New to the Forums and Looking to Overhaul Family Real Estate Business

[Scott Rist]

Hello Folks.  I just found the forums and introduced myself in another thread.  SO here is brief intro:

I am currently phasing into taking over my fathers Real Estate investment "business".  He has been a broker and buying and selling houses in Northern California for over 40 years.  I am 31 now and have been working with him on and off since I was 15.  Over the last few years he has been grooming me to take over the operation and not just another guy pounding nails.  

Basically, to say he is old school is an understatement.  My Dad is a very smart and successful man and has vastly more to bring to the table than I do right now, but I know we can be saving/making far more money.  Essentially, the business is all in my Dad's head and he more or less just wings it at this point (that sounds bad).  At the same time my skill set is in running our crew and remodeling not in the numbers. That being said, I'm planning to hang up my tool belt as soon as possible!

I guess my question right now is a fairly broad one.  Is there any must read books, podcast, posts etc that can help me to develop this into a proper business.  

I'm interested in how people are structuring there businesses, dealing with taxes, rehab schedules and strategies, etc.  My goal is to begin making operations as streamlined as possible.  Also, we are looking for more ways to acquire properties, but I'm sure that can be saved for it's own thread.

Thankfully, at this point money is not an issue and we are able to pay cash for our properties.

Hopefully, this isn't to broad of a question.  I'm sure I can start getting pointed in the right direction!

Thanks so much,

Scott