Real Estate Book List
By Daniil Kleyman:
Reading is very important to me.
I can trace some of the most impactful decisions and “pivot points” in my life to a few books that I happened to read.
Some of these books caused a huge light bulb to go off in my head and led to MAJOR shifts in my life and business(es).
Others simply enticed me to some seemingly minor, but (in hindsight) very important “pivots”.
Below are just some of the the books that influenced me or ones that I have found really insightful. Feel free to add your book suggestions for investors in the comments section at the bottom! I’ll keep adding great real estate investing books to this list as I come across them.
Non-Fiction Historical Real Estate and Biographies:
There is so much wisdom and takeaways you can gain by reading stories of other successful investors and developers. People with grand visions and balls the size of coconuts. These aren’t always stories of successes – there are many failures here to learn from as well. History is a great teacher if you allow it to bend your ear:
The autobiography of William Zeckendorf. The guy was a giant. Did deals on a level that is absolutely wild. He was a visionary in terms of seeing paths of growth, viewing development through a macro AND micro lenses, etc. But he also blew up. He was careless with debt, with partners, and basically just took whatever money he could find to get the deals done. Tons of lessons and inspiration here.
Am I Being Subtle by Sam Zell. Sam passed away recently but the guy is an absolute investing legend. One of the best at timing markets and exiting at the right time, he amassed many billions in real estate assets himself becoming a billionaire many times over.
Bubble in the Sun by Christopher Knowlton An absolutely fascinating look at how the entire state of Florida was developed from swampland between 1870s and 1920s through the lens of the biggest developers there.
Liar’s Ball: The Extraordinary Saga of How One Building Broke the World's Toughest Tycoons by Vicky Ward Awesome book about NYC high-stakes real estate.
Billionaire’s Row by Katherine Clarke This book essentially picks up where Liar’s Ball left off, telling the story of the super-tall skinny skyscrapers that popped up in NYC starting 2010. Billion-dollar deals and the visionary (and sometimes crazy) people behind them.
Non-Fiction How To, Philosophy, etc:
Strong Towns by Charles Marhohn Jr The overarching premise of the book is that the development patter then US has followed since WWII (that of suburban sprawl) is not sustainable, nor is it in line with how humanity has grown cities organically for thousands of years. The cost to sustain the massive infrastructure (and to maintain it) this far spread out is beyond the means of almost any locality and eventually a lot of this infrastructure will have to be abandoned. The book makes the case for dense, urban cities as being much more efficient in terms of wealth generation and impact on infrastructure and government costs.
The Great Indoors by Emily Anthes In this wide-ranging, character-driven book, science journalist Emily Anthes takes us on an adventure into the buildings in which we spend our days, exploring the profound, and sometimes unexpected, ways that they shape our lives. Drawing on cutting-edge research, she probes the pain-killing power of a well-placed window and examines how the right office layout can expand our social networks. She investigates how room temperature regulates our cognitive performance, how the microbes hiding in our homes influence our immune systems, and how cafeteria design affects what―and how much―we eat. If you’re into real estate development, you’ll get some “aha!” moments from this book
Real Estate Related Fiction:
Man in Full by Tom Wolfe This is a classic. Wildly entertaining book about ups and eventual dows of one very successful real estate developer. An excellent cautionary tale about leverage, ambition, and where life can lead you if don't pay attention.
The Hazards of Good Fortune by Seth Greenland Very similar in premise to Man in Full. A fictional story of a big time developer who goes through one shenanigan after another.
Negotiation:
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss Probably the best, most actionable book on negotiating I’ve ever read. Ton of great strategies here to implement. Chris is a former FBI hostage negotiator and this book is filled not only with useful advice but some great stories from his days in the FBI too.
“Powerhouse Principles: The Billionaire Bluprint for Real Estate Success” – Jorge Perez. A lot of great real estate insights on development and negotiation here.
“Never Make the First Offer (Except When You Should)” – Donald Dell. Dell reveals the advanced strategies and tactics that he has developed over a lifetime of high-stakes deals. Whether you're making endorsement deals for superstars, negotiating your next salary, or just trying to sell your old car, Dell's wisdom will help you get every possible advantage.
“Negotiating With Giants: Get What You Want Against the Odds” – Peter D. Johnston Pretty solid negotiating book, outlining strategies for how to negotiate as a smaller player against bigger, more powerful counter parts.
Investing, Whole Life Insurance, Planning:
Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel Good book on psychology of investing. Some insightful observations though very few specifics. 21 separate short chapters on 21 different topics weaved in together. Quick easy read.
““What Would the Rockefellers Do” – Garrett Gunderson. Ok, so this book is basically a disguised, “backdoor” sales pitch for whole life insurance. BUT, 1) It got me to let my guard down and actually learn about life insurance and 2) MUCH more importantly, it opened my eyes to a new way of estate planning that will ensure that my assets do not get divided among my heirs, do not create “trust fund babies” out of my kids, and rather preserve my legacy and create opportunities for empowerment for my descendants many generations into the future. See next book recommendation for more:
“Entrusted: Building a Legacy that Lasts” – David York and Andrew Howell. This book came as a result of reading the book I recommended above. This is a completely different take on estate planning. Honestly, my mind has been totally blown by the idea of creating a Rockefeller style trust that stays strong and grows generation to generation, empowering my heirs to be productive and thriving members of society rather than a bunch of rich spoiled fucks, which many children and grandchildren of the wealthy typically become. If you plan on leaving behind at least a decent chunk of wealth to your heirs, READ THIS! .
Hospitality / AirBnBs:
If you're running STRs or want to, you need to understand that this business is 110% hospitality. you're competing with hotels and other hosts who take this game very seriously (like us). Here are some great books you can read to up your game:
Four Seasons by Isadore Sharp Story of how a guy started with nothing and built an impressive chain of hotels from scratch based on being the absolutely best in service and on how they treat their guests. He built a brand name synonymous with luxury and upscale, individualized service and a culture around delivering that service. Lots of insights here on how to differentiate yourself and provide great service.
100 Tips for Hoteliers by Peter Venison Peter Venison developed some of the worlds most impressive hotels and resorts including the Atlantis in Bahamas. Some good advice in this book that closely correlates to that from other books (Four Seasons, Danny Meyer). The book goes through site selection and development to construction to opening, marketing, and managing – every step of the process of being a hotelier.
The Heart of Hospitality by Micah Solomon Micah Solomon is basically a consultant and doesn’t seemingly have much track record in hospitality. That being said, this book definitely had some good nuggets since he interviewed the best in the field or simply pulled from their books and interviews with others.
Setting the Table by Danny Meyer Danny Meyer is the founder of Union Square Hospitality, an ownership and management company of a number of NYC restaurants including Union Square Café, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Park Café, The Modern, Tabla, and Shake Shack. He built his business on hospitality and his own unique take on it. This is also a great book simply about a man building a business empire from scratch based on obsession over quality, constantly improving that quality and on truly serving people and his community.
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara Nice auto-biography of the guy who rose from nothing to owning the Eleven Madison Park restaurant (founded by Danny Meyer). Some great tips on hospitality, providing over-the top experiences as well as managing employees.
Macro History, Politics, Trends:
Inside Money: Brown Brothers Harriman and the American Way of Power by Zachary Karabell This book is essentially history of America through the 1950s through the lens of a powerful investment bank whose members had their hands not just in all corners of finance but also government. Fascinating read.
Tailspin: The People and Forces Behind America’s Fifty Year Fall – and Those Fighting to Reverse it by Steven Brill This book basically picks up where Inside Money left off and chronicles America from the 1950s through today. If you want to understand why certain things work the way they do and why certain things are broken in our country, this will be a great read!
Thanks for sharing with us…
We hope you enjoy them!
Sounds great! thank you 🙂
Enjoy!!
Great list Daniil ! Thanks for sharing this valuable info.
You’re welcome Donni!
Great source of information. I can’t wait to dive in.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Yay we love your excitement!! Let us know what you think 🙂
Thank you for the book list and your insight!!
You got it Jeff! Let us know how you like them.
Thank you Daniil for all of the help and information that you provide to us. I like to read and will add to my library.
You’re very welcome Natasha! We hope you enjoy reading them 🙂
please send me a copy of a assignment contract at my email: sterlinganderson1948@gmail.com thanks
Thank you Daniil! I’m an avid reader myself and appreciate the gesture. Happy Holidays.
Mario
Thanks for the great list Daniel. I look forward to reading them.
Their common theme seems to be business success and wealth building.
In today’s litigious society we also need to be concerned about protecting
the our family’s wealth and possessions against those who would use the
legal system and contingency lawyers to rightly or wrongfully take the fruits
of our labors from us. I have read many books on the subject of asset protection.
The most complete and comprehensive book on this topic I have found is
ASSET PROTECTION PLANNING GUIDE by Barry S. Engel.
Another excellent FREE pdf book on asset protection for doctors can be downloaded
at http://WWW.RJMINTZ.COM. While geared to wealthy high risk medical professionals, the
principles are just as relevant to everyone wanting to keep their wealth and possessions
out of the grasp of creditors and predators.
Please add The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
Thanks for the list of books Daniil.. I will check them out.
I just got your email today, Daniil, which directed me to your book list
Thank you for the great list of books to read!
I’d love to learn how to do the new construction business; how to know the right market to work in; how to sell correctly; and how to get the financing and/or partner(s) to do them.
Have a great week!
Thanks for the book recommendations. I like to tap into the minds of those on the pathway of positive achievement & inspiration – that’s what I so much need to quench & water into my soul to keep on.
Thanks Daniil! Good list! I’ll share some of mine at a later time! On another note, people need to keeo their personal beliefs/opinions , personal! Not mentioning Napoleon Hill is not a dis-service and neither is Napoleon Hill the “exclusive” source of all self help books or knowledge! Known or unknown, there were others prior to the late Mr. Hill! Recognizing your reason for sharing “your” list, you’d think, would out way not recognizing one of many, who sought to inspire others,which obviously, is what you’re doing! Thanks again! Keep it going!
Who Moved My Cheese? By Spencer Johnson,M.D.
Its about dealing with change and your attitude.
Daniil, thanks for sharing your book list and there probably isn’t a single person that is successful in business that doesn’t take the time to read. (period) We learn from others as much by our own actions.
Again thanks,
Chuck Jones
Daniil;
Great list and I know for sure that a few of them will next be in my library. May I add, “Self Made Millionaire in America”. For sure it is an older print, but then so are many on your list. They still work because the principles are timeless.
Look forwarrd to someday meeting face to face, I’ll even pay for dinner.
Great authors and great reads!
Thanks Daniil!! One more suggestion is The Answer by John Assaraf and Murray Smith. This one will shift your thinking.
Jeff Olson’s The slight edge
Turned my life around
A number of books I would add are already on others list particularly “Think & Grow Rich”
I would add “Why “A” Students work for “C” Students” by Robert Kiyosaki & “The Art of Raising
Capital” by Darren Weeks.
Great advice Daniil. If you’re not learning something new everyday then you have wasted a day (My opinion). A great book to put on the list is Napoleon Hill: The Law of Success in 16 Lessons.
Daniil, Thank you so much , this is awesome!! Will add this list to my “To Read Books” list.
Couple more books for your list: Napoleon Hills: Outwitting the Devil, The Law of Success 16 principles
Napoleon Hill, Think & Grow Rich, The Road to Riches, Tax Free Retirement by Patrick Kelley
Thank you for sharing and over delivering Mr. D’ I counted 23 awesome books. Whoa!
To add to your list: Think Big…’Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence’ by Ben Carson, M.D.
1. The richest man in Babylon by George Clason.
2. Think and grow rich by Napoleon hill
3. Write it down make it happen
4. How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carneigi.
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T.Harv Eker. Easy read and learned alot as a beginning real estate investor, that I still use daily..
Great list
I have some of these books in my collection
Already. Such as “what every investor should know about cash flow and the 4 hour work week.
Anything by Robert Kyosaki is essential. I read tax loop holes for real estate investors too
If I can remember correctly that was the title.
Don Slater here., Thank you for sharing your book list.
I will start to read each one. All my adult life, well since
1963, I have been self employed. I satrted out in refrigeration
and air conditioning. That lead to plumbing and pipefitting.
When I started my own business, I knew how to do the work,
but not the business. The Good Lord watched over me.
I married a young lady that I dated for 5 years in 1950.
We raised 2 children, have 4 Grandchildren and 3 GreatGrandchildren.
My Bride of almost 61 years left me on Good Friday 2011.
I’m now 84. I still want to earn money working for myself,
now it’s on-line.
You encourage me. Thank you.
Don
I cannot believe that the “father” of all self-improvement books isn’t listed. There was one man who started it all, and that probably everyone on the list refers to: “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. Spend $0.99 and get it on your Kindle (https://www.amazon.com/Think-and-Grow-Rich-ebook/dp/B00AIR8CMS/ref=la_B000APAMYE_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380562334&sr=1-1). I absolutely LOVE Tim Ferris (all of his books) and “Never Eat Alone” by Keith Ferrazzi. But Napoleon Hill is the originator and the founder of all of this and his insights are invaluable.
Thank you for the rest of the list…now I have a few more on my “to do” list.
Thanks, Daniil! This list is freakin awesome! Looking forward to filling in the gaps with the ones I haven’t read yet.
I just found this website and am interest as first and foremost, how to find out if the homes for sale have clear, marketable title, giving the present mortgage landscape in today’s wrongful foreclosure’s and document destruction and creation to alleged a beneficial interest in a loan, when nothing could be further from the truth.
Does anyone know how to check the title status of a possible investment, prior to sitting at closing table only to learn that the title is NOT clear and Marketable??
I welcome any input anyone has on this charade of mortgage documents being shown as legitimate in our courts during foreclosure process.
thank you for your help,
Dawn Casey
After reviewing your awesome list of books, I have some recommendations to add to your list.
The first book is “THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON” by George Clason. It’s a great book about how building wealth really works and how it fully applies to any economic time period from ancient times to the present.
The second book I recommend, is “OUTWITTING THE DEVIL” by Napoleon Hill. He also wrote the world famous book, “THINK & GROW RICH!”. These are great books on manifestation, the power of thought and how to align out thoughts with realizing our true dreams in life.
NOTE on the “Think and Grow Rich”. Be sure to acquire the ORIGINAL 1937 version as subsequent have been edited and redacted for a more modern audience. I believe in reading the original version, you will attain the greatest, most complete resource available regardless of which era we live in.
Last but not least is read most any book written by either Robert Kiyosaki or his wife, Kim Kiyosaki. I would concur with Kiyosaki that true Financial Education = the roadmap to financial freedom and is crucial towards understanding how to build the lifestyle we desire. Ultimately, it’s how to make money work you rather than being a hamster on a wheel. Happy Manifestations.
Agree with comments, I’d like to find an expert book on how to expand my reading speed or some service to condense a book’s content to consume more knowledge…..get the brain to accept more information.
Mr Daniil K. don’t cease to amaze me….! any time I get into his gigs (by the way almost free!!!) -He always take the ball out of the park
Way to go Mr Daniil! Much success!!