Best Books on Real Estate Investing

best books on real estate investing If you are considering an investment in real estate, it is critical that you do as much research as possible. First and foremost, this means studying the market so you can pinpoint ideal investments, as well as educating yourself on the risks of investing in the real estate market These best real estate investing books can help equip you with the knowledge you need to begin building your real estate portfolio.

For hands-on advice, consider enlisting the help of a trusted financial advisor.

Data and Methodology

We identified the books below through exhaustive research and analysis of the real estate investing book market. They are listed in an order that’s in direct correlation with their individual composite score based on our methodology, which includes consumer ratings from multiple popular online bookstores and the total amount of reviews for each.

1. “Long-Distant Real Estate Investing”

David Greene’s “Long-Distance Real Estate Investing” has become a go-to guide for investors seeking to expand their portfolios beyond their local market.

Greene, a seasoned real estate investor and BiggerPockets podcast host, lays out a systematic approach to finding, financing and managing rental properties in markets where you do not live. For readers who feel constrained by high costs or low inventory in their hometown, this book opens the door to opportunities in more affordable, higher-yield areas.

One of the biggest challenges of investing far from home is the fear of losing control. Greene tackles this head-on by explaining how to build a reliable team of local professionals—agents, contractors and property managers—who can serve as your “boots on the ground.” He emphasizes due diligence and provides checklists and strategies to help investors vet markets, identify trustworthy partners and minimize risks.

This framework helps investors overcome the traditional barrier of geography.

2. “The Book on Flipping Houses”

Perhaps, you have watched one too many television shows about flipping houses, and you want to do it, too, but you are not quite sure where to start. J. Scott’s book, fully titled “The Book on Flipping Houses: How to Buy, Rehab, and Resell Residential Properties,” is a good starting point.

As the title suggests, this book will take you through the sometimes challenging world of buying a home, renovating it and then reselling it at a higher price point. It outlines the steps you will need to take for your rehab effort, starting off with a simple explanation of exactly what house flipping entails.

From there, it guides you through the process of financing, finding an agent, choosing where to buy, completing the actual rehab and finally, selling the house again after all the work is done.

3. “The Book on Investing in Real Estate With No (and Low) Money Down”

If you want to get into real estate investing but lack the cash reserves to make huge down payments, this is the book for you.

In “The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down: Real Life Strategies for Investing in Real Estate Using Other People’s Money,” author Brandon Turner outlines strategies to finance a property without having to put much, if any, of your cash at risk.

Turner stresses that the book is not about getting rich quick. Rather, he frames it as just another way to get into the market. The book delves into owner-occupied investment properties, partnerships, raising private money and real estate wholesaling as ways to invest in real estate with a minimal financial investment.

If you are just getting started in real estate investing and do not have a ton of cash to purchase a big house in need of gut renovation, this book can help you get going.

4. “The Millionaire Real Estate Investor”

Gary Keller’s “The Millionaire Real Estate Investor” takes a big-picture approach to real estate, focusing less on quick wins and more on creating long-term financial freedom.

Keller, co-founder of Keller Williams Realty, draws on the experiences of over 100 successful investors to uncover the strategies, habits and mindsets that separate amateurs from professionals. The result is a roadmap that blends both inspiration and practical steps for anyone serious about building wealth through real estate.

One of the central themes of the book is the importance of the right mindset. Keller stresses the importance of treating real estate as a business and developing a disciplined, opportunity-focused mindset. He discusses common myths that hold people back, such as the misconception that you need to be rich to get started, and reframes them with actionable insights.

This foundation helps readers build confidence before diving into the mechanics of buying and managing properties.

5. “ABCs of Real Estate Investing”

Ken McElroy’s “The ABCs of Real Estate Investing” is designed as a clear and practical entry point for those new to the field.

McElroy, a seasoned investor and partner to Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad Poor Dad fame, breaks down the fundamentals of finding, financing and managing rental properties. His goal is to demystify the process so that even first-time investors can feel confident about getting started.

What makes this book stand out is its focus on the building blocks of real estate success. McElroy explains how to identify strong investment opportunities and evaluate property performance, while helping you to understand the role of cash flow in long-term profitability.

By thoroughly detailing concepts like capitalization rates and property management basics, he helps ensure that readers grasp the critical metrics of real estate investing before diving into deals.

6. “What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About”

Frank Gallinelli’s “What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow… And 36 Other Key Financial Measures” is a deep dive into the financial side of real estate.

Unlike many real estate investing books that focus on strategy or mindset, Gallinelli zeros in on the math that drives profitability. His approach helps readers cut through the guesswork, so they can better understand whether a property will actually generate returns.

The strength of this book lies in its ability to make complex formulas and financial models accessible. Gallinelli explains key metrics like net present value, internal rate of return and cash-on-cash return in a way that both beginners and seasoned investors can grasp.

With examples and case studies, he demonstrates how these numbers are applied in real-world transactions, arming readers with the tools to evaluate opportunities with clarity and confidence.

7. “Real Estate Investing Gone Bad”

Phil Pustejovsky’s “Real Estate Investing Gone Bad” takes a different approach from most investing guides by focusing on failures rather than successes.

This book recounts 21 real-world stories of real estate deals that unraveled and the costly mistakes that led to their failure. By highlighting potential pitfalls, Pustejovsky teaches readers how to identify red flags so they can avoid similar missteps.

Each story breaks down how an investor’s decision led to financial loss, whether it was due to inexperience, poor judgment or just sheer bad luck. Pustejovsky does not only point out errors; he also deciphers the underlying lesson and what could have been done differently.

This makes the book both highly informative and easy to read, with its behind-the-scenes look at the common investment risks affecting today’s real estate investors.

8. “Every Landlord’s Legal Guide”

House flipping is not the only way to make money in the real estate market. There is also a lot of money to be made from buying and renting a property to build wealth.

Being a landlord, though, comes with a lot of laws and regulations that you will need to be aware of. “Every Landlord’s Legal Guide” by Marcia Stewart, Ralph Warner and Janet Portman walks you through all of the legalities governing being a landlord.

This book is published by Nolo, a reputable legal publisher known for its quality guides and forms. It walks you through how to screen tenants, draw up contracts and find a property manager, as well as how to avoid discrimination suits.

9. “How to Be a Real Estate Investor”

Phil Pustejovsky makes another appearance on our list with “How to Be a Real Estate Investor.” It is a book written with beginners in mind, offering an accessible overview of how to break into the real estate world.

Pustejovsky, an experienced investor and mentor, introduces readers to different real estate investment strategies and explains how to match them with personal goals and financial situations. His approachable style makes the subject feel less intimidating and more achievable.

What sets this book apart is its wide-ranging look at how to invest in real estate. Pustejovsky covers everything from wholesaling and flipping to rental properties and creative financing.

By laying out the advantages and challenges of each approach, he helps readers understand that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy. Instead, the key is finding the right fit for your resources, risk tolerance and long-term vision.

10. “Building Wealth One House at a Time”

This book, written by real estate investor John W. Schaub, details how you can use real estate investing to pad your pocketbook. It offers tips for finding real estate investment opportunities that other people may overlook.

The book also covers how to identify properties with the most potential for profit, as well as how to survive the ebbs and flows of the real estate market, from housing bubbles to crashes. It also takes you through the nuts and bolts of being a real estate investor, including chapters on how to make an offer, negotiate and work with professional real estate agents when buying a house.

The book was revised and released as a second edition in 2016, so the information more timely and coversnew legislation enacted after the 2008 financial crisis. A third edition came in 2023, featuring narration by Scott R. Pollak.

Bottom Line

Real estate investing can be a very lucrative game. However, it is critical that you are prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. Like investing in stocks or bonds, you have to begin with a basic knowledge of the market and investment opportunities.

These best real estate investing books will help you get there. With each attacking a different area of real estate investing, together they offer you the years of expertise and wisdom of their writers. Armed with these books, you can help ensure you do not fall victim to any unnecessary mistakes in your new real estate investing journey.

Investing Tips

No matter what investments you’re making, finding a financial advisor is a good idea. If you don’t have a financial advisor yet, finding one doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
If you’ll be taking out a mortgage as part of your real estate investments, it can be helpful to know how much you’ll pay. Calculate your monthly payment with our mortgage calculator.