15 Must-Read Real Estate Investing Books for 2025

The real estate investing journey can be both exciting and daunting. With markets evolving and strategies constantly shifting, there's always something new to learn. One of the best ways to stay ahead? Dive into some of the most insightful real estate investing books available.

In 2025, the selection of must-reads is more diverse and powerful than ever. These books offer practical advice, proven actionable strategies, and expert insights that can help you make smarter decisions and ultimately grow your portfolio with confidence. 

Here are 15 best books on real estate investing that every investor should have on their shelf this year.

1. The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner
2. What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow by Frank Gallinelli
3. The Book on Tax Strategies for the Savvy Real Estate Investor by Amanda Han and Matthew Macfarland
4. One Rental at a Time by Michael Zuber
5. Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat by David Greene
6. The Book on Flipping Houses by J Scott
7. Build a Rental Property Empire by Mark Ferguson
8. The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller
9. Raising Private Capital: Building Your Real Estate Empire Using Other People’s Money by Matt Faircloth
10. The ABCs of Real Estate Investing by Ken McElroy
11. Long-Distance Real Estate Investing by Brandon Phillips
12. Emerging Real Estate Markets: How to Find and Profit from Up-and-Coming Areas by David Lindahl
13. Real Estate Investing Gone Bad by Phil Pustejovsky
14. Every Landlord's Legal Guide by Marcia Stewart, Ralph Warner, and Janet Portman
15. The Real Estate Game by William J. Poorvu with Jeffrey L. Cruikshank

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1. The Book on Rental Property Investing

By: Brandon Turner

If you enjoy real-world examples of real estate investments, this is one of the best books in real estate investing that you can read. The author, Brandon Turner, who is also the co-host of the Bigger Pockets podcast, offers a down-to-earth spin on investing and your real estate portfolio.

This book is great for first-time investors as it breaks things down into bite-sized pieces for everyone to understand. You'll get step-by-step directions, passive income pro tips, and even areas seasoned investors miss so you don't make the same mistakes others have already made.

2. What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow

By: Frank Gallinelli

If the thought of crunching numbers when analyzing investment properties makes your head spin, this is one of those real estate books you can't miss. Frank Gallinelli covers all the important calculations to help you thoroughly understand how to vet a property.

Fair warning, though. The book can be overwhelming at first. Rather than reading it cover to cover, consider picking out bits and pieces, digesting them, and then coming back for more.

3. The Book on Tax Strategies for the Savvy Real Estate Investor

By: Amanda Han and Matthew Macfarland

The one topic every real estate investor dislikes, no matter their financial status, is taxes. If taxes make your head spin, you need to read this book on investing because its tax strategies are exceptional.

The authors help you understand how to minimize your tax liability to make the most out of your real estate investments. With this knowledge under your belt, you can make smarter real estate investing decisions and feel more confident when talking to your tax advisor.

4. One Rental at a Time

By: Michael Zuber

Feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of diving into real estate investing? Michael Zuber's "One Rental at a Time" offers a refreshingly accessible and practical approach, making it one of the ideal real estate books for beginners. Zuber understands that building wealth through property doesn't have to be a frantic rush.

In this encouraging book, he skillfully breaks down the process, emphasizing the power of focusing on acquiring one rental property at a time. Zuber's ultimate vision is the creation of a 'perfect successful portfolio' consisting of four carefully selected houses, an investment goal that feels achievable and manageable through his patient and methodical guidance. 

5. Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat

By: David Greene

This book lays out a systematic and proven method for scaling your investment portfolio. This isn't just about buying investment properties; it's about strategically acquiring undervalued real estate assets, increasing their value through renovation, generating consistent rental income, and then leveraging the increased equity to repeat the process.

Greene provides a comprehensive blueprint for each stage of the BRRRR strategy. He delves into the nuances of each step, highlighting potential pitfalls and offering solutions to maximize your returns. If you're looking for a dynamic and repeatable system to grow your real estate holdings, this book offers the actionable insights you need to put this powerful strategy into practice.

6. The Book on Flipping Houses

By: J Scott

While building a rental portfolio is a well-trodden path in real estate investing, the strategy of flipping houses offers another compelling avenue for wealth creation. However, it's a tactic that can seem complex and risky for many. This book cuts through the uncertainty, providing a comprehensive guide to the fundamentals of buying, renovating, and selling real estate properties for profit.

This book breaks down the entire flipping process. Scott also emphasizes the critical red flags to watch out for, helping both novice and experienced investors avoid costly mistakes. While numerous real estate investing books touch on flipping, this one is designed to be a foundational resource, offering a clear and practical understanding of what it takes to succeed in the fast-paced world of house flipping. 

7. Build a Rental Property Empire

By: Mark Ferguson

What better way to become a millionaire investor than to build an empire. Mark Ferguson walks you through the steps to have as many rental properties as you consider an empire.

In this down-to-earth book for beginners and experts alike and one of the best rental property books, you'll read real-life stories about the good and the bad that real estate investors like Ferguson have gone through to get where they are today. In the end, you'll come out with practical advice you can use in the real world to help you build your own empire.

8. The Millionaire Real Estate Investor

By: Gary Keller

Ever wondered what sets millionaire real estate investors apart? This book offers an unprecedented peek into the minds and strategies of 100 individuals who have achieved remarkable success in the world of property investment.

This real estate investing book is a compilation of real-world experiences, hard-earned lessons, and expert advice straight from those who have built substantial wealth through real estate. Discover the common threads, the pivotal decisions, and the millionaire mindset that drives these top investors, and learn how to apply their wisdom to your own path to financial freedom.

9. Raising Private Capital: Building Your Real Estate Empire Using Other People’s Money

By: Matt Faircloth

If you think you don't have enough capital to become a real estate investor, think again. This is one of the best real estate investment books to help you understand how to use other people's money to build your empire.

It covers all aspects of private financing and how to make sure both parties - the investor and the financier - come out ahead in this real estate transaction.

10. The ABCs of Real Estate Investing

By: Ken McElroy

If you're looking for an investment book for beginners, look no further. This book covers everything you need to know to get started in the real estate industry (from A to Z). It's one of those reference books you'll want to keep around for a long time, even as you build your real estate portfolio and gain experience. Active and passive real estate investors alike have questions and need to review the basics sometimes.

McElroy provides clear explanations and valuable insights that cater to both active investors looking to manage real estate properties and passive investors seeking hands-off opportunities. Even as you build your portfolio and gain experience, the fundamental principles outlined in this book will serve as a valuable touchstone.

11. Long-Distance Real Estate Investing

By: Brandon Phillips

Tired of limited options or high prices in your local real estate market? Brandon Phillips' offers the reassurance and practical guidance you need to confidently expand your investment horizons beyond your immediate area.

Phillips expertly walks you through the crucial aspects of long-distance investing, including how to identify promising markets, build a reliable remote team, conduct thorough due diligence from afar, and effectively manage rental properties across state lines. If you're ready to break free from geographical constraints, this book provides the strategies to make long-distance real estate investing a successful venture.

12. Emerging Real Estate Markets: How to Find and Profit from Up-and-Coming Areas

By: David Lindahl

Imagine uncovering hidden gems – neighborhoods and cities on the cusp of significant growth potential. In this book, David Lindahl provides a roadmap to identify and capitalize on these emerging markets and up-and-coming areas.

Lindahl shares practical strategies for conducting due diligence, understanding local economic drivers, and making informed decisions that can lead to substantial profits and passive income. Learn how to position yourself for success by understanding the dynamics of emerging real estate and transforming overlooked areas into lucrative opportunities.

13. Real Estate Investing Gone Bad

By: Phil Pustejovsky

Why learn the hard way when you can learn from the mistakes of others? In this book, Phil Pustejovsky compiles 21 true stories that expose the harsh realities of what not to do when investing in real estate and flipping houses.

This isn't your typical success story collection. Instead, Pustejovsky shines a light on the common pitfalls, the costly blunders, and the unexpected disasters that can plague even the most well-intentioned investors. From botched renovations and disastrous partnerships to overlooked market fluctuations and legal nightmares, each story offers a raw and unfiltered look at the potential downsides of the real estate game. 

14. Every Landlord's Legal Guide 11th Edition

By: Marcia Stewart, Ralph Warner, Janet Portman

Navigating the legal landscape of being a landlord can be complex and fraught with potential pitfalls. This book serves as an indispensable resource, providing you with the legal and practical solutions you need to rent your residential property the right way.

This comprehensive guide breaks down landlord-tenant laws in clear, accessible language. It offers practical advice on how to stay compliant with regulations and avoid common legal mistakes. Stay informed and ensure your landlord practices are sound with this essential legal companion.

15. The Real Estate Game

By: William J. Poorvu with Jeffrey L. Cruikshank

Don't let the 1999 publication date fool you. This book remains a legendary and remarkably relevant guide to commercial properties. Dr. Poorvu, a distinguished professor emeritus at Harvard Business School, masterfully frames the complexities of this field as a strategic board game.

In this insightful book, the "deck of cards" represents the key variables that every investor must understand and navigate: the properties, the ever-fluctuating capital markets, and the unpredictable external environment. Poorvu's enduring lessons provide a foundational understanding of real estate deal structuring, negotiation, and market analysis. It's a book so influential that many leaders in the real estate industry today likely cut their teeth on its principles.

Real Estate Investing

Real estate investing is a great way to diversify your portfolio. Most people think of it as only buying physical property and renting it out. However, there are many other ways to invest, including flipping houses, short-term rental property investing, and investing in real estate investment trusts (REITs) or crowdfunding.

You don't have to be an accredited investor or have a lot of money for real estate investing. Some real estate investment platforms like Concreit allow investments as low as $1, so there's no reason not to invest.

The key is understanding your options, how to structure your real estate investment strategies, and where to invest your money.

Wrapping Up

Never stop learning, no matter how much you think you know. Read as many real estate investing books as you can. Consider reading real estate investment books on topics you never thought you'd be interested in because you never know when one book might change your life and help you reach your financial goals.

Real estate investing books are a must-read for investors. Even if you think you know everything, there's always something to learn. From investment books for beginners to complex real estate investment books for experienced investors, there's something for everyone, and you can't ever learn too much.  Learn more by signing up and visiting our blog.