20 Best Real Estate Investment Books for Beginners [2024 Update]

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Maybe you have heard the investing in property is one of the best things you can do with your money, but don't know where to start.

This blog post features the top 20 books on real estate investment to help you get started.

These titles are more than just any old books – they're the compasses and sextants guiding you through the complex waters of investment strategies, financing, cash flow analysis, and wealth building.

From Gary Keller's insights on becoming a millionaire investor to Brandon Turner’s tangible tactics on rental property investing, each book is a treasure chest waiting to be unlocked. You'll unearth knowledge about securing funds, managing properties, and navigating market fluctuations with Harry S. Dent Jr.’s economic forecasting.

Learn how to master the financial aspect of investments with Steve Berges, and mitigate taxes while cultivating wealth as Tom Wheelwright advises. Pioneers like Robert Kiyosaki will transform your mindset, while tactics from investors such as Mike Michalowicz will ensure your profits stay fruitful.

Check out these invaluable resources that promise to equip you, the beginner investor, with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to launch a lucrative real estate investment career.

The 20 books remaining on this list make up the “must-read” books of real estate investing. Start with these and then move on from there.

1. The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller

The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller

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Takeaways:

  • The book offers a comprehensive guide to real estate investing, covering topics such as property selection, financing, and wealth-building strategies in the real estate market.
  • Keller provides insights into the mindset and habits of successful real estate investors, emphasizing the importance of education, research, and risk management.
  • The author advocates for a disciplined and strategic approach to real estate investing, offering a framework for identifying and evaluating investment opportunities.
  • Practical advice on property management, market analysis, and scaling a real estate investment portfolio is provided, catering to readers seeking to build wealth through real estate.
  • Keller's accessible and actionable approach offers readers a roadmap for achieving financial success through real estate investment, providing a comprehensive guide to wealth building in the real estate market.

This practical book emphasizes that the first step to building wealth is to learn and understand the foundational truths and models that drive financial wealth.

Using a collection of wisdom and experience from over 100 millionaire investors who achieved financial wealth through various methods of investing, The Millionaire Real Estate Investor delivers a straightforward and easy-to-read guide that reveals successful strategies.

This real estate investment book is very motivational. It gets you hyped on the possibilities of investing and gets you to want to rush out and get started. It covers all the basic information for people who are just starting on their financial journeys.

This book will help save you time if you are new to the industry and is an easy read for people who can take the ideas from the book and apply them to their own situations.

The beginning of the book guides the reader in working past some common myths that tend to prevent people from starting investments in real estate. It then works to correct common misunderstandings and promote habits that will help lead to success.

The book finishes by describing the overall structure of complete real estate business. After working through the four stages of real estate investing, the reader is able to clearly envision their own success.

The only thing this book lacks is some of the advanced tips that you can find in others. All in all, it’s a great read, especially for anyone new to real estate investing.

2. The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner

The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner

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Takeaways:

  • The book offers a comprehensive guide to rental property investing, covering topics such as property selection, financing, and wealth-building strategies in the real estate market.
  • Turner provides insights into the principles of successful rental property investing, emphasizing the importance of market research, property analysis, and risk management.
  • The author advocates for a strategic and systematic approach to rental property investing, offering a framework for identifying, acquiring, and managing rental properties.
  • Practical advice on property management, tenant relations, and scaling a rental property portfolio is provided, catering to readers seeking to build wealth through real estate.
  • Turner's accessible and actionable approach offers readers a roadmap for achieving financial success through rental property investment, providing a comprehensive guide to wealth building in the real estate market.

The Book on Rental Property Investing: How to Create Wealth and Passive Income Through Smart Buy & Hold Real Estate Investing is written by a real estate investor and provides detailed advice and strategies that he learned from years of experience accruing wealth through rental properties.

This book teaches a realistic plan to help you find profitable deals and finance your rentals.

This book provides solid real-world advice on real estate investing. The author gives good details on various rental property investment topics.

When I was looking to pull the trigger on my own property purchase, I found myself using this rental property investing book as a reference more than once.

The Book on Rental Property Investing is more of a comprehensive guide for people who are interested in learning more about finding rental properties, tenants, and screening practices, and how to get the most out of rental property investment.

The book lacks some of the motivational “rah-rah” inspiration of the previous book, but more than makes up for it by being a very thorough guide through the entire process of managing a rental property, including required maintenance.

I found this real estate investment book to be very informative and helpful. It is a “must-read” for anyone looking for specific advice on some of the possible trouble spots involved in property rental

3. Getting the Money by Susan Lassiter-Lyons

Getting the Money by Susan Lassiter-Lyons

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Takeaways:

  • The book offers a comprehensive guide to real estate financing, covering topics such as raising capital, securing funding, and structuring deals in the real estate industry.
  • Lassiter-Lyons provides insights into the principles of successful real estate financing, emphasizing the importance of understanding different funding sources and investment structures.
  • The author advocates for a strategic and proactive approach to raising capital for real estate investments, offering a framework for identifying and securing funding opportunities.
  • Practical advice on negotiating with lenders, structuring creative financing deals, and leveraging various funding sources is provided, catering to readers seeking to finance real estate ventures.
  • Lassiter-Lyons' accessible and actionable approach offers readers a roadmap for securing the necessary capital for real estate investments, providing a comprehensive guide to navigating the financial aspects of real estate deals.

I am sure you have heard the saying “It takes money to make money.” The same thing is true in real estate: It takes money to make real estate purchases. This book is to helps you get money for your real estate deals.

Real estate investing has been proven to build wealth when done right. But it is hard to get the money to get started on your own. Not many people have enough spare money to buy a second property without borrowing some or all of it.

I know I needed to borrow for my first property. And this book was essential in getting that money at the best rate possible.

Getting the Money: The Simple System for Getting Private Money for Your Real Estate Deals provides the reader with a clear framework needed to raise the private capital needed for real estate.

This inspiring property financing book talks about the author's first-hand experience in using creativity and a genuine personality to raise millions of dollars for investing in real estate.

This book has useful tips and tactical information to use for closing a deal. If you need to raise any private money for your investments, you are going to want to have read this book before you try to negotiate for your money.

4. The Sale of a Lifetime by Harry S. Dent Jr.

The Sale of a Lifetime by Harry S. Dent Jr.

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Takeaways:

  • The book argues that a major economic downturn is imminent and provides insights on how to prepare for it.
  • It emphasizes the importance of understanding demographic trends and their impact on the economy and financial markets.
  • The author discusses the concept of “megatrends” and how they can shape investment opportunities and risks.
  • The book provides strategies for capitalizing on market cycles and identifying potential investment bubbles.
  • It offers a contrarian perspective on traditional investment advice and encourages readers to think differently about their financial future.

Harry S. Dent Jr. has created another guide to financial cycles in The Sale of a Lifetime: How the Great Bubble Burst of 2017-2019 Can Make You Rich.

With his urgent warning about the upcoming financial crisis, he uncovers the bright side that provides financial investors a rare opportunity to accrue wealth.

It is a historic fact that times of trouble are also the times of greatest economic opportunity.

Dent’s opinion (and many other economists) is that a collapse is imminent.

Given this supposition, Dent walks us through how to identify the cycles that drive financial booms and falls. Dent conveys information that is both historical and current as this page-turner recaps historical cycles and uses them to project the state of future financial markets.

This is a very interesting read. If Dent is wrong about the coming bubble bursting, it still lays out a solid case and teaches us about historic economic cycles. However, if Dent proves to be correct, this book could be worth its weight in gold (x 1000).

Learning how to not only prepare for economic downturns, but also position yourself to take full advantage of these downturns can leave you scooping up loose cash with a shovel while others are jumping out of buildings.

That may be a bit of hyperbole…but let’s just say it is a good thing to be a step ahead of any market correction, whether up or down.

5. The Complete Guide to Real Estate Finance for Investment Properties by Steve Berges

The Complete Guide to Real Estate Finance for Investment Properties by Steve Berges

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Takeaways:

  • The book provides a comprehensive overview of real estate finance specifically tailored for investment properties, covering topics such as financing options, leverage, and risk management.
  • It offers practical guidance on analyzing deals, understanding cash flow, and evaluating the financial performance of investment properties.
  • The author emphasizes the importance of understanding different financing structures and their impact on investment returns.
  • The book delves into the intricacies of commercial real estate financing, including loan underwriting, valuation, and due diligence.
  • It provides insights into navigating the complexities of real estate financing, making it a valuable resource for both novice and experienced real estate investors.

The Complete Guide to Real Estate Finance for Investment Properties: How to Analyze Any Single-Family, Multifamily, or Commercial Property provides investors with the necessary tools to make educated decisions to gauge the potential worth of investment properties.

This is a great read for both seasoned real estate investors and those who are just getting into the business.

Written as a straightforward guide, Berges carefully walks readers through each stage of analyzing properties for their potential value.

No matter what your long-term goals are in real estate finance, this book includes:

  • Essential valuation techniques
  • The effects financing strategies have on investing
  • How to structure real estate finances
  • How to measure your investment performance
  • Value analysis
  • Methods of appraisal
  • Understanding financial statements
  • Case studies

(If you need more resources, check out our post on SMART goals examples for real estate agents to help you excel.)

This book is a bit complex, with case studies that are meant to be useful for seasoned investors. But if you also read some of the more “basic” guides, you will be ready and understand all the real estate lingo.

However, this real estate investment book covers all of the important points when it comes to real estate financing. It clearly shows readers many important considerations they need to be aware of prior to making investment decisions.

After all, the starry-eyed dream of living off of real estate investments is a wonderful one—but there are potential financial risks involved. Berges does a great job of helping us navigate around those risks.

6. What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow by Frank Gallinelli

What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow by Frank Gallinelli

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Takeaways:

  • The book offers a comprehensive understanding of cash flow analysis in real estate investment, covering topics such as income, expenses, and financing.
  • It emphasizes the importance of accurately evaluating and projecting cash flow to make informed investment decisions.
  • The author provides practical insights into leveraging financial metrics to assess the profitability and sustainability of real estate investments.
  • The book delves into the nuances of real estate cash flow, including factors such as vacancy rates, operating expenses, and debt service coverage.
  • It equips real estate investors with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively assess the financial performance and potential risks of investment properties.

What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow…and 36 Other Key Financial Measures, Updated Edition focuses on mastering numbers to succeed in real estate investments.

As a revised and updated edition of the original book, this is relevant to the present market. This new edition provides updated and current discussions of how to gain capital as well as an internal rate of return.

With the explanation of basic formulas, readers learn to measure principal aspects of their real estate investments, such as cash-on-cash return, return on equity, net present value, discounted cash flow, and net operating income.

Written in an entertaining and exciting manner, readers are able to find many innovative and useful ideas in this book to help make worthwhile real estate investments.

With over three dozen key concepts presented, readers learn rules of thumb that can be used as points of reference to evaluate potential investment properties.

The spreadsheet models that are provided in the book are useful to help demonstrate how to read a property’s potential, and how to apply financial concepts to be a successful tool.

Also, the methods that the author uses and explains are consistent with general business practices, while also providing insight into the impact of accounting rules on taxable income and industry-specific financial ratios.

The author also provides examples of relevant math, including calculations within each chapter. The reader is given a problem to solve, which can then be checked against the solution provided by the author to help test the reader's knowledge.

This is a quick and easy read, with humor sprinkled throughout to keep the reader engaged. There is not much fluff in this book. It gets straight to the point, quickly and painlessly. It is a very helpful guide to financial cash flow.

7. Building Wealth One House at a Time by John Schaub

Building Wealth One House at a Time by John Schaub

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Takeaways:

  • The book advocates for a conservative and sustainable approach to real estate investing, focusing on long-term wealth building through the acquisition of single-family homes.
  • It emphasizes the importance of understanding market cycles, identifying undervalued properties, and leveraging financing strategies to maximize returns.
  • The author provides practical insights into creating a profitable real estate portfolio while minimizing risks and managing cash flow effectively.
  • The book offers guidance on identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in both up and down markets, highlighting the value of patience and strategic decision-making.
  • It equips readers with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and tactics necessary to succeed in the real estate investment industry, emphasizing the potential for steady wealth accumulation through a disciplined investment approach.

Math has never been my strong suit. While I did take a class in accounting in college, I would say I am about as far from being an accountant as is humanly possible.

One of the things I loved about this book was that it was about the finances of accumulating multiple homes, but did not make me feel mathematically inept.

It is a great read for people of any financial background, as it talks about how just about anyone can accumulate multiple houses debt-free while earning a steady income indefinitely.

Building Wealth One House at a Time: Making It Big on Little Deals is different from others, as it focuses on making housing investments in high-caliber neighborhoods with a nine-step program for success.

Some highlighted tips include renting to long-term tenants, providing them with financial incentives to pay rent on time, avoiding falling for deals that are “too good to be true,” and a 10-year plan to be debt-free.

This property investment book offers traditional investment principles that have made people successful for years. It does give its main focus to single-family homes, as they are typically easier to buy and resell than commercial properties.

For the small number of new investors interested in other forms of property, this book lacks strong advice. But that is fine since 95% of first-time investors buy single-family homes. John is really just spending his time wisely by teaching the best advice to most people.

8. Tax-Free Wealth by Tom Wheelright

Tax-Free Wealth by Tom Wheelright

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Takeaways:

  • The book focuses on understanding and leveraging the tax code to legally minimize taxes and build wealth.
  • It provides insights into various tax strategies that can be utilized by individuals and businesses to reduce tax liabilities.
  • The author emphasizes the importance of proactive tax planning and highlights the potential financial benefits of strategic tax management.
  • The book offers practical guidance on navigating tax laws, deductions, and incentives to optimize financial outcomes.
  • It equips readers with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions about tax planning and wealth accumulation, emphasizing the potential for significant savings through a proactive approach to taxation.

Come April 15th (or 18th this year), you will be glad you had this book in your real estate tool bag. This book's main focus is on tax planning. With complicated tax laws, people often miss out on opportunities to reduce their taxes and gain wealth.

Wheelright aims to help readers understand the basic principle of taxes so they are not intimidated by the process. The long-term goal of this book is to have readers be able to have the ability to legally eliminate all income taxes, thereby living a life of “tax-free wealth.”

When you read the common reviews on this book, you will see a fair amount of complaints about the authors using some “hype-style” filler material designed to fill the reader with a sense of anticipation.

I agree that this is true, but that is an issue of style, not substance. When Wheelright does get to his points, they are all great ones, and they will certainly be useful in helping you keep more of your money—which is the whole point of this book!

Tax-Free Wealth: How to Build Massive Wealth by Permanently Lowering Your Taxes (Rich Dad Advisors) will pay for itself many times overcome tax day. It not only gave me ideas for my real estate investing, but also some ideas for my book business. It has plenty of good information on how to protect your business and pay lower taxes.

9. The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down by Brandon Turner

The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down by Brandon Turner

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Takeaways:

  • The book offers creative strategies for investing in real estate with minimal capital, emphasizing the potential for leveraging other resources and financing options.
  • It provides practical insights into utilizing techniques such as seller financing, partnerships, and creative deal structuring to acquire properties with limited upfront investment.
  • The author emphasizes the importance of understanding and mitigating risks when employing no or low money down strategies in real estate investing.
  • The book equips readers with a range of actionable tactics and real-world examples to help navigate the challenges of investing in real estate with limited initial funds.
  • It highlights the potential for building a profitable real estate portfolio through strategic and resourceful approaches to financing and deal-making.

This real estate investment book is designed to help people who are interested in getting involved in the property business, but who don't have much money to put up front. It touches on subjects such as:

  • Investing with no money down
  • How to combine investing techniques
  • How to attract lenders
  • The downsides to investing and how to overcome them

The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down: Real Life Strategies for Investing in Real Estate Using Other People's Money is rich with hypothetical examples that get right to the point of explaining various scenarios the author cooks up. With a lot of solid ideas, this is a useful read for beginners who have yet to learn about various strategies.

Some of the hypothetical examples are a bit repetitive, which is why readers who aren’t familiar with the topic might miss some of the intricate differences in the scenarios. This is not a book for those looking for super subtle nuance or advanced tips that will help them get more out of borrowing from lenders.

It is perfect for what it is, however—a basic guide to teach anyone new to the concept of borrowing for real estate investing how to completely understand all the related intricacies.

After reading this book, you will know how to get your loan approved and get the best deal humanly possible. What more could you ask for?

10. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

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Takeaways:

  • The book introduces the concept of “Profit First,” a cash management system that prioritizes profitability by allocating profits first and operating expenses second.
  • It emphasizes the importance of rethinking traditional accounting practices and focusing on sustainable business growth through a profit-centric approach.
  • The author provides actionable steps for implementing the Profit First system, including setting up separate bank accounts for different financial purposes.
  • The book offers practical insights into improving cash flow, reducing debt, and fostering a financially healthy business by changing the way profits are managed.
  • It equips entrepreneurs and business owners with a framework for achieving long-term financial success and stability by making profitability a primary focus from the outset.

This is another book that I include because it has important points for running a real estate business—but the fact of the matter is that it also provides knowledge that is a lot broader.

Profit First: A Simple System to Transform Any Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine is great for entrepreneurs who are having trouble taking their profits to the next level.

It offers a reasonably simple plan to manage and grow your company's finances.

Readers are given a new perspective to change the financial focus of their businesses. This provides business owners with valuable insight when doing taxes or looking for more financially efficient ways to run their businesses.

The logic behind the concepts explained in this book are simple, with explanatory graphs and charts to drive home the author's points.

This book is especially great for people who are new to running their own businesses or who are having trouble keeping their businesses afloat. The author's tone is conversational and easy to read, but also firm about serious topics.

11. Entrusted by Andrew Howell and David York

Entrusted by Andrew Howell and David York

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Takeaways:

  • The book emphasizes the importance of estate planning and provides insights into the complexities of managing and transferring wealth to future generations.
  • It offers practical guidance on creating a comprehensive estate plan, including wills, trusts, and other essential components.
  • The authors highlight the potential pitfalls of inadequate estate planning and the impact it can have on families and assets.
  • The book delves into the intricacies of inheritance, asset protection, and tax considerations, providing readers with a holistic understanding of estate planning.
  • It equips readers with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the estate planning process and ensure the preservation and responsible transfer of wealth for future generations.

With my first child being born not long before I purchased my first property, this book had a certain importance to me. I want my wife and child to be able to painlessly take over my various businesses should something unfortunate and unexpected happen to me.

And I didn’t want the government getting their paws on a massive portion of my tiny estate.

Entrusted: Building A Legacy That Lasts clearly lays out the fundamentals of effectively transferring estates and wealth.

The authors' goals in this book are to prepare beneficiaries for inherited wealth by looking at the person who is being entrusted as the organizer of the estate, rather than just the sole recipient. They focus on the transfer of opportunities that have the potential to last over multiple generations.

Unlike other books that work with the benefactor to effectively plan his estate, this book focuses on preparing the beneficiaries who are receiving the wealth.

While the advice is practical, it is also meaningful because the approach looks past the immediate future. It also goes beyond talking only about wealth and assets and teaches lessons about family values, long-term visions, and goals.

Having read this book, I feel like my family will be better able to handle any small amount I am able to leave them, and hopefully make it into something even greater.

12. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

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Takeaways:

  • The book challenges conventional beliefs about money and investing, offering insights into the mindset and principles of financial success.
  • It emphasizes the importance of financial education, asset accumulation, and passive income generation as pathways to wealth.
  • The author contrasts the perspectives of his “rich dad” and “poor dad” to illustrate the impact of mindset and financial literacy on one's financial journey.
  • The book advocates for embracing risk and seeking opportunities to leverage assets and investments to achieve financial independence.
  • It encourages readers to adopt a mindset focused on building assets and creating multiple streams of income to attain long-term financial stability and prosperity.

This is the quintessential book on the power of investing.

This biography of sorts tells Robert Kiyosaki‘s personal story of two father figures in his life, both of whom had an influence on his adult concepts of money and investing.

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money—That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! largely focuses on working for money versus investing your money in order to have it work for you.

This book does not get down into too many of the dirty details on how to invest but is more about explaining in clear terms why investing is so important. The most powerful points Kiyosaki makes are about investing and managing money. Some of these points include:

  • Making wise investments
  • Understanding your taxes
  • Reducing your tax liability if you are able to
  • Real-world experience is where you will learn the most

Overall, this book is not one of the most beneficial books to read about the specifics of investments and finances. However, the author's candid and insightful writing makes it highly influential and inspirational.

This is an important book to read because it will clearly show the important potential of investing. It will give you the inspiration to continue your investment education and set you on the path to getting real-world knowledge.

13. Retire Rich from Real Estate by Marc Andersen PhD

Retire Rich from Real Estate by Marc Andersen PhD

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Takeaways:

  • Real estate investment offers multiple streams of income, including rental income and property appreciation, making it a powerful wealth-building tool.
  • The book emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough market research and due diligence to identify lucrative real estate investment opportunities.
  • Marc Andersen PhD stresses the significance of leveraging other people's money (OPM) to maximize returns and accelerate wealth accumulation in real estate.
  • The author provides insights into tax advantages and strategies specific to real estate investing, highlighting the potential for significant tax savings.
  • Retire Rich from Real Estate outlines a comprehensive plan for creating a diversified real estate portfolio to achieve long-term financial security and retirement goals.

One aspect of real estate investing is flipping. This is what you often see on TV, where people get in and out fast, making a profit and moving on to the next investment.

Retire Rich from Real Estate: A Low-Risk Approach to Buying Rental Property for the Long-Term Investor is not about that. If anything, this book is the opposite.

This book’s real estate investing is more akin to Warren Buffet than hedge fund traders.

This real estate investing book shows how to buy properties that you will keep for decades—properties that will help support you through retirement.

This is a great read for people who have little to no money in retirement and are considering investing in a rental property to bring in additional income.

It touches on matters such as how to choose the best investors based on their demographics, how to choose properties that will be worth a long-term investment, evaluating expenses, and managing properties.

Unlike some other books of this nature that make promises of getting rich quickly, this book provides a more realistic timeline for making money from rental properties. The author provides practical advice with verified statistics so as to not create a dream reality for the reader.

I love this book because this is how I plan to invest in my current (and any future) investments. Real estate may see slumps and climbs in home values, but people always need to rent, and rent prices always rise.

14. The ABCs of Real Estate Investing by Ken McElroy

The ABCs of Real Estate Investing by Ken McElroy

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Takeaways:

  • The book emphasizes the importance of understanding market cycles and economic trends to make informed real estate investment decisions that align with the current market conditions.
  • Ken McElroy highlights the significance of building a strong team of real estate professionals, including property managers, contractors, and real estate agents, to support successful investment endeavors.
  • The ABCs of Real Estate Investing provides practical guidance on evaluating and selecting investment properties based on factors such as location, cash flow potential, and property condition.
  • The author stresses the value of implementing effective property management practices to maximize investment returns and ensure long-term success in real estate investing.
  • McElroy offers insights into financing strategies, including leveraging other people's money (OPM) and utilizing creative financing options, to optimize real estate investment opportunities and achieve financial growth.

This is another useful book for people who are looking to invest in real estate for the long term.

McElroy gives a helpful overview of the entire process of investing in real estate from beginning to end.

The ABCs of Real Estate Investing: The Secrets of Finding Hidden Profits Most Investors Miss (Rich Dad's Advisors) helps readers know what to expect in the industry and learn more about what they are getting into.

One of the best things about this book is that it is direct and full of valuable information. There is no need to read through the fluff to get to the meat of the subject. McElroy also works to dispel myths about real estate investments that often keep people from getting themselves started.

One of the most valuable parts of this property investment book is the author's explanation of formulas that can be used to analyze the potential outcome of an investment from a cash flow perspective.

15. Real Estate Investing Gone Bad by Phil Pustejovsky

Real Estate Investing Gone Bad by Phil Pustejovsky

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Takeaways:

  • Real Estate Investing Gone Bad offers valuable lessons by highlighting common mistakes and pitfalls encountered in real estate investing, providing readers with insights to avoid similar challenges.
  • Phil Pustejovsky emphasizes the importance of thorough due diligence and research before engaging in any real estate investment to mitigate risks and increase the likelihood of success.
  • The book provides cautionary tales and real-life examples of failed real estate investments, offering a practical perspective on the potential downsides and risks associated with real estate ventures.
  • Pustejovsky shares strategies for navigating challenging situations in real estate investing, including dealing with difficult tenants, unexpected property repairs, and market downturns.
  • Real Estate Investing Gone Bad encourages readers to learn from failures and setbacks, emphasizing the importance of resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning in the real estate investment journey.

Many real estate investment books showcase all the positive possibilities. They might mention that “results vary” or that there is always an element of risk, but they do not dwell on the bad. They dwell on the good.

What I love about Real Estate Investing Gone Bad: 21 True Stories of What NOT to Do When Investing in Real Estate and Flipping Houses is that it teaches through analyzing real mistakes made in the world of real estate investing.

An entertaining and informative read, this book contains 21 true failures of real estate investment deals, and what to learn from these mistakes.

This book is great for people who are looking to flip houses, as well as those who are investing in long-term real estate.

Unlike the other real estate investment books that paint property as something that gives you complete control over your investment, this book faces the reality of the mistakes people often make that end up costing them a lot of time and money.

This is an ideal read for people who are just getting into real estate, as it is important to realize there are dangers to go with the potential profits.

16. The Book on Managing Rental Properties by Brandon and Heather Turner

The Book on Managing Rental Properties by Brandon and Heather Turner | real estate investment books | best real estate investment books

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Takeaways:

  • The Book on Managing Rental Properties offers practical guidance on creating efficient systems and processes for managing rental properties, emphasizing the importance of organization and scalability.
  • Brandon and Heather Turner provide insights into tenant relations, including strategies for tenant screening, lease agreements, and effective communication to foster positive landlord-tenant relationships.
  • The book highlights the significance of property maintenance and proactive management, offering tips for maintaining and improving rental properties to maximize long-term value and tenant satisfaction.
  • The Turners emphasize the importance of understanding landlord-tenant laws and regulations, providing guidance on legal compliance and risk management in rental property management.
  • The authors offer financial management strategies for rental properties, including budgeting, rent collection, and expense tracking, to optimize cash flow and overall investment performance.

The Book on Managing Rental Properties: A Proven System for Finding, Screening, and Managing Tenants with Fewer Headaches and Maximum Profits is great for people who are already in the business of investing in real estate.

It concentrates on being an effective landlord to maximize your profits and decrease the stress that comes along with managing and owning rental properties.

The great thing about this book is that it has something for everyone. It covers the basics of effective property management while also giving helpful hints for people who are seasoned in the industry.

This is one of the more thorough real estate investing books. It offers both a new perspective and practical advice. One of the best characteristics of this book is that the authors emphasize how important it is to take real estate seriously, but don't take themselves too seriously, leaving room for humor.

17. How to Invest in Real Estate by Brandon Turner and Joshua Dorkin

How to Invest in Real Estate by Brandon Turner and Joshua Dorkin | Best Real Estate Investment Books | top selling real estate investment books

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Takeaways:

  • The book emphasizes the importance of developing a clear investment strategy and defining specific real estate investment goals to guide decision-making and maximize success.
  • Brandon Turner and Joshua Dorkin provide insights into various real estate investment strategies, including rental properties, fix-and-flips, and commercial real estate, offering a comprehensive overview of different investment avenues.
  • How to Invest in Real Estate: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Getting Started highlights the significance of building a strong network and leveraging relationships with real estate professionals, mentors, and industry experts to support and enhance investment endeavors.
  • The authors stress the value of continuous education and learning in real estate investing, encouraging readers to stay informed about market trends, regulations, and industry best practices.
  • The book offers practical guidance on financing options, including traditional mortgages, private lending, and creative financing strategies, to help readers optimize their real estate investment opportunities.

18. Crushing It in Apartments and Commercial Real Estate by Brian H Murray

Crushing It in Apartments and Commercial Real Estate by Brian H Murray | Best Real Estate Investment Books | best real estate investment books

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Takeaways:

  • Brian H. Murray emphasizes the importance of thorough market research and due diligence in identifying lucrative opportunities in apartments and commercial real estate.
  • The book provides insights into leveraging economies of scale and building a diversified portfolio to maximize returns and mitigate risks in the commercial real estate sector.
  • Murray offers practical guidance on property management strategies, including optimizing operational efficiencies, tenant relations, and property value enhancement.
  • Crushing It in Apartments and Commercial Real Estate: How a Small Investor Can Make It Big highlights the significance of understanding financing options, negotiating favorable terms, and structuring deals to optimize investment returns.
  • The author encourages readers to cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement and adaptability, emphasizing the value of learning from both successes and setbacks in the commercial real estate industry.

19. How to Invest in Real Estate Without Banks by Marko Rubel

How to Invest in Real Estate Without Banks by Marko Rubel | Best Real Estate Investment Books | real estate investment books

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Takeaways:

  • Marko Rubel offers alternative strategies for real estate investment, such as using creative financing techniques to bypass traditional bank loans.
  • The book provides insights into utilizing seller financing, private money, and other non-traditional funding sources to facilitate real estate transactions without relying on banks.
  • Rubel emphasizes the importance of understanding and implementing creative financing methods to overcome financing obstacles and expand investment opportunities.
  • How to Invest in Real Estate Without Banks highlights the potential for greater flexibility and control in real estate transactions by circumventing traditional banking institutions.
  • The author encourages readers to explore non-conventional financing options to achieve financial independence and success in real estate investing.

20. Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat by David M Greene

Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat by David M Greene | Best Real Estate Investment Books | top real estate investment books

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Takeaways:

  • David M. Greene outlines a systematic approach to real estate investment, emphasizing the “BRRRR” method as a powerful strategy for building wealth through real estate.
  • The book provides practical guidance on identifying undervalued properties, implementing effective renovations, and maximizing the potential for rental income and property appreciation.
  • Greene highlights the significance of leveraging refinancing to unlock equity and recycle capital, enabling investors to scale their real estate portfolios and achieve long-term financial growth.
  • Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat: The BRRRR Rental Property Investment Strategy Made Simple offers insights into creating sustainable cash flow and equity growth through strategic property acquisitions and value-adding improvements.
  • The author encourages readers to adopt a disciplined and methodical approach to real estate investing, leveraging the BRRRR strategy to achieve financial independence and wealth accumulation.

Final Thoughts on the Best Real Estate Investment Books

Real estate is a big investment.

These real estate investment books offer a wealth of practical advice and tips and include case studies, examples, and step-by-step guides that give you a roadmap for investing in real estate.

By reading them, you can gain a solid understanding of real estate investing, learn from experienced investors, and make informed decisions.

But don’t rely on just one source of information. Read these books, listen to podcasts, and gather all the information available.

That said, if you're looking for more books to read and learn from, check out these other articles:

You can also check out 250+ more books in the loose topic of “Self Help” and “Self Improvement”:

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5 thoughts on “20 Best Real Estate Investment Books for Beginners [2024 Update]”

  1. This article is not just actually about finding the best real estate investor but also about being the best real estate investor. I take it that you already know what investing is and what an investor is so I will ask you directly, what makes the BEST real estate investor? There are a lot of factors that can make you the best real estate investor but let us focus only on the traits that will help you take control of yourself. You can never really change the situation around you but what you can change is your reaction to the situation around you. External factors may be very heavy but it is not impossible to counter or fix them with the right internal reaction.

  2. If I were starting out investing here are the Fab Four Books and Trifecta of Business Books that everyone should read before making a purchase:

    Books – In this order
    1) Rich Dad Poor Dad
    2) Millionaire Real Estate Investor
    3) Cashflow Quadrant
    4) Equity Happens

    Business Books
    1) 4-hour workweek
    2) E-Myth
    3) Think And Grow Rich (read this again and again, all the Gurus such as Tony Robbins and Jim Rohn regurgitate ideas in this book)

    It’s important to note that reading any more is just overkill. Don’t be that ‘Shelf’-help guy or use the crux “oh I need to read and get more educated”. You need to step up and take action how many freaking books are you going to read? Many Fortune-500 Human Resources departments use the theory of 70-20-10 in developing employees which apply here. 70% is learned by doing, 20% learned from peers, and 10% is academic/book/classroom training.

    Tim Ferris talks about the $100,000 MBA, where you don’t really go to school but you jump right in with your business/investment. This method may lead you to operate at a loss but you will have far more experience than getting that silly $100,000+ MBA degree from some brick and mortar school.

    And a word on real estate training: Why would someone want to spend $20-30K on training when that alone is a down payment on a cashflowing property that you can learn through doing and make 300-400 a month cashflow. Heck you could even buy an overpriced 2nd tier turnkey property and get your education that way too.

    • Thanks for your in-depth reply. You obviously put a lot of thought into your best books list. I absolutely agree with you about not overpaying to paraphrase Matt Damon frm Good Will Hunting, you don’t awlays need to get a education that” costs hundreds of thousands when you could get a better one for 6$ in late fees from the library”

  3. I am planning on purchasing some Real Estate in your country. I would like you to help us find good real estate for immediate rent or purchase.

    Also of importance to me is the need for you to provid full information on expected tax or any other charges that are required for foreign purchase.

    Hope to hear from you soonest

  4. Great list of helpful books, I have read book six and found it very helpful. I will have to get onto the rest of this list Thanks

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