Top 10 best books on real estate investing

In an ever-changing field such as real estate investment, keeping abreast of the latest industry developments is one of the biggest keys to success. That’s why it’s important for every investor to never cease learning.  

Books can be a powerful tool to help you achieve just that. 

In this article, InvestmentNews reveals our picks for the best books on real estate investing. We’ll provide an overview of each, including the main points that can guide you in making smart investment decisions. 

These books are essential reads whether you’re a seasoned real estate investor or just new to the industry. Boost your financial knowledge and invest smarter with the help of these best-selling property investment books.  

The books our research team have chosen can prove handy for both new and seasoned investors aiming to navigate different real estate investments successfully. This list, however, isn’t exhaustive. There are countless other books about investing in real estate that may be more suited to your investment goals and experience.  

Here are our picks for the 10 best books on real estate investing that are must-haves in your library. The list is arranged alphabetically based on the authors’ last names. Note that the publishers didn’t pay for these reviews.  

 

1. Buy It, Rent It, Profit! by Bryan M. Chavis 

In this book, Landlord Academy founder Bryan M. Chavis shares insights into investing in multi-family properties in today’s real estate market. He provides a step-by-step guide to help investors find, purchase, and manage rental properties. 

Drawing on his twenty plus years of industry experience, Chavis gives advice on how to protect your investment. This includes attracting quality tenants, negotiating leases, managing the property, and taking advantage of technology to maintain profitability.  

The updated version of the book can be a useful resource for landlords and real estate investors keen on buying and holding properties for long-term wealth. 

Other books on real estate investing by Bryan M. Chavis: 

2. Build a Rental Property Empire by Mark Ferguson 

Ferguson has been investing in real estate for over 20 years. He owns more than 180,000 square feet of rentals, flipped more than 200 houses, sold over a thousand homes as a broker, and owns a real estate agency. This book is a culmination of his experiences.  

Considered among the best books on real estate investing, Ferguson’s book offers practical advice and useful case studies for buy-and-hold investors and those looking to flip properties. Among the topics it discusses are: 

• how to choose a good rental property 
• how to get a great deal on properties 
• how to finance multiple rentals 
• how to repair and maintain investment properties 
• how to invest in real estate with little money 
• the risks of investing in rental properties 
• how rental properties can help you retire faster 

The latest edition of the book also has a bonus chapter on investing in commercial real estate. 

Other books on property investing by Mark Ferguson: 

• The Book on Negotiating Real Estate 
• Fix and Flip Your Way to Financial Freedom 
• How to Get Financing on Multiple Investment Properties 
• Retire Rich and Early with Real Estate 
  
   

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

This best-selling guide from Columbia professor and real estate expert Frank Gallinelli teaches investors how to “crunch the numbers like a pro.” It offers practical tips and strategies on how to assess a property’s value to ensure you reap long-term returns.  

In the latest edition, Gallinelli, who also founded real estate analytics platform RealData, provides detailed investment case studies. The book suits investors who are keen on learning important cash flow-related aspects of real estate investing.  

Other books on real estate investing by Frank Gallinelli: 

• Insider Secrets to Financing Your Real Estate Investments 
• 10 Commandments for Real Estate 
• Mastering Real Estate Investment 
  
   

4. Long-Distance Real Estate Investing by David Greene 

If you want to invest in real estate but live in an area where it doesn’t make sense, this book by David Greene is for you. Here, Greene details how he has built a multi-million-dollar portfolio of out-of-state properties, many of which he has never even seen in person.  

Greene shatters the mistaken belief that real estate investing only works if it’s done where you live. He shares valuable tips on identifying hot markets and profitable properties, building a strong management team, and controlling rehab and renovation costs wherever you are.  

Other books on property investment by David Greene: 

• Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat 
• Better Than Cash Flow: The 10 Ways You Make Money on Real Estate 
• The BRRRR Real Estate Investing Strategy in 30 Minutes or Less 

5. The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller 

One of the best books for real estate investing, Keller’s handbook is designed to shatter common misconceptions about money that may be holding people back from building wealth. Collected from the wisdom and experiences of more than 100 millionaire real estate investors, the book serves to inspire and help you develop that millionaire mindset.  

It offers a broad range of perspectives, offering practical strategies for anyone who wants to achieve financial freedom.  

 

6. Emerging Real Estate Markets: How to Find and Profit from Up-and-Coming Areas by David Lindahl 

An effective way of getting the best deal in the real estate market is buying property in up-and-coming locations. This approach, however, is easier said than done.  

In this book on real estate investing, Lindahl reveals tips and strategies on searching and identifying property markets with huge potential. He draws on his personal experience from being a struggling landscaper before becoming a multi-millionaire real estate investor.  

Lindahl’s book suits beginners and seasoned investors alike. His straightforward language makes this among the best real estate investing books of all time. 

Other books on real estate investing by David Lindahl: 

7. ABC’s of Real Estate Investing: The Secrets of Finding Hidden Profits Most Investors Miss by Ken McElroy 

As the title suggests, McElory’s book is a must-read for new investors. Considered as one of the best real estate investing books for beginners, it teaches the basic skills necessary to succeed in the industry. Among the topics the book tackles are:  

• evaluating properties, including the purchase price 
• negotiating deals  
• taking advantage of property management tools  
• busting common myths about real estate investing  
• identifying properties with potential 
• building wealth through real estate 

Other books on real estate investing by Ken McElroy: 

• ABC’s of Property Management: What You Need to Know to Maximize Your Money Now 
• The Advanced Guide to Real Estate Investing: How to Identify the Hottest Markets and Secure the Best Deal 
• ABC’s of Buying Rental Property: How You Can Achieve Financial Freedom in Five Years 

   

8. The Book on Flipping Houses by J Scott 

If you’re more interested in flipping houses than buying and holding properties, then this book by professional flipper J Scott is for you. Here, Scott provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide to flipping real estate.  

The book covers everything you need to know on house flipping, including: 

• evaluating potential markets 
• choosing the right property  
• financing renovations 
• finding contractors 
• selling properties for a profit 

The latest edition of the book also focuses on larger renovation projects.  

This easy-to-follow property investment book suits both new investors and industry veterans. It comes with all the documents you need to flip houses and a detailed inspection checklist. 

Other books on property investing by J Scott: 

• Real Estate by the Numbers: A Complete Reference Guide to Deal Analysis 
• The Book on Estimating Rehab Cost 
• Recession-Proof Real Estate Investing: How to Survive (and Thrive) During Any Phase of the Economic Cycle 
• The Book on Negotiating Real Estate: Expert Strategies for Getting the Best Deals When Buying and Selling Investment Property 

9. The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner 

In this book, investor and best-selling author Brandon Turner provides an in-depth guide on how to maximize real estate investments to build wealth. Among the book’s best features is that it outlines the biggest mistakes property investors make and offers tips on how to avoid them.  

Turner also shares creative ways of finding the best deals and managing your property. Apart from this, he provides tips on how to finance rentals with limited budget and maximize your wealth during the tax season.  

These features make this one of the best books on real estate investing for beginners and seasoned professionals. 

Other books on real estate investing by Brandon Turner:  

• The Multi-Family Millionaire (Volumes 1 and 2) 
• The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down 
• The Book on Managing Rental Properties 
• How to Invest in Real Estate: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started 

10. One Rental at a Time: The Journey to Financial Independence Through Real Estate by Michael Zuber 

Zuber draws on his experience of building a multi-million-dollar real estate portfolio one rental at a time to write this book. His premise is that having at least four rental properties can help investors achieve financial freedom. Zuber’s goal is to help others do just that.  

The book serves as a kind of a mentoring session with an experienced real estate investor. Zuber shares practical tips and strategies and lots of encouragement to help you get started. 

Find out how you can begin your investment journey in this comprehensive guide to real estate investing. 

Apart from those on our top 10 list, there are many books on real estate investing that you can access. Each provides a unique perspective on the property market. Whether you’re just starting your investment journey or you’re an experienced investor, real estate books can help you make informed decisions.  

These books offer valuable insights, advice, and strategies on how to navigate the real estate market. If you’re a new investor, these resources build foundational skills and knowledge that can help you succeed. If you’re a seasoned professional, books can provide actionable insights to help you address complex challenges. 

Regardless of experience, the best books on real estate investing expose investors to different ideas and techniques to broaden their knowledge and improve their decision-making skills. By learning from successful real estate investors and industry experts, you can gain valuable wisdom that can also pave the way to success. 

Here’s Mark Ferguson, one of the authors above, talking about what you can learn by reading the top real estate investing books: 

If reading isn’t your thing and you prefer listening instead, you can tune in to the InvestmentNews Podcast hosted by veteran journalist Bruce Kelly.  

There are several ways to invest in real estate. Some of the most common methods include:  

• Buying a rental property: With the country’s large renting population, rental properties can be a sound investment option. By purchasing residential or commercial real estate, you can generate passive income through rental payments. 

• House flipping: This has become a popular real estate investment strategy, thanks to HGTV. At first glance, flipping properties seems like a simple way to earn profit. In reality, this requires a deep understanding of the housing market and significant experience in home renovations. 

• Real estate investment trusts (REIT): REITs are a pool of real estate assets that you can find in major stock exchanges. They work a lot like mutual funds, but instead of buying and selling shares of stock, you trade shares of real estate properties. Learn more in this beginner’s guide to investing in REITs.  

• Real estate crowdfunding: This works like typical crowdfunding online campaigns. It pools together money to invest in large residential or commercial developments, allowing investors to pool resources to invest in high-value properties.   

• Mortgage investment corporations (MIC): MICs work like mutual funds, but instead of using the funds to buy stocks or bonds, MICs pool mortgages. MICs give out loans to borrowers, usually mortgage brokers. These brokers then loan the money to residential, commercial, and industrial developers. They can also issue residential mortgages to aspiring homeowners.    

You can also learn more about investing in general by checking out our picks for the best investing books every investor should read.  

Did we miss your favorites on our list of the best books on real estate investing? Let us know in the comments.