Flipping properties remains a popular investment strategy, but it’s getting harder than ever to make a decent profit. Before you consider jumping on the house-flipping bandwagon, it’s critical that you understand exactly how it works and the best strategies for success. Reading some of the best books on flipping houses can give you a solid foundation and help you avoid the most common mistakes.
If you Google “books on flipping houses,” you’ll literally come up with thousands of results. So how do you know which ones are valuable and which are a waste of your time?
You’re in luck! We’ve reviewed hundreds of books and created this list of the very best ones. You’ll want to start reading right away, so let’s get started.
1. The Book on Flipping Houses: How to Buy, Rehab, and Resell Residential Properties by J. Scott
This book, written by seasoned real estate flipper J. Scott, takes a no-nonsense approach to providing you everything you need to know about house flipping. The step-by-step guide is perfect for absolute beginners and experienced flippers looking to improve their process. You can also find more of Scott’s advice on his popular website 123Flip.
2. Real Estate Investing Gone Bad: 21 True Stories of What NOT to Do When Investing in Real Estate and Flipping Houses by Phil Pustejovsky
Unlike many of the most popular books on flipping houses, this one shares true stories of real estate investments gone terribly wrong. It describes bad deals that cost the parties involved millions of dollars, years of their lives, and countless mental anguish. This is one time when you can profit from the misery of others without feeling guilty.
3. The Flipping Blueprint: The Complete Plan for Flipping Houses and Creating Your Real Estate-Investing Business by Luke Webber
Just as the title suggests, this book will give you a clear blueprint for building a successful house-flipping business. It addresses important topics like dealing with lenders and other real estate professionals, locating the best contractors, and maximizing your profits. If flipping homes with safety and security is important to you, this book is exactly what you need.
4. Flip: How to Find, Fix, and Sell Houses for Profit by Rick Vallani and Clay Davis
This popular book is part of the Millionaire Real Estate Series. It provides step-by-step instructions for finding and analyzing properties, buying, fixing, and selling. Far from the typical boring “how to” book, this narrative follows the flipping adventures of 5 characters to teach you valuable lessons in a fun and easy-to-understand format.
5. Flipping Houses for Dummies by Ralph R. Roberts
The well-known “For Dummies” brand is back with this practical guide for beginner home flippers. Not only does it teach you how to flip properties, it helps you examine the personal side of the business.
Do you have the time, energy, resources, and fearlessness necessary to succeed in real estate flipping? This book will help you decide.
6. The Real Estate Rehab Investing Bible: A Proven-Profit System for Finding, Funding, Fixing, and Flipping Houses…Without Lifting a Paintbrush by Paul Esajian
Are you considering adding hardwood flooring or other upgrades to your investment property but aren’t sure if it’s worth the effort? Do you know which exterior renovations will bring you the most bang for your buck? This book tells you everything you need to know about rehabbing your property for the fastest and most profitable turn-around.
7. Flip Houses Like Burgers: With No Money or No Credit by Nasar El-arabi
This is one of the less traditional books on flipping houses, but well worth the read. The author has flipped over 100 homes, many without using cash or credit.
This short and to-the-point book provides mind-blowing techniques and strategies for wholesaling. You’ll appreciate the easy instructions and actionable tips.
8. How to Make a Million Dollars a Year Flipping Houses: The Nation’s Leading Expert on Flipping Houses Reveals How to Flip 40 Houses a Year and Make $25,000 (or More) Per Deal by Jerry Norton
As clearly stated in the title, real estate expert Jerry Norton touts high-volume home flipping to create a million-dollar-a-year business. His approach is practical and easy to follow and he provides clear examples to back up his advice. If fast and furious property flipping is your goal, this book is for you.
9. Flip: An Unconventional Guide to Becoming a Real Estate Entrepreneur and Building Your Dream Lifestyle by Nick Ruiz
Author Nick Ruiz takes an unconventional approach by asking his readers to stop thinking about real estate investing and instead focus on being a real estate entrepreneur. He explains the critical factors you must consider before you even think about touching a piece of real estate property.
Learn how to harness the entrepreneurial mindset and correct issues in your personal life that might be holding you back. Real estate is one of the world’s oldest businesses, and Ruiz teaches you how to do it right.
10. The Business of Flipping Homes: Short-Term Real Estate Investing for Long-Term Wealth by William Bronchick and Robert Dahlstrom
We’re wrapping up our list with a book written by two pioneers of the current house flipping phenomena. Experts Bronchick and Dahlstrom share their over 40 years of combined experience in this A-to-Z house flipping guide. Here they’ll help you learn proven methods, avoid common pitfalls, and make plenty of money by flipping houses the right way.
How to Get Started After You’ve Read the Best Books on Flipping Houses
Once you’ve read enough books to have a solid grasp on how to profitably flip houses, you may be ready to dive right in. Buying your first investment property is exciting, but there’s still a lot of work to do.
Whether you need to find the right professionals to work on the home or are looking for the best DIY tips, we’ve got you covered. Check out our “how to” guides blog for advice on just about everything you could need for your house flipping adventure.