MFI Recommended Reading List

I'm new to the Multi-Family Industry and have been looking for reading materials to make the transition a bit easier. I was wondering if anyone had any industry focused literature? (Not stuff like "Who Moved My Cheese" etc).
I've already been reading through blogs, and looking through forums. I looked on Amazon and B&N and there's nothing. :huh: Kind of strange when this industry has so many people who are involved with MFI.

There are many aspects to MFI. What aspects are you looking for information on? I find books periodically on property management, multi-family investing, development, commercial property analysis and a number of other related topics.

I have found these following books that might be of interest to you. I know I will be looking at purchasing them in a few weeks. As for anything else it is really just looking for blogs/discussions on MFI. Also Rent & Retain magazine is a great resource of information. You have your Units magazine also. I would also look at your Apartment Association for more information. As far as give me a book and let us learn from it this stuff really comes from paying attention to others in the industry and outside. I always look at what others are doing to see how I can use that in what we do.

www.multifamilypro.com/products/books/co...keting-tracker-2011/

www.multifamilypro.com/products/books/th...ic-generation-ideas/

www.multifamilypro.com/products/books/10...elationship-leasing/

www.multifamilypro.com/2010/12/17/leasin...nals-portfolio-2011/

I always like to read the Multi-Family News Magazine, and the multifamily executive magazine. They really keep you inform on the "new" in the industry. As for learning about the industry, I found many good books called REAL ESTATE Management, Property Management made easy, etc.

Question for everybody: Do you all still find it handy to have a hard-copy of your publications? We've never had a printed version of MFI, but if enough people asked for it, we could look into that option...

Brent I fined it handy to be able to reffrence back to the articles in magazines. I have tryed printing from the site when there is something that I found that I want to share but they never print large always small. What type of printing would you do?

I'll need to check on the printing aspect, Jolene. As for providing a printed version of MFI in general, I really don't know what would be a good option. I really haven't researched it much, as it always seemed counterintuitive to add a print option when so many people are moving away from print. That said, there might be enough people who would find it valuable to try it out that way...

Thanks for the recommendations!

Brianne,

This web site is a great place to start -- great go-to site for useful information as well as ask questions and get legitimate feedback.

As for essential reading material, you should subscribe to these free trade pubs:

Multifamily Executive -- www.multifamilyexecutive.com
Multi-Housing News - www.multi-housingnews.com
Multihousing Professional -- www.multihousingpro.com
Affordable Finance Today -- www.housingfinance.com

Some good newsletters:

Multifamily Insiders
Multi-Housing News
Multifamily Executive
GlobeSt (all commercial RE)
REBusiness Online (all commercial RE)
RECON (TX only, all RE)

Multifamily Blogs:

Check out the bottom of the The Training Factor blog (which is great). They also list other multifamily blogs -- a veritable plethora of reading.
thetrainingfactor.com/blog/multifamily-resources

Last but not least:

Twitter @4pm on Friday. Check out hashtag #aptchat. Good "stimulating" conversation -- just to paraphrase The Training Factor from a chat a few weeks ago.

And by all means -- ATTEND CONFERENCES! This is a people business -- and people like to meet people in person. Social media has come a long way -- but will never surpass a handshake, a personal conversation and a good meal -- or cold drink!

If you need more resources -- I have a ton -- send me a note.

Hope this helps! Happy New Year!

Leigh Curry