12 best real estate investing books

For those who want to enter the business of real estate investing, arming yourself with information is of the utmost importance. You should not only research online, but you should also read real estate investing books to take your venture to the next level. Go for books that are proven by successful property investors to help you develop good strategies and best practices. 

In this article, we will provide you with a list of our recommended real estate investing books. We have classified these books into two: those for beginners and those for experienced investors. To help you decide on which real estate investing book to read, we have added introductions to each book. Some of them have a bit of background on their authors. 

To our usual readers of mortgage and real estate professionals, this article is part of our client education series. It was written for those who want to start investing in real estate. And if you have clients who are already real estate investors, you can share this piece with them too! 

What is the best book for investing in real estate? 

The best real estate investing book depends on the level of expertise that you have as a property investor. If you are still a newbie, reading a book for seasoned real estate investors might not be the best choice. You can be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information if you try absorbing every detail in a property investing book for savvy investors. 

On the other hand, selecting a real estate investing book that targets investors who still lack experience might not be as beneficial for experts in the field. Choose the book that is in your best interest, especially if you have already been in the real estate investing business for a long time. 

Before we dive into our recommendations, watch this video to understand how real estate investing works: 

Want to get started on your real estate investment journey? Check out this guide to property investing for beginners. 

Real estate investing books to get into property investing 

Here are some of our recommended real estate investing books for those who are just starting out. Are you curious about investing in property but haven’t entered the real estate market yet? Try reading these books: 

1. The ABCs of Real Estate Investing by Ken McElroy 

First on our list is a real estate investing book that will introduce you to the principles of wealth generation and cash flow through property investments. Ken McElroy wrote this to help you search and evaluate real estate properties and see if they are promising.  

2. How to Create Wealth Investing in Real Estate by Grant Cardone 

In this real estate investing book, Grant Cardone explained how he made almost $1 billion through his property investments. He also shared negotiations that he has made and some pitfalls in the industry. If you are interested in generating passive income, this real estate investing book is for you. 

3. Real Estate Investing for Dummies by Eric Tyson and Robert S. Griswold 

Got no clue on how you can earn money as a property investor? Read this book! It contains answers to common questions about real estate investing and provides a guide to making smart choices once you enter the market. 

Also, Eric Tyson and Robert S. Griswold are both savvy in this field. Tyson is a personal finance expert while Griswold is a successful real estate investor. 

4. The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller 

If you are looking for a boost to start investing in properties, this real estate investing book can help you. Gary Keller wrote The Millionaire Real Estate Investor to motivate you to rise above the problems once you enter the market. He also used the thought of bringing out the millionaire property investor inside you. 

This book talks about the most common myths in real estate investing and explains how to avoid loopholes. Keller also tackled how to discover the most profitable opportunities in his book while encouraging its readers to take action in their property investing journey. 

5. Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing by Michael Blank 

Michael Blank is an expert on property investments. With this, he wrote a real estate investing book that explains how this money-making endeavour can help you achieve financial freedom. He stated that most people who entered the market were able to quit their jobs after three to five years. Afterwards, they become full-time property investors. 

Watch this clip to learn about other real estate investing books for beginners: 

If you are still starting out, it is vital to always know the latest news about the real estate market. Get daily updates by subscribing to our newsletter. You know what’s the best part? It is absolutely free! 

Real estate investing books for savvy investors 

For real estate investors who already have the experience, you might want to read these books: 

1. Real Estate Titans by Erez Cohen 

Erez Cohen’s real estate investing book combines 7 key lessons from top property investors around the world such as: 

• Joseph Sitt 
• Rohit Ravi 
• Urs Ledermann 
• Ronald Terwilliger 
• Richard Ziman 
• Carlos Betancourt 

He interviewed these successful real estate investors to make a guide for those who want to improve their craft. If you want to be better as a real estate investor, read this book and apply its principles. 

2. Real Estate Investing Gone Bad by Phil Pustejovsky 

First off, this real estate investing book is not going to motivate or inspire you. Instead, Phil Pustejovsky talked about some bad decisions made by real-life property investors to warn others about the outcomes. This book is all about mistakes and mishaps that happened with actual dealings, house flipping decisions, and other unfortunate events. 

On the positive side, you will learn what not to do in real estate investing. These lessons have taken others a huge amount in losses plus years of experience. 

3. How to Save Property Tax by Carl Bayley  

From the title itself, Carl Bayley’s real estate investing book is all about saving money by paying less property taxes such as income tax and capital gains tax. It is a straightforward book for experienced investors who want valuable advice in tax saving. 

4. Property Magic by Simon Zutshi  

Simon Zutshi’s Property Magic is available in its sixth revised and updated edition. This real estate investing book is a must-read for property investors who want to take their ventures to the next level. Learn the secrets and strategies from Zutshi’s Property Mastermind Program when you read this book. 

5. The Only Woman in the Room by Ashley Wilson 

This real estate investing book by Ashley Wilson is a compilation of experiences from 20 women investors across the globe. While the real estate investing industry is predominantly male, the insights from these successful women investors can help those who feel isolated and stuck. 

Plus, this is also not targeted for female real estate investors. Anyone can learn a new strategy or two from this real estate investing book.  

If you’re looking to be inspired by women leaders in the mortgage and finance industry, check out our awardees for Elite Women of 2024. 

6. How to Grow a Multi-Million Dollar Property Portfolio by Michael Yardney 

Michael Yardney has introduced the 16th anniversary edition of this real estate investing book to cater to the property investors of this generation. How to Grow a Multi-Million Dollar Property Portfolio has been updated to include the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on property investing. 

7. Real Estate Riches by Dolf de Roos 

Want to read an interesting real estate book that is both informative and motivational? Get Dolf de Roos’ Real Estate Riches and learn about the author’s experience in both commercial and residential property investing in many countries. You can create new ways to get the most out of your investments if you apply this book’s lessons. 

Want to discover other real estate investing books? Check out this video: 

Do you know that many young people are not into investing in property? This can be solved by reading real estate investing books. If you belong to the younger generation, you can easily learn about the financial rewards of property investments through our recommended books. All titles are available in eBook format.  

Real estate investing books: some notable mentions 

Here are other real estate investing books that you might want to give a try: 

• The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason (for beginners) 
• The Barefoot Investor: The Only Money Guide You'll Ever Need by Scott Pape (for beginners) 
• Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by Harv Eker (for beginners) 
• Property 101 by Matthew Gilligan (good for current real estate investors) 
• 20 Rental Properties in One Year by Graeme Fowler (good for current real estate investors) 
• 50 Real Estate Investing Calculations by Michael Lantrip (good for current real estate investors) 
• The Book on Estimating Rehab Costs by J Scott (for real estate investors who want to flip houses) 
• The Book on Managing Rental Properties by Brandon Turner and Heather Turner (best for new landlords) 

Choosing what real estate investing books to read 

When choosing real estate investing books, focus on those that match your goals and interests. Look for books that teach you valuable lessons and motivate you to take action. Check the author’s experience and see how practical their advice is. Be sure to find real estate investing books that are written in a way that you can easily understand. 

It will also be beneficial to read real-life examples from property investors who know the industry well. Reading different viewpoints can help you understand the market and various investment strategies better. It is also a good idea to revisit important concepts from real estate investing books that you have previously read (if any). 

Finally, checking reviews and lists of recommendations like this article will let you discover the most useful real estate investing books for your goals. If you are a beginner, aim for foundational knowledge. But if you are already an investor, look for new ideas to improve your skills in real estate investing. 

Have you read any of these real estate investing books? If you haven’t, would you try reading any of them? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.