10 Best Books for Beginner Real Estate Investors

If you want to begin investing in real estate, you may not know where to begin, but the best books for beginner real estate investors can provide a clear starting point. Whether you are looking to flip houses, build a rental portfolio or invest with minimal capital, learning from experienced investors can help you avoid common mistakes and make informed decisions.These books cover crucial aspects of real estate investing, from financial strategies and cash flow analysis to creative financing and tax planning. By exploring different perspectives and techniques, new investors can develop a solid foundation and choose an approach that aligns with their goals.

A financial advisor can help you plan for major investments, like purchasing a rental property. Consider speaking with a financial advisor today to see what they can do for you.

Data & Methodology

We identified the books below through exhaustive research and analysis of the real estate investing book market. They are listed in an order that’s in direct correlation with their individual composite score based on our methodology, which includes consumer ratings from multiple popular online bookstores.

1. “Turning Rental Properties Into Passive Income Profits” by Dustin Roberts

“Turning Rental Properties Into Passive Income Profits” is a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in real estate investing, particularly in the rental property market. The book delves into the strategies and techniques necessary to transform rental properties into a steady stream of passive income. Key insights take you through the entire process, from selecting the right properties to managing them effectively, ensuring that readers can maximize their investment returns. It also helps with financing options and tenant management.

One of the standout features of “Turning Rental Properties Into Passive Income Profits” is its focus on actionable strategies that can be implemented by both beginner investors and experienced investors. It emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough market research and due diligence to identify properties with the highest potential for profit.

2. “Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat” by David M. Greene

Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat (BRRRR Method) is a real estate investment strategy where you gradually grow your investment portfolio from just one property.

This book thoroughly outlines the steps in this plan, detailing how to make the most of the process. You will learn how to negotiate the home sales price, what remodels add the most value, when to flip and how to use your investment property equity.

3. “The Wealth Elevator” by Lane Kawaoka

One of the key strengths of “The Wealth Elevator” is its focus on practical strategies that you can implement in six steps. The ultimate goal is financial freedom, and this book shows you how to build wealth through investments like rental properties, syndications and private funds. It shows you how to generate up to $100,000 monthly in real estate income while protecting your earnings from taxes.

It also addresses common investment mistakes that beginners may face, offering solutions and tips to overcome them. By equipping readers with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed, this book empowers them to make confident and strategic investment choices.

Kawaoka claims that investors typically achieve financial freedom in just four to seven years following these steps. “It’s so easy, it’s almost boring,” he writes.

4. “The Book on Rental Property Investing” by Brandon Turner

SmartAsset: Best Books for Beginner Real Estate Investors

This book takes the fourth spot on our list of best books for beginner real estate investors, and it is also the second one that Brandon Turner authors. It is no coincidence that the co-founder of The Bigger Pockets podcast and author of multiple best-selling real estate investment books has some prevalence on this list.

“The Book on Rental Property Investing” illustrates four different strategies to start making passive income through real estate. The book covers everything from financing new investments to finding deals and deferring or avoiding taxes.

If you want to start investing in rental property, this is a must-read.

5. “The Book on Tax Strategies for the Savvy Real Estate Investor” by Amanda Han and Matthew MacFarland

Tax strategies may seem advanced, but taxes are definitely something you should be well-educated about as a real estate investor. Things like capital gains tax can significantly reduce your investment income, but this book takes those issues head-on with practical strategies you can use to build wealth through real estate.

You will learn ways to use tax deductions, make informed investment decisions and ultimately, pay fewer taxes. All the while, its tips and insights will prepare you for tax season. This book will help you learn how you can make the most of your taxes so you can maximize your earnings.

6. “Financial Freedom With Real Estate Investing” by Michael Blank

“Financial Freedom With Real Estate Investing” serves as a roadmap for both novice and seasoned investors, offering insights into building wealth through multifamily property investments.

Blank’s approach makes real estate investing accessible to those who may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of entering the market. By breaking strategies down into manageable steps, the book empowers readers to take control of their financial future through real estate.

A key theme in the book is the potential of multifamily properties as a vehicle for financial independence. Blank argues that investing in apartment buildings can generate significant passive income, allowing investors to achieve financial freedom more quickly than through single-family homes. He outlines the benefits of economies of scale, such as reduced risk and increased cash flow, which make multifamily investments particularly attractive.

By focusing on this niche, the book provides a clear path for readers to build a profitable and sustainable real estate portfolio.

7. “How to Invest in Real Estate: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started” by Brandon Turner and Josh Dorkin

Topping our list of best books for beginner real estate investors, this book by Brandon Turner and Josh Dorkin gives a great overview of the basics of real estate investing. This is a great place to start if you want to get familiar with your options when investing in real estate.

How to Invest in Real Estate does not give you just one method, it shows you multiple paths you can take. Whether that is flipping a house, investing as a side hustle for passive income or full-on property management, Turner and Dorkin highlight more than 40 different stories from successful modern real estate investors.

8. “The Millionaire Real Estate Investor” by Gary Keller

Gary Keller, the co-founder of Keller Williams Realty, shares insights from interviews with more than 100 millionaire investors in “The Millionaire Real Estate Investor.” This book lands on this list because it breaks down the wealth-building strategies used by successful real estate investors.

The book focuses on the fundamental principles of real estate investing, emphasizing long-term wealth accumulation. It shows you how to identify profitable investment opportunities, manage real estate investment risk and develop a millionaire mindset. Keller also highlights common myths about finance and investing that often hold people back.

Whether you are just getting started or looking to refine your investment approach, “The Millionaire Real Estate Investor” provides a practical roadmap to building wealth through real estate.

9. “The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down” by Brandon Turner

Brandon Turner again returns to our list with “The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down.” It is one of our best books for beginner real estate investors because of its strong emphasis on maximizing investments with little money. It focuses on financing strategies that leverage credit to purchase real estate investments.

Whether discussing private money or lenders, this book by Turner gives you creative ways to get your investment funded while avoiding different funding pitfalls.

10. “What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow” by Frank Gallinelli

If you want to maximize your real estate investments, you need to consider cash flow. In this book, Gallinelli focuses heavily on the numbers, explaining how to accurately calculate cash flow.

It makes our list of best books for beginner real estate investors because of its focus on math. Whether math is a strength or a challenge for you, Gallinelli shows you how to make it work for you.

This book teaches you the critical measurements you need to make wise investment decisions. Measurements like net present value, discounted cash flow, return on equity and others will help take you from a beginning investor to a serious pro.

Bottom Line

These books for beginner real estate investors cover a wide range of topics, but overall, they show that with care and effort, anyone can be a successful real estate investor. All that is needed to start is the knowledge, the mindset and a little capital. You can do it while maintaining your day job, or you can grow your real estate investment into a full-time property management gig.

Tips for Real Estate Investing

A financial advisor can help you determine whether a real estate investment makes financial sense for you. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
If you’re just getting started, you can better understand how real estate can have a positive impact on you by reading our guide.