Updated March 7, 2022
Becoming an intentional investor can help you achieve your financial goals, and for many of us, the choice is clear! Investing in real estate can provide you with the means to achieve your ultimate ambitions. A 2021 Bankrate survey found that real estate continues to be the number one choice among Americans for long-term investment opportunities.
Still, you may have some reservations. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, real estate demand has only increased while supply has dwindled. Even so, savvy investors stand to win out in this competitive climate.
With so many types of properties in which to invest, however, you may not always know which is best for you—or how to select the available right property. Within the real estate investment category, you’ll discover that there are countless ways to purchase property and see a profit. Unfortunately, with so many potential choices to make, there are more opportunities for miscalculations. Regardless of your experience level, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices will help you make more sound decisions.
Each type of real estate investment comes with its challenges, nuances, and perks. In order to get the most out of your investment—and avoid preventable mistakes—many experts recommend reading and studying some of the best books on real estate investing. In addition, many investors also sign up for real estate investing courses to take their skills to the next level.
Where should you start? The following real estate investing courses and books can provide you with the insights you need to make the best decisions for your real estate investment future!
“The Book on Rental Property Investing”
Pew Research Center data from 2017 revealed that more U.S. households were renting at that point than at any other time during the last 50 years. Why? Simply put, the supply of affordable properties to own is disproportionately low.
As property prices and overall costs of living have increased, owning a home has become a far-fetched fantasy for many Americans. This is especially true for those under the age of 35, as well as middle-aged individuals and minority demographics.
Understandably, higher demand for rental properties has resulted in increased rental costs. That’s become even more apparent over the last couple of years, including reports from 2020 showing an average rent price increased 5.37 percent year-to-year.
While this isn’t particularly good news for tenants, it presents better opportunities for investors specializing in rental properties. To learn more about operating rental units, there are few books better than “The Book on Rental Property Investing.”
An investor himself, author Brandon Turner has put together almost 400 pages of actionable recommendations that can help you build cash flow with your rental property investment. You’ll learn how to build your team, pick the right properties, obtain financing, and develop a plan that leads to financial freedom.
If you plan on getting involved in rental properties, this is one of the best books on property investing you can have on your shelf.
“Rich Dad, Poor Dad”
While not one of the newest real estate investing books on the market, Robert Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” should be in any investor’s library.
Kiyosaki’s book covers more than just real estate investments and explores larger topics surrounding financial literacy. In particular, Kiyosaki touches on his socio-economic status growing up and delves into the educational differences that can keep many individuals from unlocking their money-making potential.
Not only can this book allow you to feel comfortable with investing (and even educate your kids on financial issues), but it dispels many money myths that still circulate today. Reviewers maintain that the “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” message is even more relevant now than it was when it was first released more than two decades ago.
“The Millionaire Real Estate Investor”
A New York Times best-seller, “The Millionaire Real Estate Investor,” is known as one of the best books on real estate investing for anyone who wants to build wealth.
Authored by Gary Keller (founder of Keller-Williams Realty), Dave Jenks, and Jay Papasan, the book is chock-full of pearls of wisdom from more than 100 millionaire real estate investors.
It’s a straightforward read that will help you create a set of criteria for evaluating investment opportunities, develop your model for wealth-building, build a better investment team, reveal the truth behind real estate operating companies and the most common investment misconceptions, understand successful real estate investment strategies, and adopt the millionaire mindset. If you’re looking for the best books on real estate investing to add to your wish list, this should be toward the top.
“The Real Estate Financial Modeling Bootcamp”
There’s no substitute for having the best books on real estate investments at your fingertips. However, there’s also something to be said for enrolling in a reputable real estate investing course to further your knowledge.
If you’re just starting, the “Real Estate Financial Modeling Bootcamp” from Udemy can be a fantastic resource. Not only does it come highly recommended, but it’s also highly affordable.
This course covers the essentials for building your real estate investment business. Using Microsoft Excel, you’ll also learn how to build your real estate financial model from the ground up and develop skills to model your real estate deals involving various assets.
With the knowledge you gain throughout this course, you’ll feel confident advancing your career as a competitive real estate investor in multiple markets.
“Fundamentals of Analyzing Real Estate Investments”
Another highly-recommended course, the “Fundamentals of Analyzing Real Estate Investments,” takes an in-depth look at the analysis techniques you need to be successful in both commercial and residential real estate.
Throughout this 18.5-hour course, you’ll learn how to discern “good” investments from “bad” investments, evaluate numerous types of properties (including flips, rental income properties, commercial properties, and short-term rental properties, like those listed on Airbnb), and calculate the potential return on investments.
Whether you’re new to property investing or you’re looking for ways to maximize your already sizable cash flow, this course can provide you with the additional tools you need.
“Increasing Real Estate Management Profits: Harnessing Data Analytics”
Looking for more advanced real estate investing courses? This one, offered by Duke University online, can help specialists looking to increase their skills and stand out from the competition.
In this course, you’ll be responsible for completing a Capstone Project that involves persuading a management team to change its strategy to a more profitable one—one that you’ll conceive and recommend. Best of all, the top ten participants each year have the chance to present their work to top data scientists at Airbnb for feedback.
While this course is not recommended for newcomers, it offers an incredible opportunity for more advanced investors.
Real Estate Investors Must Invest In Themselves
Investing in real estate can be highly rewarding—and you’ll get much more out of your investment if you invest in yourself first. By reading recommended real estate investing books and signing up for real estate investing courses, you’ll expand your knowledge and increase your ability to succeed in this challenging industry. Then, when you’re ready to find your next investment property, reach out to our team and learn how the Privy Advantage can help!
Our free ebook is one of the best resources to have on your shelf! Download “How to Invest In Real Estate: A Guide!”
