Real LI

“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Buying Foreclosures: Profitable Tips for Bargain-Hunting Buyers” by Bobbi Dempsey and Todd Beitler (Alpha, $19.95): This book is loaded with information about how to find, qualify financially and obtain troubled properties. Terminology -- such as promissory note, REOs, liens, short sales and many more -- are defined. Several forms, such as option contracts and worksheets, plus a long list of other resources and plenty of cautionary notes about buying in a risky market, fill this informative book.

- PAM ROBINSON