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Whether you’re planning on spending the summer unwinding, or you’re looking for topics for real estate summer blogging, odds are you’ll be spending a good portion of it online.
If you read anything about summer on the internet it typically includes a photo of a beach and an umbrella and, perhaps, a torso under the umbrella, hands holding either a cocktail with a paper umbrella floating in it or a book.
Summer reading was instilled in many of us as kids. Some cities even offer prizes for kids who read over the summer.
Then we grow up
Because it’s our busiest season, summer vacations for Realtors aren’t the norm (although they should be). When you aren’t making sales, you’ll be working on real estate summer blogging and social media posting to attract more leads. Then, those who do find time to get away are always mindful of the deals they are missing out on or the deals they left in someone else’s hands.
And, they remain somewhat tied to them through the umbilical cord most folks refer to as a “cell phone”
Guess what? You don’t need to leave town to read a good book. You don’t even need to leave your car if you prefer to listen to books.
So, even if you won’t be getting away this summer, and especially if you will, choose from any of the following books to help jump start your biz, inspire you to do some real estate summer blogging or learn more about something you hold an interest in.
Remember, some of these books were written before social media became such a huge part of so many agent’s businesses, so you’ll need to take much (but not all) of the marketing advice with a grain of salt.
To learn more about each book, click on the “Amazon.com” link.
Books that offer general real estate biz advice
“Winning Real Estate: 9 Secrets to Success from Leading Pros,” by Century 21 Real Estate LLC (Author), Angela Avilez (Author), et al.
5 stars out 5 from 10 reviews at Amazon.com
One of Amazon.com’s biggest problems, at least for consumers, is how they refuse to police product reviews. This book only has 10 reviews, which makes it far more likely that at least some of them come from a friend, family member of associate of the authors.
That said, we love hearing advice from others in the trenches – even if these agents aren’t exactly household names.
The book is available in paperback only, and at $9.99 what have you got to lose?
Our only question is. . .how does a corporation (Century 21) write a book??? Oh, that’s right, “corporations are people.” Hows that for a real estate summer blogging topic?
The Millionaire Real Estate Agent: It’s Not About the Money…It’s About Being the Best You Can Be!” by Gary Keller, Dave Jenks, Jay Papasan
4.5 stars out of 5 with 467 Amazon.com reviews
What can we say about this book other than if you haven’t read it, you’re among the few in the real estate industry who hasn’t. Gary Keller is a genius, so if you don’t hang on his every word, you’re crazy, or so many in the industry feel.
Believe it or not, there are some who don’t like it. . .claiming it’s full of hype, offering no practical advice.
See for yourself. It’s available for Kindle and paperback, audio book, audio CD and digital.
“Success as a Real Estate Agent For Dummies,” by Dirk Zeller
4 stars out of 5 with 9 Amazon.com reviews
Who doesn’t love Dirk Zeller? His down-to-earth approach to the business, his easy-to-follow mandates. . .he’s the ideal real estate business coach.
“This [book] is actually almost like a recap of his book Your First Year in Real Estate with new chapters on Social Media,” claims one of his Amazon.com reviewers.
He says he keeps it on his desk to hand out to his agents who need help. “Most everything they need to know is there. Also a GREAT refresher for long time agents who need to go back and think thru Basic Salesmanship 101.”
It’s available for Kindle and in paperback.
“Real Estate Success in 5 Minutes a Day: Secrets of a Top Agent Revealed (5 Minute Success),” by Karen Briscoe
5 stars out of 5 with 79 Amazon.com reviews
Whoo wee dawgy, this is an expensive book — $25 for a paperback! Especially since it was written by Karen Briscoe . . . ever hear of her?
Apparently, she is a “Top-performing mega real estate agent.” She is also the head of a group (HBC Group) who has sold more than “1500 homes valued at over $1.5 billion.”
Wait. . .let’s break out the calculator.
First, we had to figure out how to put $1.5 billion into a number (damn public-school math).
Turns out, it’s $1,500,000,000. So, we then tried to figure out the commission, for one side on that, and our calculator told us “4.5000005e+14,” which to us means a whole poop-load of money.
I don’t know about you, but I’d like to make that much money, even if I had to share some of it with the “group.”
So, our recommendation is to read this book. Or, listen to it. It’s available in audiobook format and paperback or get it for your Kindle. This one can give you some great ideas for real estate summer blogging.
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“Harris Rules: Your No-BS Practical Step By Step Guide to Finally Become Rich and Free,” by Tim Harris and Julie Harris
5 stars out of 5 from 305 reviews at Amazon.com
From agents to coaches, Tim and Julie Harris have gathered a loyal following. Yes, expect some nudges for you to take on their coaching programs. But, overall, the reviews of this book promise that you will learn a lot about:
- Breaking through negativity
- Determining your path
- Why you should ditch buying leads from Zillow
- Time management
Obviously, the book runs the gamut, and quite effectively. Also worth noting is that any of the topics mentioned above would make great topics for real estate summer blogging.
“If you’re looking to be coddled and a book to re-affirm you’re limited, easy button thinking, look elsewhere my friend. This book is a straight up, all fact, no non-sense step by step guide on how to get from where you are to where you want to be, even if you’re at zero,” says one 5-star reviewer at Amazon.
We think it’s worth the money. Available for Kindle and also in paperback and audiobook formats.
Books for new agents
“Sell with Soul: Creating an Extraordinary Career in Real Estate without Losing Your Friends, Your Principles or Your Self-Respect,” by Jennifer Allan-Hagedorn
4.5 stars out of 5 with 178 reviews at Amazon.com.
One of the real estate industry’s hardest working writers, Ms. Allan-Hagedorn is a personal fave of ours. In fact, we debated whether to recommend her book to new agents or all agents. But, since new agents have our hearts, here you go.
You will get brilliant advice here. ‘Nuff said. Get it for Kindle or in paperback.
“How to Make it Big as a Real Estate Agent: The right systems and approaches to cut years off your learning curve and become successful in real estate,” by Mark Ferguson
4.5 stars out of 5 with 88 Amazon.com reviews
Written by Mark Ferguson, this is book 3 of the Invest Four More Investor Series. In 2014, when he wrote the book, Ferguson had been a REALTOR for more than 15 years and ran a team of 10 who sold more than 1,000 homes. His personal record at that time was 200 homes in one year.
Ok, so it’s not exactly RealTrends/Wall Street Journal caliber, but for new agents, it must be impressive.
At 220 pages, the book is ideal for the new agent. In it, he promises to teach the rookie:
- How to choose the right broker
- Getting off to a fast start
- Finding leads
- Where to spend and not spend their money (what money?)
- How to network
- Real estate is a business, not a job
- How to make their businesses sell-able (best wisdom in the whole book)
The biggest complaint from readers is that Ferguson doesn’t supply enough real-life examples. Second biggest is that he brags too much. Most reviews are positive so, even if you can glean one nugget to help you succeed in real estate, or give you some ideas for real estate summer blogging topics, we think the price is worth it.
Get it for Kindle or in paperback.
“Agent Entrepreneurs: Every Agent’s Guide to What They Don’t Teach You in Real Estate School,” by Mike Turner
5 stars out of 5 with 16 reviews at Amazon.com.
“I’ve just started my career in real estate (1 1/2 months in), and Turner has helped me understand why I get second thoughts about some of the things I have been receiving, such as the call I got today.”
Yeah, one of those vulture calls. . .a marketer trying to sell weird stuff to a real estate agent.
This one is worth the read for new agents, or if you’re looking for topics for real estate summer blogging.
It’s available in paperback, hardcover and for Kindle.
“Success Faster: Quickly Launch or Relaunch Your Real Estate Career: Your Roadmap To Getting Started Or Starting Over,” by Julie Nelson
5 stars out of 5 from 18 reviews at Amazon.com
We haven’t read this one and the reviews sound suspiciously like they were written by acolytes. But the table of contents is intriguing. And, we feel that, for a new agent, any advice is better than what you’re currently getting.
So, although we can’t personally recommend it, there may be valuable info in it. Available for Kindle and also in audiobook and paperback formats.
Books for agents who need a kick in the hiney
“Unlimited Power: The New Science Of Personal Achievement” Tony Robbins
4.5 stars out of 5 from 493 reviews at Amazon.com
I once had the honor to interview Senada Adzem, an agent in Florida. A child of the Bosnian War, Adzem spent too much time as a teenager in a bomb shelter in Sarajevo. One eight-hour bombing siege will forever remain cemented in her memory.
She made it to the U.S., became an agent and drives a Maserati to service clients in the exclusive enclave of Boca Raton, FL.
Adzem says that the Tony Robbins Life Mastery program is a “very humbling experience,” and we know she agrees with us that, if you’re “stuck,” “Unlimited Power” is the book you should be reading.
Robbins, who once consulted with President Clinton, has a unique way of loosening that glue that paralyzes us. Compelling us to action, if you need motivation, we can’t recommend this one enough. There’s some great ideas for real estate summer blogging in this one.
Sure, it’s old (1997), but if you feel stuck, paralyzed, etc. there’s no better remedy than this book. Seriously. READ IT (or buy the audio CD). It’s a life and business saver.
“How to Win Friends & Influence People,” by Dale Carnegie
4.5 stars out of 5 from 7,069 reviews at Amazon.com
If you don’t already have a well-worn copy of this classic, buy it and wear it out
“Secrets of Top Selling Agents: The Keys To Real Estate Success Revealed,” by Joe Sesso
5 stars out of 5 from 27 reviews at Amazon.com
How can any agent in need of advice go wrong with reading that doled out by Barbara Corcoran, Dave Liniger, Gary Keller, Jay Papasan, Raj Qsar and a number of other highly successful real estate industry folks?
You can’t. So buy this book. And read it. Now.
“Mindset, Model and Marketing!: The Proven Strategies to Transform and Grow Your Real Estate Business,” by Tom Ferry
5 stars out of 5 from 186 reviews at Amazon.com
Disclaimer: As a former agent who was drilled by a broker in the Mike Ferry scripts, I can’t say one negative thing about this family, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
Instead, read the sterling reviews at Amazon. Apparently, Tom is just as much the bomb as his dad.
But “modeling” is something that Tony Robbins excels at teaching and it’s a proven tactic. So, consider that if modeling is something you’re interested in.
Overall, you need be a cold call maniac to win with any Ferry formula. But, they’re a real estate dynasty. Thus, Tom’s inclusion here.
Available for Kindle and in paperback.
“Laugh Your Way to Real Estate Sales Success: For Real Estate Agents, WannaBes, UsedToBes, & Those Who Love Them!” by Cathy Turney
4.5 stars out of 5 with 64 reviews at Amazon.com
To be honest, we couldn’t figure out which category this book should go in. But, it motivated us, more than anything, so here it sits. Plus, it is the PERFECT summertime read. Especially if you prefer your advice with a side of humor.
Get it for your Kindle or in audiobook or paperback formats.
“The One Thing,” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
4.55 stars out of 5 in 2,397 reviews Amazon.com
If you feel like you lack focus in your real estate business or in your personal life, grab this book. As one Amazon reviewer puts it: “I’ve never read any book with so much actionable ideas after each sitting and this just might be the first book I’ll consider re-reading.
Not because it wasn’t understood the first time around, but because I simply want to inundate myself with all its the ideas.”
Buy it for your Kindle or in hardcover, paperback, audiobook or on audio CD.
Books for teams. . .or agents who are thinking of starting one
“The Million Dollar Real Estate Team: How I Went from Zero to Earning $1 Million after Expenses in Three Years” by Chris Watters
5 stars out of 5 with 31 reviews at Amazon.com
We recommended this one to a Rocky Mountain region agent who was looking for information on how to build a team. She RAVES about it. Not only that, she’s gone on to create her dream team that is now among the top teams (if not THE top team) in her market.
Yes, we endorse this book for anyone who is considering starting a team.
Paperback, audiobook and for Kindle.
“The 80% Approach,” by Dan Sullivan
4.5 out of 5 stars at Amazon.com
Charlotte, North Carolina Realtor and intrepid salesperson Leigh Brown highly recommends this book at inman.com. In fact, she raves about it:
“This book in particular helped me empower my team and helped me find a way to live a less stressful life. It was our team advanced reading material this year, and my team will vouch for its power.”
Amazon sells the Kindle audio versions.
“The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable,” by Patrick Lencioni
4.5 stars out of 2,037 reviews at Amazon.com
How can you argue with a book that 92 percent of reviewers rate 4 stars or higher? Although we haven’t read it, we know agents who have and, if you have a team, it comes highly recommended.
Available in Kindle (readers complain about the formatting and text), hardcover, audio book and audio CD.
For niche agents
“Farm: The Real Estate Agent’s Ultimate Guide to Farming Neighborhoods,” by Brian Icenhower
5 stars out of 30 reviews at Amazon.com
The smartest agents of all are those devoted to a niche. OK, personal opinion here, but developing a niche, instead of trying to be everything to everyone, is a proven success tactic.
The first step to niching out your real estate biz is to come up with a farm and Icenhower has what you need to know to do so. And then tailor your real estate summer blogging to appeal to that niche.
The book is available for Kindle and in paperback and audio book formats.
“Success with Listings: How to Find, Secure and Sell More Listings,” by Knolly Williams
5 stars out of 5 in 32 reviews at Amazon.com
“Listing” is a niche? Yeah, if you excel at it and can thus kick the rear ends of the generalists in your market.
Williams is a trainer and national speaker, so expect a lot of push to buy into his services. But, this guy not only “took 21 listings during his first 74 days in the business,” but “went on to take more than 1000 listings during his first 10 years as an agent.”
I want what that guy is drinking
Come on, admit it. THAT is impressive.
We score this one as “worth the buy.” Let us know if you disagree.
It’s available in paperback only.
“Endless Referrals,” by Bob Burg
4.5 stars out of 151 reviews at Amazon.com
Here’s another book that you may be thinking is miscategorized. But, we’ve spoken with enough agents to know that going after referrals, successfully, requires a focused strategy.
So,yeah, “referrals” can be considered a niche, since the vast majority of agents don’t do it.
If you’re tired of chasing after and throwing money at new business and finally want to get real, or if you’re just looking for some unconventional real estate summer blogging topics, read this one.
Available in paperback and for Kindle.
For the tech-centric agent
“Artificial Intelligence for Marketing: Practical Applications” (Wiley and SAS Business Series), by Jim Sterne
4.5 stars out of 13 reviews at Amazon.com
We firmly believe that machine learning is the future in real estate. Predictive analytics can currently tell us who is most likely to sell a home in the near future. . .but that is just the start.
For agents on the leading edge of tech, this book will not only speak to your need to know what’s going on now but help build your education on what to expect in the future. You’ll also find some good tech-related advice to help with real estate summer blogging.
It’s a bit pricey but if you choose the audiobook format and take a trial membership in Audible, it’s free.
If you plan to do some real estate summer blogging, reading through these books is a great way to get some ideas.
Owner & Operator,
Chad Hett
The Elite Group
Largest Home Inspection Company in North America
Best Selling Author “Secrets Of Top Producing Real Estate Agents: And How To Duplicate Their Success.”
