Trump Strategies for Real Estate: Billionaire Lessons for the Small Investor

by George H. Ross, Donald J. Trump (Foreword), Andrew James McLean (Primary Contributor)

Trump Strategies for Real Estate offers unbeatable insider advice for every serious real estate investor―beginners and old pros alike. For more than twenty-five years, author George Ross has been one of Donald Trump’s chief advisors and intimately involved with many of Trump’s biggest real estate deals. Now, Ross teams up with bestselling real estate author Andrew McLean to present Trump’s real estate investment strategies so that even small investors can invest like Trump. You’ll learn how Trump identifies potential properties and how he finances, negotiates, and markets his big deals. Not everyone has Trump’s money or name, but everyone, even you, can use his tactics and strategies to win big in real estate.

Genres: Business, Finance, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2005

About the author

George H. Ross is a former executive vice president and senior counsel of the Trump Organization. He is perhaps best known as one of Donald J. Trump's two advisors on the NBC reality television program The Apprentice, along with Carolyn Kepcher. On the program, Ross monitored the progress of the contestants and assisted Trump in determining who should be "fired".

Reviews

[Tao Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not to self: Presentation is immensely important. Find highly distressed scenarios and buildings that need work and takeover. Meet with the decision maker face-to-face. Do not make quick negotiations, both sides want to feel like they won the battle and got a good deal. Most people will not want to put in a lot of effort during a transaction, in terms of accounting and preparation - do it for them and reap a big percentage of the gain. Be willing to pay a premium for a prime location. Don't buy without a creative vision for adding significant value. Four things Trump looks for in a location. Creative problem solving leads to big profits. Write a preliminary business plan before you buy. If you want to be extremely successful make sure you have a vision for adding significant value to any property you buy. Find good quality tenants to increase the value of the property. Whenever you are buying an investment property; explore ways to improve the LOCATION. Avoid the hypnotic effect of the aura of legitimacy. Don't take everything you read or hear from brokers, sellers, buyers, tenants, experts or see on television, as if it were etched in stone. be willing to confirm the facts behind whatever type of project you get involved with. Every negotiation requires preplanning. Have a planner ready to write down all informations on people that you do business with. trump has his planner notebook on a table. Go through the notions even when you are satisfied with the deal. You may be able to get a better deal - do this in a way that you are still respected and people are willing to do business with you in the future. Like Mr. Goldman, show disgruntle, even a WHAT?! Will change the mind of a seller or the other guy over the phone. Negotiation is one aspect of life where there are no governing rules. Lying is not only permitted, its an accepted practice. It is accepting an available compromise as a substitute for that which you really thought you wandered. It's a journey to an imaginary destination without a road map where all the signposts and directions are intentionally misleading. Narrow down ppls options. Ppl have an innate fear of superiority in others - fluff them with compliments and let them know that they won the negotiation. Sol goldman - Dumb is smart. Find someone's weakness and use it everytime when everything fails. To build up credit. You must go to a bank when you DO NOT need money. Go ask for a loan and pay them back before them asking the money back from you. Then increase the line of credit and pay that right back. You don't even need to use the money. It's like taking cash out and putting it right back in again.

[Nathanael · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone interested in Donald Trump or real estate investing -- this book is the real deal. The case studies of Trump's deals were detailed and filled with valuable nuggets on his negotiation style. Some people might find the level of detail overwhelming, but it is precisely those details that make the deals work brilliantly.

[Just · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! A must read for people wanting to start in real estate.

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Albeit a bit dry in many parts, its a great book. Some great case studies about value enhancement. A great portion about engotiation and the final chapter has some great real estate tips for personal investors.

[Alberto Lopez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Somewhat soft.

[Jessica Grimes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight into the real estate world and Trump's business impact, but some repetitive language that got a bit boring.

[Philip · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trump's "Forward" is a PostIt note he left in Ross's copy of "The Art of the Deal." I kid you not.

[CA Ram Melam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trump Strategies for Real Estate is a unique guide to the world of real estate investing. It draws on the techniques and principles that Donald Trump has used to build his empire. Authored by George H. Ross, Trump's former executive vice president and senior counsel, the book distills the strategies into actionable advice for small investors.

Key Strengths
Real-World Insights: Ross offers insider perspectives on Trump's deals, including marquee projects like the Trump Tower and other high-profile developments. The detailed case studies provide a fascinating look at the decision-making process behind large-scale projects, with lessons applicable to smaller ventures.

Actionable Lessons:
The book simplifies complex real estate strategies, making them accessible to readers with little experience. From negotiation techniques to finding undervalued properties, Ross delivers practical and adaptable advice.

Focus on Negotiation and Branding:
Ross highlights the importance of negotiation skills and branding in real estate. Trump's ability to leverage his name for credibility and value is explored extensively, offering readers ideas on creating their own competitive edge.

Emphasis on Thinking Big:
A recurring theme is Trump's philosophy of thinking big while managing risks. This mindset particularly motivates readers looking to scale up from small investments.

Weaknesses
Trump-Centric:
While the book is filled with insights into Trump's successes, it occasionally borders on being overly promotional. Readers seeking a more balanced perspective might find this limiting.

Limited Technical Depth:
The book is geared toward beginners, so it may lack the detailed financial analysis or market evaluation strategies that experienced investors might seek.

Dated Examples:
Published in 2005, some examples may feel outdated, given shifts in the real estate market, regulatory changes, and technological advancements.

Who Should Read It?
This book best suits aspiring real estate investors or small-scale property owners who want to adopt proven strategies to grow their portfolios. Its simplicity and engaging anecdotes make it a great starting point, though readers looking for in-depth financial models may need supplementary resources.

Final Thoughts
Trump Strategies for Real Estate offers an intriguing mix of practical advice and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the mind of a real estate mogul. George H. Ross translates Trump's large-scale successes into lessons that can benefit small investors, though the book has limitations. This book is a worthwhile read for those seeking inspiration and essential tools to start or grow their real estate ventures. However, a critical eye is necessary to separate universal strategies from Trump-specific tactics that may not be universally applicable.

[Tejas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book gives insight into, not just real estate as an asset but also, President Trump's expertise in various domains. George Ross began working for President Trump and ended up developing admiration for President Trump's approach to business. President Trump's multiple acquisitions through negotiations with a win-win approach are visible throughout the book leaving you with many lessons worth imbibing. Despite being excellent at negotiation, his lawyer makes it amply clear that President Trump never thought twice before giving a premium price for a premium real estate. The book shows various situations that the real estate magnate went through, and how he handled those situations.

[Okody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very interesting to read. New business persons can teach a lot from Trump, regarding the real estate business. I would like to invite all of you to read this book and get something about your business journey.
I also read this article. This article is also on Trump's real estate business. If you do not have much time to read this book, you can read this small article.
https://www.howthebusiness.com/money/...

[Matt M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Taught a lot of different aspects in the real estate world on buying, selling, and improving a building or land. A lot of it was common sense but if you didn't think of these ideas yourself then you would be missing a lot. I would recommend this book to people interested in learning about the real estate world.

[Adam Keep · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was honestly so interesting! Bias leads you to assume it’s all about aggressive negotiation, but it’s actually more about knowing everything you can about the building, the land, potential businesses, and selling at the right time. There’s a lot of info where and how he borrows money for projects and his strategy behind it. Very interesting!

[Saif Al-Saffar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is powerful. It has really great strategies and ideas to implement that would benefit any real estate investor. I would strongly recommend it for someone who is already in the sector but it’s not suitable for a beginner, maybe.
But I do recommend it strongly

[John Minney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of boring

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must read for anyone getting into real estate!

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is more about Ross than it is about Trump, but it includes many interesting stories of some of the Trump deals he's worked on over the years.

[Michael Perry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Been some time since I read this book. I have been involved in real estate for a long time and sometimes feel as though I know just about all their is to know, at least on a fundamental level. This book did nothing to change my perceptions. Nothing new. Nothing compelling.

I can always tell when I have read a book that really makes my wheels turn - it goes in my throne room and I read parts of the book over and over again. Those are my 4 and 5 star books.

This one sits on the bookshelf, collecting dust.

Might be good for a novice looking for inspiration.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book about real state; It uses Trump´s different ivestment ventures as case studies for each subject the autor proposes.
Even though I don´t think they are THAT relateable to the small investor, it does share some common knowledge that might help you in the long rung, mostly about deals and negotiations.
On this note, i´m guessing this book is a nice compliment to "the art of the deal". I will read that shortly.
In all, an easy read, not pretencious at all and overall entretaining.

[Greg Boulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for those just starting out in negotiations, particularly in real estate negotiations. It’s also a great book if you’re interested in learning about some of Trump’s landmark deals.

It was written long before Trump’s political career (that’s also when I read the book) and focuses solely on his deals. It’s written by one of his lawyers.

[Fernando Boschini]

Becoming a Corporation offers protection from personal
liability, but it is also expensive. It is not a step to be taken lightly, even though there are plenty of places on the Internet where you can
incorporate quickly and easily.

I learned the ability to sell a stock and many more...

[Andie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is nice, actually Ross knows a lot of things about this strange hair man

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent for anyone involved in negotiating and investing in real estate. fascinating real life examples....

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is incredible information directly from the source of someone who's put together deals I dream of doing :)

[Xiong Jun · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for the technical part of real estate investing, this is not the book. This book however, do provide ideas on how to sell your property better.

[Wira Rohandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book, but a little bit beyond for me, they are talking of hundreds and millions of dollars. But overall, it does make me want to be Donald Trump, I like his style of doing business.

[Katrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

[Samia Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read! After all the books teaching us theoretical concepts of how things are done, this book shows in real how you negotiate, build relationships and sustain your business.

[James Moriarty]

Donald Trump: Chiến lược đầu tư bất động sản; NXB Lao Động - Xã hội; 2005.