Recommendations: Just Starting Out

[Natalie Smith]

My husband and I are just starting out in multi-family and commercial investing. Can you recommend a good training course, person, or book for information? We would really like to purchase our first one in the next 2 months. Thanks

[Todd Magin]

I am just starting out as well, and there are SO many books to choose from!!  Brandon has assembled a very fine list at www.biggerpockets.com/books

I haven't had the chance to read all of them yet, but so far my favorites are "The ABC's of Real Estate Investing" by Ken McElroy (one of the Rich Dad Poor Dad advisors) and "What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow ..." by Frank Gallinelli.  These are more focused on Multi-family and less so on commercial, but the cash flow formulas apply to both.

Correct me if I've misinterpreted, but if you're starting from scratch it may take you 2 months just to get your team together (agent, accountant, RE lawyer, lender, property manager, etc). Even if you intend to self-manage, you will need an experienced team of advisors along the way to help guide you.

Good luck and may you have a prosperous New Year!!