Best beginner CRE books?
Hi, I'm graduating next year with an unrelated degree in Computer Information Systems. I don't really care for anything in that field anymore and have basically been convinced by my dad to go into real estate. I know nothing about commerical real estate. What are some good books/websites that could get me started? Thanks 
[{"id": "dze77r6", "text": "I started out as an appraiser and moved into other facets of the business. It's dry as hell, but if you want a good base knowledge, plow through this thing.\n\nhttps://www.appraisalinstitute.org/the-appraisal-of-real-estate-14th-edition/\n\nThen I would say read some books on development.", "replies": [{"id": "dze9nj2", "text": "Sweet thanks, I'll definitely look into this more. As I'm not sure what side of the business I'll be in yet, will this book transition over well no matter what I get into? ", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "dzeowso", "text": "Can confirm. I had to read an older edition because I was low on cash, but this is really a good resource!", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "dzezyt4", "text": "What direction did you go from appraisal. How long were you in appraisal before you moved on?", "replies": [{"id": "dzf0tpa", "text": "I did three years as an associate appraiser (working for 2 senior appraisers) and I cannot stress how much this gave me an incredible knowledge base in the business. You learn more of the ins and outs of the numbers side of the business than you ever would starting out in brokerage. It's also less of a sink or swim mentality. I worked an additional 4th year on my own before being approached internally for another business line.\n\nFrom there I went into financial analysis and research for capital markets. Though if I had it to do over again I would go into the sales side of capital markets. That's where the \"fuck you\" money is made, and the analysis is identical to appraisal. You're just trying to justify lofty figures instead of scrutinizing them.", "replies": [{"id": "dzg24k7", "text": "Cool, thanks.  I'm about five years into my Commercial Appraiser career and getting to the point where I'm ready to jump ship... just not sure where to go. I like the idea of project management, of course that's nearly a completely different career path where my current experience wont be extremely useful.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "dze7mun", "text": "Depends on what your focus is going to be on. I would probably focus on tests to get you your real estate license, which may vary by state. Real estate law, how various things tie to each other like title and escrow are pretty basic and understanding how the building blocks of real estate work is important. \n\nIf you are going to be in more of an investment world, understanding real estate finance would be important. Understanding taxation and amortization is important as well.  \n\nPretty broad, but I am looking at my desk and all the books I have laying around are pretty useless now that I think about it. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "dze7yh6", "text": "biggerpockets.com\n\nyou're welcome.", "replies": [{"id": "dze9pxs", "text": "Thanks, but what is so special about this website? I signed up and it seems really clunky. ", "replies": [{"id": "dzeabs3", "text": "I'm the fresh out of college career change type as well. This website is chalk-full of valuable, free information about investments and development. However, I have never read a real estate textbook, so if you prefer the academic structure, I'll be of no help to you", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "dzeaywj", "text": "My suggestion would be to not listen to guy in the same boat as you", "replies": [{"id": "dzef0c5", "text": "As I am also in the infancy of my CRE career and am accumulating knowledge at a level most relatable to him, I would say my opinion holds bearing. This website has helped me tremendously and I thought I would save him $100+ on a textbook. Asking someone to not listen to another\u2019s advice when there is no one right way to digest this vast field of knowledge is not conducive to a learning environment. ", "replies": [{"id": "dzefmeb", "text": "He\u2019s looking for career guidence in commercial real estate, and since you don\u2019t have a career, i think it\u2019s a perfectly acceptable comment. \n\nEdit: I also think taking advice from some name ...therapist is also probably going to end poorly ", "replies": [{"id": "dzefs6w", "text": "*sigh* \n\n\nEdit: I suggest taking another look at OP's post. You must have misunderstood something, somewhere, somehow. ", "replies": [], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "dzeduq3", "text": "BiggerPockets podcast is amazing, the site is great also. But they anger me because they do not incorporate much Commercial Real Estate into their podcast/site that much.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "dzfh7f7", "text": "The Wall Street Oasis board is 900x better for commercial real estate. Bigger pockets is a bunch of single family wholesalers, and it is pretty mom and pop (nothing wrong with that, but is almost a different industry all together). \n\nWhoever said Poorvu\u2019s book is correct. Best primer out there that won\u2019t bore you to tears. ", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "dze9y4v", "text": "Hi there. Are you pursuing a career in real estate and if so, which facet? ", "replies": [{"id": "dzea148", "text": "Hi, yes I am. Right now I'm unsure since I know nothing about it. ", "replies": [{"id": "dzebd6z", "text": "Congratulations.\n\nBooks: [Real Estate Development: Principals and Processes ](https://www.amazon.com/Real-Estate-Development-Principles-Process/dp/0874209714),  [Commercial Real Estate Analysis and Investments](https://www.amazon.com/Commercial-Real-Estate-Analysis-Investments/dp/1133108822/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1527010277&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=commercial+real+estate+textbook)\n\nDesignations: [CCIM](https://www.ccim.com/?gmSsoPc=1)\n\nI'd recommend you read these textbooks and start on your CCIM designation as soon as possible. I've found the CCIM designation to be the most holistic overview of commercial real estate in its separate facets.\n\nHowever, there is no substitute for doing. I've done a bit of everything so can speak to pros and cons of each. It really depends on your personality and what you want to achieve. PM me for a more in\\-depth discussion.", "replies": [{"id": "dzett97", "text": "Both of these books were used in my RE Finance Masters, so they\u2019re good recommendations. The development one is much more general, and analysis and investments gets very technical, and can get hard to read if you don\u2019t have some sort of math background. ", "replies": [{"id": "dzevayn", "text": "That\u2019s fair. They are a bit technical. OP is a computer science major so I assumed he\u2019d be ok with the logic behind the concepts", "replies": [{"id": "dzeww7i", "text": "Very true. I\u2019ve had 3-4 sources to that basic CRE info and I remember the Analytic book you recommended getting pretty technical fairly early. If I remember correctly about half the book is detailed explanations of proforma underwriting, which is difficult to follow in a book. \n\nIf OP is interested in the investment side of CRE I\u2019d recommend paying for one of the intro/early versions of modeling at REFM website. The videos go into detail about the numbers, where they come from, and why they\u2019re important. ", "replies": [], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "dzedvp4", "text": "I recently read Brokers Who Dominate and it was amazing.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "dzei2hp", "text": "Argus DCF Usermanual.", "replies": [{"id": "dzeoawu", "text": "I love this comment even though most firms are on AE now", "replies": [{"id": "dzepwds", "text": "yeah, the web\\-based one.  that's the one I meant.  Thanks for clarifying.  ", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "dzei89e", "text": "The Real Estate Game by William Poorvu. ", "replies": [{"id": "dzfkdir", "text": "I just finished reading this. Its a bit dry at the beginning but aside from that there's defintely a few things I learned", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]