DONALD J. TRUMP is the very definition of the American success story, continually setting standards of excellence while expanding his interests in real estate, gaming, sports, and entertainment. Aside from The Apprentice, Trump and NBC are also partners in the ownership of and broadcast rights for the three largest beauty competitions in the world. In New York City, the Trump signature is synonymous with the most prestigious addresses, including the renowned Trump Tower, the Trump International Hotel & Tower, the Trump Park Avenue, and the Trump Building at 40 Wall Street. He also has acclaimed golf courses in Briarcliff Manor, New York, Palm Beach, Florida, Bedminster, New Jersey, and Palos Verdes, California. The Trump Organization is also one of the largest operators of hotels and casinos. The Trump name appears on three world-class casino hotels in Atlantic City. Mr. Trump's current projects include the building of Trump Place, the biggest development ever approved by the New York City Planning Commission (on the site of the former West Side Rail Yards), and a joint venture with the Chicago Sun-Times to build a 2.6-million-square-foot signature skyscraper on the banks of the Chicago River. Trump is the number one New York Times bestselling author of How to Get Rich, The Art of the Deal, Surviving at the Top, The Art of the Comeback, as well as The America We Deserve. All told, these books have sold millions of copies. An ardent philanthropist, Trump is involved with numerous civic and charitable organizations. In June 2000 he received his greatest honor, the Hotel and Real Estate Visionary of the Century award, given by the UJA Federation. From the Hardcover edition. Chapter 1 PART I Real Estate When people hear the name Trump, they think of two things: wealth and real estate. So while this entire book is dedicated to the creation and enjoyment of wealth, I need to start with the basics. The basics, for me, are all about property. Real estate is at the core of almost every business, and it's certainly at the core of most people's wealth. In order to build your wealth and improve your business smarts, you need to know about real estate. What follows is some great advice. There are some helpful tips here for first-time apartment renters as well as for multiple-home owners. So read on. How to Pick a Location I hate the phrase "location, location, location" because I've seen a lot of idiots ruin good locations and a lot of geniuses make incredible investments out of horrible locations. You could hand over the location for Trump Tower (by far, the best location in New York City), and a moron could run the site into the ground. I guarantee it. But when it comes to your home, you should always pick a good spot. Spending more on a good location is far smarter than getting a bargain in a bad area. Is it close to work? Is the neighborhood safe, or will you fear for your life as you come and go? Is it close to conveniences such as restaurants, grocery stores, shops, and banks? Do you feel like you belong in the neighborhood, or do you feel out of place? I'm the first to admit that location should be considered seriously when investing in real estate. A lot of picking a location comes down to instinct. You have to believe in the location; otherwise, you'll be making a rotten investment. Be honest with yourself about the location's proximity to the rest of your life. If you find an apartment or a house or an office you like that puts hours of additional travel into your day, or requires expensive deliveries and services, or prevents people from visiting you, you might as well find somewhere else. I realize that not everyone can live and work in Trump Tower (which certainly works for me), but given the choice, you should find the location that works best for you. Walk around in the neighborhood. Spend time there. What's the pattern of the day? When does the neighborhood wake up and when does it go to bed? What sort of people are living there and working there? Also, make sure to check it out on the weekends. Some neighborhoods in Manhattan are insanely busy all week and then dead all weekend, and vice versa. What happens if you move into an apartment and realize that there's a nightclub across the street blasting music each and every night or that garbage trucks congregate there after making the rounds in the early morning? You'll either go crazy or move out, neither of which are good options. The view is important. I don't know anyone who wants to spend their life looking into an air shaft or a brick wall. If you have the option, go for the view. But you have to be careful with a view, particularly if you're paying for it. The current view might look out over a parking facility or an empty lot, but that could change in a week. In cities like New York, buildings seem to be going up at the rate of one per day, so make sure you have a good idea that the view there today will be there tomorrow. When you're speculating or investing in real estate that will not necessarily serve as your primary home or office, I often advise finding space in a marginal neighborhood, buying or renting at a lower price, and then waiting for the neighborhood to improve. You'll save in taxes, make a meaningful contribution to the redevelopment of an area, and stand to make more money in the long run. If you have the time, the patience, and the fortitude, I r It's not good enough to want it. You've got to know how to get it. Real estate titan, bestselling author, and TV star Donald J. Trump is the man to teach you the billionaire mind-set-how to think about money, career skills, and life. Here is crucial advice on investing in real estate from the expert, everything from dealing with brokers to renovating to assessing the value of property, buying and selling, and securing a mortgage. Trump will show you how to cut costs, decide how much risk to assume in your investments, and divide up your portfolio. He'll also teach you how to impress anyone, how to correct or criticize someone effectively, and how to know if your friends are loyal-everything you need to know to get ahead. And once you've earned your money, you've got to learn to spend it well. Trump presents his consumer guide to the best things in life, from wine to golf clubs to engagement rings. Check out the billionaire lifestyle-how they shop and what they buy. Even if you're not superwealthy, you can afford many of these luxuries. And what look inside the Trump world would be complete without "The Apprentice? Trump will take you behind the scenes, from the end of season one and into season two, with insights into the making and the meaning of TV's hottest show.As Donald Trump proves, getting rich is easy. "Staying rich is harder. Your chances are better, and you'll have more fun, if you think like a billionaire. This is the book that will help you make a real difference in your life.