Continuous learning and skill enhancement are keys to thriving in the real estate industry and staying ahead of the curve. Whether you’ve been an agent for a decade or just got your license, investing in the right resources can make a big difference. I’ll give you my curated selection of the best books for real estate agents. From mastering the art of negotiation to learning how to build a profitable business, these books cover various topics that can help you grow personally and professionally. Let’s dive in!
Best Books for New Real Estate Agents
As real estate agents, you’ll want to kick-start your careers on the right foot and set the most ambitious goals. Building a solid network and lasting relationships with clients might be one of the things you should be proficient in, but there’s more to it than that. Here are some books that can lay the groundwork for a successful real estate career:
1. Your First 365 Days in Real Estate by Shelley Zavitz
If you’re new to real estate, this book will tell you what to expect in your first year as an agent. Are you ready for this new career you’re taking on? Shelley Zavitz explains the good and the bad of the real estate industry, along with her personal experiences and what made her successful. Zavitz’s book is easy to absorb and will motivate you to put yourself out there.
Get Your First 365 Days in Real Estate on Amazon or Audible.
2. The Go-Giver by Bob Burg & John David Mann
One of the most memorable real estate agent books, “The Go-Giver,” tells the story of a young salesman who learns the power of giving and putting others’ needs first. Through encounters, he discovers the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success, transforming his approach from getting to giving. This book is a must-read to build genuine relationships and achieve long-term success.
Get The Go-Giver on Amazon or Audible.
3. Ninja Selling by Larry Kendall
Instead of using the traditional method of hard-selling by chasing clients, wouldn’t it be so much easier if you could attract clients? In “Ninja Selling,” Larry Kendall introduces a refreshing approach to selling. Kendall emphasizes the importance of authentic connections and understanding the client’s needs. Definitely one of the classics, this book applies to real estate agents and sales professionals in general.
Get Ninja Selling on Amazon or Audible.
4. SOLD by David M. Greene
Start reading this book if you are a beginner agent or have yet to get your real estate license. David M. Greene shares industry knowledge and his experience and provides actionable tips on everything from building a sales funnel to negotiating deals. The book covers various topics, including transitioning from a nine-to-five mentality to an entrepreneurial mindset. If you’ve been an agent for years, this is the book you’ll wish you had read when you started your business.
Get SOLD on Amazon or Audible.
5. Exactly What to Say by Phil M. Jones, Chris Smith & Jimmy Mackin
Every agent I know recommends this book! Over the course of your real estate 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.
Get Exactly What to Say on Amazon or Audible
Best Real Estate Sales & Marketing Books for Agents
No matter how successful you think you are at selling properties, there’s always room for growth. These real estate marketing books will teach you lead generation strategies, continuously refine your skills, and help you stand out from the competition.
6. The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries & Jack Trout
Despite being published in 1993, “The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing” remains relevant and resonates with businesses today. Al Ries and Jack Trout present 22 fundamental principles in this book, including the Law of Leadership and Perception. Notably, one of their popular claims was that marketing is a battle of perceptions, not products. If you want to know more, you’ve got to read this!
Get The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing on Amazon or Audible.
7. Endless Referrals by Bob Burg
Networking takes a lot of grit, especially for agents who haven’t been in the business for long. In “Endless Referrals,” Bob Burg teaches readers how to become someone people like and trust, which leads to more referrals and a more profitable business. Whether you’re a small team or a large brokerage, you’ll surely get many insights from this book.
Get Endless Referrals on Amazon or Audible.
8. What to Post by Chelsea Peitz
So many real estate coaches tell you how to market yourself on social media, but I especially love Chelsea Peitz’s “What to Post.” Her workbook presents a three-phase approach to assist agents in establishing their brand, creating engaging content, and expanding their reach.
Get What to Post on Amazon.
9. $100M Leads by Alex Hormozi
“$100M Leads” is one of the best books real estate agents will enjoy. Alex Hormozi offers eight “never-go-hungry” playbooks to help you understand where to look for leads and the power of lead magnets. His diagrams, stick figure drawings, and real-life photos explaining concepts are all easy to grasp.
Get $100M Leads on Amazon or Audible.
10. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
This book may be written for general business owners, but the techniques are essential for real estate agents. Do you dream of owning a profitable real estate brokerage one day? If so, you’ll 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.
Get Profit First on Amazon or Audible.
Best Professional Development Books for Realtors
Never-ending learning for personal and professional growth is essential to be successful in the industry. In this section, I’ll outline the best books for real estate agents on improving your time management, communication and negotiation skills, maintaining focus, and more. Even if you decide to switch careers in the future, these books will still apply to you.
11. Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss & Tahl Raz
If you think your negotiation skills are subpar and are having difficulty closing deals, it’s time to order this book. “Never Split the Difference” focuses on empathy and active listening to understand emotions. Chris Voss, a former FBI negotiator, will teach you how to prioritize connection over confrontation, resulting in securing better deals. All the techniques Voss and Tahl Raz have included in this book, such as “mirroring” and “labeling,” will help you in every aspect of your life.
Get Never Split the Difference on Amazon or Audible.
12. Tools Of Titans by Timothy Ferriss
“Tools of Titans” is a compilation of insights and memorable quotes from Timothy Ferriss’ interviews with over 200 experts, athletes, artists, and more. This book is a treasure trove of habits, routines, and strategies of successful people across various fields. Many tactics will surely resonate with you, whether to boost productivity or find more wisdom. If you’re feeling stuck anywhere in life, read this book.
Get Tools of Titans on Amazon or Audible.
13. 7L: The Seven Levels of Communication: Go From Relationships to Referrals by Michael J. Maher
This book is a great resource if you are 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 can learn from and easily implement Michael J. Maher’s straightforward “seven-level formula.”
Get 7L: The Seven Levels of Communication on Amazon or Audible.
14. The Real Book of Real Estate by Robert T. Kiyosaki
“The Real Book of Real Estate” features a team of successful investors and advisors sharing their expertise. This book covers the basics and provides a detailed plan for navigating the real estate market’s ups and downs. Additionally, it explores the various real estate niches and how you can find the right fit for you.
Get The Real Book of Real Estate on Amazon or Audible.
15. Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy
In “Eat That Frog!” Brian Tracy tackles procrastination using a metaphor. The frog symbolizes your most significant and daunting task, which you should face head-first in the morning. Tackling the most challenging task first thing daily boosts your productivity and confidence, making all your other tasks feel smaller and easier to complete. Better start reading this book if you’re a serial procrastinator!
Get Eat That Frog! on Amazon or Audible.
Best Books for Realtors About Growing Your Business
Growing your business ten years ago isn’t the same as growing it now. You probably have more competitors today compared to five or ten years ago. Building and expanding your business requires strategic planning, innovation, and focus. And with that, here are some of the top real estate books offering actionable advice, proven strategies, and inspiration for scaling your business.
16. The Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller
“The Millionaire Real Estate Agent” is one of the best books for realtors to ever exist. Get this book whether you’re a seasoned agent or new to the business. It contains step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and “how-to” lessons. Many agents forget that most of their hard-earned commission doesn’t go into their pockets. This book distinguishes between net and gross earnings and gives agents an economic blueprint to minimize costs and maximize take-home pay.
Get The Millionaire Real Estate Agent on Amazon or Audible.
17. Shark Tales by Barbara Corcoran and Bruce Littlefield
If you’re nervous about taking the plunge and starting your own team or brokerage, then “Shark Tales” is essential reading. Barbara Corcoran recounts her amazing success story in the book—from growing up poor in a large family to using her wits to dominate the cutthroat world of Manhattan real estate.
Get Shark Tales on Amazon or Audible.
18. Sell It Like Serhant by Ryan Serhant
“Sell It Like Serhant” is your guide to sales success. It is packed with Ryan Serhant’s personal anecdotes about his experiences and how he deals with setbacks. Serhant teaches you the importance of hustling and juggling multiple deals simultaneously. My favorite takeaway from this book is how crucial following up is in converting leads into sales.
Get Sell It Like Serhant on Amazon or Audible.
19. Secrets of Top Selling Agents by Joe Sesso
If you’re wondering whether top agents will divulge their secrets to success, read Joe Sesso’s book. “Secrets of Top Selling Agents” is a compilation of insights from real estate superstars. You’ll learn more about lead generation strategies and wealth-building in this book. Each chapter features a different industry leader sharing their success stories.
Get Secrets of Top Selling Agents on Amazon or Audible.
20. The Billion Dollar Channel Method by Jackson Wilkey
While this book is relatively new—it was just published in 2023—many have already purchased it and given it excellent reviews. In it, Jackson Wilkey provides tips and tricks for succeeding on YouTube. With great storytelling, Wilkey shares his stories of failures and successes and how everyone can be successful on YouTube regardless of personality type. If you can juggle selling properties while creating content for your YouTube channel, I recommend you listen to the audiobook format.
Get The Billion Dollar Channel Method on Amazon or Audible.
Best Real Estate Investing Books
Diving into investing is a powerful way to build long-term wealth and diversify your income. You can use your industry knowledge and network to identify profitable investment opportunities. If you want to be on the other side of real estate, here are some of the best investing books that offer expert advice and proven techniques to help you succeed.
21. How to Be a Real Estate Investor by Phil Pustejovsky
“How to Be a Real Estate Investor” is a practical beginner guide. Phil Pustejovsky emphasizes the value of having a mentor or partner to help you make informed decisions. He used real-life examples to make complex topics easy to digest. If you’re not yet convinced about this book, check out the author’s YouTube channel, where he talks about investing.
Get How to Be a Real Estate Investor on Amazon or Audible.
22. The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller
Yup, there are two Gary Keller books on my list! In “The Millionaire Real Estate Investor,” Keller focuses on building wealth through strategic investments and features interviews with over a hundred millionaire investors. In addition to these investors’ success stories, the book includes their strategies for tracking their net worth and building their networks.
Get The Millionaire Real Estate Investor on Amazon or Audible.
23. ABCs of Real Estate Investing by Ken McElroy
Get this if you’re considering reading the Rich Dad Advisors book series. Ken McElroy’s book highlights the most critical aspects of real estate investing, including property management. Since most beginner investors keep holding back before deciding, McElroy presents formulas for analyzing investments and the importance of due diligence.
Get ABCs of Real Estate Investing on Amazon or Audible.
24. The Book on Flipping Houses by J Scott
Want a source of income where you buy houses at a low cost and sell them at a higher price? Start flipping. “The Book on Flipping Houses” is an excellent guide for those interested in buying, renovating, and selling homes for profit. J Scott covers every step of the flipping process, from finding properties to marketing them.
Get The Book on Flipping Houses on Amazon or Audible.
25. The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner
Here’s a good read if you’re an agent looking for passive income. This is not one of those books that teaches you how to be rich in a year. Instead, this book is about how investing in rental properties eventually allows you to quit your day job. In it, Brandon Turner provides strategies for acquiring, managing, and scaling a rental property portfolio.
Get The Book on Rental Property Investing on Amazon or Audible.
FAQs: Best Books for Real Estate Agents
Can you suggest books for realtors looking to specialize in a particular niche?
If you want to specialize in a specific niche, consider “Selling Luxury Homes” by Jack Cotton for luxury real estate, “The Book on Managing Rental Properties” by Brandon and Heather Turner for rental property management, and “Abundant Broker” by Mike Falk for commercial real estate.
Which books can keep agents informed about the latest real estate market trends?
As agents, keeping up with market trends and news that can impact the industry is important. Consider reading Deborah L. Brett’s “Real Estate Market Analysis: Trends, Methods, and Information Sources” and Spencer Rascoff and Stan Humphries’ “Zillow Talk” to stay competitive and provide valuable insights to clients.
Additionally, you can educate yourself with market news by reading real estate blogs (like The Close!) and financial news websites.
Which books focus on communication skills for agents?
For agents who want to enhance their communication skills and master the art of persuasion, read “7L: The Seven Levels of Communication” by Michael J. Maher and “Exactly What to Say” by Phil M. Jones, Chris Smith, and Jimmy Mackin. These books emphasize the importance of authenticity and building lasting relationships with clients.
Bringing It All Together
From books on how to be a real estate agent to books about investing, there’s no limit to the amount of information and skills you can gain from reading. Have you read any books from our list? What are your top books for real estate agents? Recommend your favorites to us in the comments!
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