The Best House Flipping Books

Reading the best house flipping books is a core part of every new real estate investors learning curve. While the markets we operate in do change over time, the fundamentals of house flipping is something that has been around for many decades.

If you are new to investing, it can be overwhelming to get started. It’s not that real estate investing is amazingly complex, but the problem is there is too much information out there. It’s easy to keep reading and analyzing and never get anywhere.

So, we’ve compiled a list of the best real estate investing books to help you get started. After reading 2 or 3 of these, you should have the knowledge you need to start networking and start looking at houses.

What is House Flipping?

Flipping houses is the art and the science of taking an underperforming property and bringing it up to its highest and best use.

House flipping traditionally fills an important niche. When houses get run down, worn out, or abandoned, most banks will not finance their purchase and most people cannot afford to pay cash. Even if they could, most people don’t have the skills or knowledge to make a house livable again.

That’s where flipping houses come in. By taking these properties and turning them into something useful again, the real estate investor is adding value to the neighborhood and filling an important role in the market.

This is very different than the speculative bubbles created by real estate speculation. Speculation is driven mostly by people buying properties that normal homeowners could buy thus artificially making inventory scarce, then selling the same houses a few months later with little to no improvements.

We don’t recommend engaging in speculation. But house flipping in it’s true form is far from speculative.

The Fundamental of House Flipping

There are several fundamentals that any good book should cover:

• Finding good deals
• Negotiating deals / creative finance
• Rehab budgets and scope of work
• Determining After Repair Value
• Marketing and selling a property

Of course, it should also cover fundamental concepts and terms and give examples. But, in general, house flipping is just about finding deals, rehabbing, and selling.

List of Best Books on Flipping Houses

Real estate changes all the time, and new books are constantly coming out. Stay on top of new flipping houses books by checking back and staying up to date on real estate house flipping trends.

Flipping Houses QuickStart Guide

by Elisa Zheng Covington

Flipping Houses QuickStart Guide by Elisa Zheng Covington is a comprehensive guide for beginners interested in learning how to flip houses. This book, published on January 1, 2022, is part of the QuickStart Guides™ – Finance series and is available in a spiral-bound format with 239 pages.

Key aspects of the book include:

1. Scouting and Analyzing Properties: The book teaches how to identify properties with potential and how to shop for properties in various markets.
2. Funding Flips: It provides insights into securing financing and using it effectively to add value to properties.
3. Maximizing Returns: The guide covers strategies for listing, staging, and selling flipped properties quickly to motivated buyers.
4. Broader Impact of House Flipping: Beyond financial gains, the book discusses how successful flips can improve neighborhoods and increase property values.

Elisa Zheng Covington, the author, is an experienced real estate investor and developer. She shares her extensive experience in flipping homes, offering actionable insights that apply to almost any real estate market. The book is well-received, with high ratings and positive reviews, indicating its usefulness and practicality for readers, especially beginners in house flipping.

The Book on Flipping Houses: How to Buy, Rehab, and Resell Residential Properties

By Mr. J Scott

The Book on Flipping Houses: How to Buy, Rehab, and Resell Residential Properties by J Scott is a comprehensive guide on house flipping, providing a step-by-step plan for success in this field. Published on January 17, 2019, this book is a revised edition of a bestselling guide and is highly rated with 1,816 ratings.

Key Features of the Book:

1. Comprehensive Coverage: The book covers all aspects of house flipping, from finding investment properties to rehabbing and reselling them. It’s designed for both beginners and seasoned real estate professionals.
2. Practical Strategies: J Scott details practical strategies for financing flips, evaluating the profitability of deals, and managing renovations. The book focuses on real-world advice, backed by the author’s extensive experience.
3. Updated Information: This revised edition includes new information on flipping real estate in different economic cycles, more financing options, and a focus on larger renovation projects.
4. Educational and Inspirational: The book is not only educational but also serves as an inspiration for those looking to leave their 9-to-5 jobs for house flipping. It’s praised for its no-fluff, easy-to-follow approach.

J Scott, the author, has a background in Silicon Valley and shifted to real estate investing in 2008. He and his wife have dealt with over $150M in property around the country. His experience and practical advice make this book a valuable resource for anyone interested in house flipping.

The Book on Estimating Rehab Costs: The Investor’s Guide to Defining Your Renovation Plan, Building Your Budget, and Knowing Exactly How Much It All Costs

By Mr. J Scott

The Book on Estimating Rehab Costs by J Scott is a detailed guide aimed at real estate investors, particularly those involved in house flipping. This book is a valuable resource for understanding and accurately estimating the costs associated with renovating properties. Here are some key aspects of the book:

1. Comprehensive Coverage of Rehab Costs: The book provides an extensive overview of various costs involved in property rehabilitation. It covers different types of expenses, from minor upgrades to major overhauls.
2. Step-by-Step Approach: J Scott breaks down the process of estimating rehab costs into manageable steps. This approach helps investors systematically assess each aspect of renovation, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
3. Real-World Examples: The book includes practical examples and scenarios, illustrating how to apply the concepts in real-life situations. These examples are particularly helpful for readers to understand the complexities of rehab cost estimation.
4. Tools and Techniques: It offers tools and techniques for creating detailed and accurate budgets. This includes tips on how to account for unexpected expenses and how to manage cost overruns effectively.
5. Focus on Profitability: A key theme of the book is how accurate cost estimation is crucial for the profitability of real estate investments. It emphasizes the importance of getting the numbers right to ensure a successful flip.
6. Useful for Various Experience Levels: Whether you are a novice or an experienced investor, the book provides valuable insights. It starts with basic concepts and progresses to more advanced topics, making it suitable for a wide range of readers.
7. Practical Advice on Contractor Management: The book also touches on how to work with contractors, negotiate prices, and manage the renovation process efficiently.

Overall, “The Book on Estimating Rehab Costs” is a practical guide that equips real estate investors with the knowledge and tools needed to accurately forecast renovation expenses and make informed investment decisions.

The Complete Guide to Flipping Properties

By Steve Berges

The Complete Guide to Flipping Properties by Steve Berges is a comprehensive book that offers guidance for anyone interested in flipping properties for profit. Published on November 14, 2003, this book aims to provide a detailed plan for real estate investors to achieve their financial goals through property flipping. Here are some key aspects of the book:

1. Strategies for Flipping: The book presents time-tested strategies for flipping properties. These strategies are designed to help investors make quick profits from flipping real estate.
2. Finding Properties: It includes ten proven methods for locating great properties. This is crucial for investors as the success of flipping largely depends on finding the right property at the right price.
3. Property Valuation: The book discusses various property valuation methods and helps readers understand which method is suitable for their specific investment strategy.
4. Financial Analysis and Modeling: Berges provides techniques for financial analysis and modeling, which are essential for evaluating the profitability of a potential flip.
5. Creating Value and Maximizing Profits: The guide focuses on how to create value in properties and maximize profits, which is the ultimate goal of flipping.
6. Negotiation and Closing Deals: It covers the seven steps of successful negotiation and provides insights on how to close deals effectively.
7. Exit Strategies: The book includes foolproof exit strategies for selling properties, an important aspect of flipping.
8. Building a Professional Team: Berges emphasizes the importance of assembling a winning team of professionals to support your flipping business.
9. Maximizing Potential as an Investor: The book concludes with three keys to maximizing your potential as a real estate investor.

Overall, “The Complete Guide to Flipping Properties” is designed to be the ultimate resource for both novice investors and experienced real estate professionals. It offers a blend of practical advice, strategies, and technical knowledge, making it a valuable tool for anyone looking to succeed in the real estate flipping market.

The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down: Real Life Strategies for Investing in Real Estate Using Other People’s Money

By Brandon Turner

The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down: Real Life Strategies for Investing in Real Estate Using Other People’s Money” by Brandon Turner is a guide that explores creative real estate financing techniques. This book is part of the BiggerPockets Rental Kit series. Here are some key aspects of the book:

1. Creative Financing Techniques: The book focuses on how to invest in real estate using little to no personal capital. It provides strategies for leveraging other people’s money to achieve significant returns on investment.
2. Mindset Over Mechanics: Turner emphasizes that investing with little to no money down is more about having the right mindset than following a step-by-step strategy. This approach is crucial for understanding the book’s concepts.
3. Strategies for Beginners and Experienced Investors: Whether you’re a novice or have some experience, the book offers strategies for getting started in real estate investing without requiring a substantial upfront financial commitment.
4. Real-Life Scenarios and Examples: The book includes realistic scenarios to help readers understand how the concepts can be applied in real-world situations.
5. The Downsides of Creative Investing: Turner also addresses the potential downsides of creative investing strategies, providing tips for overcoming these challenges.
6. Diverse Investment Strategies: The book covers various strategies suitable for different real estate niches, including wholesaling, flipping, and rentals.
7. Attracting Private Money and Partners: One of the key themes is how to attract private investors and partners to fund real estate deals.
8. Practical and Actionable Advice: The book is designed to offer practical and actionable advice, helping readers apply the knowledge to their own investment endeavors.

Overall, “The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down” is a valuable resource for anyone looking to enter the real estate market with limited capital. It offers a blend of inspiration, practical strategies, and real-world examples, making it a useful guide for aspiring real estate investors.

Real Estate Investing Gone Bad: 21 true stories of what NOT to do when investing in real estate and flipping houses

By Phil Pustejovsky

This is a pretty cool book because it’s the opposite of all the others.

Here, there are 21 true stories of real estate investing deals that went terribly wrong and the lessons you can learn from them. The cost of these “deals gone bad” totals many millions of dollars in losses, along with years of unproductive activity and an unbelievable amount of emotional stress.

Like your parents always taught you, learn from other people’s mistakes. So, learn from these 21 mishaps without the costs!

You’re about to gather lifelong, extremely valuable real estate investment and house flipping wisdom that has taken others a lifetime and a fortune to learn.

This book is a must-read for anyone planning to be or is already a real estate investor because you’ll find out what NOT to do in real estate.

Building Wealth One House at a Time

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By John Schuab

Building Wealth One House at a Time by John Schaub is a guide that offers a strategic approach to real estate investing, particularly focusing on building wealth through residential properties. The book’s updated and expanded second edition, published on June 13, 2016, reflects the changes and lessons learned in the real estate market, especially after the significant market collapse of 2007-2012. Here’s an expanded look at the key elements of the book:

1. Ethical Investment Approach: Schaub emphasizes an ethical approach to real estate, focusing on fair dealings and long-term wealth creation rather than quick profits. This approach is designed to build a sustainable and reputable real estate investment business.
2. Understanding Real Estate Cycles: The book provides insights into the cyclical nature of the real estate market. Schaub teaches readers how to identify different phases of the market cycle and adjust their investment strategies accordingly, maximizing profits and minimizing risks.
3. Innovative Financing Strategies: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to creative financing methods. Schaub explains how to finance property purchases without traditional bank loans, using various techniques like seller financing, lease options, and partnerships.
4. Negotiation Skills: Effective negotiation is crucial in real estate, and Schaub offers guidance on improving these skills. He provides strategies for negotiating purchase prices, terms, and even rental agreements, ensuring the best possible outcomes for the investor.
5. Risk Management: The book addresses common pitfalls in real estate investing and offers strategies to avoid them. Schaub’s advice covers due diligence, property selection, and understanding local market dynamics to reduce investment risks.
6. Creating Sustainable Cash Flow: Schaub’s strategies are geared towards creating a steady and sustainable cash flow through rental properties. He discusses how to select properties that offer long-term rental potential and how to manage them efficiently.
7. Building a Portfolio: The book guides readers on how to gradually build a portfolio of properties. Schaub advocates for a slow and steady approach, focusing on acquiring quality properties over time that can lead to significant wealth accumulation.
8. Retirement Planning Through Real Estate: Schaub also explores how real estate investing can be a powerful tool for retirement planning. He discusses how to build a portfolio that can provide stable income in retirement, emphasizing the importance of owning properties debt-free.
9. Real-Life Examples and Case Studies: Throughout the book, Schaub uses real-life examples and case studies to illustrate his points. These practical examples help readers understand the application of concepts in real-world scenarios.
10. Accessible to Beginners and Experienced Investors: The book is written in an accessible style, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced investors. Schaub’s clear and straightforward writing helps demystify complex concepts in real estate investing.

In summary, “Building Wealth One House at a Time” offers a comprehensive look at building a successful real estate investment portfolio. Schaub’s focus on ethical investing, understanding market cycles, creative financing, and building sustainable wealth makes this book a valuable resource for anyone interested in real estate investing.

Fixing and Flipping Real Estate: Strategies for the Post-Boom Era

By Marty Boardman

Fixing and Flipping Real Estate: Strategies for the Post-Boom Era by Marty Boardman is a comprehensive guide for individuals interested in the business of fixing and flipping houses, especially in the context of the real estate market after the boom. Published on December 14, 2012, the book offers a realistic and practical approach to this type of real estate investment. Here are some key aspects of the book:

1. Four Essential Components of Fix-and-Flip: Boardman breaks down the fix-and-flip business into four key areas: Acquisition, Rehabbing, Sales, and Raising Capital. This structured approach helps readers understand the different phases of the business and manage each effectively.
2. Acquisition Strategies: The book provides insights into finding and buying profitable real estate deals. Boardman emphasizes the importance of acquiring the right properties to ensure successful flips.
3. Systematic Approach to Rehabbing: The author details a systematic approach to remodeling houses, advising on how to avoid under-improving or over-improving properties. This section is crucial for understanding how to add value to a property efficiently.
4. Sales Techniques: Boardman discusses strategies for selling flipped properties for the highest possible price in the shortest time. This section is essential for understanding market dynamics and effective sales tactics.
5. Raising Capital: One of the unique aspects of this book is its focus on raising capital. Boardman provides practical advice on how to secure the necessary funds for real estate deals, including using other people’s money without legal complications.
6. Realistic and Practical Advice: The book is grounded in reality, offering a no-nonsense look at the hard work and challenges involved in fixing and flipping properties. Boardman shares his own experiences, including both successes and struggles, providing a balanced view of the business.
7. Post-Boom Market Focus: Given its publication date, the book specifically addresses strategies that are effective in the post-real estate boom era. This makes it particularly relevant for understanding the current market dynamics and opportunities.
8. Applicability Across the U.S.: While the book is especially pertinent to states like Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, and Florida, Boardman’s strategies are applicable in various markets across the United States.
9. Audience: This book is suitable for both novice investors who are new to real estate and experienced professionals looking for updated strategies in the post-boom market.

In summary, “Fixing and Flipping Real Estate: Strategies for the Post-Boom Era” is a valuable resource for anyone looking to enter or excel in the fix-and-flip real estate market. Boardman’s practical advice, structured approach, and real-world insights make this book a comprehensive guide for successful real estate investing in the current market landscape.

Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API