5 Must-Read Real Estate Investing Books for Building Wealth

 5 Must-Read Real Estate Investing Books for Building Wealth

Essential real estate investing books to help you build wealth, gain knowledge, and take action with confidence.

Monthly Search Volume: U.S. ~1,200 | Global ~9,000

Reading Time: ~8 minutes

Real estate investing has long been one of the most reliable ways to build long-term wealth. Whether you're just starting your investment journey or looking to grow your property portfolio, having the right knowledge is critical.

One of the best ways to gain that knowledge is through books written by seasoned investors. These books not only provide insights and strategies but also inspire you to take action.

In this post, we’ll explore five of the most highly recommended and best-selling real estate investing books. These books are perfect for beginners and even intermediate investors who want to sharpen their skills.

1. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Why You Should Read It:

This isn’t just a book about real estate—it’s a mindset shift.

“Rich Dad Poor Dad” is a classic in personal finance and investing. Robert Kiyosaki uses a simple storytelling style to compare the financial philosophies of his “Rich Dad” (his best friend’s father) and his “Poor Dad” (his biological father). The book emphasizes the importance of financial education, assets vs. liabilities, and passive income—especially through real estate.

Key Takeaways:

Assets (like rental properties) put money in your pocket; liabilities take money out.

Schools teach how to work for money—but not how to make money work for you.

Real estate is a powerful vehicle for building long-term wealth.

Best For: Beginners who want to understand why investing—especially in real estate—matters.

2. The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller

Why You Should Read It:

This book combines real-world success stories with proven strategies.

Written by Gary Keller (founder of Keller Williams Realty), this book is based on interviews with over 100 millionaire investors. It breaks down their strategies and shows what habits and decisions made them successful in real estate.

Key Takeaways:

Think big: You don’t need to start rich to invest in real estate.

Learn to recognize great deals and act on them quickly.

Build a team and system to scale your real estate business.

Best For: Investors ready to go from hobbyist to serious wealth builder.

3. How to Invest in Real Estate by Brandon Turner & Joshua Dorkin

Why You Should Read It:

Straight from the co-founders of BiggerPockets, this book is an excellent starting point.

This is a highly practical guide that walks you through dozens of real estate investing strategies—from house hacking to wholesaling and flipping. It’s designed to help you choose the right path depending on your goals, risk tolerance, and available capital.

Key Takeaways:

There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy—choose the one that fits you.

You don’t need a lot of money to get started (creative financing options included).

Consistency and education are more important than perfection.

Best For: Beginners unsure where to start or which strategy suits them best.

4. The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner

Why You Should Read It:

If you're serious about buying rental properties, this is your step-by-step blueprint.

Brandon Turner dives deep into everything related to rental property—from finding and financing to managing and growing your portfolio. It's packed with tools, tips, and mindset shifts to help you succeed.

Key Takeaways:

Learn how to evaluate rental properties for cash flow and ROI.

Discover proven ways to manage tenants and avoid headaches.

Scale your rental business using systems and leverage.

Best For: Those who want to specialize in long-term buy-and-hold rental investing.

5. The Real Estate Wholesaling Bible by Than Merrill

Why You Should Read It:

A great introduction to real estate wholesaling—a low-risk way to enter real estate with little capital.

Than Merrill, a former NFL player turned real estate entrepreneur, lays out the entire process of wholesaling. He teaches how to find discounted properties, secure contracts, and sell them to other investors—all without owning the property yourself.

Key Takeaways:

Wholesaling is great for building cash flow before you buy properties yourself.

Building a strong network is key to success.

Learn how to market, negotiate, and close deals confidently.

Best For: Beginners with limited capital who want to get their feet wet in real estate.