Want to learn, what to read?

I have come to the realization that most people prefer simply reading books for beginners rather than taking courses. Those people who have strong opinions about the matter, what books have you read that make you believe this is the right option.

What are the best books that you have found on real estate investing?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:02AM

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Daniel Stewart

Real Estate Investor · Terrell, Texas

30 posts
20 Influence
1 Award

Icon_minipost Jan 25 '09, 01:28 PM

I recommend:

"Real Estate Investing for Dummies" - Good "general purpose" book to give you a brief insight into the market.

Use it to decide where you want to go, then find books on that particular subject.

If you haven't already, I highly suggest you look into other books regarding managing your personal finances. If you can't manage your own day to day finances properly, you will NEVER be successful. If you manage 10 dollars haphazardly, you will not ever be able to manage 10 million dollars.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:03AM by Daniel Stewart

Peter Girsten

· Florida

33 posts

Icon_minipost Jan 25 '09, 03:11 PM

Hi Kurt,

I must agree with Daniel.

Start off with "Real Estate Investing for Dummies" just to give you on overview.

Good luck!

Peter

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:03AM by Administrator : Link removed use signature or profile

Robert Mack

Real Estate Investor · Bergen County, New Jersey

390 posts
2502 Influence
7 Awards

Icon_minipost Jan 25 '09, 06:47 PM

I'd say, pick the topic you want to learn about first, then go to the forums here and read all the posts (not just the first page of threads). Lots of free information on BP and you can also seek out the posters for follow up questions.
It's like having 100 Real Estate professors at your fingertips.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:03AM

Anthony E Russell

Real Estate Investor · Los Angeles, California

141 posts
806 Influence
1 Award

Icon_minipost Jan 26 '09, 06:14 AM

Kurt,

I agree with Robert. There are some amazing people on this forum who give of themselves, selflessly.

I also agree with Daniel and Rei. Managing your own "books" properly is the mark of a truly evolved financial mind -- something I learned the hard way.

Having said that, I highly recommend 'Creating and Growing Real Estate Wealth: The Four Stages to a Lifetime of Success' by William J. Poorvu. Poorvu, an investor and former head of the Real Estate program at Harvard, provides case studies of different investors across various sectors of the industry. A wonderful and informative read. Also, BP's own Mike Oh has a book on real estate investment. I haven't read it, yet, but have heard good things about it.

Good Luck and all the best,
Anthony E. Russell

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:03AM

Nick J.

SFR Investor · Scottsdale, Arizona

2806 posts
27916 Influence
21 Awards

Icon_minipost Jan 27 '09, 10:12 AM

I can't disagree with any of the responses here Kurt.
'Rich Dad Poor Dad' has always been a great book although not a step by step book, which I actually believe is hard to find considering the ever changing aspect of investing. I also truly enjoy reading 'Think & Grow Rich'.....although not a 'real estate' book it's a great mindset book.....But again, just simply agreeing with the other guys here I would absolutely read up on improving personal finances.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:05AM

Tyler Carpenter

Real Estate Investor · Aurora, Illinois

125 posts
459 Influence
2 Awards

Icon_minipost Jan 28 '09, 06:01 AM

If you need motivation, one of the best books I have read was Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. I also bought the Law of Success by Napaolean Hill as well. A good finance book is The truth about money by ric edelman. And Rich Dad Poor Dad was a good book that help get me motivated.

Even though some people on this forum have mixed reviews, I thought Weekend Millionaire on Investing in Real Estate was a good first time book to help you become somewhat thinking in the right frame of mind.

Other than that, I have learned more from this site than any book out there.

Good luck:

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:05AM

Ben Grover

1 post

Icon_minipost Jan 28 '09, 07:12 AM

Think and Grow Rich is a must read. Robert Kiyosaki has a lot of great books on real estate- Rich Dad Poor Dad, Real Estate Riches, ABC's of Real Estate, and more are all great books by Robert. check them out for sure

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:05AM

Jeffrey K.

Real Estate Investor · Milwaukee, Wisconsin

1313 posts
11455 Influence
12 Awards

Icon_minipost Jan 28 '09, 08:57 PM

Read Rich Dad if you want, it is somewhat inspirational and has some decent charts. Stay away from his other books. He has established a franchise business at this point and has moved away from real education. He uses third party authors to pump out as many books and he can with his branding on them. They are not terribly well written and often do not give specifics. Go to amazon and read the reviews of books and spend a few hundred dollars there. This is a far better investment than any course costing the same. You can also get preowned or overstock books at a much cheaper price as an option on amazon. This allows you to get much more bang for your buck. Off to look at an REO. Good luck.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:06AM

Rick Shepard

Real Estate Consultant · Huntington, West Virginia

6 posts

Icon_minipost Feb 04 '09, 04:44 PM

I like Ron Legrands book. Good nuts and bolts stuff written in a straightforward, every-man kind of way.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:09AM

Frederic Petit

Real Estate Investor · Bethesda, Maryland

6 posts
10 Influence

Icon_minipost Feb 04 '09, 10:21 PM

A very good book for me that help me a few years ago to understand the business and how NOT to get ripped off is a book about financial calculations for real estate investors : What every real estate investor needs to know about cash flow by Frank Gallinelli.

In this business, if there is no cash flow, there is no money coming in until you resell.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:09AM by Frederic Petit

Shawn Cathey

Property Manager · san mateo, California

7 posts
104 Influence
2 Awards

Icon_minipost Jul 23 '09, 11:50 PM

carlton sheets "no down payment" was a pretty good read and really got my wheels spinning. ron legrand also has some good stuff in reguards to creative financing.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:06AM