As Is: An Insider's Guide to Real Estate

by Joan Herlong

Real Estate is More Than You See on HGTV

Real estate isn’t just about beautiful houses and nice people. It’s a serious business that deals with the most valuable asset most of us will ever own. Unfortunately, the bulk of most people’s knowledge of real estate is comprised of what they watch on House Hunters—which is more like a fairy tale than a professional transaction. As An Insider's Guide to Real Estate was written to bring a dose of actual reality to the real estate business.

As Is was penned by Joan Herlong, a top-selling South Carolina Realtor and small business owner with over 30 years of experience helping home buyers and sellers make educated, informed decisions and wise investments. In this lighthearted-yet-informative book, she pulls back the curtain on the real estate “profession,” revealing everything you need to know about real estate but never thought to ask. From how to choose the most effective agent, to how your listing price can help to advertise your home, to how to find a house you won’t just fall in love with, but love living in, Herlong shares the secrets to navigating the often confusing world of real estate and coming out a winner. Packed with hilarious true stories gleaned from 30 years in the trenches, this funny and informative book will empower you with everything you need to know about real estate, whether you’re a buyer, a seller, or considering a career in the field and hoping to do it the right way.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business

185 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2023

Reviews

[Ella Droste · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book dives deep into the real estate scene, giving you the lowdown on what you need to know. It's like a handy map through the twists and turns of the industry, loaded with tips that can save your bacon. Joan Herlong gives you lots and lots of valuable information here.

The constant self-promo can get old real quick, but if you can brush that aside, you'll find some gold nuggets of real estate wisdom. It's like sifting through a bit of self-applause to get to the good stuff – a little annoying, but the boom in tips is totally worth it.

I'd like to express my gratitude for having received an online copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Aisling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I began this book enjoying the author's style and expecting to learn a lot. And I did. But I also got quickly fed up with the self promotion, patting herself on the back, and comparisons to other realtors. The majority of readers are not going to be looking for a realtor in SC.

And 'Irish Alzheimer's?!? What editor let that bit of racism slip through? So insulting.

So interesting and informative when she was talking about real estate itself but a lot of personality to slog through. With heavy editing this would be a great (much shorter) book.

[Katerina Molchanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpectedly a page-turner

I didn't expect much from the book: maybe to learn a thing or two about real estate. But unexpectedly I couldn't stop reading: I read the book within a day! I would name it rather a biography than a non-function. The book is VERY well written, Joan is definitely a gifted writer. It is full of humor, I laughed a lot. I can relay with the author's moral values and work ethics. And I learned a thing or two about the real estate business. The only sad thing is that I don't live in Upper South Carolina and cannot work with Joan's company.

[Christy Mackiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing and practical. I was reading for informational purposes but enjoyed it more than I expected to.

This was a giveaway.

[Marina Lujan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've discovered this book to be exceptionally helpful. I'm presently contemplating selling a property I inherited from my grandmother, and the knowledge I've gained from reading this book has been genuinely priceless. It's undeniably enlightening, and the book is also priced quite reasonably. Take advantage of it! In this guide, author Herlong, who is one of the most accomplished real estate agents in South Carolina, generously imparts her extensive knowledge and insights acquired over a span of more than thirty years in the real estate industry. Through her informative and straightforward style, she unveils the secrets that are frequently concealed from both buyers and sellers.

Personally, I found the book to be both engaging and trustworthy. Real-life cases and practical advice that are very easy to apply are presented. It is a book that I highly recommend ;)

[Mayra · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Is by Joan Herlong is an exceptional book that plays the role of a guide, not only for a real estate professional, but also for an ordinary person who is intrigued by the topic. Herlong provides an insightful overview of the real estate business that happened to be quite educational and informative for me, as well. With her insider knowledge, unveils the secrets to not just undergoing, but also surviving this complex field. Along the pages, I could read about a straightforward approach of real estate and learnt about invaluable insights for both. After finishing the book, I became aware that Joan is uniquely qualified to write this kind of book due to her extensive experience as a successful broker owner. As regards the writing style of the book, I could see a humorous way that made me feel comfortable while reading. I recommend this book 100%.

[Santiago Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

cade

"As Is" by Joan Herlong is a refreshing departure from the glamorous facade often associated with real estate. With humor and wisdom accumulated from 30 years in the industry, Herlong dismantles the illusions created by shows like House Hunters, providing a genuine and insightful look at the complexities of real estate transactions. Her candid advice, coupled with hilarious anecdotes, makes the book not only informative but also highly entertaining. From choosing the right agent to understanding the impact of listing prices, Herlong covers the essential aspects of real estate with a touch of lightheartedness. Although not a dry manual, the book strikes a balance between humor and practicality, offering valuable lessons for both newcomers and seasoned players. A solid 4-star read for its blend of wit and wisdom.

[Read Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a GoodReads giveaway win of a Kindle ebook. I was not requested to provide a review.

It took me a while to complete the reading, just that I had a lot of other projects and books on my table at the same time. And I am not currently in the market to sell nor buy.

I really liked the factual approach provided by the author. It does make me wish that the entire property market was filled with more business people like Herlong. It does make me wish I lived in that area of the market to fill me with a greater sense of fairness. I know we all want to end our transactions on the plus side and let the others end up on the minus side. After all, those who die with the most toys wins.

Good luck with the sale/purchase of your next property and take some time out for yourself to find your next GoodReads.

[Randal White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real insider's look into the real estate business. The author is a long-time realtor in South Carolina. She has written a no-holds barred, bare knuckled, very informative book that would be helpful to anyone buying or selling a house, or thinking about becoming a realtor. The book is full of good information and tips. As well as some really good personal stories! The HGTV "House Hunters" story is worth the price of the book alone!
Herlong comes across as an uber-confident, strong, and opinionated person. She might turn some readers off with her personality, but I found her to be a breath of fresh air in today's world of realtors who promise the moon without any idea of how to get it.
Thanks, Ms. Herlong....I learned a lot from your book!

[Rocio · Rating 4 out of 5]

"As Is: An Insider's Guide to Real Estate" by Joan Herlong is a book that offers a refreshing and practical perspective on the real estate industry, reflecting a candid and personal narrative about the real estate profession. Herlong shares her personal experiences, making it a genuine and informative guide, as it not only provides advice but also reveals the lessons she learned.
The book was an easy and fluid read, making it accessible to both those already working in the field and those looking to venture into it. The author's approach goes beyond the technical aspects of real estate and also addresses the personal growth and perseverance that the profession demands. I recommend this book to anyone seeking a solid understanding of the real estate industry.

[Aparna Preethi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Is: An Insider's Guide to Real Estate is written by author Joan Herlong. The author shares his experience of over 30 years in the field of real estate throughout this stunning memoir. He talks all about the right choices to make while buying or selling a property, the investments to be made, and managing the assets procured. This book is his personal masterpiece and anyone looking to gather knowledge and insights in this genre must definitely read this for a better understanding. The book also ushers varied experiences, with numerous humourous references from his personal journey in this industry. It is an informative read and highly effective if you're confused about any real estate dilemma!

[Nela · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Is by Joan Herlong is a guide to starting a business that is already full of entrepreneurs and agents, and there are plenty of related guide books as well, but this one is specially aimed for those interested on embarking on a sustainable career in real estate and working with a Realtor with the author's high standards.
From an experienced perspective, useful knowledge and information is offered on all aspects of this business, which is often presented as idyllically happy and beautiful, but it is much more than what is reflected on TV and social networks. Added to this, the reading is enriched with real stories, humor and sincerity, achieving, all in all, an entertaining and informative reading.

[Chico's Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Real Estate Market has been brutal this year, and working in that industry right now is challenging. This book is honest and easy to understand. The author talks about the industry and some tips to become a great real estate agent or how to find one that will represent you the best as a buyer or seller. The chapter about what HGTV won't tell you was enjoyable to read, as a fan of the shows house hunters, property brothers, selling the sunset and other real estate shows I can relate to what Joan is talking about a buyer never just looks at 3 houses. TV sensationalizes real estate as an easy industry but it is not, it is competitive and takes up all your time, so if you are not passionate about real estate this is not the industry for you. Do not do it just for the money.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buying or selling a house is a difficult decision to make, especially if we don’t have a lot of experience in the area and if we want to make a good deal. However, I have always found the business of real estate fascinating. That’s the reason why I chose this book and I binged read it in a few days. The author is a real estate agent and business owner with more than thirty years of experience in the field, and in this book, she tells the insights of the field. The narrative is clear and the business is described thoroughly but with simple terms that are easy to understand for people who are new to buying or selling a house. Most importantly, the book contains a lot of interesting information and tips to help readers make good decisions.

[Louise Foerster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan Herlong is the real estate professional I want to know, long to work with, would give a great deal to have lunch with to enjoy more of her long experience, straight-talking expertise, and wonderful voice. With AS IS, I've had the joy of spending time with an astute person who is charming, creative, a true delight. I am not a broker, have zero interest in being a broker, but through this book, I've gained insight into the real estate market that I would never otherwise have received without her. I will be that much more perceptive and well-prepared when I sell my own house. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

[Laura]

Entertaining AND informative

I have zero interest in becoming a realtor, and yet I absolutely loved reading this book.  It's funny, real, and honest. It's more of a telling of the author's experience about real estate than a dry how-to for people wanting to get into real estate. She tells stories about what she's been through in the real estate world, including being on the hgtv show House Hunters. But besides the funny stories, there are good insights into being a real estate agent that might help someone decide if it's right for them. I really enjoyed this author's writing and hope she's written other things that I can read. Highly recommend!

[Susan B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about Real Estate written by a top-selling South Carolina Realtor and small business owner with over 30 years of experience helping home buyers and sellers make educated can’t go wrong.
Author Herlong is an authorized voice to tell us things and guide us on different topics related to such a fascinating and intriguing world as Real Atate. She advises us on agents, prices, and how to find a house; and she shares some little secrets of her that come in handy.
She resorts to charts, bullet points and conversational language to convey information to us. Thus, the narrative gets easy-flowing and practical. As Is is a useful resource to anyone interested in the field.

[Margarita Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

''As Is: An Insider's Guide to Real Estate'' written by Joan Herlong with years of experience in this field, brings us all her knowledge in real estate. The information, advice, and suggestions that this experienced woman brings us in this book are everything she collected during her career. Here, you won't simply find the information that you hear everywhere, but you will find the good things and also the bad things about this business. In my opinion, this book is complete, I was able to find interesting information and the narrative is good. The author explains everything very well. You should read this book if you are interested in improving your business or want to learn how to do it.

[Ivan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan Herlong puts all her knowledge and experience into writing this book called As Is. I'm happy I found it really, since I am considering becoming a homeowner sooner rather than later, and I had no idea where to start. It is very easy to fall into temptation and make a mistake that could be fatal to my economy and well-being.

It's a book that puts the value of information where it belongs, helping the reader, buyer, or seller, to understand how the market works. Making the right decision is not an easy task, so reading about it helped me to be prepared in the years to come.

Definitely recommended!

[ZebraDebra · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Is: An Insider’s Guide to Real Estate is a witty, yet wise guide for anyone interested in buying, selling or investing in real estate. Joan Herlong, the expert in this field, presents the curious reader with all the necessary and up-to-date information and advice. In whatever situation you may find yourself with regard to real estate, this author has the answer. It is a refreshing read and being quite a short book, I was able to enjoy it and learn from it in a relatively short space of time. This is undoubtedly a book that I will refer back to many times in the future and whenever I have a question about how best to handle real estate in the “real world”.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The real estate market is the set of supply and demand actions for real estate. The nature of these goods can be very different, differentiating between goods of a residential, commercial, industrial, urban nature, etc. Although we may all think that real estate is all about nice houses, author Joan Herlong teaches us that not everything is always rosy, and tries to show us what reality is like in this area.
What I liked most about this reading was that in a very simple way, the author conveys her message. She uses simple words, which can be understood by those who are not or do not work in the field in question. Certainly, I recommend it.

[R.Z. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and thought "Ho-hum, probably boring..." Was I wrong! Author Joan Herlong gets into the nitty gritty of what buying and selling houses is all about, who does what, and what questions to be sure to ask. What's the difference between a buyer's agent and a seller's agent? A lot. What are the pitfalls if your company gives you a relocation package? Many. Who pays for what? Somebody. Nothing is free. Nothing. Herlong has been in the business for a long time and has a lot of stories to tell, some hilarious, others sad. Read this book. Even if you have never sold or bought a house, this is an eye-opening look into an industry that is all around us.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Read

Firstly, thank you to Goodreads and Mrs. Joan Herlong herself for the Kindle giveaway of As Is. As someone whose dream is to be in some form of real estate or property management, this book gave me insight on how to be a better advocate for the people who I evidently will come in contact with no matter the direction. How to remain humble no matter how well off business may be going and the kind of people to attract to your brand essentially that have the same values and holds themselves at a higher standard for the sake of their clients.

[Melissa Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has so much amazing information. Seeing Joan outline how the entire process works is amazing, and I'm just thankful to read what it's all like in the world of real estate. She provides great and awful experiences she's had. She talks about what is a great realtor, a great seller, and a great buyer as well as a horrible realtor, a horrible seller, and a horrible buyer. This book is a great resource for anyone who's interested in selling, buying, and becoming a professional in this business. I will definitely pick up this resource again when it's my time to find a forever home.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insights to real estate

This was a very helpful book. I've bought 2 homes and sold 1 with the help of a trusted realtor. Reading this book I now understand just how lucky I am. The author makes a great point in the beginning of this book: "This business rewards hard work, creative thinking, and competitive instincts." This does not always mean that those instincts are working for you. If you keep that in mind I think you will do fine. This book includes cautionary tales and advice honed from decades of experience. A well written book worth your time.

[Guy Wheatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this I would never have believed that a book about becoming a realtor could be so enjoyable. Author Herlong has an infectious sense of humor, but the book is no joke. It offers valuable information anybody buying or selling property will benefit from.
It’s obvious the author is very knowledgeable on the subject and address the legalities and technical aspects, but the part that impressed me the most was the focus on ethics. If I find myself needing to buy or sell property I will remember this book and seek out a reliable realtor.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very complete book about the good, the bad and the ugly real estate world has. I really enjoyed Joan Herlong style. It adds funny comments and stories that make the book and all the information that it has to be captivating by not only people in the business but also beginners. Humor is a good tool to throw heavy concepts about real estate.
Although the book shows that things can go bad, author Joan Herlog also encourages readers to keep grinding to get what they are aiming for.
Overall, As Is: An Insider's Guide to Real Estate was a really easy to follow book with a very organic narrative.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Educational, Realistic, and Fun

A great book to learn about real estate buying and selling. Realistic and honest advice given by Joan Herlong. Fun anecdotes and wonderful marketing fliers included throughout the book. Some of the statistics about becoming a realtor were eye-opening. I would recommend this book for any new real estate agents, anyone thinking of a career in real estate, or just someone addicted to HGTV.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read for those who want to be an As Is realtor or for those who want to work with an As Is realtor. What is As Is? The author defines it as the seller discloses everything there is to know about the property and the buyer makes a fully informed decision. Interesting stories with a touch of humor. Highly recommended. I received this book from Goodreads giveaways.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly entertaining, comprehensive look at the process of buying and selling real estate, which almost everyone does at some point in their life, so I would say it’s a must read. From picking the perfect realtor to knowing the right questions to ask and potential pitfalls to avoid, Joan Herlong educates like none other, and has you laughing along the way.