The 12 Best Books on Real Estate Investing

POSTED ON Dec 18, 2023

P.J McNulty

Written by P.J McNulty

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Embarking on the journey of real estate investing can be as thrilling as it is lucrative, especially for beginners armed with the right knowledge.

The world of real estate offers vast opportunities, yet navigating it without guidance can be daunting. This is where the power of learning from the best comes into play. In this article, we delve into twelve exceptional books that are the cornerstones for any aspiring real estate investor.

These books are more than just guides; they are blueprints to success, offering invaluable insights, strategies, and practical tips.

But why stop at learning?

This is your chance to not only absorb the wisdom of the experts but also to document and share your unique journey by writing and self-publishing your book, becoming a beacon for others embarking on this rewarding path.


1. “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki

“Rich Dad Poor Dad” stands as a cornerstone in real estate investment literature. Kiyosaki's book goes beyond mere tactics; it instills a revolutionary mindset about money and investing. It teaches readers to think like an investor, emphasizing the importance of financial education and the distinction between assets and liabilities. Ideal for beginners, this book lays the foundational mindset required for successful real estate investing.

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

Brandon Turner's innovative approach in “The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down” demystifies the common misconception that hefty capital is necessary to start in real estate. It offers creative financing strategies, stressing on leveraging other people's money. This guide is invaluable for beginners seeking practical ways to enter the market with minimal financial barriers.

3. “The Millionaire Real Estate Investor” by Gary Keller

Gary Keller's “The Millionaire Real Estate Investor” compiles wisdom from over 100 millionaire investors, providing a comprehensive view of successful investment strategies. This book is essential for beginners, offering a blend of motivational guidance and practical advice, emphasizing the importance of mindset and financial savvy in building a real estate empire.

4. “Real Estate Investing for Dummies” by Eric Tyson and Robert S. Griswold

A part of the renowned ‘For Dummies' series, this book simplifies complex concepts of real estate for beginners. Tyson and Griswold cover various aspects, from property selection to financing and managing investments. It’s a great starting point for anyone looking to grasp the fundamentals of real estate investing.

5. “The ABCs of Real Estate Investing” by Ken McElroy

Ken McElroy's book is a masterclass in the fundamentals of successful real estate investing. It covers everything from finding and valuing property to financing and managing it. This book is particularly beneficial for beginners, offering a step-by-step guide to developing a profitable real estate portfolio.

6. “The Real Estate Wholesaling Bible” by Than Merrill

Than Merrill's book introduces beginners to the concept of wholesaling in real estate – a strategy of buying and selling properties quickly without holding them. This book is perfect for those looking to understand and utilize this less capital-intensive approach to real estate investing.

7. “Flip: How to Find, Fix, and Sell Houses for Profit” by Rick Villani and Clay Davis

This book is the ultimate guide for those interested in flipping houses. Villani and Davis offer a detailed roadmap on finding, renovating, and selling properties for profit. It's an essential read for beginners looking to understand and capitalize on the lucrative flipping side of real estate.

8. “The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings” by Steve Berges

Berges' guide is an in-depth exploration of investing in apartment buildings. It educates beginners on the nuances of multi-family properties, from acquisition strategies to property management. This book is invaluable for those considering apartment buildings as their investment choice.

9. “Investing in Apartment Buildings” by Matthew A. Martinez

Matthew A. Martinez provides insightful strategies for creating wealth through apartment buildings. This book offers a practical approach to finding, financing, and managing apartments, making it a must-read for beginners focused on this real estate sector.

10. “Commercial Real Estate Investing for Dummies” by Peter Conti and Peter Harris

This entry in the ‘For Dummies' series breaks down the complexities of commercial real estate. Conti and Harris offer straightforward advice on navigating the commercial sector, making it accessible for beginners looking to expand beyond residential properties.

11. “Your First 365 Days in Real Estate” by Shelley Zavitz

Shelley Zavitz's book is tailored for real estate beginners in their first year. It provides a day-by-day guide to the essentials of starting and thriving in real estate investing, offering practical advice and personal insights that are invaluable for newcomers.

12. “Long-Distance Real Estate Investing” by David Greene

David Greene's book tackles the increasingly popular strategy of investing in real estate markets outside one's local area. It offers strategies for finding, financing, and managing properties remotely, making it a vital resource for beginners looking to invest nationally.

Why you should share your real estate expertise in a book – and the top benefits of doing so

Sharing your journey and expertise as a real estate entrepreneur is not just about documenting your experiences; it's about lighting the path for others who are following in your footsteps. By sharing your story, you provide real-time insights, lessons learned, and the inspiration that only a fellow beginner can offer.

Your journey, with its successes and challenges, becomes a valuable resource for others. And it's one you can leverage to grow your own portfolio, credibility, consulting business, and more.

In short, self-publishing a book about your real estate investing journey is the most impactful way to reach the most people at once. It also establishes you as an authority in the field, opening up networking opportunities and enhancing your credibility.

You Maintain All Control Over the Content

Self-publishing gifts authors with unparalleled autonomy, allowing you to decide every aspect of your book's content, structure, and style.

This means you can tailor your book specifically to your audience's needs, embedding your unique voice and perspective throughout. Whether it's the depth of detail, the case studies chosen, or the complexity of the topics, you dictate the narrative, ensuring that the final product is a true reflection of your writing style and tone as well as your personal vision and expertise.

You Can Be Faster to Market

By self-publishing, you bypass the often lengthy and complex traditional publishing process, bringing your book to market significantly faster.

This swift timeline means you can capitalize on current market trends, topical interests, or recent developments in the real estate sector. A faster-to-market book, paired with full creative license, also gives you the flexibility to update and republish your book as needed (to ensure your readers get the freshest, most relevant insights and information).

You Have the Opportunity to Earn Higher Royalties

With self-publishing, you enjoy a significantly larger share of the profits from your book sales compared to traditional publishing (we've crunched the numbers to prove it). This is because you eliminate the middleman, ensuring that a larger percentage of the sales price goes directly into your pocket.

Higher royalties can make writing and publishing more financially viable and rewarding, especially when your book starts to gain traction.

Related: Free Amazon Royalties Calculator

You Can Write a Book for Your Specific Market and Niche

Self-publishing enables you to pinpoint and cater to specific niches within the real estate investing community that may be too specialized for traditional publishers.

Whether it's a focus on a particular type of real estate investment, like a book about house flipping or wholesaling or commercial properties. You can tailor your content to fill gaps in the market and address the specific needs of your desired audience.

Even better, you can launch and experiment with whatever book positioning and book marketing ideas you want! A traditional publisher would dictate a marketing strategy and ideal audience for your book. But with self-publishing, you are the final word.

You Can Use it To Successfully Build a Personal Brand

Publishing a book on real estate investing can significantly boost your personal brand, positioning you as a thought leader and expert in….the field of real estate investing!

While a book can become passive income, it has even more value as a tool for showcasing your knowledge, skills, and unique perspective. A well-produced, well-received book enhances your credibility, opening up further professional opportunities such as speaking engagements, consulting offers, or expanded networking.

In fact, many of our self-published authors at selfpublishing.com have gone on to become public speakers, podcast hosts, and public figures, getting paid to share their expertise.

It Expands Your Networking Opportunities

Your book can open up numerous doors to connect with fellow real estate investors, industry professionals, and potential clients. It acts as a conversation starter and a tangible demonstration of your expertise and dedication to the field. These connections can lead to partnerships, mentorship opportunities, or even new investment ventures, expanding your influence and network within the industry.

Just think of your book as a business card. Hand it out and let the content speak for itself! This is just one way we teach our authors to leverage a published book as a lead magnet.

It Moves Your Industry Forward

Many of our authors want to write a book to leave a legacy.

By self-publishing a real estate investment book, you contribute significantly to the educational resources available to the industry and general public, particularly for beginners. Your book could be someone's introduction into real estate investing, changing their life (and therefore the lives of their loved ones) significantly!

Aim to do so by demystifying complex topics, offering practical advice they can implement within 30 days, and including inspiring anecdotes. Sharing your knowledge not only establishes your legacy but also fosters a more informed and capable real estate investing community.

Are you ready to start writing your own book about real estate?

Now is the time to harness what you've learned from the masters of real estate investing and channel it into your unique narrative.

Writing and self-publishing your book about beginner real estate investing is not just an act of sharing knowledge; it's a step towards building your legacy in the field. Your story, your insights, and your journey are the missing pieces in the vast puzzle of real estate wisdom.

Begin your journey today, and become the author of the next best book on real estate investing!

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