Below is a list of books which may be educational and enjoyable for people who are passionate about real estate.  By clicking on the book images below, you will be redirected to Amazon.com, where behindthedeals.com will earn an affiliate fee for all purchases. Thanks for your support!

To suggest a book to be added to this list, feel free to email us at behindthedeals@gmail.com

Book #1: The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get things Right by

Why we recommend this book:  This book explains the benefits of creating and using checklists, which have been found to encourage methodical and more reliable decision making.  Learn how to create checklists that can be used to screen real estate investment opportunities.

 

Book #2: Fables of Fortune: What Rich People Have that You Don’t Want

Why we recommend this book:  In this quick read, attorney Richard Watts provides a look into how relationships and lives can be complicated if people aren’t cognizant of all of the minefields that come with wealth.  Reading this book will make you more thoughtful in how (and whether) you decide to transition wealth to your heirs, and how to separate relationships and finances

Book #3: Influence:  The Psychology of Persuasion

Why we recommend this book:  In the timeless classic, Cialdini delves into the six principles of persuasion.  Knowing these principles can help you in influencing others as well as protecting yourself from being influenced by others.  This book is an important one for everyone, including real estate professionals

 

Book #4: Power Charlie’s Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charlie Munger

Why we recommend this book:  In this book, Charlie Munger, arguably one of the greatest thinkers of our time, lays out the simple, yet revolutionary mental models framework of decision making.  Building and organizing a framework of mental models can provide you with the perspective to attain deep, clear, and multi-disciplined understandings of events, situations, problems, and complex phenomenons.

 

Book #5: The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon

Why we recommend this book:  One of the biggest questions facing real estate professionals is the extent to which e-commerce will effect the demand for retail, office, and warehouse space over time.  This book provides a deep look into the beginnings, growth, and future of the undisputed e-commerce leader

 

Book #6: The Miracle Morning: Changing the World One Morning at a Time

Why we recommend this book:  A successful and efficient real estate professional is usually successful and efficient in other areas of their lives.  What better way to accomplish more in life (and real estate investing ) than waking up earlier? This practical book emphasizes the importance of a morning routine including silence, affirmations, visualization, exercise, reading, and journaling.

 

Book #7: King of Capital:  The Remarkable Rise, Fall, And Rise Again of Steve Schwarzman and Blackstone

Why we recommend this book:  A well-written look into Blackstone Group, the undisputed leader of real estate private equity.  With over $100 billion of real estate assets under management, Blackstone consistently outperforms its competitors and is sure to be a major player in the global real estate industry for the foreseeable future

 

Book #8: Sam Walton:  Made in America

Why we recommend this book:  In Sam Walton’s autobiography, he recounts building up the largest retailer in the world.  In this book, there are numerous references to Wal-Mart’s real estate investments, developments, and site selection strategies which prove useful to any real estate professional.

 

 

Book #9: The Snowball:  Warren Buffet and the Business of Life

Why we recommend this book:  A well-written and detailed look into the personal life and career of one of the greatest investors of our time.  Learn about Buffett’s insights into investing, business partnerships, philanthropy, and work ethic.

 

Book #10: The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing

Why we recommend this book:  Put simply, this book is the Bible of value investing.  In this book, Warren Buffet’s professor presents his simple, yet revolutionary idea of “Mr. Market” as well as many other common-sense investing principles.

 

Book #11: Reichmanns:  Family, Faith, Fortune and the Empire of Olympia and York

Why we recommend this book:  An inspiring and cautionary story about one of the most successful real estate developers in history, who’s exponential and seemingly unstoppable growth was brought to a halt by an economic recession and overly grand ambitions.

 

Book #12: Good to Great:  Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t

Why we recommend this book:  Jim Collins’ well-researched book studies companies with the intention of noticing recurring and practical strategies of companies which have exhibited consistent and sustained outsized growth and success.  Collins’ idea of “Level 5” managers is a worthwhile takeaway for any real estate professional

 

Book #13: Other People’s Money:  Inside the Housing Crisis and the Greatest Real Estate Deal Ever Made

Why we recommend this book:  In this book, Bagli recounts the detailed history behind the largest real estate complex in the United States.  The property’s 2006 sale and its aftermath, in many ways, provide a glimpse into a high-profile deal that has become synonymous with the Great Recession.

 

Book #14: Walkable City:  How Downtown can Save America One Step at a Time

Why we recommend this book: “Jeff Speck has dedicated his career to determining what makes cities thrive. And he has boiled it down to one key factor: walkability. Making downtown into a walkable, viable community is the essential fix for the typical American city; it is eminently achievable and its benefits are manifold. Walk-able City―bursting with sharp observations and key insights into how urban change happens―lays out a practical, necessary, and inspiring vision for how to make American cities great again.” -Amazon.com

 

Book #15: The Liar’s Ball:  The Extraordinary Saga of How One Building Broke World’s Toughest Tycoons

Why we recommend this book:  This book recounts the history of the GM building over the years, during which time it has been owned by Donald Trump, Macklowe Organization, and many more institutional investors.