in property investing.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Finance, Economics

170 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2008

Reviews

[Virginia Rand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting stuff, but I may be a bit jaded. As soon as Mr Zutshi started talking about his seminars my alarm bells started going off.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I appreciate what the author is sharing, and the book is well written (or at least narrated), I think this is too complicated and risky, and frankly dangerous. I've seen what getting into bad debt can do on a small and big scale, and his method recommends staying in debt (a huge amount of it) forever. Including passing it onto your kids.

I don't doubt that this method can work well, but I've heard of better, safer strategies. Don't do this without the protection of a limited company.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no doubt that this method made a lot of people rich in the pre-2008 boom housing market, but - despite the author's assurances otherwise - I'm not sure it's sensible now, or as a longterm strategy in general. If you ever do need to sell these properties for whatever reason, or if the rental market plummets and you can't find a tenant or one to pay rent at the rate you have borrowed, this looks like a passport to a massive negative equity scenario. After the Credit Crunch (and Zutshi had to revise this book then, and even so the fact it has not been revised since is telling), this seems particularly irresponsible. Yes, if you find only properties at 60% below market value or whatever, then great. But these are not easy finds and all of his "my friend found this lead for me and he didn't want it himself because he lived too far away blah blah" seem exceptional rather than regular occurrences. I'm sorry, but estate agents are not going to give up good leads. And not everyone has a police officer husband to charm a council into giving them planning permission on a property where it was denied.

In any case, this seems like a get rich quick style scheme and the sales pitch for the Mastermind seminars didn't alleviate my skepticism any. That said, if you're someone who does want to get rich quick, you enjoy the hustle, and you don't mind potentially crashing and burning in a massive Wolf of Wall Street style someday then yeah. Try it. But not for me.

Two stars because I did learn some things about property investing that were useful, including some advice about inheritance tax and capital gains.

ps. Just read that Zutshi has recently sold his entire empire - which is mainly around Mastermind and no longer around property - to foreign investors. There will be no more books, I suppose!

[Ellen W · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting introduction to property investment and some good tips for beginners. However, I would say further research is needed on the authors strategies before implementing. They involve being highly leveraged and the author doesn't delve too deeply into the potential risks. They book also often reads as a sales pitch for his property investment course.

[Thomas.M.Small1991gmail.Com · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s good but feels a lot like a sales pitch at times.

The book a lot of the time feels like a sales pitch for Simons OTHER sources of income. I enjoyed the book however and did learn a lot. I dunno whether I would recommend it to anyone.

[Xiong Jun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book, gave me a clearer idea of the property sector and shitload of new strategies

[Hao · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does offer people who have no idea about property purchase or investment (or both in my case) a peak into what it is like to be a property investors. There are some good insights covered in the book, both in terms of what to look for, what to beware of, examples of people making it work.

But it feels like the author is giving you his sales pitch (that you paid for might I add!). The book goes on and on about the master mind program that he created, how lots of people have benefited from it, he even covers their stories after having taken part of his program. Then later he pretty much dedicates chapter 10 (in this audio book, the chapters are not matching the physical book), again trying to convince you that self development is important, seminar is a good way to learn. Before, you guessed it, talks about his master mind course again. I get why he is trying to do this from a business point of view, but it still left a bad taste in my mouth towards the end.

After reading this book, I feel I am more open to property investment now compared to before, I see why and how this might work for some people. But I am not convinced it is all amazing and perfect as the author has explained. Because if it is, why isn't he making millions becoming the biggest property investor in the UK. I feel the truth is that there are so many property trades happening, and out of those a small percentage is actually profitable using the author's method (himself said 3% of the property on the market is profitable). As more and more people get into property investment, his share of the cake shrinks too. So now he is transitioning to coaching by selling "master mind" training to people.

I would have given this book a 4 star or even 5 star, but it is hard to trust something that sounds this much like a sales pitch.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and encouraging book about some creative and simple concepts that can help you to start investing in property.

A lot of this book was not particularly relevant to me, as currently, like most, I’m not looking to build a large portfolio of property investments and I’m also not interested in joining Simon Zutshi’s “Property Mastermind Programme”, which he spends much of the latter stages of the book talking up and plugging.

Nonetheless, I’ve taken lots from the book and I’m grateful for the insight it’s provided me with. Great ideas on important elements of property investment including NMD purchases, cash flows, BMV finds and the ethics of property investment. Overall recommend and will be referencing + reading again.

[HUSEYIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great!!

Packed with info and a great stepping stone into property. Simon gives bags of info and also teaches you about the mentality required to be successful and easy to follow steps and case studies which were great examples of ways people have succeeded and different strategies used... Really good book. For beginners in investment and people that have maybe 1 or 2 BTLs and want to buy more it’s defo worth reading as it gives you different angles and ways to finance properties and also what types of properties to buy etc.

[Franziska Self Fisken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading Property Magic by Simon Zutshi. I got this free when I signed up for The Property Network at the London Landlord Show. It is really easy to read and echoes what we have been learning at MSOPI - Multiple Streams of Property Income - by Progressive Property in Peterborough in 2023.
Simon also mentions apps and services which are useful.
In particular Property Bee a property tracker which is a free Firefox or Google add-on. https://www.propertyinvestmentsuk.co....

[Steve Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic insight into ways of getting into property, Simon explains the different strategies that can be implemented and gives a good basic introduction to them. This book opened my eyes to the industry and the possibilities. A lot of property books are filled with filer text and not really giving you much to walk away with other than more questions, while this book certainly raises some questions it also answers lots and give a very good grounding! Highly recommended!

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super god til at gøre det simpelt om at komme igang med egen investering i ejendomme. Meget fokuseret omkring at man skal benytte andres funds at investere for. Derudover er hans strategi at købe til 20-40% under markedsværdi, og derved skabe en stor portion egenkapital direkte ved køb. Så når det bliver vurderet til en højere pris kan han optage lån og tilbagebetale f.eks. sine private långivere.

[Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good audiobook for laying out information about different strategies. What’s needed in order to be successful and make your life easier when property investing. It gives good overviews of different strategies and case studies which are useful. Did feel like there was a lot of sales pitching for the courses etc

[Pavel Antoci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm pleasantly surprised by the content of this book.
Simon is explaining the main strategies to use in property and how to apply them.
If you will read it you will find out 80% of the information found in courses sold with thousands and even tens of thousands of pounds.
A must-read with the property basics in my opinion.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on Property Investing

Read it and take action. Knowledge is not enough, we must apply it. I like that this book was written by someone who has practical experience in Property Investing. Thanks Simon.

[Lynette Odendaal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not anything I didn't really know from other similar property books just a taster of what is offered on his mentoring course, good reminder of the basic strategies but not enough to know enough to really go do them

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read.

[Lubow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Motivational and gives some decent overviews of interesting strategies to consider.

[Guilhem Forey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introductory book on the creative strategies of real estate.

[Enda Hackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful. Provides a great overview of property investment.

[Pedro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Test

[Darco Malic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful book, although some strategies don't work on other markets outside GB - remortgage principles for example...
However, many good advices about property holding gives rating 4/5.

[Stefan Bruun · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the book has a few practical advices, the focus on upselling courses and videos puts me off.

[steven meager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and insightful

Answers all of the questions I had about starting out in property investments. I will definitely be speaking to a property tax accountant.

[Dan Willars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview

This is an excellent overview with an easy to read style.
The case studies show practical application.
A very worthwhile investment.

[Teresa juliette Valencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introductory book to understand property investment

[Paul Cassidy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the content is very interesting but the whole book is just a sales pitch for the course.

[Seb Beguería · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read if you want to get into real estate investing. Useful if you’re new to property or even if you’ve read loads of books like this before. Definitely recommend.

[Seemy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book. This book gives you the good foundational principles of the correct way in investing in property regardless the market or climate we are in - and that's what it really comes down too for us property investors - the successful ones of us will prosper regardless the economy or housing state once we master the foundational rocks of a successful property investor - it's not always about tricks "or getting the best deal" it's knowing your plan ...

To Our Continued Success!
Seemy
Waseem.tv/Blog

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[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in just a few hours.

I was expecting this to consist of largely fluff with very little practical advice. I was very surprised, it is probably one of the best books on property that I have read. It has something for everyone, people with time but no money and those with money and no time.

The strategies would enable someone with very little capital to generate serious cashflow in a short space of time.

I read this book because I am planning to expand my property portfolio and I want to get the best cashflow with the least amount of cash down. For my circumstances it may be best for me to find a sourced property because I do not have the time to locate motivated sellers and secure property below market value. Most of the properties that I find via Rightmove listings do not have rental yields that are attractive enough to me.

The book has also given me some other ideas that may enable me to source property with no money down. This would be a major, more time intensive project but I was very pleased to get this idea after reading the book although it is not explicitly stated, the general motivational message and out of the box thinking got my mind searching for alternative entries in to the property market.