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.
Currently reading "The Millionaire Real Estate Agent" after which I'll read the Investor version of the book.
Also reading "the complete stories of Sherlock Holmes" - just a different way of looking at things to help me "SEE" solutions and not just Look for the problems.
How is that read so far? Thinking about reading that next
Sorry for delayed reply. It is a great book and very informative. I had just gotten done with a couple of Robert Kiyosaki books and Gary Keller's Millionaire real estate investor, so I was a little concerned that it may be lame compared to those books. But it definitely kept me interested. Mike Butler, author of Landlording on autopilot, writes more on every day experiences involved with being a landlord. I definitely recommend it. Anytime you can learn from an old pro, it's a chance to better yourself.