Book Review: The Day the Bubble Bursts

Saturday 5th June 2004

Profit From The Upcoming Property Slump
Reviewed by Vicky Powell

The Day the Bubble Bursts
By Olly Newland
$29.95

Life would certainly be easier if access to a crystal ball was an option, predicting things like a property boom and subsequent bust would be a cinch. However, young(ish) investors like myself have to rely on the seasoned experience of our elder peers who have survived and thrived through the various booms and busts and glean information from those who are willing to share these invaluable experiences with us.

Olly Newland has more than four decades of experience as a full time investor in the New Zealand property market and along the way has seen every type of market, including the '87 sharemarket crash and the subsequent property slump, then boom.

In The Day the Bubble Bursts Newland recounts these past experiences and cycles of history to predict an impending property bust. He relates how the property boom in the 1970's turned into a major slump after a flare-up in the Middle East pushed up oil prices and the price of oil went through the roof. Recognising these warning signals could save you and Newland lists what to look out for. Be aware though that this bust could come sooner rather than later.

And when it comes, it will catch us all by surprise.

The Day the Bubble Bursts includes some useful tips on how to survive or minimise your risk leading up to the bust, including what type of property investment is recommended during the slump and how to deal with banks. Some age-old advice thrown in by Newland regarding your property investment is, 'Stay away from rubbish. Rubbish is always rubbish - whatever the market is doing'.

Once you have prepared for the slump, then you need patience and timing. Whilst waiting for the downturn, if you have spare cash don't put it all into only one type of investment. Newland recommends an alternative investment that could save your skin (and it's not putting it into the bank, as this isn't guaranteed either). He touts that when the bubble bursts, he who has cash will be king.

Then like any seasoned investor, it's time to profit when the market reaches the bottom. Newland guides you through the best timing for driving some hard bargains and making some cheeky offers.

If you are a savvy property investor or are new to the league of property investors, you should read this book - then read it again. Newland's tips will prepare you now during the good times, before the property market does slump. Now is the time to sell off any non-performing investments, because the sooner you act, the sooner you will be in a position to take advantage of the rush for the exit.

Olly Newland has a casual, entertaining writing style that makes his books so easy to read and digest. He is the author of numerous property titles including the best selling book, The Rascal's Guide to Real Estate - acclaimed as a bold and frank handbook for investors who value the practical over theory.

The Day the Bubble Bursts is available online through the Good Returns Bookstore at www.goodreturns.co.nz/books

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