New to Real Estate · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2020 · 51 posts · 13 votes
Has anyone read any books that they thought to be particularly helpful? I’m pretty familiar with a lot of the bigger hitters, but would love to discover some books with less notoriety.
St. Louis. MO · Member since 2019 · 19 posts · 36 votes
6y
@John Neff
You said you had read the heavy hitters, so I'll take that as rich dad and Millionaire Real Estate Investor. The most helpful book I've read so far has been Never Split the difference by Chris Voss, not real estate specific, but I applied it to REI as well as my job, and it was huge on my last offer.
@Alvin Uy I’ve heard of this one, but haven’t taken the time to check it out yet. Sounds like it could be very beneficial. Thanks for reaching out!
Definitely beneficial. Unfortunately, Most new investors are too shortsighted when starting out. Employing the right strategies in the right time of the market cycle is crucial as a RE investor in my opinion.
@Joshua Schmidt Thank you for all of the suggestions! I’ve been listening to the podcast for over a year, but never became active on BiggerPockets until very recently. So much valuable content.
Specialist · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 666 votes
6y
@John Neff NONE!! The " book " of learning from someone actually doing deals vs reading books and going to BS seminars. Analysis paralysis. GO TO WORK, network, learn . NOTHING Beats " being on the street " and doing it. I have never read a book nor went to a seminar. In the last 10 years I have done it all.
New to Real Estate · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2020 · 51 posts · 13 votes
6y
@Bob Prisco Great advice! I’ve certainly found this to be true in other industry’s that I’ve worked in. It’s amazing how much you pick up on while being involved in the day to day process.
Real Estate Broker · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 119 posts · 151 votes
6y
I read Millionaire Next Door every year. It helps me to focus my priorities and avoid needless spending so I can achieve my goals. I'd love to drive around a brand new 4Runner because they look so nice, but my '06 serves me just fine and I don't care about a small ding in the back door. Because of small life choices like that and learning those things early on, it's allowed me to see that I'd rather put the money I would have spent toward a car back into investments so I could buy 10 4Runners if I wanted to (which I won't lol). It's a must read IMO and I gift it to a lot of friends of mine who have an interest in REI.
Specialist · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 666 votes
6y
@John Neff. So many people spend so much time in classrooms seminars etc. I’ve never been to a seminar or read any book. I’ve got everything from short sales tax liens rent with options etc. Nothing beats real life experience. I found those that sit in classrooms and read books do nothing. All the best to you
Great line, give me guys that are poor smart and hungry versus a Harvard grad any day
Rental Property Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 21 posts · 3 votes
6y
I like all of the bigger pockets books as the give you a great deal of knowledge. I recommend reading “The 4 Disciplines of Execution” by Chris McChesney. It a great read and it has helped me daily in life and business.
My recommendation, though not specifically about real estate, but the philosophy definitely applies to real estate is "The Compound Effect" by Darren Hardy. Amazing book that shows how the little things we do each day make such a big difference as they accumulate.
Really looking forward to checking out the rest of these books as well.
Investor / Mentor / Contractor · Arcadia, CA Buying Out of State · Member since 2015 · 654 posts · 622 votes
6y
@John Neff “Losing my Virginity” by Richard Branson. “What? Not a real estate book” you ask...
It’s the ultimate book in entrepreneurship. Just reading what Sir Richard Branson has done is many lessons in being a true entrepreneur. Now why is that so important? Because real estate investing is extremely entrepreneurial. I have seen many people with good credit and lots of money fail. Others with deep desire and maybe constructions or PM experience. Only the entrepreneurs succeed.
Now can you read a book and become the topic just by reading? No. But it can lead you in the right direction. For instance, I know investors who came to terms of not being entrepreneurial but now making great money because they partnered with an entrepreneur...
Read it - let us know what you think. I’m still blown away by Branson having read that book years ago.
Has anyone read any books that they thought to be particularly helpful? I’m pretty familiar with a lot of the bigger hitters, but would love to discover some books with less notoriety.
Thanks!
Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki has been huge for me. It changed my life. So much so that I did a full episode on my podcast on it.
Never split the difference is a great practical book. I have to reread it like 3 more times :)
Turning Pro is a great one by Steven Pressfield. He talks about how turning professional is your calling. Coming out of the shadow career (that you do for living) into your passion can be difficult but MUST be done.
Real Estate Syndicator · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2018 · 903 posts · 1k+ votes
6y
@John Neff If you are interested in developing partnerships, perfecting communication skills or raising capital as I am, three books are top of mind and I don't think have been mentioned:
Raising Capital for Real Estate by Hunter Thompson
Flip The Script and Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff
Of course, as mentioned already "Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss is a phenomenal book and The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner is great for a new investor.
Finally to take back your day as all this Real Estate Investing begins to occupy all your time:
New to Real Estate · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2020 · 51 posts · 13 votes
6y
@Jeff Tyndall I can certainly relate! As a fellow car enthusiast, squashing my desire to purchase a new vehicle is a battle I face almost daily. I’ll turn to this book at those times. Thanks for the suggestion!