Investor · Maui, HI · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 3k+ votes
Hey Folks,
I thought it would be interesting to share what book you are currently reading (or have just finished reading.)
It does not need to be real estate related.
If you want to share more information about it, feel free - but you don't have to.
(Also, please, no affiliate links! :) )
I'll start - I'm currently reading "Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook" by Gary Vaynerchuk. It's not a Real Estate Investing book - but it has everything to do with running a successful business that deals with consumers. Specifically, it deals with social media and how people are presenting their companies to the world. Most companies simply "attack" all the time with a sales pitch (the right hook) but should instead focus on providing value (the Jab). Gary gives a TON of real-life examples of companies doing great (and terrible) social media outreach. I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those who have a business that has a brand name to build or protect. Flippers, property management companies, large landlords, wholesalers, etc.
After reading well over 100 real estate books including almost all mentioned in this thread, I learned there are only 4 ways to buy a piece of real estate;
cash, loans, trade, or any combo of the previous 3.
So, I don't read many real estate books any longer. I do enjoy motivational/self help and business topic books such as marketing, management, etc., but I've started reading classics that I've always wanted to tackle.
Just finished The Count of Monte Cristo. At 1,250 pages, it was the longest book I've ever read and a real page turner even though it is more than 150 years old.
For business/self help I'm currently reading;
Leading and Inspired Life by Jim Rohn
Modern Persuasion Strategies by Donald Moine
Heat Up Your Cold Calls by George Walther
I also just finished The Go-Giver by Bob Burg & David Mann
Donald Trump once said he could tell how successful a person is by what three books he is reading and that is one of his favorite questions to ask someone when he meets them for the first time. So, if you are only reading one or two, up your game. Never know when you might bump into Mr. Trump.
Also, a strategy I heard recently, but can't recall who said it, is to buy all the books you hear about and add them to your library. If you read one from cover to cover, you won't remember most of it any way so there really isn't any point in doing so and there isn't enough time to read all the great books out there. It is better to build your library and randomly select books and chapters to read. Also, when you need help in a specific area, you will have your library available to you to do your research. I liked that idea so much I cash in some reward points from my credit card for Amazon gift cards and purchased 100 books from Amazon.
I have a stack of about 20 books and growing still to read but I just finished "How to Win Friends & Influence People." I am blowing through books a little faster lately because I started listening to audio books when I work out as well.
Currently I'm reading Wholesaling Bank Owned Properties by Lex Levinrad . Excellent book! Very informative and slightly more detailed than the book I read yesterday NO B.S. Real Estate Investing by Preston Ely. Also an excellent book and I especially enjoyed his divine references and motivational words. I found Ely's book to be even more informative than the book I read yesterday morning, How To Wholesale Properties by the Smart Lazy Investor (does anyone know who he is?). The day before yesterday I was finally able to "read" Rich Dad Poor Dad audiobook on youtube in the evening. The day before that I was trying to finish Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, which I had begun to read as the first book on my path in real estate but I had to put down because I couldn't resist the temptation to read the best book thus far.... Biggerpockets presents the Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing by Joshua Dorkin and Brandon Turner. You guys are really doing something special here!
Not sure how old this thread is, but I just finished reading The Millionaire Next Door.
The 4-Hour Workweek is next on my list.
Has anyone read, "Stop Acting Rich:...And Start Living Like a Millionaire"?
If all it says is live frugally and don't buy anything expensive, I may hold off on that book for a while. That concept got a little redundant in the previous book.
"Take the Stairs" by Rory Vaden. It's about doing the more difficult things in life in order to achieve your dreams and/or success. This is part of a Sales Coaching/Training program that I am currently taking.
I'm currently reading The Real Book of Real Estate by Robert Kiyosaki (author of Rich Dad Poor Dad). He gives 22 of his Real estate experts a chance to give advice on different aspects of investing. I'm loving it so far.
Thanks for sharing! This is great info! "5 Love Languages" for me. Short read, but very important reminder for the home life. Anyone in real estate knows....
It's a memoir, and is a beautiful book about a number of things- grief, loss, falconry and identity. Won the Costa Prize in 2014. If you're at all curious about falconry and birds of prey it's fascinating, and the writing is lovely