There’s a ton of content online. Some of it good, some bad.

Articles are great for tactical tips and tricks. However, sometimes you need something a little more in-depth and strategic. This is when books come in.

You’ve probably seen a million and one lists of the best books you just HAVE to read. Most of those lists just rehash the same information you’ve seen before. But, not this list. No hype. Just real good books for building a great real estate career.

Real estate is a business. If you want to succeed as a realtor, you need to understand the principles of business in general. This means: understanding yourself, understanding prospects and how to reach them, how to market and build a business.

Personal Development

Building a great career starts with building yourself. These books will help you determine your goals and develop a habit of doing high-value work. Focus, and more specifically determining priority in your work is a huge factor in being successful.

1. Think and Grow Rich

Amazon Link: Think and Grow Rich

I’m sure you’re not surprised to see this on the list. Think and grow rich is easily one of the most recognized and praised self development books out there. What affected me the most about this book is being clear about what I want out of life.

Finding a purpose in life… The existential question we all face at one point in time. This book tells us that how we think is one of the most important factors for success.

Why? The way we think determines what we do and therefore physically manifest in our lives.

You should read this book if you’re interested in learning more about what you want and setting some serious career goals.

During the past twenty-five years I have been blessed with more good fortune than any individual deserves but I shudder to think where I’d be today, or what I’d be doing if I had not been exposed to Napoleon Hill’s philosophy. It changed my life.

2. The One Thing

Amazon Link: The One Thing

The Pareto principle, working smarter not harder, focus etc. What does this all mean? Analyzing your tasks. Determining what is the most important. Then, doing the high value stuff first and as much as possible.

A lot of productivity books preach getting more stuff done. In reality, you need to get more important stuff done. Don’t focus on checking boxes off your list to feel good. Analyze what you are doing. Are your tasks actually high value or just busy work?

For example, stuff like paperwork, photographing homes and doing the set-up for open houses are all things you can and should outsource to other people when you have the means to do so. When you have the freedom to focus on revenue generating tasks, you’ll see your business take off. You’re a salesperson. You should be selling.

But don’t take it from me. This book was written by the big daddy Gary Keller himself.

Be like a postage stamp. Stick to one thing until you get there.

3. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Amazon Link: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

I haven’t read this book in a while. I may have actually been a little too far down the path of self-development as when I picked it up most of the principles seemed fundamental. However, for someone just getting out there in the world of self-development, this book will be a great resource for you.

The book stood out to me with it’s focus on founding your actions in a set of principles. Creating principles for yourself can be the first step in finding your purpose. The reality is, in order to feel successful, you have to stick to your principles.

I for example simply want to positively affect the world through writing and business. The details or path I take to reach that point are largely irrelevant. If you do the same thing and create principles, it becomes (a little) easier to get past those business failures, change course and move toward your end goals.

“When Stephen Covey talks, executives listen.”

Psychology & Leadership

I’m a huge Psychology guy. I believe that if you understand how people work Psychologically, you can win any game you play. Master the mind. Learn how people think. When you know these things, you can understand how to influence, lead, and inevitably sell to people.

4. How to Win Friends and Influence People

Amazon Link: How to Win Friends and Influence People

This is one of my favorite books of all time. It was actually one of the first real personal development books I ever read. I think I was about 16 when I picked it up for the first time.

Realty is a people business. The extent to which you can get others to like and trust you directly determines the volume of business you do. The author goes as far as to say it is the only book you would ever need to be successful. Why? If you can lead, influence and sell people on your ideas, you can get people to do what you want.

Just remember these principles are entirely more effective when you’re operating from a position of sincerity. If you’re always thinking about yourself, not the best interests of your client, they will smell it and you will be labeled shady as a result.

This book changed my life.

5. Influence: The Power of Persuasion

Amazon Link: Influence: The Power of Persuasion

Robert Cialdini is a self-professed schmuck. Sick of being taken advantage of, he did the research on persuasion that eventually went into Influence. This book goes into all of the ways salespeople motivate and influence their prospects. You’ll learn about how people think, and how to make small communication changes that influence the perception of other people.

Influence is a book I will come back to time and time again. It’s just a great resource for learning how people think and getting them to (ethically) do the things you want them to. If you are providing a great service, you should have no problem “manipulating” people a little. Your prospects deserve to work with you. Not some half-baked, flash in the pan realtor.

For marketers, this book is among the most important books written in the last ten years.

6. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Amazon Link: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

This book is especially great for anyone who plans to one day start a team or brokerage of their own. Understanding what motivates other people is a key to managing your team members.

Drive explains in-depth the idea of “flow” in work. A huge takeaway is that people work harder when they have internal motivation. External incentives can dramatically reduce the productivity of your team. Not only this, people work better when they have time to do some creative work.

I can’t summarize much more than that, but if you want to learn about what motivates people, check out Drive.

Persuasive… Harnessing the power of intrinsic motivation rather than extrinsic remuneration can be thoroughly satisfying and infinitely more rewarding.

7. Emotional Intelligence

Amazon Link: Emotional Intelligence

I have not actually read this book myself, but have heard great things. To me it appears to be like the philosophy of creating better relationships. First hand I have seen how important understanding and calibrating to social interactions is. Especially in business and building relationships.

People are emotional (especially in the home buying or selling stage). It’s important to be emotionally intelligent. This book will help you tap into the mind and understand how people feel. Understand how people feel and you’ll understand the basis of the actions they take. You can then use this information to delicately approach emotionally charged situations with your homeowners.

A thoughtfully written, persuasive account explaining emotional intelligence and why it can be crucial to your career.

8. Predictably Irrational

Amazon Link: Predictably Irrational

Not only are people emotional, they’re also irrational. Dan Ariely wrote this book as a look into all of the ways humans are predictably irrational. That is, being supplied with a specific stimulus and reacting in a predictable (but irrational) way.

This book is great for learning about perception. The way you approach a situation can directly affect the way it is perceived – even if all else is equal. Perception, especially in the home buying and selling process is super important.

Emotions are charged, patience runs thin, and it’s up to you to keep your clients cool.

Remember, you want to keep your clients cool because then you’re leading the interaction. If you put the ball in their court all bets are off.

A fascinating romp through the science of decision-making that unmasks the ways that emotions, social norms, expectations, and context lead us astray.”

Marketing

Marketing and branding are the tools you use to get in front of your prospects and make them remember your name. Once you’re further into your career, you’ll be able to leverage more referrals. For those just starting out, paid and unpaid “cold” marketing, or marketing within your sphere of influence is going to be huge.

9. Guerrilla Marketing

Amazon Link: Guerrilla Marketing

Originally Jay Conrad Levinson wrote Guerrilla Marketing for his students when he taught at the University of California. This book is basically the bible for branding and marketing material and strategy.

It then became a huge success selling a full suite of marketing books across the world in dozens of languages.

Ever heard of the Microsoft Butterfly fiasco? That’s one example of Guerrilla Marketing at play. Reddit did the same thing.

In short, Guerrilla Marketing is any form of promotion or marketing for low or no cost. You leverage creative ideas and time investment rather than capital expenditure to get big business results. I first saw this article and went down the path of learning about no-cost marketing. Read Guerrilla Marketing and see how you can apply creative marketing strategies to your real estate business.

Guerrilla Marketing is the entrepreneur’s marketing bible — and the book every small-business owner should have on his or her shelf.

10. 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing

Amazon Link: 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing

This book is short. I remember I read it in a few hours. It’s packed with a ton of valuable information that will help you with your branding and marketing strategy. They include examples of failed and successful marketing attempts to justify their points. Some of the examples are actually mind-boggling.

For example, they talk about the “first mover” principle. This basically means that the person or company that is able to solidify their place in the market before competitors will basically remain number one forever. A good example of this in the book is Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and other soda/pop companies. Number one (Coke) gets the majority market share, number two (Pepsi) gets a decent piece, and the rest get the scraps.

The book proposes that every piece of marketing material you publish be branded with a consistent message. Choose one word you want to burn into the mind of your prospects. And if you can be the first realtor or brokerage to move into or create a new market, you can carve out a great business.

Just as the laws of physics define the workings of the universe, so do successful marketing programs conform to the ’22 Laws.’

11. Endless Referrals

Amazon Link: Endless Referrals

Referral marketing should be one of your main marketing priorities as an agent or brokerage. Real estate in particular involves an enormous personal investment from both parties. Creating an environment where you are being recommended by your happy clients will result in a big business boost. This is because of the confidence that comes with social proof.

Endless Referrals is one of the most popular books on the subject. Although I have not read it myself (yet), I am familiar with setting up processes to generate referrals. If you like this book, you may also like “93 Referral Systems” by Jay Abraham.

Bob Burg has long been the authority on connecting with clients and building win-win relationships. Endless Referrals should be required reading for sales professionals and entrepreneurs everywhere.

Business & Real Estate

Here are the fundamentals to conducting yourself, your team and brokerage. Use the principles in the following books to optimize your business structure and operations. This will result in higher productivity and thus profitability.

12. The E-Myth Revisited

Amazon Link: The E-Myth Revisited

This book should be required reading for anyone looking to get into business or become self-employed. I believe the phrase “working on your business, not in your business” was originally coined by the author. Michael E. Gerber mainly goes over what is called the franchise model. How to set up processes so that your business can run even when you step away.

As a business owner, which as a realtor you are, your primary working hours should be spent working on business development (like sales) and strategy. As a contrast, the author explains that most business owners spend their time putting out fires and completing tasks. You don’t have a business at this point. You have a job.

Gerber loves to exhort people to develop powerful visions for their companies.

13. The Ultimate Sales Machine

Amazon Link: The Ultimate Sales Machine

This is one of my favorite business books ever. I still can’t believe sometimes how bad the management and communication structure is in businesses I have worked with. This is especially true of older, more established industries. It seems like so many people are just running around like chickens with their heads cut off. No real management structure or on-going workplace reviews and improvement.

To have effective and repeatable sales processes, you need to set up an organization that is effective. That’s what the first 120 pages or so do. You’ll learn how to run a business efficiently. The author then moves into more specific sales strategies and tactics. Check out The Ultimate Sales Machine. It’s definitely one of the best overall business books I have ever read.

The Ultimate Sales Machine [is] a book that puts it all together to help you dramatically increase your sales if you are wise enough to follow its advice.

14. The Millionaire Real Estate Agent

Amazon Link: The Millionaire Real Estate Agent

The title says it all. This book is coined as the Bible for establishing and growing a real estate business. As Gary Keller of Keller Williams wrote the book you know it’s going to be good. Not only that, it has a personal recommendation from Robert Kiyosaki.

This is one of the 3 books from this list I haven’t read. But again, I’ve heard amazing things. The number of copies sold and reviews on Amazon speak for themselves. I have a feeling this may be similar to the book “Million Dollar Consulting” which I have read and recommend as well.

I’m adding this to my list and will read as soon as possible.

This book presents a new paradigm for real estate and should be required reading for real estate professionals everywhere.

15. Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard

Amazon Link: Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard

Real estate is probably one of the toughest businesses out there. The economy and housing market have so many ups and downs. In order to stay above water when times get hard, you need to understand change management. That means pivoting and changing course when what you are doing isn’t working.

It’s hard to do a complete 180 when you’ve built an established business. The thought of completely changing your target market and everything that comes with it is a daunting task. Switch is a book you should read so that the next time the housing and real estate market as a whole changes drastically (like 2008), you’ll be able to zig when everyone else is zagging.

This is one of the most important business books published during the last several years.

Suggestions By AgentFire Staff

16. Sell It Like Serhant

Amazon link: Sell It Like Serhant 

The Author:  There’s a good chance you already know Ryan Serhant. As an American real estate broker, author, and television personality, he has become a household name in recent years.

He is also a co-star on Million Dollar Listing New York and recently, the focus of the spin-off series called “Sell it Like Serhant.” 

Serhant also leads the Serhant Team, which constantly ranks as the number one team in New York and among the top five teams nationwide. 

Why You Should Read It: Do I need to explain further why you should get advice from this guy?

For starters, Serhant went from making $9,000 in his first year in real estate to selling over a billion dollars in just nine years. If there is anyone who knows how to sell a property (or anything really), its Serhant. 

The book explains how to reach the top and why you should strive to do the same. It will inspire you to expand your business and keep your clients coming back for more. 

Everything from time management to negotiation, “Sell It Like Serhant” is a must-read for realtors at any point in their career. 

A Win is the legacy you leave behind. And your win doesn’t have to be as big as “change the world”—but it needs to be real, it needs to change you, and it needs to be something you really want. – Ryan Serhant 

17. Real Estate Success in 5 Minutes a Day

Amazon link: Real Estate Success in 5 Minutes a Day

The Author: Karen Briscoe’s is the main owner of the Huckaby Briscoe Conroy Group (HBC) with Keller Williams. Her team is recognized as one of the top 250 national real estate teams by the Wall Street Journal and has sold over a billion in real estate.

Briscoe is also is an Associate Broker in Virginia and a Certified Luxury Home Market Specialist with the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing.

Why You Should Read The Book: There’s a lot of great real estate advice out there. But most of it requires you invest a considerable amount of time to implement. 

If you just need straightforward advice you can apply immediately and effortlessly, then this is your book.

Karen argues that by reading just five minutes of inspirational real estate material in the morning (which you can pair with your morning coffee) will drive your career to the next level.

This real estate book also inspires you to become a lifelong learner of not only real estate, but all areas of your life.

 Start today ‘the breakfast of champions’ habit of reading for inspiration and growth. – Karen Briscoe

18. The Miracle Morning for Real Estate Agents

Amazon link: The Miracle Morning for Real Estate Agents

The Author: Written by three authors, Hal Elrod, Michael J. Maher, and Michael Reese, their personal stories are incredibly motivating and inspiring. 

Hal Elrod is a best selling author who, at the age 20, was hit head-on by a drunk driver and found clinically dead at the scene. Hal woke from a coma to the news that he would never walk again. 

He defied the odds and eventually ran a 52-mile ultra-marathon. Elrod is now an international keynote speaker, success coach, and host of a top-ranked podcast on iTunes.

Michael J. Maher was known for a decade as North America’s Most Referred Real Estate Professional and is an international best selling author.

Michael Reese became a top producer in the Keller Williams system and regularly ranks in the top 50 for Keller Williams in the U.S.

Why You Should Read The Book: This real estate book inspires you how to become the person you need to be in order to create everything you want for your life. And according to the authors, all of that can be achieved by adjusting your morning routine.

“Get up earlier, stop hitting the snooze button, make a plan and do what is most important first,” are just a few key takeaways from the book. The three authors lay out the fundamentals and teach you how to build a real estate career worth having.

Your level of success will seldom exceed your level of personal development, because success is something you attract by the person you become. – The Miracle Morning for Real Estate Agents

19. Real: A Path to Passion, Purpose, and Profits in Real Estate

Amazon link: Real: A Path to Passion, Purpose, and Profits in Real Estate

The Author: Dave Crumby is the founder and CEO of Realvolve, a leading CRM built primarily with the needs of real estate agents in mind. Crumby has over 25 years of experience in the industry.

This real estate book also features a number of real estate thought leaders such as Pete Flint, CEO of Trulia, Sherry Chris, the CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate and many others. 

Why You Should Read It: This book is perfect for anyone who is thinking about getting into real estate or any real estate agents that wants to rekindle their passion. The book forces you to take a second look at real estate beyond just the money-making part. 

Instead of just chasing sales and commission checks, “Real” encourages you to build relationships and find meaning. Crumby explains his first-hand experience with the ups and downs of working in real estate and how they profoundly affected his life.

He gives real-world advice and suggests seeking guidance and understanding what it really takes to succeed in real estate.

Success means different things to different people, so let me be exceedingly clear on my definition. Success is not about money. Success is about finding purpose in what you do. Success is an expression of passion, the realization of a sustainable business. Success is contributing to the lives of others. And ultimately, I believe that success is generating enough income to fund your ideal lifestyle. – David Crumby

20. The Altman Close

Amazon link: The Altman Close 

The Author: Josh Altman is one of the top-producing real estate agents in the US. Alongside his brother Matt, the Altman brothers have achieved celebrity status in LA’s most luxurious neighborhoods, such as Hollywood, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Bel-Air and Holmby Hills.

Altman estate has closed some of the biggest deals in LA, and is also an avid real estate investor. He’s also the lead on the reality TV show of “Million Dollar Listing, Los Angeles.”

Why You Should Read The Book: Josh Altman has a number of skills and techniques that can be applied to anyone’s real estate career, even if you are selling one-bedroom condos. 

The book is divided into three components: first, how to get business. Second, how to do an exceptional job as a realtor. And third, how to seal the deal.

Throughout his book, Altman teaches you how to be at the top of your game, listen to your clients, stay in touch, and of course, how to close deals in his signature style.

The most important rule in life is to show up on time. By on time I mean early. By early, I mean ahead of schedule, prepared, in warrior mindset, questions asked and answered in all ways, ready to go, The clock started yesterday. – Josh Altman

21. Your First 365 Days in Real Estate

Amazon link: Your First 365 Days in Real Estate

The Authors: Shelley Zavitz is an award-winning author and real estate agent working in Portland, Oregon. By applying her  branding experience skills and real estate knowledge, she has become a dramatic success story.

Why You Should Read The Book: This book guides readers step-by-step through what they should expect in their first year of real estate. As an experienced real estate professional in one of the most demanding global cities, Zavits knows how to take real estate agents from graduates to business owners in their first year in the field.

She highlights the importance of mindset, the right social networks, how to build a marketing plan, handling failure and more.

Worksheets, Hotlists, and branding examples help the reader to put what they’ve learned into action right away. 

My aim, by sharing stories and lessons from my crazy experiences (and how I overcame them), is to give you a kind of blueprint for what to do so that you never get lost. – Shelly Zavitz

22. The Million Dollar Real Estate Team

Amazon link: The Million Dollar Real Estate Team

The Author: Written by Christopher Waters with Bradly Pounds. Christopher went from making zero dollars to making over a million, after expenses, within three years.

Why You Should Read The Book: This book is not for everyone. In fact, it even states so in the first few pages. The book is directed at a small percentage of agents that are willing to put aside their ego and put the effort to build a winning real estate team.

Waters argues that by being a single growth agent, you are not building a business by any means. You may be making a profit, but it’s one that is fragile and would crumble without you.

The book stands out in the way it honestly highlights the pitfalls of any real estate career. It shows how to properly and efficiently build a team, and how to manage it effectively.

By doing so, you’ll avoid having to do resale for the rest of your working years, and you can actually have a career and a life to go with it.

The real estate treadmill is killing you, taking its toll on your physical health and sanity each day. You need to know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, that you will reap the rewards of your hard work. – Christopher Waters

23. The Sell

Amazon link: The Sell

The Author: Fredrik Eklund is a New York City based Real Estate Broker, and a Bravo TV reality star and author.

Why you should read the book: The author Fredrik, moved to New York City with no money and no plan. He went from a rookie agent with no connections to the number one real estate agent in New York City. 

The book teaches you far more than how to be a better real estate agent. It teaches you life lessons throughout the pages while inspiring you to pursue your wildest dreams.

‘”The Sell’” is not just about selling real estate, it’s about selling yourself. It’s learning to market yourself in an authentic way, playing up your strengths and loving the game.

Eklund also explains the intricacies of why taking care of yourself is so important, dressing the part and being the best version of yourself. He teaches you everything from getting in shape, how to better negotiate and even find people you want to work with. And above all else how to enjoy success. 

What I loved about this book is that Eklund is undeniably authentic. From his high kick to his crazy stylish glasses (which he doesn’t even need). The book is not a cookie-cutter do this not that, door knock, collect emails type of guide. 

It’s about finding your strengths, downplaying your weaknesses and enjoying the process. Finding ways to motivate yourself and improve yourself and take risks and get through failure. And how all of this applies back to real estate. 

Anytime we want someone to do something, we are putting The Sell into action. We sell a smile to get the better table in a restaurant, a kind remark to get our way with customer service, and sincerity to form long-lasting friendships. That is selling. Whether it is a car buyer’s money, a coworker’s help, your teenager’s attention, or a best friend’s guidance, realizing how to motivate someone into taking action is The Sell. – Fredrik Eklund

24. Secrets of Top Selling Agents

Amazon link: Secrets of Top Selling Agents

The Author: Joe Sesso has been a realtor for almost 20 years, and is a national speaker and a national sales director for Homes.ca. Prior to that, he was a national speaker for realtor.com.

Sesso is also an avid real estate investor, managing a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio. 

Why You Should Read The Book: The book is for everyone, from the rookie realtor to the head broker.

It shares secrets from top realtors such as Dave Liniger, Gary Keller, Tom Ferry, and others. Some of whom went from waiting tables to leading top real estate teams.

It also details how their hardships toughen them up and helped them ultimately triumph.

“Secrets of Top Selling Agents” also features Barbara Corcoran (Shark Tank host and founder of the Corcoran Group, Dave Liniger, co-founder of Re/max Gary Keller, co-founder of Keller Williams Real Estate and other industry icons.

The book tells you exactly what you need to do to be a top-selling agent from the best in the industry. 

After reading this book you will know exactly what to do, how to do it, and most importantly, why you even should. – Joe Sesso

25. The Hyperlocal Hyperfast Real Estate Agent

Amazon link: The HyperLocal HyperFast Real Estate Agent

The Author: Daniel Lesniak generated massive success in his first year generating over $22 million in transaction volume.

He founded the Orange Line Living Brand which provides clients with unique and highly specialized real estate services.

Why You Should Read The Book: The book details the first-hand experience of Lesniak and how he beat the odds by becoming Century 21’s rookie of the year in 2011, his first year as a real estate agent.

Whether you are just getting started or have years of experience in the industry, you can learn how to take your career to the next level.

It also addresses everything from how to get sellers with personalized letters, email marketing to how to leverage an open house.

“Hyperlocal Hyperfast” also discusses how to take advantage of what has already been done, and how to avoid doing everything on your own.

Don’t be the mathematical average of realtors around you. Learn how to expedite your success with the tools from someone who built his career in less than a year! 

This approach will work for anyone in real estate. From rookies trying to start their careers to seasoned agents and team leaders looking to deepen their existing market penetration or expand into a new area. – Daniel Lesniak

26. The Book of Yes

Amazon link: The Book of Yes

The Author: Originally from West Texas, Kevin Ward got into real estate out of financial desperation.

He had a family, no savings, and no other options. After finding a mentor, he put in the work needed, and the listings just came, along with great success in the industry.

Why You Should Read The Book: Even if you are a veteran agent, if you do not get a yes from your clients every time, then you have room to grow. A lot of real estate books either teach you how to get more clients or how to be better at your job.

This book, however, covers the entire spectrum.

It delves on the importance of mastering the ability to effectively communicate as an agent, and why it’s crucial to dedicate enough time to self-improvement. 

The book outlines key conversations you need to have and encourage you to understand and master the power of scripts.

It touches on everything from listing presentations to conversations you should be having with buyers that walk through your open house. 

Pros don’t look for ‘tips.’ Tips are for amateurs who are looking for an easy path to success. There is no such thing. There is mastery and there is mediocrity. They are never compatible and never found on the same path. – Kevin Ward

27. Farm: The Real Estate Agent’s Ultimate Guide to Farming Neighborhoods

Amazon link: Farm: The Real Estate Agent’s Ultimate Guide to Farming Neighborhoods 

The Author: Brian Icenhower is a real estate executive, speaker, and coach. He created The Real Estate Trainer, the world’s leading production training website for real estate agents. 

Why You Should Read The Book: The book is a masterclass on an old school, yet time-tested way of selling real estate: farming an area.

By farming an area you eventually get a listing. That listing leads to other listings, and those listings lead to buyers.

This chain of events builds on itself and eventually equates to the success of your career.

The author makes it clear that listing agents must focus on becoming the well-known local expert in a specific area. This would make them the logical choice for sellers in the area looking to sell their home. 

[With farming], you’ll systematically contact a specific group of people in a clearly-defined geographic area. And you’ll do it repeatedly too. So often that you eventually become the agent everyone in a neighborhood turns to when listing their homes. – Brian Icenhower

28. The Dictionary of Real Estate Terms

Amazon link:Dictionary of Real Estate Terms (Barron’s Business Dictionaries)

About The Author: Published by Barron’s Publishing and written by J.P. Friedman, J.C. Harris, J.B. Lindeman. Barron’s has built a national reputation as the leading publisher of educational content and study guides. Every Barron’s book is written by experienced educators and professionals in the relevant industry.

Why You Should Read The Book: We didn’t choose this one because it’s the most riveting; it’s simply essential. 

If you’ve passed your real estate licensing exams, chances are that you have a good handle on most real estate terms.

But do you know how to explain them to clients? Can you define them in relation to the property buying or selling process?

Keep this real estate dictionary on your bookcase and the right word will never get stuck on the tip of your tongue. 

 More than 3,000 short-entry terms and definitions cover topics that include appraisal, architectural styles, brokerage, construction, development, environmental finance, mortgage types, zoning, and much more. – Dictionary of Real Estate Terms

29. Listing Boss

Amazon link: Listing Boss

The Author: With over a decade of success in the real estate industry, Hoss is now the CEO and founder of Hoss Pratt International, a leading coaching and training firm resource for agents and firms that are ready to take their business to the next level. 

Why You Should Read The Book: The book compiles three distinct rules behind success including mindset, having proven business models, and of course taking action.

Pratt gives a lot of first-hand experience through his own struggle. He explains why he left his hometown to sell real estate somewhere else, the monetary mistakes he made on the way, and how his focal point kept him going.

This real estate book details creating a vision for yourself of where you want to be and how essential this is for your career. Essentially you need a purpose and a plan so you are not drifting.

He encourages you to create large and worthwhile goals. Thinking big in real estate will motivate you. As he puts it, “you can’t live an extraordinary life by thinking small.”

Your focal point is your vision. Don’t look down, don’t look up, and don’t look sideways. Go straight towards your focal point, and you will create a beautiful masterpiece called the life of your dreams. – Hoss Pratt

30. Harris Rules

Amazon link: Harris Rules

The Authors: Tim and Julie Harris are award-winning leaders in the real estate industry. They are not only top producing agents, but also two of the industry’s most sought after real estate coaches. 

Why You Should Read The Book: If you are a real estate agent, you know first-hand that it’s not an easy job. And most real estate advice you find tries to simplify very complex systems of what it takes to be successful.

Tim and Julie are honest about the amount of work required to make it in real estate and share their own story of what worked for them. As both top producer and coaches, they have guided thousands of agents in the direction of their dreams.

They address everything from priming your mindset and forgetting about balance to making sure you have a number of quality lead generation methods.

If you want a hands-on systematic approach from two agents who have tried and tested it themselves, this book is for you.

Our view is that there’s not just one solution; you must be doing several things. There’s not a specific and obvious direction – whether you’re a new agent, a grizzled veteran, or you’re getting back to the business- and we want to address that and help every agent and broker who is ready to listen. – Tim and Julie Harris

The Bottom Line

The most important part of succeeding at real estate is to understand general business and success principles.

Go through the stages. Learn how to conduct yourself at optimal levels. Discover how people think so that you can lead and sell to them. Figure out how to market and brand yourself. Then, understand how efficient and effective businesses operate. These books will help you cover all of those bases.

Real estate is a tough business. Take time to educate yourself. Give yourself a foundation that will allow you to outwork and outperform the competition. Especially during those boom times when everyone and their mother gets into real estate and crowd up the market.