Chapter 1: What Happened to American Real Estate?
"We're looking at the biggest housing slump in 40 years!"
Although I completely agree with this viewpoint, I can't take credit for saying it. Instead, that was the somber warning from Robert Toll, chairman of Pennsylvania-based Toll Brothers, in August 2006 as the housing bubble was going 'pffft'. His words are all the more extraordinary because Toll Brothers primarily builds Mc Mansions and caters to the wealthy end of the housing spectrum in place like Northern California, Central Florida, coastal Maryland, and swanky Southwestern cities like Las Vegas and Palm Springs.

Chapter 2: The Trail of Victims So Far (and How Not to Join Them)
In the backwash of the now-deflating housing bubble will come a towering surge of losses. Defaults and business losses will swamp the economy. The casualty list will contain many of the predictable companies, agencies and market cheerleaders that drove the housing segment to stratospheric levels and now have a front row seat to their mutual demise.

Chapter 3: How to Profit While Others Lose
Even though the economic signs are dire, you can--you will--find ways to gain during the coming hard times, while avoiding financial traps and becoming another statistic. Millions of homeowners, lenders, builders, home furnishing concerns, Mom & Pop hardware store proprietors and Realtors are going to take the fall for the irrational exuberance of the past decade. Don't let this happen to you. Instead, start taking steps toward winning in a down market.

Chapter 4: High Prices Don't Equal Big Profits
Who's the King of Real Estate? Donald Trump, hands down. And through real estate investing, you're going to make as much money that you'll be the next King, right? Could happen, but not with the attitude that you've gotta hit grand slams with every deal. This chapter explains how to develop the appropriate plan of action.

Chapter 5: Adjust Your Attitude and Increase Your Profits
Thus far, we've concentrated on the tools you need to locate and size up potential real estate deals in your area. We've also touched upon some of the situations you're likely to encounter as you move from the sidelines to becoming a player in today's bearish marketplace. Before we go any further, I am going to spend this chapter working on you--or to be more specific, on your appearance, attitude and image. In my many years of real estate wheeling and dealing, one thing is crystal clear: you aren't going to make money unless you act as if you've already made it. This concept is vital to your success.

Chapter 6: Know Your Turf

Chapter 7: Let Your Agent Find Your Properties

Chapter 8: Why Moderately-Priced Homes are Recession Free

Chapter 9: Your First Home as an Investment

Chapter 10: Home Improvement as an Investment

Chapter 11: Trading Up to a Bigger House

Chapter 12: Betting on Resort Property

Chapter 13: Crazy Condos in Trendy Places