Looking for the best real estate books to gain valuable insights, expand your knowledge, and transform your mindset and career? I know you’re busy, so I put together this list of real estate books that are worth your time, and that I hope will motivate and inspire you this year.
These are the 32 books that have motivated me in everything from real estate to starting YKC. I even reveal a few that were responsible for my own personal and professional transformation (like the one I paid $16 for and got me an obscene ROI of 10,000 X). Some of these books may be familiar titles to you, while others might be more unexpected, but each one is a worth a read in 2023.
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Contents
CONTENTS
Best Real Estate Books About Sales + Lead Generation: How to Close That Next Deal
No matter how much you’re crushing your sales game, you can always learn more. That’s what people love about sales: it’s an endlessly creative, engaging, constantly evolving skill. This collection of beloved classics and new thought leadership all work toward the goal of keeping you sharp, motivated, and ahead of the competition.
Property Agent Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Real Estate Business by Yasser Khan
I wrote this book as a manifesto for the underdog real estate agent!
What Is PropertyAgentSecrets?
PropertyAgentSecrets is NOT just another "how to" book on property marketing or motivation.
It is NOT about getting more inquiries on your property listings - yet these secrets will help you get exponentially MORE inquiries than you've ever experienced before.
It is NOT about increasing your appointments or closings - yet these secrets will increase your appointments and closings exponentially MORE than reposting credits daily on PropertyGuru or online portals ever could.
PropertyAgentSecrets is A SHORTCUT.
Low inquiries and closings are symptoms of a much greater problem that's a little harder to see (that's the bad news), but a lot easier to fix (that's the good news).
Inside you will find the actual playbook we created after running thousands of tests and taking 10 years to perfect what works for real estate agents anywhere.
You now have access to all of the Processes, Secrets and Scripts that we used to transform hundreds of property agents' careers and helped free up their time for family, weekends and vacations.
What happens when someone asks you to set up a meeting with Elon Musk, or arrange a private Andrea Bocelli concert? If you’re Steve Sims, you say, sure, what time?
Sims, the consummate “fixer,” offers lessons that apply to business and life. You’ll enjoy his pithy writing (he titles chapters, “you don’t drown from falling in water, you drown from staying there” and “the worst picture of me ever taken”), but you’re also guaranteed memorable takeaways and fantastic storytelling.
The Transformational Consumer: Fuel a Lifelong Love Affair With Your Customers by Helping Them Get Healthier, Wealthier & Wiser by Tara-Nicholle Nelson
If you want to be successful in real estate, you have to learn how to turn one-time buyers and sellers into clients for life. Nelson’s premise here is simple: your actions and attention can forge a relationship with a client that’s as strong as iron.
Though the idea is easy enough, the execution can be tricky, which is why this book is so valuable. Nelson has a master’s degree in psychology from the University of California and a Juris Doctor from Berkley, but what really makes the book pop are her real-world experiences as a vice president (VP) of marketing at major athletic and tech brands.
National Association of Realtors (NAR) keynote speaker, Leigh Brown, challenges us to find our authentic selves and present that self to the world. Known as the “No Bull**** Realtor, Brown uses own life experiences to package actionable and practical advice on how to find lasting success in sales. We all know selling can be exhausting, so if you need a kick in the butt or an inspiring reset, Leigh Brown is the one to turn to.
This is a great resource if you’re just starting out and don’t have a huge network of referrals. It’s all about networking, building relationships, and turning relationships into referrals. New real estate agents will be able to learn from and easily implement Maher’s straightforward “seven-level formula.”
Over the course of your career, you’ll encounter a wide variety of personalities: the “know-it-all” clients who ignore your recommendations, micromanagers who need to hear from you every two hours, or clients who leave you in the dark. Whatever the situation, objection, or personality, this book will help you prepare for those tough conversations that you will inevitably face as an agent.
You’ve probably heard of this book, but if you haven’t read it yet, consider this your time. Believe it or not, becoming more likable and trustworthy are skills that can be honed. The principles outlined in this book can help you learn how to lead people with sincerity and earn their trust. At its heart, it’s a real lesson on how we can do sales without being too “salesy.”
Sales and networking are critical components of success as a professional real estate agent. It doesn’t matter how much you know about real estate—if you can’t persuade people to work with you, you won’t survive long. We know cold calling isn’t everyone’s favorite, but if you’re hoping to hone that skill and gain practical, actionable advice, this is a great resource.
Rainmaking Conversations: Influence, Persuade, and Sell in Any Situation by Mike Schultz & John E. Doerr
If you are looking for the Ph.D. of sales books, then look no further. ‘Rainmaking Conversations’ guides the reader through professional sales techniques, like building rapport, creating a unique value proposition, and overcoming objections. This is a must for any salesperson, real estate professionals especially.
Best Real Estate Books About Leadership: Develop Skills to Take Charge & Inspire
You don’t have to be a managing broker or even a real estate team leader to get a lot of value from these picks. As real estate professionals, we are leaders in so many ways; we lead our clients through transactions, we lead other industry professionals (like mortgage brokers, inspectors, appraisers), and we are leaders in our communities.
Simon Sinek, famous for his TED Talk (57+ million views at the time of publication), asks why because he knows that’s what all great leaders ask. They focus less on the how and the what—it’s the why that inspires and drives them. The same is true with customers; we won’t buy in until we understand why we should.
While some argue that this book could be edited down, or that the TED Talk does the job, many find inspiration as Sinek expounds on his initial thesis. As we work hard day after day, we never want to lose the why.
After Sinek’s TED Talk fame, he wanted to explore why some team members will literally put their life on the line for each other, and some teams face endless fragmentation and distrust.
His title (and thesis) come from a conversation Sinek had with a Marine Corps general, who explained that in his world, leaders eat last. Leaders willing to put their own comforts, or in the extreme, their own lives, behind the needs of others, are the ones who command loyalty.
The best organizations build trust within their teams because their leaders create, as Sinek puts it, a “Circle of Safety.” These are especially helpful lessons for brokers and team leaders, but really, for life.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz
Horowitz, a Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur and investor, focuses on the tough decisions he has made as a CEO and leader. While most business books detail the steps entrepreneurs take to be profitable and successful, Horowitz looks at the potential challenges and pitfalls, such as layoffs, internal politics, hiring the right people, and eventually selling the business. He prepares readers for the “hard things” and offers thoughtful strategies when things don’t go as planned.
The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People by Gary Chapman & Paul White
Chapman and White break down how to best communicate appreciation to colleagues and direct reports using a “language of appreciation.” Understanding how people crave and receive appreciation will improve morale in any workplace. Recognizing how to best show the people around you (customers, clients, friends, colleagues, family members) that you appreciate them strengthens your sphere of influence.
Liz Wiseman, head of the leadership and development firm The Wiseman Group (whose clients include Apple, AT&T, Disney, Facebook, Google, Nike, Tesla, and many others), makes the case for being a leader who makes everyone else in the room feel smarter.
We’ve all been around people who seem to drain the energy, enthusiasm, and capability from the people around them. If you’re lucky, you’ve also been in a room with someone who amplifies those things, who turns on the lightbulb above your head. Wiseman lays out the path to be the latter in an easy-to-read business book all real estate professionals should have on their shelves.
Best Real Estate Books About Social Impact: How Far We’ve Come & Work Left to Do
The real estate industry plays a vital role in our communities and in society as a whole. That’s why it’s crucial to understand past and present inequalities and how we can move toward a more equitable future.
This book is a must-read for every real estate professional. Essentially a historical exposé, it details the deliberate systems put into place to discriminate and reinforce racial segregation.
It won (or was a finalist for) just about every award possible when published in 2017, so if you missed it when it first came out, give this one a good read. It’s essential to understand where we’ve all come from to see clearly where we’re going.
Race Brokers: Housing Markets and Segregation in 21st Century Urban America by Elizabeth Korver-Glenn
Korver-Glenn, a professor of sociology at the University of New Mexico, examines the Houston real estate market and finds it rife with opportunities for deliberate racial segregation. It’s an important read as we work toward ending injustice in every corner where we encounter it. There’s a lot to take in here, and it’s not a happy read, but it will leave you asking questions, wanting to learn more, and striving to work for a better world.
Race for Profit: How Banks & the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Homeownership (Justice, Power & Politics) by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
If you think you know all about the history of housing discrimination in the United States, think again. This is an incredibly thoughtful and well-researched analysis of the policies that kept many Black families on the outside looking in. Both heartbreaking and captivating, Taylor manages to strike a fine balance between encyclopedic knowledge and engaging storytelling.
Her work features real people fighting a system set up to defeat them—the result is a book that will keep you up at night and spur many dinner table conversations.
Lewis continues to be one of the wittiest observers of economics in America in our time. “The Big Short” tells the tale of the 2008 housing crisis, but even better, Lewis explains what led to it. He presents a narrative full of colorful characters and makes complex, sometimes dry material approachable and entertaining. This is a wonderful read regardless of your industry, but for real estate professionals, it’s a must.
Better Capitalism: Jesus, Adam Smith, Ayn Rand, and MLK Jr. on Moving from Plantation to Partnership Economics by Paul E. Knowlton & Aaron E. Hedges
This is a challenging work penned by Paul Knowlton, a JD, and Aaron Hedges, who has an MBA (both have Masters of Divinity). They present a hopeful path forward for our economic system—one that is more mindful, deliberate, and equitable.
Before you think this book might be too feel-good or idealistic, consider what Tony Reid, a former Senior Vice President of Marriott International, argues: “This is an eloquent and articulate reminder of the importance of understanding economics in the context of our communities, country, and roles as business leaders.”
Best Real Estate Books About Success: What It Looks Like Today
Business is constantly changing, especially in 2023 and beyond. Each book in this section offers practical and useful knowledge on the future of work, fundamentals of finance, definitions of success, and paths for creating the type of business that inspires and motivates you.
Data geeks, this one’s for you. Jim Collins, who wrote “Built to Last,” looks at what made 11 companies (out of the roughly 1,400 on the Fortune 500) jump from “goodness” to absolute “greatness.” He first defined greatness: 15 years of steadily increasing profits after 10 years of stagnation, and then he assembled a team of researchers to learn how they did it.
After five years, collecting 384 megabytes of data, 2,000 pages of interview transcripts, and pouring over 6,000 articles, they put their research together. Their findings, Collins argues, are pretty astounding. And it’s not what you think.
If you want to bring home a million dollars next year, read this book for inspiration. Many new real estate agents forget that most of your hard-earned commission doesn’t go into your pocket. This book distinguishes between net and gross earnings and gives you an economic blueprint to minimize costs and maximize take-home pay.
If you’re new to the business, this book is worthwhile. Full of step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and many “how-to” lessons, this book should be on every new agent’s reading list.
Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Michael Michalowicz
Do you dream of owning a profitable real estate brokerage one day? If so, you’re going to have to get comfortable with the financial side of the real estate business. While accounting and finances may be less exciting than closing a million-dollar listing, you’ll never succeed without a solid understanding of how profit really works.
While “Profit First” was written for general business owners and entrepreneurs, the techniques in this book are essential for real estate agents.
You can read every business book on the market, but if you’re not in a healthy, productive mindset, you won’t be successful. These five books outline tips and strategies for finding strength when times are tough, setting up habits that foster success, and ensuring that you are the best professional (and person!) you can be.
Best Real Estate Books About Perseverance + Mindset
You can read every business book on the market, but if you’re not in a healthy, productive mindset, you won’t be successful. These five books outline tips and strategies for finding strength when times are tough, setting up habits that foster success, and ensuring that you are the best professional (and person!) you can be.
David Goggins is the self-proclaimed “baddest mother-******” on the planet, and after reading this book, it’s easy to see why. Rising up from a brutal childhood, he built his mental and emotional strength while testing the limits of his physical strength. A retired Navy Seal, he also completed the U.S. Army Ranger School and Air Force Tactical Air Controller training. He’s retired from the armed services but fills his time with ultra-marathons, ultra-triathlons, and setting records right and left.
“Can’t Hurt Me” is one of those rare motivational books you can’t put down. You’ll finish this one with a firm belief that pain, fear, and doubt should never get in the way of achieving your dreams.
You probably won’t find this book on other real estate book lists, but “Psycho-Cybernetics” is a classic read about reaching your goals and preparing your mind for success.
As a new real estate agent, you can expect to be working hard every day. You’ll work weekends, you’ll probably take client calls after hours, and you’ll have to grind to build the relationships that lead to referrals. Through all of the hustle and bustle, you can easily lose track of your goals and burn out. But if you apply the theories outlined here, you can be sure that you’ll keep your mind calm and centered.
In a nutshell, this is about believing in yourself. The lessons apply to nearly all aspects of life, but they’re particularly relevant to careers and leadership. Schwartz advocates for maintaining your relationships and quality of life during your early years as a real estate agent. If you have big goals and aspirations, don’t skip this one.
With so much competition out there, believing that hard work beats talent isn’t easy. That’s why we loved “Grit” by Angela Duckworth. Here, she lays out the case that perseverance is the key to success and offers the hard science to prove it.
You’ve read how to crush sales, become a remarkable leader, communicate effectively, understand your role in our greater socio-economic world, and stand tall in the face of adversity. But how do you put it all into place?
That’s where James Clear comes in. He argues that often, the problem isn’t you—it’s your systems. He presents actionable solutions to common challenges that will leave you feeling like with a few tweaks and improved habits, you can conquer your world.
This is the book that set me upon the path to entrepreneurship!
I love this book because it reset my mindset right at the start of my journey!
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind reveals the missing link between wanting success and achieving it!
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to get rich easily, while others are destined for a life of financial struggle? Is the difference found in their education, intelligence, skills, timing, work habits, contacts, luck, or their choice of jobs, businesses, or investments?
The shocking answer is: None of the above!
In his groundbreaking Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, T. Harv Eker states: "Give me five minutes, and I can predict your financial future for the rest of your life!" Eker does this by identifying your "money and success blueprint." We all have a personal money blueprint ingrained in our subconscious minds, and it is this blueprint, more than anything, that will determine our financial lives. You can know everything about marketing, sales, negotiations, stocks, real estate, and the world of finance, but if your money blueprint is not set for a high level of success, you will never have a lot of money—and if somehow you do, you will most likely lose it! The good news is that now you can actually reset your money blueprint to create natural and automatic success.
The best book on systems that saved my backside when I was in deep crap!
In this first new and totally revised edition of the over two million copy bestseller, The E-Myth, Michael Gerber dispels the myths surrounding starting your own business and shows how commonplace assumptions can get in the way of running a business.
An instant classic, this revised and updated edition of the phenomenal bestseller dispels the myths about starting your own business. Small business consultant and author Michael E. Gerber, with sharp insight gained from years of experience, points out how common assumptions, expectations, and even technical expertise can get in the way of running a successful business.
Gerber walks you through the steps in the life of a business—from entrepreneurial infancy through adolescent growing pains to the mature entrepreneurial perspective: the guiding light of all businesses that succeed—and shows how to apply the lessons of franchising to any business, whether or not it is a franchise. Most importantly, Gerber draws the vital, often overlooked distinction between working on your business and working in your business.
The E-Myth Revisited will help you grow your business in a productive, assured way.
This launched my sales career and flooded me with more leads than I could handle!
Write Well to Sell Big!
In the age of e-mail and instant communication, great sales copy is indispensable to closing a deal. But too many sales letters end up in the junk file or the wastebasket. In this new edition of his top-selling book, author Dan Kennedy explains why some sales letters work and most don't. And he shows how to write copy that any business can use.
Among other things, he provides:
- Completely updated text and examples
- Great headline formulas
- New exercises to spark creativity
- The best way to use graphics
Dan Kennedy is the most successful, highly paid direct-response copywriter in America. In this book, he shares his step-by-step formula so everyone can write letters that will nail the sale.
The book that gave me an OBCENE 10,000 X ROI on the $16 I paid for it!
"People make buying decisions emotionally and justify them logically."
That shrewd insight from the first edition of this bestselling book has become a no-brainer among sales professionals. Now, the new edition of classic work that has helped millions of sales professionals take their career to new levels offers critical new insights, information, and tools for success in today’s economy.
You Can’t Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar, Second Edition retains David Sandler's classic, battle-tested advice on driving personal and organizational success by breaking the rules of conventional selling. And now Sandler Training’s CEO, David Mattson, has revisited it to provide additional skills designed for today’s highly competitive and more complex sales landscape.
This new edition of You Can’t Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar is a potent mixture of Sandler’s timeless techniques and best practices from the most effective sales operation today.
Over to You
What are some of the best real estate books that you’ve found helpful in your career? Let us know in the comments.
Learn How To Get More Real Estate Leads, Get More Listings, Close More Sales, with Less Resistance AND still have a LIFE!
Get more exclusive real estate agent training here 👉 https://www.yasserkhan.sg/👈
YASSER KHAN
Author, Coach & Trainer
Yasser Khan earned less than $1,000 in his first year as a full time property agent. With no money for the $2 train fare to his Broker's office, he was forced to walk 25 kilometers on foot. Worse, he got evicted at midnight with his wife and baby son by the roadside. Desperate, he bought a $16 Sales book and took massive action. That single investment in himself gave him an OBSCENE ROI of $160,000 in just 11 months. Today, Yasser is on a mission to make the real estate great career again and helps ambitious agents quadruple their commission income within 90 days.
Yasser Khan is a real estate coach at YasserKhan.SG, trainer at PropertyAgentUniversity.com and the author of Property Agent Secrets Book who teaches Realtors how to make more Money, have more Time and enjoy more Freedom without all the B.S. plaguing the industry today.
Yasser Khan’s approach to coaching is highly personalised, holistic, no B.S., and for “PROS ONLY… amateurs not allowed.” He believes that true success means winning in every single area of your life (like Financial, Family, Social, Physical, Mental, Spiritual and Fun).
When Yasser isn’t coaching, he loves playing GOTY PC Games with top-of-the-line Razer products and being a kid again with his 3 naughty children (actually, boss babies...), traveling to and across scenic Pakistan, enjoying hot & spicy food, taking pictures of the Milky Way with his favourite Canon DSLR and reading up all about Dinosaurs (especially T. Rex)
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