Invaluable Real Estate Investing Books You Need To Read!

I became “serious” about real estate investing five years ago when I retired from the Army. At the time, I owned two rentals, which I had acquired during previous assignments. Those were already managed by property managers. In the five years that followed, I acquired six more, so today, I have eight rental properties, all of which cash flow–meaning they generate a monthly revenue after paying the mortgage, insurance, taxes, repairs, etc. Along the way, I’ve experimented with different ways to acquire properties, and my net worth has continued to increase annually. Still, there was a lot I did not know.  

Many gurus out there would have gladly collected my $1,500 – $4,000+ to help motivate me toward my investment goals. But that is not where I turned to accrue my real estate investing savvy. I’ve never attended a paid conference (or free conference, for that matter), though I have occasionally visited my local Real Estate Investing (REI) club. The cost to me was $20 per visit, and well worth it. However, most of my knowledge comes from books and the experience I acquired while following their advice. 

With that in mind, I thought I’d share some invaluable real estate investing books you need to read! These are books I found extremely helpful in my own investment journey. Naturally, you will not find all the answers in these books as the authors live in areas with different laws, regulations, and markets than what you may experience. Still, all these books offer an awesome template for you to follow, adapt, and use, as long as you are willing to employ a little discovery learning. You will also find some invaluable insights to help you avoid pitfalls, apply quick fixes, and embrace novel approaches. Let’s get started. 

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Real Estate Investing Book #1

The Book on Rental Property Investing: How to Create Wealth and Passive Income Through Smart Buy & Hold Real Estate Investing,  By Brandon Turner

If you can only buy one book, this is it. Brandon’s book on Rental Property Investing is the benchmark by which I judge all other rental investing books. It’s my easy favorite and one of the few books on real estate investing where the author lays it all out. But Brandon does so nicely. Brandon offers a treasure trove of topics that I wish I had covered before starting my real estate investing journey. Doing so would have saved me so much time during my first solo renovation. Fortunately, I found Brandon’s book soon afterward. I even bought the Kindle edition of his book for further study and review.

Here are some reasons you might enjoy this real estate investing book. 

1. Comprehensive guidance: The book provides a comprehensive guide on rental property investing, covering various aspects of property selection, financing, analyzing deals, property management, and scaling your real estate portfolio. What’s really great is he offers a step-by-step approach to help you navigate the entire process.
2. Strategies and tips: Brandon offers practical tips to help real estate investors maximize their returns and minimize risks. He covers topics like finding profitable deals, negotiating with sellers, conducting thorough due diligence, and implementing effective property management practices.
3. Rental property analysis: Understanding how to analyze rental properties is crucial for making informed decisions. Brandon provides insights into key metrics and calculations used in real estate analysis, such as cash flow, return on investment (ROI), cap rate, and others. This information can help you evaluate the profitability and potential of rental properties before making investment decisions. 
4. Real-life examples and case studies: Brandon shares real-life examples and case studies throughout his book, illustrating how different investment strategies have worked for him and other successful investors. These examples provide valuable insights into practical applications used by actual investors, allowing you to benefit from others’ experiences.
5. Mindset and motivation: Investing in real estate requires a certain mindset and motivation. Brandon addresses the importance of adopting the right mindset, overcoming challenges, and staying motivated throughout your investment journey.
6. Networking and resources: Brandon emphasizes the significance of networking and provides resources for further learning. It discusses the benefits of connecting with other investors, joining real estate communities, and leveraging online platforms to expand knowledge and opportunities. I expanded this network to include a list of local vendors.

Real Estate Investing Book #2

Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat: The BRRRR Rental Property Investment Strategy Made Simple, by David M Greene

BRRRR stands for Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat, and it is a method of investing in rental properties that allows you to maximize your returns and build a portfolio of income-generating assets. This is another one of those books where I went back and purchased the Kindle version after completing the Audiobook just to access all the lists it provides.  There is so much great information in this book, and it offers a solid process for building your portfolio. It served as my inspiration for my first cashout refinance that allowed me to buy two more rentals. I still need to hone my craft in the repeat portion of the BRRRR, but it is an option. 

David offers a comprehensive guide for leveraging the BRRRR strategy. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an experienced investor–this book can provide valuable insights, practical advice, and actionable steps to help you succeed in your real estate investing journey.

Here are some reasons you might enjoy this book.

1. Learning the BRRRR strategy: The book provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing the BRRRR strategy. David explains each step of his investing process, from finding and financing properties to rehabilitating them, finding tenants, refinancing, and repeating the process. He also offers practical tips, case studies, and examples to help you grasp and apply the concept in your investing journey.
2. Maximizing returns: The BRRRR strategy is designed to help you generate significant returns on your investment capital. By buying distressed or undervalued properties, renovating them, renting them out, and then refinancing to pull out the invested capital, you can recycle your funds to acquire more properties. David’s book provides insights into how to find suitable properties, estimate renovation costs, manage tenants, and work with lenders to optimize returns.
3. Risk management and scalability: The BRRRR strategy offers a systematic approach to investing in real estate that helps mitigate risks. By focusing on buying properties below market value and improving them through rehab, you can increase the property’s value and cash flow potential. Additionally, by refinancing and pulling out equity, you can effectively minimize your cash investment in each property and scale your portfolio faster. David also offers strategies for managing risks, analyzing deals, and building a sustainable real estate business.
4. Real-life examples and case studies: David shares real-life examples and case studies of successful BRRRR investments, which can provide you with valuable insights and inspiration. By studying these examples, you can gain a deeper understanding of the strategy’s principles, learn from the experiences of others, and apply the lessons to your own investment ventures.
5. Building a passive income stream: Real estate investing, particularly through the BRRRR strategy, can effectively generate passive income and build long-term wealth. David emphasizes the importance of cash flow, rental property management, and creating a scalable business model. His book offers guidance on selecting the right rental properties, setting appropriate rental rates, attracting quality tenants, and implementing effective property management strategies.

Real Estate Investing Book #3

Retire Early with Real Estate: How Smart Investing Can Help You Escape the 9-5 Grind and Do More of What Matters, By Chad Carson

I’ve been a real estate investor for several years, so I count a book worthwhile if I learn even one new strategy that I can apply. Chad’s book has several. He does a great job of connecting strategies for reaching financial independence through a series of investment vehicles, like 401k, IRA, etc., but with real estate investing as his cornerstone. He also includes a series of interview-styled profiles, which are located at the end of each chapter. They provide insights into how each investor succeeded and some great advice. I’m also glad to see a fellow Clemson Alumni thriving in life.

Here are some reasons you might enjoy this real estate investing book.

1. Retirement planning: Chad’s book focuses on using real estate as a vehicle to achieve early retirement. It provides insights and strategies for building a real estate portfolio that generates passive income, allowing investors to achieve financial independence and retire early. His book provides valuable guidance if you want to create a retirement plan or enhance your existing one. Yes, please!
2. Smart investing techniques: Chad offers practical advice and strategies for analyzing deals, identifying profitable opportunities, financing options, and property management. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced investor, this book can help you refine your investment approach and make smarter decisions.
3. Escaping the 9-5 grind: Many aspire to break free from the traditional 9-5 job and pursue a more fulfilling lifestyle. Chad explores how real estate investing can provide the financial freedom necessary to escape the typical corporate grind. He explores the mindset, planning, and steps required to transition from a traditional job to a more flexible and rewarding life through real estate investments. I’m not really interested in escaping the 9-5 just yet, but one day, right?
4. Alternative income streams: Real estate can generate multiple income streams, and Chad’s book explores the strengths and weaknesses of various real estate investment strategies like renting properties, house hacking, and fix-and-flipping. He also highlights the importance of diversifying your income sources through real estate. Following his guidance can help you achieve greater financial stability and security.
5. Insights from an experienced investor: Chad Carson is a successful real estate investor who has achieved financial independence through his investment endeavors. Throughout the book, he shares his personal experiences, lessons learned, and practical tips. Learning from someone with his experience can be invaluable for aspiring or current real estate investors.

Real Estate Investing Book #4

Bidding to Buy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Investing in Real Estate Foreclosures By: David Osborn, Aaron Amuchastegui

I’ll admit–real estate auctions are scary things to me. They want you to pull out an awful lot of money that could safely be in an account drawing interest. Then, they want you to carry said money to the doorsteps of some out-of-the-way courthouse on a work day, no less, just for the chance to bid on a property that may or may not have significant issues. However, David and Aaron can help put you a little more at ease. After all, I purchase my first foreclosure property soon after reading this book. 

Here are some reasons you might enjoy this book. 

1. Expert Guidance: This book is written by experienced real estate investors: David Osborn and Aaron Amuchastegui. They offer insights and knowledge gained from their many years of investing in real estate foreclosures. In their book, you will find valuable guidance and strategies to navigate the foreclosure market successfully.
2. Foreclosure Investing: Investing in real estate foreclosures can be a lucrative strategy for investors. Their book specifically focuses on foreclosure investing with a step-by-step guide to help you understand the processes, risks, and potential rewards associated with buying foreclosed properties.
3. Detailed Process: The book takes readers through the entire process of investing in real estate foreclosures, from identifying potential opportunities to conducting due diligence, bidding at auctions, negotiating with banks, and closing deals. They provide a comprehensive roadmap to ensure you understand each stage and what it entails.
4. Risk Mitigation: Investing in foreclosures carries inherent risks, such as property condition issues, legal complications, and potential competition from other investors. “Bidding to Buy” addresses these risks and offers strategies to mitigate them effectively. These are all crucial factors for any real estate investor.
5. Case Studies and Examples: David and Aaron include real-life examples of their experiences, illustrating successful foreclosure deals, mistakes to avoid, and lessons learned. Learning from their experiences offers practical wisdom to avoid costly pitfalls.

Long-Distance Real Estate Investing: How to Buy, Rehab, and Manage Out-of-State Rental Properties, By David M Greene

Once you’ve mastered your local market, you might consider expanding your real estate investments beyond your current locations. Maybe you just want to diversify. For instance, most of my properties are located in Georgia, near Fort Gordon (soon to be Fort Eisenhower). Hypothetically, what would happen if the post was to close for some reason? It would have a significant economic impact on this area, and my investments would suffer. Fortunately, the post continues to grow, and that does not appear to be an immediate concern. Nonetheless, having properties in different geographic locations would mitigate the impact of an event like that to me. That is where David Greene’s book comes in. 

David’s book is a valuable resource if you want to diversify your portfolio, explore new markets, and learn effective strategies for managing properties from a distance. It offers great pointers for leveraging the right people to find, rehabilitate, and flip or rent properties. Michael definitely makes my reread list. Finally, make sure you get the book by Michael Greene. There is another book out there with a similar name but nowhere near the quality.

Here are some reasons you might enjoy this real estate investing book.

1. Expanding investment opportunities: Investing in out-of-state rental properties allows investors to tap into new markets with potentially higher returns. This book can provide insights and strategies for identifying lucrative markets, analyzing rental property potential, and making informed investment decisions. 
2. Diversification: Investing in properties outside of your local area helps diversify your portfolio. By spreading investments across different regions, investors can reduce risk and mitigate the impact of localized economic fluctuations.
3. Greater affordability: Investing in out-of-state properties may offer more affordable options than highly competitive local markets. This book can guide you in identifying affordable areas with potential for growth and positive cash flow.
4. Expert advice on long-distance management: Managing rental properties from a distance presents unique challenges. Michael can provide practical tips and techniques for remote property management, such as finding reliable local teams, establishing effective communication channels, and leveraging technology to streamline operations.
5. Tax and legal considerations: Investing in out-of-state properties involves navigating different tax laws, regulations, and legal requirements. Michael offers insights into these complexities, helping you to understand the implications and plan accordingly.

Real Estate Investing Book #6

The Book on Investing In Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down: Creative Strategies for Investing in Real Estate Using Other People’s Money (BiggerPockets Rental Kit 1), By Brandon Turner

Another book by Brandon Turner, this book is a solid read and loaded with great information. Because of some redundancies in the book, I don’t love it as much as I do his first book on this list; however, Brandon’s book covers many details about loans (conventional, hard/private money, and other options) and creative financing. While it’s important to note that no investment strategy is without risks, Brandon’s book can help equip you with knowledge and tools to explore alternative financing methods and broaden your investment opportunities. Brandon’s book certainly encouraged me to seek private lenders to increase my purchasing power.

Here are some reasons you might enjoy this book.

1. Creative Financing Strategies: Brandon’s book explores various creative financing techniques for acquiring properties without or with minimal upfront capital. He delves into strategies like seller financing, private lending, partnerships, lease options, etc. These techniques can help if you have limited funds or if you prefer not to invest a significant amount of your own money.
2. Broadening Investment Opportunities: By learning about no and low money down strategies, you can expand your options and tap into a wider range of real estate investment opportunities. Traditional financing methods often require substantial down payments, which may limit the number of properties you can acquire. Brandon introduces alternative approaches that can open doors to otherwise inaccessible properties.
3. Risk Mitigation: Real estate investing always carries risks, and leveraging other people’s money or creative financing methods can help mitigate some of those risks. Brandon discusses effectively structuring deals and conducting due diligence to ensure your investments are sound and aligned with your risk tolerance. Understanding these strategies can provide a sense of security and confidence when entering real estate transactions.
4. Practical Insights and Case Studies: Brandon provides practical insights and real-life case studies illustrating how successful investors have utilized no and low money down techniques. These examples can inspire and guide you in implementing similar strategies in your investment endeavors. Brandon also covers potential pitfalls and mistakes to avoid, allowing you to learn from his experiences.
5. Flexibility and Creativity: Mastering no and low money down strategies can foster a mindset of flexibility and creativity, helping you to adapt to changing market conditions, negotiate favorable terms, and structure creative deals. This adaptability can be a valuable asset when navigating real estate investing opportunities.

Real Estate Investing Book #7

One Rental at a Time: The Journey to Financial Independence through Real Estate, By Michael Zuber   

If you are looking for a short book but one packed with details, you’ve found it. While the listening duration of this book is only three hours and fifty-four minutes, it’s packed with details and success stories offering that little bit of insight or motivation you may be missing. He offers some great approaches to private loans as well. 

Here are some reasons you might enjoy this real estate investing book. 

1. Practical Insights: Michael provides practical insights into real estate investing, offering a step-by-step account of his journey to financial independence through rental properties. It covers various aspects such as property selection, financing, property management, and portfolio scaling.
2. Long-Term Wealth Creation: Real estate is a powerful wealth-building tool. This book provides valuable knowledge on creating wealth over time through acquiring and managing rental properties to building a portfolio of income-producing properties that generate passive income and appreciate in value over time.
3. Real-Life Examples: Michael shares his personal experiences and provides real-life examples of deals he has made. This can offer insight into the practical challenges, successes, and failures associated with real estate investing. Personally, I am all about building wisdom off the backs of others to avoid common pitfalls and make better decisions.
4. Strategies for Financial Independence: The book outlines strategies and approaches to achieving financial independence through real estate. It covers topics such as cash flow, appreciation, equity, leverage, and tax benefits. Understanding these strategies can better align your actions with your long-term financial goals.
5. Market Insights: Real estate markets can vary significantly depending on the location and economic conditions. Michael’s book provides insights into market analysis, identifying emerging trends, and assessing investment opportunities. Understanding market dynamics is crucial for making informed investment decisions.

Summary

These are some great resources; I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. You can also acquire them for pennies on the dollar compared to a conference or day with a guru. Better yet, they make for easy reading and are packed with great content. Many factors and skills go into becoming a successful real estate investor, and these books can definitely help you feel your kit bag. Also, if you are crunched for time, just load one of these books on your smartphone and listen to it during your commute to work, on the way to the gym, or while at the gym. Don’t judge me–I’m not jamming to tunes on that treadmill. Happy reading! 

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So what are your favorite real estate investing book(s)? If you’ve got one, leave a comment below. I know a guy that might be looking for his next read or listen. Thanks for reading!