Author: Michele Cagan

Michele Cagan’s 2019 book “Real Estate Investing 101” approaches property with a beginner’s mindset and offers a steady, step-by-step introduction to a field often filled with hype but short on practical guidance. 

Rather than promising quick riches, Cagan frames real estate as one investment option within a broader portfolio, shaped by the economy, population shifts, and government policy, among other important parameters.

The table of contents reflects the book’s wide range. It starts by mapping the real estate landscape and the major forces that drive it, then covers rental investing, property valuation, and house flipping. It also introduces indirect investing through funds, groups, and REITs, touches on newer ideas like crowdfunding and eco-focused projects, and closes with grounded tax advice on keeping more of what you earn. 

The book encourages newcomers to trade guesswork for small, consistent habits: Set firm buying criteria for the property, budget for vacancies, save for major repairs, test whether the loan still works if costs rise, and treat management as a real expense even if you plan to handle it yourself.

The practical touches land well: vendor lists, tenant screening basics, pre-closing checklists, and a plain-English overview of real estate funds for readers who prefer not to be landlords.

Beginners will find the book’s tone calm and supportive. Seasoned investors may want deeper detail on creative financing or large commercial deals, but the core guidance is solid and consistent.

Owners already holding rentals will appreciate the focus on day-to-day management: strong leases, fair-housing compliance, healthy cash reserves and steady maintenance that keeps a property upright when markets wobble.

The message is conservative in the best way and “Real Estate Investing 101” does not promise outsized returns.

It shows how careful analysis and modest, repeated actions can build stability and long-term flexibility. I finished it feeling clearer about the basics and far less tempted by flashy shortcuts.