Sellers: This May Not Be The Book For You

I was intrigued, and had a feeling that the book wouldn't match the hype (My Mother always said "Never judge a book by its cover."). 

So, I Googled the book.  There is a chunk of the book ecxerpted, and it isn't really the evil text one might assume from reading here. 

link

It is part of a series of books, and isn't as much about 'cheating' the way you mean it as it is about using the tips and tricks that people in the industry use to streamline their work...

When I bought rental houses, I had a time negotiating prices with the sellers because they would be so proud of all the updates they had done themselves and they pointed out everyone of them.  The problem was that before I could rent, I had to bring in pros to be sure all updates met code and they rarely did.  I deducted what my employees told me from the home price and that was my offer.  I always explained (if they gave me the chance) my liability if I left that raw light bulb hanging from the ceiling or the overloaded electrical panel.  Some took my offer; others showed me the door.  Even on my least expensive rentals, I made sure all work was done by licensed professional...no cheating.

Lane #37 - Good catch.  I'm sure he's thinking he may have another "For Dummies" name.

Tom

Hi Steven,

This would be funny, if it wasn't a serious effort by some moron trying to make a quick buck.

Happy Selling.

Hi Steven -- I'm sure they were going for a catchy title, but it reminded me of an illegal tax cheat or someone trying to bilk someone of something.

I think the owners of the 'flip' house I previewed today used this book exclusively.  I too scared to even turn on the kitchen faucet.  

I can see how you would be concerned with the title.  It certainly doesn't sound promising.

From a funny persepective, it's kind of ironic. From an agent/professional perspective, it is downright scary to HELP people to do these kinds of things. h

Oh yeah...we Rainers would NEVER use a "sneaky" title to get others to read our posts. Of course the goal is to get the slothful impulse buyer at the checkout counter to pick it up and buy it. Once they find out he actually recommends using a professional for hard stuff a true "cheater" will never again pick up this book! Anything for a dime... ;-)

Hopefully the Readers won't be too lazy to put their Attorney on Speed-Dial.

I know when it comes to marketing and selling property, a "cheap fix" is always easy to spot.  Buyer's invariably say, "If they can't make a decent repair on this basic item, what else are we going to find that's done half way (or wrong)?"  So whether 'cheating' or simply being 'cheap' both cost you in the long run.

It turns out that that's Bredenberg's schtick. Just like the "__________ for Idiots" and "____________ for Dummies," he has a whole series of books on "How to Cheat at ____________" on such topics as cleaning, gardening and yard work, and organizing.

Further, it appears that his first books were just straightforward ones, then "sexed up" with "How to Cheat at _____________" For instance (according to Amazon) "2001 Amazing Cleaning Secrets" was published in 2004. "How to Cheat at Cleaning" was published in 2007. So, it's a marketing ploy. And they actually are rated pretty well by readers. Further, he's a professional writer who's done books for Reader's Digest and Rodale Press.

Now, I agree that "How to Cheat at _____________" is a real-turn-off for me. Still, it's just an attention-grabber.

Just think back a few years. Wonder how the market was for books and advice that could have been better titled "How to Cheat at Getting a Mortgage." Bredenberg did not write that book. But plenty of other folks did. And we're the ones paying the price.

I have to agree with you, Steven. The trademarked title is a turn-off... and a bit offensive.

ouch

nasty little title

reminds me of "The Secret"

the secret is they left the secret out of "The Secret"

i.e.  hard work

i hope none of my sellers have this book on their shelf

I guess provocative titles sell books. We've become so desensitized to idiots and dummies they have to keep pushing the envelope. 

Unfortunately for some sellers, the use of self help books in making repairs ends up costing them more in the long run when the buyer's inspector finds that the work they did has become a safety issue. They could have to hire a professional to redo the job, reduce the price so the buyer can repair it, or lost the sale all together.

With that title, I bet he sells quite a few books

Ty

'Time Slashing' in the title of that book Steve brings to my mind of the home falling down or being burnt to a crisp in it. Not good!

Let's be realistic. The author/book seller knows his audience is NOT the professional, but the lazy amateur, so he hits his target audience.

Look at the company that selles the "How To .... for Idiots. Rich beyond his wildest dreams!