[...]... buy I’ve also had the opportunity to watch Donald Trump in action as he made some of the greatest real estate investments in history This book explains the strategies Donald Trump used to make his real estate fortune, and how small investors can apply them to investments of any size, right down to a one-family rental property I describe how Trump implements some of his signature strategies such as... profits on his deals can work for you the small investor Although Trump does things on a grand scale and his target market is usually an elite, luxury customer, Trump s basic real estate strategies will be of interest to: • Anyone who is interested in owning or developing real estate • Anyone unsure of how to negotiate a real estate transaction • Anyone who is in real estate on a small scale but would like... with real estate matters, they handled litigation as a courtesy for their clients, and Bill and I worked in the litigation department Several months later there was an opening upstairs in the real estate acquisition and leasing practice, the place where real money was made It was an excellent opportunity for advancement and Bill was slotted for the job I was to take his spot in litigation But before... certain that the State of New Jersey must have encountered the same problem in the past since much of the land abutting the Hudson River was filled-in land I contacted the State and learned that they were aware of the problem and rather than sit with a dubious claim they had passed a statute giving the State the right to give up its claim in exchange for the value of their interest in the disputed... already paid $90,000 in the form of lost rent just for the privilege of knowing you! We’ll make it worth your while if you say yes.” I accepted their offer EVERY PROBLEM HAS A PRICE TAG Very quickly I learned something that every real estate investor should understand: There is a huge difference between the legal aspects of real estate and the business of investing in real estate I had to restructure...FOREWORD by Donald Trump (In the author’s copy of The Art of the Deal) To George— There is no one like you Only you and I know how important a role you played in my success—Thanks for everything! Best wishes, Donald Trump ix P R E FA C E I ’VE SPENT 50 YEARS as a lawyer, business advisor, and deal negotiator for real estate tycoons at the top of the world’s toughest real estate market—New... • Anyone interested in learning how Donald Trump does his magic This is the first book on Trump s strategies for the real estate investor Although it has a lot of nuts-and-bolts guidance and investing principles, the book alone will not make you a great investor As I tell the students who take my negotiation course at New York University, “There’s no way in 15 hours that I can make you xii P R E FA... a real estate deal, Goldman would say, “Is it serious enough to blow the deal?” If I said, “No.” Then he would say, “How much can I get off the price for the problem?” Most lawyers simply advise their clients not to do a deal if they find legal problems; lawyers cannot or will not make business recommendations for their clients Goldman forced me to think like a businessman, not just a lawyer, and realize... opportunity to learn the intricacies of real estate law from a perfectionist So I soaked up every bit of helpful information I could from him I became adept at drafting leases, real estate documents, and participating in all types of transactions My prior litigation experience added to the perception that I was a competent, though young, real estate attorney LEARNING THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS In 19 55, one of... represented these millionaires in huge transactions, I must be brilliant so they treated me as an equal I knew how green I was, but I wasn’t going to dispute their assessment of me! I learned as fast as I could from everyone I xviii P R E FA C E came in contact with, including all the people on the other side the lawyers and other professionals and the real estate moguls themselves I concentrated on what they . estate : billionaire lessons for the small investor / George H. Ross with Andrew James McLean. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-4 71- 718 35 -1 (cloth) 1. Real estate investment who isinrealestateonasmallscalebutwouldliketo do more • Anyone interested in learning how Donald Trump does hismagic This is the first book on Trump s strategies for the real estate investor. . 2. Real estate development. 3. Real estate investment—United States—Case studies. 4. Real estate development—United States—Case studies. 5. Trump, Donald, 19 46– I. Title: Billionaire lessons for