13 Best Real Estate Books for Beginners (2023)

If you’re looking to create passive income, diversify your portfolio, and reduce your tax burden, real estate investing is the answer. However, you might not know where to start if you’re a beginner.

Searching online can quickly lead you down a rabbit hole, making the learning process daunting.

When I began, I felt overwhelmed. I read books, listened to podcasts, and watched YouTube videos, but I still felt stuck. With so many “experts,” who should you trust?

I learned that to succeed in life, you should find people who have what you want and follow in their footsteps. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. right?

Successful individuals read many books and know continuous learning is essential for self-improvement.

Related: 5 Ways To Surround Yourself With Good People To Grow

Starting slow and building a solid foundation is crucial, and one of the best ways to do this is by reading real estate books specifically for the beginner in mind.

With thousands of real estate books available, I’ve taken the initiative to compile a list of the top 13 real estate books for beginners to guide you in the right direction.

Join the Passive Investors Circle

Subscribe To My Youtube

13 Best Real Estate Books for Beginners

#1. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Most successful real estate investors got their start by reading Rich Dad Poor Dad. In it, Kiyosaki talks about growing up with two dads – the poor dad (his biological father) and the rich dad (his best friend’s wealthy father).

His poor dad works full-time as a college professor, earning enough to live on but never investing in assets.

The book discusses the importance of knowing the difference between assets and liabilities. Assets generate income, while liabilities take money out of your pocket.

Understanding the concept of passive income-producing assets can lead to financial independence. It’s not just about having money but also wisely investing your cash flow to yield greater returns over time.

Kiyosaki emphasizes the importance of financial literacy. His rich dad encouraged discussing money and business during meals, while his poor dad discouraged it, which is what typically happens today with middle-class families.

Kiyosaki is a strong advocate for real estate. Though he accumulated his wealth through paid seminars and royalties rather than real estate, the principles in “Rich Dad Poor Dad” remain valid.

#2. The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller

In the book, The Millionaire Real Estate Investor, author Gary Keller from Keller-Williams Realty compiles insights from over 100 successful real estate investors to create a comprehensive guide for building wealth through real estate investing.

For those new to real estate, reading this book resembles enrolling in a Real Estate Investing 101 course.

I firmly believe that to achieve any goal in life, it’s crucial, to begin with the right mindset.

As a side note, when I worked out in college, a guy I’d see daily in the gym always reminded me to “get my mind right” before I walked into the gym. I always thought this was a funny joke until I learned later in life this wasn’t the case.

His point is very well taken now that I realize that it’s hard to achieve success if you don’t have the right mindset.

Keller’s book excels in cultivating an investor’s mindset with its readers.

It starts by covering basic investing advice that everyone should be aware of and then dives deeper into its application within real estate.

In my opinion, this is one of the top books available on real estate investing.

#3. The ABC’s of Real Estate Investing by Ken McElroy

For most beginners in real estate, Ken McElroy’s “The ABCs of Real Estate Investing” is their preferred resource for learning the fundamentals of real estate investing.

With over 26 years of high-level experience in multifamily asset and property management, McElroy shares his insights on how to accumulate wealth through real estate by:

Negotiating transactions
Discovering and assessing properties
Utilizing property management tools to boost income

Although the book primarily concentrates on apartment investing, most of the principles discussed can also be applied to other types of real estate investments.

#4. What Every Real Estate Investor Needs To Know About Cash Flow by Frank Gallinelli

When I initially began investing in real estate, two aspects caught my attention:

The need to familiarize myself with new terminology
The significant role math plays in real estate

Frank Gallinelli’s “What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow… and 36 Other Key Financial Measures” is the fourth book on our list of real estate books for beginners.

This book is beneficial for beginners, as it helps to explain the complex world of real estate finances.

Understanding numbers is crucial for evaluating deals, and this book does an excellent job of simplifying that process.

Some of the terms explained in the book include:

cash-on-cash return
equity multiple
cash flow
net present value
internal rate of return
cap rate

To learn more about one of the most important metrics in real estate (cap rate), check out this video:

Additionally, the book provides in-depth explanations of all the necessary calculations to assess real estate transactions competently.

#5. The Book On Rental Property Investing: How to Create Wealth and Passive Income by Brandon Turner

Most active real estate investors begin investing by owning residential real estate.

When I started out, I initially looked into single-family homes.

Brandon Turner, the author of The Book On Rental Property Investing, and former co-host of the Bigger Pockets podcast, has a wealth of knowledge regarding real estate investing.

The book highlights:

how to find deals, even in competitive markets
strategies to finding good paying tenants
finding property financing
why cash flow is so important
tax reduction strategies as a part of your investment strategy
plus, much more

Don’t Miss Any Updates. Each week I’ll send you advice on how to reach financial independence with passive income from real estate.

#6. Long-Distance Real Estate Investing by David Greene

David Greene’s “Long-Distance Real Estate Investing” is a must-read for investors wanting property out of state.

The author is an experienced investor and a real estate agent. In the book, he discusses his strategies for finding great deals and managing rental properties remotely.

Key takeaways:

The challenges and benefits of long-distance real estate investing
How to build a strong team to manage properties remotely
Strategies for finding, analyzing and managing deals out-of-state

#7. Mastering the Art of Commercial Real Estate Investing by Doug Marshall

As mentioned in Brandon Turner’s book above, more newbie investors start with residential properties, but commercial real estate can offer significant opportunities for wealth-building.

In “Mastering The Art of Commercial Real Estate Investing,” Doug Marshall provides a thorough overview of commercial real estate (CRE), including key financial measures and investment strategies.

Key takeaways:

The differences between commercial and residential real estate
Key financial measures used in CRE investing
Strategies for finding, evaluating, managing and leasing CRE

#8. The Book on Tax Strategies for the Savvy Real Estate Investor by Amanda Han and Matthew MacFarland

Most investors (myself included) get into real estate for the cash flow. But it doesn’t take them long to understand the significant role that taxes can play in saving them thousands of dollars.

Certified Public Accountants Amanda Han and Matthew MacFarland, founders of Keystone CPA, decided to take a different approach in their book, “The Book On Tax Strategies for the Savvy Real Estate Investor,” by focusing on real estate taxes and strategies for your business instead of discussing the how-tos and strategies of buying and making money from properties.

The main topics discussed are:

maximizing tax deductions
cutting down on your bookkeeping time
protecting yourself from an IRS audit
importance of tax planning for real estate investors
minimizing tax liability
impact of tax laws on real estate investing decisions
tips for working with tax professionals to optimize your investments

#9. Real Estate by the Numbers: A Complete Reference Guide to Deal Analysis by J Scott

One of the biggest hurdles to overcome as a beginner investor involves finding deals and analyzing the numbers.

J Scott’s book, “Real Estate by the Numbers,” gives you a step-by-step walkthrough of the process of how this is done, along with specific examples to help bring everything together.

For those that already have a decent grasp of the basics of real estate investing and are ready to start putting them into practice then, this book offers a lot of practical and technical information to guide you through the process.

#10. One Rental At A Time: The Journey to Financial Independence through Real Estate by Michael Zuber

Michael Zuber’s book, One Rental at a Time, is a down-to-earth guide for anyone who wants to get started in real estate investing.

The book follows his journey to financial freedom via buying and managing rental properties. He shows that anyone can succeed in this space with determination, patience, and intelligent decision-making.

He makes it clear that it’s all about learning from experience, networking with others, and using available resources wisely to build their rental property empire.

Join the Passive Investors Circle

Subscribe To My Youtube

#11. Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat: The BRRRR Rental Property Investment Strategy Made Simple’ by David Greene

Many times new investors feel comfortable starting off purchasing a single family home. The idea is to find one at a good price, rehab it, and then get it rented out.

David Greene’s book, “Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat” (aka the BRRRR method, takes this strategy a step further.

Once a tenant rents your property, there’s a way to continue the process by refinancing, allowing investors to build a large portfolio of rental properties.

The book goes into detail about how someone can use the BRRRR method, along with the following:

how to identify and evaluate properties for BRRRR investing
negotiating to get the best deals
Tips on rehabbing properties along with contractor management
refinancing strategies to grow your portfolio

#12. How to Invest in Real Estate: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started by Brandon Turner and Joshua Dorkin

Some of the top real estate investors cite Brandon Turner and Joshua Dorkin’s book, “How to Invest in Real Estate: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started,” as the best place to start.

The authors recommend new investors focus on starting slow and building a strong foundation in real estate investing.

Some of the topics covered:

financing
property management
deal analysis
the importance of networking

#13. The Real Estate Wholesaling Bible: The Fastest, Easiest Way to Get Started in Real Estate Investing by Than Merrill

In Than Merrill’s book, “The Real Estate Wholesaling Bible: The Fastest, Easiest Way to Get Started in Real Estate Investing,” he discusses what it takes to become successful in the wholesaling business.

Wholesaling real estate is a great strategy for investors with little to no capital that don’t want the headaches of dealing with tenants.

The book provides Merrill’s process for:

identifying undervalued properties
negotiating with sellers
assigning contracts to end-buyers

By implementing these strategies, investors can earn cash without purchasing or rehabbing the properties themselves.

Conclusion

Whether you’re interested in rental property investing, flipping houses, or commercial real estate, these 13 real estate books for beginners provide the knowledge and tools you need to take the first step toward financial freedom.

If you’re looking for more resources on personal finance and investing, make sure you download our passive income guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to get started investing in real estate?

A great way to get started is by networking with others in your area who own property. Finding those that have want you to want to accomplish is the “cheat code” to success in life. These local investors can help you navigate how to get started, and what to look for in the local market, and recommendations for lenders and contractors.

What type of real estate is best to start with?

Most beginners like to start simple with investing in single-family homes due to the lower cost of entry. Once they get comfortable, many will shift to larger properties such as duplexes or triplexes.

For busy professionals, I like my go-to investment of real estate syndications due to the “hands-off” approach.

Is it possible to learn real estate through self-education?

It’s safe to say that over 90% of what I learned came through self-education via books and online (free) resources. It’s impossible to learn EVERYTHING. Once you get the basics down, then at some point, you’re going to have to get started. And this is REALLY when you’ll start learning.

Join the Passive Investors Circle

Subscribe To My Youtube