(EDITOR’S NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no extra cost to you.)
Breaking into real estate investing can feel overwhelming, but the right educational foundation makes all the difference. These bestselling books, highly rated on Amazon, provide proven strategies from industry experts who’ve built substantial wealth through property investment.
Real estate remains one of the most reliable paths to building long-term wealth, offering both passive income and portfolio diversification. However, successful investing requires more than luck—it demands knowledge of market analysis, financing strategies, property management, and tax optimization. The following books, selected based on Amazon ratings and sales performance, offer comprehensive guidance for aspiring real estate investors.
1. The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner
Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 7,715 reviews
Brandon Turner, active real estate investor and former co-host of the BiggerPockets Podcast, breaks down time-tested strategies for building wealth through rental properties. This comprehensive guide covers everything from finding deals and analyzing properties to building a team and financing rentals. Turner’s practical approach includes real-world examples and actionable strategies that investors worldwide use to build significant cash flow. The book emphasizes smart buy-and-hold strategies and provides detailed frameworks for creating an achievable investment plan.
2. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Amazon Rating: Widely regarded as a bestseller with millions of copies sold globally
Rich Dad Poor Dad has sold over 32 million copies and become a household name, advocating the importance of financial literacy, financial independence and building wealth through investing in assets, real estate investing, starting and owning businesses. While not exclusively focused on real estate, Kiyosaki’s foundational work introduces readers to the mindset shift necessary for investment success. The book emphasizes the difference between assets and liabilities and introduces concepts like cash flow that are crucial for real estate investors.
3. The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller
Amazon Rating: Bestseller status, reached The New York Times bestseller list
Gary Keller is a self-made multimillionaire and founder of Keller Williams Realty International, with over 25 years of industry and investing experience, having been involved in thousands of transactions. The book represents the collected wisdom and experience of over 100 millionaire investors from all walks of life who pursued financial wealth and achieved life-changing freedom. Keller provides models for tracking net worth, understanding finances, building networks, and acquiring properties. The book focuses on developing the mindset and practical strategies of successful real estate investors.
4. Real Estate Investing QuickStart Guide by ClydeBank Finance
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 1,727 reviews
This beginner-friendly guide simplifies the complex world of real estate investing into digestible concepts. The book covers the fundamentals of securing financing, closing your first deal, and building wealth through real estate. It’s particularly valuable for those who want actionable steps toward their first investment property, covering everything from obtaining leads and analyzing deals to planning exit strategies.
5. How to Invest in Real Estate: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide by Brandon Turner and Joshua Dorkin
Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 2,021 reviews
Two of the biggest names in the real estate world teamed up to write the most comprehensive manual ever written on getting started in the lucrative business of real estate investing. The book provides real-life examples of people achieving financial freedom through real estate during challenging times. It offers multiple investment strategies and helps readers determine which approach best fits their situation and goals.
6. Real Estate Investing For Dummies by Eric Tyson and Robert Griswold
Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 747 reviews
Written by industry experts Eric Tyson and Robert Griswold, this edition offers timely, proven, practical, and actionable advice to overcome market challenges and stay ahead of the competition. The book provides a comprehensive introduction to real estate investing fundamentals, making complex concepts accessible to newcomers while offering valuable insights for overcoming common obstacles.
7. Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat by David Greene
Amazon Rating: Popular bestseller in the BiggerPockets series
This book introduces the BRRRR strategy (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat), a five-part real estate investing strategy that makes financial freedom more attainable by allowing investors to recycle their capital. Greene shares the exact systems he used to scale his real estate business from buying two houses per year to building a substantial portfolio. The strategy allows investors to build wealth faster by never running out of money for new deals.
8. Long-Distance Real Estate Investing by David Greene
Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars with 1,812 ratings
Greene shows exactly how he built a multi-million dollar portfolio through buying, managing, and flipping out-of-state properties, often without ever seeing the properties in person. This book is particularly valuable in today’s market where the best investment opportunities may not be in your backyard. It covers building reliable teams, using technology for property management, and evaluating distant markets.
9. The Book on Managing Rental Properties by Brandon Turner
Amazon Rating: Part of the highly-rated BiggerPockets Rental Kit series
This practical guide focuses on the operational side of rental property investing. Turner provides a proven system for finding, screening, and managing tenants with fewer headaches and maximum profits. The book covers essential topics like tenant screening, lease agreements, maintenance procedures, and dealing with difficult situations that arise in property management.
10. What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow by Frank Gallinelli
Amazon Rating: Recognized as an updated classic in real estate education
This book helps investors understand elements like Discounted Cash Flow, Net Present Value, Cap Rate, ROI and more to better evaluate and track investments. Columbia University professor Gallinelli’s expertise and experience provide depth, wisdom, and tools needed to ensure proper evaluation of new opportunities and long-term profitability. The book has been updated with new information and case studies based on recent market trends.
