The Top 3 Books That Changed the Way the Property Experts Think
In a school, college, or university setting, instructors usually provide a recommended reading list for each course. As property investors, we have to find our own lists.
Books are an inexpensive way to gain knowledge that can hugely affect how you do business. And the return on your investment from even one book can be infinite if you act on its principles.
In the spring of 2017 I spent two months flying around the world collecting and sharing ideas of how to escape the 9-5 faster through real estate sub division. I visited the properties of professional investors who are creating exponentially more cash flow from their properties than the average investor. One of the questions I asked each investor was this:
“What three books have helped you get to where you are now?”
Although there were 20 great books recommended that they’d used, there were three that kept coming up again and again. ‘’This is a powerful list for other investors too,’’ I thought to myself when writing out their chapters, and a surprising fact came up… only one was about real estate.
As I write out this list, collected from these investors from all over the world, I will recall what some of them said about why they put them in their top books so you can see that property investing is not only about knowledge but your mindset as well.
Bob Helms US (The godfather of real estate) who’s been investing in real estate through seven decades said;
‘‘The first thing that’s important is to figure out is what education do I need? What do I need to know to be able to do this? Luckily there are a lot of books.’’
With that said here are the top three for you that they recommend.
Third on the list is Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill ‘The greatest motivational book of all time’
This edition of Napoleon Hill's Classic Think and Grow Rich is a reproduction of Napoleon Hill's personal copy of the first edition, the ONLY original version recommended by The Napoleon Hill Foundation, originally printed in March of 1937.
The most famous of all teachers of success spent a fortune and the better part of a lifetime of effort to produce the Law of Success philosophy that forms the basis of his books and that is so powerfully summarized and explained for the general public in this book.
In Think and Grow Rich, Hill draws on stories of Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and other millionaires of his generation to illustrate his principles. This book will teach you the secrets that could bring you a fortune. It will show you not only what to do but how to do it. Once you learn and apply the simple, basic techniques revealed here, you will have mastered the secret of true and lasting success.
Money and material things are essential for freedom of body and mind, but there are some who will feel that the greatest of all riches can be evaluated only in terms of lasting friendships, loving family relationships, understanding between business associates, and introspective harmony which brings one true peace of mind! All who read, understand, and apply this philosophy will be better prepared to attract and enjoy these spiritual values.
BE PREPARED! When you expose yourself to the influence of this philosophy, you may experience a CHANGED LIFE which can help you negotiate your way through life with harmony and understanding and prepare you for the accumulation of abundant material riches.
“The book that got me out of the Navy, that finally gave me the push, came from my very successful stockbroker brother-in-law who said, ‘Read this.’” I read Think and Grow Rich and six months later I was taking my MBA. I still have that book, and I’ve read it twenty times since then, and I know numerous people successful in industry and business who have been deeply influenced by that book.” (David Sewell, Panama)
“‘I’ve read it dozens of times. I went through a phase of reading it every year in January. I did that for about five or six years, and I’ve listened to the audio many, many times. It’s a fantastic book.” (Gavin Barry, UK)
Coming in second is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey ‘Powerful lessons in personal change’
One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for 25 years. It has transformed the lives of Presidents and CEOs, educators and parents— in short, millions of people of all ages and occupations.
When it was first published in 1989, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was an almost instant bestseller--and quickly became a permanent part of the cultural lexicon. With over 25 million copies sold worldwide in over 40 languages since its first publication, this book continues to help millions of readers become more effective in both their personal and professional lives. not only to improve their businesses and careers but to live with integrity, service, dignity, and success in all areas of life. It has had an undeniable impact for the past 25 years--and will no doubt continue to be influential for many more
“This for me was a bible. What do you want people to be saying at the end of your life? What do you want written on your gravestone? These are questions we should all think about the answers to, because they tell us a lot about ourselves. I think often people focus on everybody else, rather than themselves, and what I found, the secret to success is this—just two words: self awareness. If you know what you’re good at, bad at, what you enjoy doing, don’t enjoy doing, you can start forming your life pattern to suit you, because we’re all different.” (Kevin Green, UK)
“Every time I go back to it there’s something else in there, a new way of seeing something. And usually I’ll find that when my perspective changes then it’s a good book to go back to, to reaffirm how that new perspective fits, which is quite a grounding experience.” (Joe Wilson, UK)
Finally at number one, top of the list was Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki ‘What the rich teach their kids about money that the poor do not’
Rich Dad Poor Dad is Robert's story of growing up with two dads — his real father and the father of his best friend, his rich dad — and the ways in which both men shaped his thoughts about money and investing. The book explodes the myth that you need to earn a high income to be rich and explains the difference between working for money and having your money work for you.
20 Years... 20/20 Hindsight. In the 20th Anniversary Edition of this classic, Robert offers an update on what we’ve seen over the past 20 years related to money, investing, and the global economy. Sidebars throughout the book will take readers “fast forward” — from 1997 to today — as Robert assesses how the principles taught by his rich dad have stood the test of time.As always, readers can expect that Robert will be candid, insightful... and continue to rock more than a few boats in his retrospective. Will there be a few surprises? Count on it.
Rich Dad Poor Dad...
• Explodes the myth that you need to earn a high income to become rich
• Challenges the belief that your house is an asset
• Shows parents why they can't rely on the school system to teach their kids
about money
• Defines once and for all an asset and a liability
• Teaches you what to teach your kids about money for their future financial success
This book was mentioned in every interview, and it’s the only one that discusses real estate. Now in its 20th year, and with over 41 million copies sold, it has inspired and influenced numerous people on their wealth journey. This book certainly got me started on my path to real-estate wealth. It absolutely changed my life and my mindset, and I know many others who feel the same.
“It really got us on the road to where we are today.” (Lisa Lannon, USA)
“It’s a staple. It’s in its own category. It’s the master’s book.” (Josh Lannon, USA)
The 20th-anniversary fully updated edition is out now, and may well be worth another read. And if it changed your life too, then pay it forward and give someone else a copy.
When writing up the interviews, I was struck by how powerful this list of books they used is. And I discovered something surprising: only one book had anything to do with real estate.
This list of 20 books—books used by successful investors from all over the world—shows that property investing is not only about gaining the “how to” about property, but also about having the right mindset. You can educate yourself on property through courses and coaching, but if you’re feeling stuck, consider that it might be your mindset holding you back from taking action on your first property, or going on to do bigger deals.
The price for all top three from this powerful list? Probably equivalent to just a few cups of coffee, this small investment in ‘you’ could be the best investment you ever make.
Want the full list of 20 recommended books. just click here for the free e-book.
Have these books helped you too? Tag a friend and share your story.