Tricks and Mortar The Little Book of Property Wisdom by Laura Henderson

Tricks and Mortar is a small but perfectly formed book has been released just in time to help those who still recognise that property is a worthwhile investment, despite the current economic climate or those who would very much like a justification for staying where they are.

I found it an easy read as it is divided into sections and then into bite-sized pieces of useful information, with succinct summaries at the end, called "Bottom line".

While much of the information is relevant for those buying to invest or keen to sell and move upwards, for me it was refreshing that Laura Henderson also suggests that property owners start to view their purchase as a home rather than just an investment, especially at times like this. She also warns against setting your sights too high in terms of the size of your ideal property and the area in which it's located.

Tricks and Mortar explains lots of tricky terminology when it comes to mortgages, checking out the credentials of a new build developer, buying abroad or purchasing at auction. Some of what Laura Henderson describes, I thought I knew, but found that it makes a huge difference once it's put into context.

The author provides snappy "profiles" of different buyer types, together with the best sales approach to suit each one, as well as advice on dealing with estate agents and, throughout the book, encourages the reader to be realistic about the whole process of home owning.

But Tricks and Mortar is not just about buying and selling, it also helps you make the most of your property while you're living there, how to cut costs, save energy and the various ways that you could benefit from staying put rather than moving on.

Overall, Tricks and Mortar covers an awful lot in a very compact book, which is worth keeping as a reference for the next time you feel like upping sticks.

Published by Book Guild Publishing, Tricks and Mortar: The Little Book of Property Wisdom is available from Amazon.