I would give this book a 10 star if I could. I have been managing single-family homes for almost a decade. After reading this book I feel stronger than ever as a property manager in terms of my system and the forms I use. Very hands-on street level information about exactly how to run a first class business. No BS... BUY IT NOW!!!

This book was a big disappointment and I am not sure how it got so many positive reviews. I could tell from the beginning that the author was not that intelligent and that the book was not well written and catered to a blue collar, non-educated audience. Still, I gave the author the benefit of the doubt and kept reading hoping to find some morsel of time saving advice as I have 5 kids and 4 rental properties and a very busy life. The book discusses much in generalities and more than half the book talks about problems with rentals and does not give any solutions to the problems outlined.
I will give one example of the stupidity in this book: It says that everything in a rental should last at least 5 years so that your tenant should have to be responsible for repairs for the first 5 years of his tenancy. Duh, did it occur to the writer that my rental may have a well functioning 10 year old washing machine that might konk out the first year my tenant moves in? Does he mean to imply that I should replace everything that is functioning well so that I can then tell the tenant it is your fault it broke. This is just absurd. Another bad advice he gives is to let prospective tenants check out a key and go see the property themselves so as to save time. Although this may indeed save time you are losing in two ways by doing this: 1) You are losing a valuable opportunity to meet the tenants in person before you process the application and see what kind of people they are 2) you are losing a valuable opportunity to sell the benefits of your property. I frequently can alleviate concerns my tenants have and anwer questions that will make them more likely to take my rental. For example, you can tell them the neighborhood is safe, or that there is a great park across the street if you see they have kids, or can point out that the new deck is maintenance and splinter free. You are losing a great opportunity to gain a tenant.
Lastly, whatever is of value in this book could probably be condensed into one chapter instead of all the hype and no real suggestions. I must add that the author also ignores completely using real estate agents to get tenants or look for properties. Although it can sometimes be costly, it is certainly better than having a rental vacant for 6 months. This option should at least be mentioned in all his long talk about ways to get tenants.
I am a graduate of Yale Law School and take my advice, this book is written catering to a very low level audience. The author throws fancy words around to make himself seem sophisticated instead of actually giving a shred of real information.

P.S. Two things I have found of GREAT help are:1)Quicken Rental Property Manager which is a software to keep track of rental expenses and income (very easy to use and well worth the cost, I think it even has a money back guarantee) and 2) Nolo's "Every Landlord's Tax Deduction Guide" by Stephen Fishman which is ESSENTIAL and excellent for any landlord.

Book was ok from a way he does things for himself but it is the way he use to do things as he does not do them anymore so now with technology changing it may no longer be useful, like old way technology such as using pagers also he does go overboard on his marketing type "A" for all he wants to do is look for ways to charge you more money if he can just check out his website.

Basically, he is looking to capitalize on money schemes, as like others who posted, the book says you get free forms thru his web site, don't count on it he charges you, they are not free, and the forms he gives in the book he charges you on his web site even though it says free, he has to charge you seven dollars or more just to get the free ones you don't have. So not really free. Good marketing tactic though.

Also he does have some questionable contradicting items, an example in his book, he says why not have a 36 month lease. Makes sense but then later in the book he says you should be charging an annual increase in rent to keep up with higher taxes, increased expenses, ect.. you can not raise your rents on a lease that is locked in for 36 months. There are other items but I won't go into detail not worth my time to type them all out. I give him credit for his pushing for your money and does a job at that. Just check out his website first before you buy the book you'll see $$. A lot of this information that he is telling you is common knowledge, but at least he credits the people who work for him. It wasn't a bad read but not on my top 10 books.

All common sense items that you could figure out on your own, he does a good job of explaining his way of doing things in the book, Do yourself a favor go to the library to read first and save yourself $ in your pocket if you like it then buy the book.

My wife and I recently acquired our first property and I immediately purchased books (with good Amazon reviews of course) to help educate myself. This book has given me great advice for our single property, but I can see how valuable the practical "real world" experiences of the author would (maybe will?) be for the larger investor who wants to establish rentals as a business. I would highly recommend this for any first time landlords (but don't call yourself that if you can help it!) :-)

Excellent reference with some great ideas about managing rental properties. Mike's book has some great information that you will not find in other rental management books. I use it extensively.

An absolute must have book for real estate investors. Details all areas of the tenant/landlord relationship in a precise and easy to follow format.

I found the book to be an easy read with many good ideas. The only real gripe is that when I attempted to download the free forms which are advertised on the back cover in bold, underlined print, I was only able to get some, the remainder required payment. I emailed the authors web site asking how I could obtain all of the free forms that they show in the book, but never received a reply.

This book is loaded with information. Not vague general information, but specific step-by-step how-to information. It has helped me with my rental property business and I'm sure it will help others as well. The free forms are a great added bonus.

I read many of the books that come out, and should be considered a real estate veteran, not a beginner, as I own over $100 million of real estate in the Midwest, mostly apartment communities. I bought the book because of the title...and really learned a lot from this author. I highly recommend this to ANY owner or potential owner..large or small...you'll make back a thousand times what you paid for this book in the first year of running your own property!!!

Like other reviewers I liked the book and looked forward to the free forms but there aren't any. Even though the book refers to the Free Forms throughout. The authors web site is a mess of flea market style marketing which sells a hodge podge of junk information. He had something good going with his book but drops the ball with such a poor website. There is no excuse for not delivering on the free forms or at least explaining why they aren't there. Whoever advised him of this approach to sales is doing him a disservice. This book will be the LAST PRODUCT I EVER BUY FROM HIM.

This book is full of practical advice that does work in the real world of landlording. It could be especially helpful to those new to the business. As some others have noted, however, I was disappointed with the author's tendency to throw in free this and that with a purchase and then not follow through accordingly.

This book will go from from to back explaining the full details of Landlording and great ways to protect yourself. Marketing is greatly explained as well. The best part is that Mike gives you all of his contracts that he uses. Just plug your own logo on it and sent it to your lawyer to finalize any missing items and you got the best contracts going for landlording.

Great Book!!

This book has great ideas, however; it promises forms that every landlord needs. They are very difficult to download from the website & you have to pay to get them in the end.

What's more, is it's all to get you to his website so he can sell you everything under the sun from web seminars to packets of his forms and they are all very pricey.

It seems to me that all he cares about is getting huge amounts of money.

It's not unlike a high pressure infomercial.

For me, I won't be buying anything from him again.

I purchased Butlers book, "Landlording on Auto Pilot with the understanding that there were free downloadable forms. There are free downloadable forms. The book gives a specific link for obtaining these "free forms". I attempted this when I first purchased the book a few months ago and again this week. I thought perhaps it was just me. I e-mailed Butlers organization and they sent me a link with a code. I went there downloaded the forms. I even had 2 choices for each form pdf and word documents. When I attempted to open them after downloading they were gobble de gook and totally unusable. I went back to the web site and looked at them again and discovered that they can't even be opened at the site. I get the feeling that this offer for free forms is a fraudulent come on to enhance book sales. The content of the book is good. Lots of great ideas and the forms can be purchased but like another reviewer this left a bad taste in my mouth and I have unsubscribed from Butlers weekly pitch mails and don't intend to do business with someone that won't make good on their promises. Again I can appreciate the intellectual property right value of the free product. I just think it's in bad taste to offer it and then intentionally convolute the process. On another note in comparison, I purchased Luciers book on pre foreclosures as he made the same offer of free forms. The forms were readily available as word documents at the said web address in the book, I downloaded them onto my hard drive and will be utilizing them in my business as they are needed.

As aa intermediate investor Mike has done a supurb job in common sense form all the aspects about managing rental properties. If you are only going to purchase one book on the subject this is the book to have. Thanks Mike for heading off unforseen headaches in my business.

As a real estate veteran of 7 years, I found the book extremely helpful in guiding my transition from retailer to investor, wholesaler and renter. The bruises that come with mistakes are valuable lessons and Mike has laid many of them out. He tells why he likes certain things and why others he doesn't. I value this info more than any since it is not what you don't know that so often gets you into trouble but what you don't know to ask.

I live in Louisville and have met Mike. He is true to his word and the story doesn't change. Great guy, great book.

I thought this was one of the best books on managing people and investment assets that I have read. However, one of the primary reasons that I bought the book was for the forms. I should have checked the website first I guess. When I went to download my free forms I was not pleased. First, the links in the books didn't work, I had to hunt and peck my way through several websites to find a "free form" download page. Then I am provided a buton to click to buy the forms in a convienent package for $80. Or I can complete a form with my info to get them emailed to me one at a time. I would have to complete the form for each form I want emailed to me. Then I see that they are charging for specific forms that they state are free in the book.

All in all the book was a good value. I feel however that the Free Forms was a bait and switch and it will prevent me form purchasing any items from Mike Butler in the future. I did email his company form the contact form on the website. All that got me was a barage of spam email from them on seminars, software etc.... I am hoping that I will get somewhere with them and then I can update this review.

The info Mike gives you'll not hear other places. Offers lots of practical tips. Have completely changed my approach to my rentals because of Mike Butler. Super advice for the midwest landlord...

Mike shares great ideas that are practical for most landlords. He also shares many simple money saving tips. I am going to implement many of his ideas for my business. Thanks Mike!

This book is very good. While the writer highlights his good attributes, I came away with two or three things I could use in managing my rental properties. Some of the ideas don't work in the San Francisco Bay Area because of housing costs, and some ideas I was already implementing, but Mike Butler takes it a step further and it really works.

The forms and "rental application" is must have and very very good.

I found this book has some very good common sense ideas to make landlording carefree. Alot of the information can also be used in various other real estate businesses. I have both long and short term properties and really liked the way the author spelled out and broke down each aspect of landlording from screening tenants to handling maintanence.

I highly recommend not only for landlords but business people who want to free themselves and put their business on auto pilot!

Thank you Mike for all the great info. You can't put a price tag on this real life experience and the way it is shared. I truly apprecited it and really enjoyed reading the book

Thanks again

The book is worth the money. Mike shouldn't advertise "Includes FREE Customizable, downloadable form!" since the links don't work and charges for some of them.

Some authors, and even some investors, normally advise the routes which lead around the seemingly scary Landlord option. Mike Butler breaks through all of the barriers that many of us relate to Landlords and landlording. I am very pleased with the straight-forward explanations along with his Kentucky humor. Mix this book in with other authors like Robert Kiyosaki, Peter Conti & David Finkel, Michael A. Lechter and Ken McElroy to really spice up your views of investing and take it to a higher level. This book has caused me not only to rethink Landlording as an option, but also opened my mind to owning a multitude of single family homes vice apartments/condos.

Thank you Mike Butler!

This is a great book for Landlords and Investors. From tips on increasing cash flow, training tenants, to saving on repairs in improvements, this book is extremely practical, readable and profit-inducing. If you are a landlord like me, you need this book.

Logical, concise, layman's language. Forms, insights, and years of experienced lessons included!

The author is an ex-cop who brings a real-world sensibility to property ownership and management. He started investing while working full time, and he is more than willing to share his mistakes so that you can avoid them.

His ideas for handling tenants are the most valuable part of the book.

This is not a treatise on finance. The author is all about cash flow and tax benefits--namely, the bottom line. Bob Bruss, the respected real estate columnist gave this book a good review, and after reading through and implementing some ideas, I am inclined to agree with Mr. Bruss. Buy this book--it's well worth it!

Many thanks to Mike Butler for sharing his wealth of knowledge and expertise in Landlording on Autopilot. Dave and I purchased our first single family, rental property in June 2006 and by implementing the processes we learned from Mike Butler's book, we have enjoyed a great experience as beginner landlords, blessed with excellent tennants.

Yesterday, (Friday 13th April 2007) we put a contract on our second investment rental property!!

Cheers Mike!

Dave and Jan
Littleton Colorado

There are so many valuable little tips throughout the book that are priceless.

After I would read a page or two, I would call my REI buddys and tell them what I had just learned and we would discuss the great ideas in the book. (I learned quite a bit, and I have been an investor for a while)

I you own rental property, buy this book.

There are so many valuable little tips throughout the book that are priceless.

After I would read a page or two, I would call my REI buddys and tell them what I had just learned and we would discuss the great ideas in the book. (I learned quite a bit, and I have been an investor for a while)

I you own rental property, buy this book.

Like many people, I am a Rich Dad Poor Dad Kiyosaki junkie. However Rich Dad only teaches high level concepts with very few specific "what to do and how to do it" details. It's not about apartments. It's about houses. And this book gets down to each specific detail of how to buy, hold and manage single family homes. 100's of them.

This should be your FIRST book to buy if you are serious about buying property. It is worth every penny and then some. It's great to have someone who's been there and done that write about their experience. Mike's advice will save you from making beginner mistakes and point you in the right direction every time. His advice is sound and he brings up many items that the first-time rental property owner would never think of.

Mike also gives you websites where you can download free forms - ones' which I never thought of before other than the standard Rental Agreement form.

This is a GREAT READ if you are just beginning in the rental property business!

This is the best book on real estate of the 30-40 book I have purchased on real estate from Amazon. It tells you how to get started and gives many examples of what to do as well as what not to do. The forms in the back of the book are worth more then the cost of the book. You can tell from the examples in the book the Mike Butler has learned from his mistakes and made systems to keep his bookkeeping and tenant records up to date and easy to use.

Wow, I have finished the book, and it was great! I will continually use it as a reference. There are so many small, valuable tips that I constantly refer back to it. This book will save us a small fortune in the long run...It is a real world book from someone who went thru the growth without the knowledge on just how to do it...and what he would do differently if he had to do it all over again. Advice like that, from a successful person is so valuable, it is like having a mentor with you 24-7!

This was a great book for the unfortunate landlorder in todays market.
Helpful if you can get the ideas of the writer into fruition but if you
are dealing with the lower income & moderately priced rentals & living
in Florida it is not so easy.

If you are a landlord or porperty manager, you want this book. This is the best book about lanlording that I have ever read. ( and I have read about a dozen)

This book offers real world problems with a solution and gives the thought process involved. It teaches you to think "business-like" when investing in rentals. His solutions to minimize time spent on properties makes real sense. His landlord/tenant relationship is built on training from day one. He teaches you to be an exceptional personal "property manager" (a.k.a. landlord/owner) instead of a slumlord. Also, there are downloadable forms (lots of them). Enough forms to make the price of the book worthwhile. My only advice is to write down the websites as you read the book since there isn't a list. I feel this book can really be applied once you get more and more properties.

Mike Butler's first published book on landlording provides great advice to both new and seasoned landlords. The book gives practical advice to getting rents paid on time and regularly. I've been following Mike's landlording methods for a few years now and can definitely say that my rent collections have improved immensely since using his sytems. The book gives FREE access to forms that other "gurus" would charge hundreds of dollars to get. The book also intersperes landlording advice with overall investing pearls of wisdom to keep the reading lively and interesting. Since this ex-undercover detective has been so successful in the real estate investing world, it's advice not to be ignored. I really enjoyed the book and remain a big fan.

One of the parts of real estate investing entails landlording...but if you have no idea how to handle any and all parts of this management responsibility, it may stop you from getting involved. This book is the best one I have read. It sticks to the subject, provides all sorts of resources, including the all important forms and checklists, and deals with real life examples. I will let you find one of the very best secrets that helped me to understand how to handle complaints.
One other important issue with me was how practical is this information for a "foreign" reader. Because I live in Canada, it is important for me to be able to use this information. It goes without saying, you must do your own due dillegence and consult your own legal and accounting team members. But it's much easier to revise a document than to start from scratch. This has all the basics.

We purchased this book right about the time we were buying our first rental property. It was worth every penny and some. It's an easy read - you feel like you're just having a good heart-to-heart with someone who's been there and done that. Mike's advice will save you from making beginner mistakes and point you in the right direction every time. His advice is sound and he brings up many items that the first-time rental property owner would never think of.

What's as good is the fact that after reading the book you are given websites where you can download free forms - which I must say has saved us HOURS.

If you are just beginning in the rental property business or have not seemed to have much luck - I say this a MUST-READ!!!!

Really got me thinking and was filled with very useful, helpful, informative, but easy and simple to understand tricks. One of my favorites. A+