market conditions . Moreover , it ’ s advisable not to test the market extensively , as most buyers today are unwilling to take on fixer upper projects due to financial constraints .
Lately , I have found great value in reading biographies . They offer valuable insights into how successful individuals navigate crises and solve complex problems . Biographies allow us to peek into people ’ s lives , observe how they tackle challenges , and make important decisions , offering us valuable lessons along the way .
So what drives our choice of biographies to read ? Is it the search for more ways to understand the imago dei within ourselves ? Perhaps most readers primarily choose biographies for their entertainment value – publishers certainly market them in this way . As St . Augustine wrote in his autobiographical work ‘ Confessions ’, “ The human race is inquisitive about other people ’ s lives , but negligent in correcting their own .’’
Biographies helps us understand how our lives have evolved over time and which experiences have shaped us as individuals . They foster empathy for the struggles and accomplishments of others . Additionally , biographies serve as a rich source of wisdom from intelligent minds , offering insightful lessons , personal stories ’ life principles , mistakes to avoid , and guidance for leading a fulfilling and meaningful life and career .
Biographies are also some of the best ways you can learn from intelligent minds . They are rich with insightful and practical lessons , personal stories , life principles mistakes to avoid and what to do to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life or career .
investors include ‘ Rich Dad Poor Dad ’ by Robert Kiyosaki , ‘ Real Estate Riches ’ by Dolf de Roos , ‘ ABC ’ s of Real Estate Investing ’ by Ken McElroy , and Warren Buffets books to name a few . There is also an abundance of excellent South African books from local property authors . REI is currently running a webinar series every Thursday featuring these knowledgeable SA authors .
One recent biography that captured my attention and checked all the boxes is property entrepreneur and former auctioneer Rael Levitt ’ s ‘ It takes a tsunami ’. Rael faced two significant tsunamis in his life . The first was the devastating natural disaster that occurred 26 December 2004 . While on vacation in Thailand , Levitt experienced first-hand the catastrophic impact of the undersea earthquake , triggering a series of tsunamis that resulted in the tragic loss of 227,000 lives across 14 countries . The second tsunami came in the form of Auction Alliance ’ s dramatic downfall following allegations of ghost bidding . The company which he had founded in 2003 , faced significant turmoil and reputational damage as these allegations surfaced .
We share Rael ’ s full story from ‘ tsunamis to triumph ’ in this edition of REImag .
Enjoy the read and delve into this inspiring journey .
Successful investing .
NEALE PETERSEN FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Earlier this year , we reached out to a range of real estate insiders to gather book recommendations that provide a deep understanding of the property business . Some must-read books for real estate
SA Real Estate Investor Magazine APRIL / MAY 2023 4