How To Invest In Real Estate (2024)

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There are an endless variety of ways to invest in real estate, from taking out a home mortgage to building a property empire that spans the country. While the latter is probably out of reach for most of us, there’s no shortage of other options. Here are five strategies for adding real estate exposure to your investments.

1. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

If you’d like to invest in real estate immediately, with as little money as possible, take a look at real estate investment trusts (REITs).

These public companies raise funds by selling shares of stock and issuing bonds, and use the proceeds to purchase and lease out real estate assets like shopping malls, office buildings, apartment buildings and warehouses. REITs are required to pay out nearly all of their after-tax profits to their investors as dividends.

Real estate investment trusts take the fuss out of owning real estate. Management handles all of the ownership and rental logistics—you just sit back and collect dividends, which are frequently higher than many stock-based investments.

You can buy and sell shares of REIT stock in the market via a brokerage account, like any other public company. This makes REITs about the most liquid real estate investment available. In addition, you can buy shares of exchange traded funds (ETFs) that own shares of many REITs. New investors without a lot of money can invest in fractional shares of REIT ETFs via investing apps like Stash, M1 Finance and Robinhood.

2. Crowdfunding Real Estate Platforms

Investors who’d prefer to take a more hands-on approach should check out crowdfunding real estate investing platforms. Many of these online platforms let you invest in specific real estate development projects, rather than large, generic portfolios of properties.

Real estate crowdfunding platforms pool money from multiple investors to fund development projects. They generally require investors to commit to real estate investments for longer periods of time, five years or more in many cases. You may be able to access some of your money before then, but it’ll be up to the platform’s discretion and you may face early withdrawal penalties.

The platforms may charge fees. Be sure to look out for any fees or additional management costs, which can diminish your returns.

Keep in mind that you may not be eligible to participate in all online real estate platforms. Most require minimum investments, ranging from $500 to $25,000 or more. Some require you to be an accredited investor—meaning that you own $1 million in assets other than your primary residence or you make more than $200,000 a year.

Fundrise and Crowdstreet are two popular platforms that offer a range of different options from real estate funds to individual real estate projects.

3. Invest in Your Own Home

Primary residences are the most common way most people invest in real estate. You take out a mortgage, make your monthly payments and gradually build ownership in your home. With luck and strong demand in your local market, you can cash in on the equity when you sell your home.

While investing in your own home can help you build wealth over the long term, average annual returns are less than you might expect. From 1994 to 2019, homes only increased in value about 3.9% annually, according to a report from industry analyst Black Knight.

While there are areas of the country where home appreciation is much higher, on average the house you live in is unlikely to dramatically grow in value, especially once you figure in costs like maintenance and repairs, insurance, property taxes and the interest you pay on your mortgage.

Other real estate investments, like REITs, have seen average annual returns as high as 11.28%, according to Nareit—even a vanilla S&P 500 ETF has provided average annual returns of about 10% long term.

This isn’t to say you should never buy a home or think of it as an investment. Government support for the mortgage market generally, in addition to programs that support first-time homebuyers, help you buy a home at a much lower price than would be possible with other real estate purchases.

4. Invest in Rental Properties

If you’re looking to make a major commitment to investing in real estate, consider purchasing rental properties. Rentals can offer steady cash flow as well as the possibility of appreciation over time, but they are one of the most labor-intensive methods of real estate investing.

There are two main ways to make money with rental properties:

  • Long-term rentals. These properties are generally designed to be rented for at least a year and in theory provide a steady monthly cash flow, though this depends on your tenants being reliable. You might buy a multi-unit property or a single-family home that you rent to others.
  • Short-term rentals. These properties cater to rotating tenants whose stays might be as short as one night, like Airbnb. You might list your entire home or apartment when you’re away, or you could invest in a separate property meant only for short-term rentals.

While investing in real estate with rental properties offers greater profit potential, it also requires a great deal of effort on your part. You need to find and vet tenants, pay for ongoing maintenance, take care of repairs and deal with any other problems that arise.

You can reduce some of these headaches by hiring a property management company, but this will cut into your returns. When it comes to financing rental properties, the resources and low interest rates available to primary residences may not be available. This can make buying rental property more expensive.

5. Invest in Real Estate by Flipping Properties

You don’t have to buy rental properties to maximize your profit from real estate investing. Buying and flipping properties is a common strategy, although like rental properties, flipping takes lots of work. It means renovating homes and learning to identify up-and-coming neighborhoods that will let you sell your purchases at a premium.

If your home flipping strategy involves renovation and construction, it means taking on extra risk and high out-of-pocket costs. Long story short, it’s not as easy as it may look on HGTV. You’ll need building permits for renovations, and remodeling costs may run higher than you expect, especially if you hire contractors or outsource other work.

To minimize the amount of effort in flipping properties, look for homes that don’t need major renovations in up-and-coming areas. This can be even more lucrative if you rent the property while waiting for home values to rise. Just remember, the neighborhood you think will become trendy might never catch on, leaving you with a property it’s hard to recoup your investment on.

Should You Invest in Real Estate?

Real estate investing can offer robust long-term returns that are not entirely correlated with the stock market. But costs and risks can run high when you invest in physical property, which may make REITs the best choice for those who have limited money to invest or who aren’t looking for a primary residence.

If you do decide to purchase rentals properties or start flipping homes, make sure you’re fully aware of the risks you’re taking on and have a plan on how you will earn back your investment. Remember: Real estate can be very illiquid in the short term, which means it can be a big financial commitment. If you have any questions about getting started with real estate investing, talk to a financial advisor.

How To Invest In Real Estate (2024)

FAQs

How do you successfully invest in real estate? ›

  1. Make a Plan. Real estate investors must approach their activities as a business professional to establish and achieve short- and long-term goals. ...
  2. Know the Market. ...
  3. Be Honest. ...
  4. Develop a Niche. ...
  5. Encourage Referrals. ...
  6. Stay Educated. ...
  7. Understand the Risks. ...
  8. Invest in an Accountant.

Is $5,000 enough to invest in real estate? ›

Despite the common misconception that you need a lot of financial capital to begin investing in real estate, you can start with as little as $5,000. Your chances of success can increase if you diversify your investments — especially should some deals not go as planned!

What is the 1% rule in real estate investing? ›

The 1% rule of real estate investing measures the price of the investment property against the gross income it will generate. For a potential investment to pass the 1% rule, its monthly rent must be equal to or no less than 1% of the purchase price.

What is the easiest way to break into real estate investing? ›

Best ways to invest in real estate
  1. Buy REITs (real estate investment trusts) REITs allow you to invest in real estate without the physical real estate. ...
  2. Use an online real estate investing platform. ...
  3. Think about investing in rental properties. ...
  4. Consider flipping investment properties. ...
  5. Rent out a room.
May 31, 2023

Do most millionaires invest in real estate? ›

Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world have built their wealth through real estate. In fact, it's estimated that 90% of all millionaires invest in some form of real estate. There are several reasons for this, but in today's article, we'll share seven reasons why millionaires invest in real estate.

Can you become a millionaire by investing in real estate? ›

More importantly, real estate remains a wealth-building tool for the majority of moguls. An estimated ninety percent of millionaires were created through real estate investing. Any billionaire in the U.S. or anywhere around the globe that you know of has invested in real estate in some form or the other.

Is $40 K enough to invest in real estate? ›

While $40,000 can start you toward significant earnings, it likely won't be enough to purchase property outright. However, there are still several ways you can use it to start investing in real estate. For some, $40,000 can be a sizable portion of your down payment.

What is the 70% rule in real estate investing? ›

Basically, the rule says real estate investors should pay no more than 70% of a property's after-repair value (ARV) minus the cost of the repairs necessary to renovate the home. The ARV of a property is the amount a home could sell for after flippers renovate it.

How to invest $5 000 dollars for quick return? ›

How to Invest $5,000
  1. Try real estate investing for rental income.
  2. Invest in individual stocks.
  3. Invest in mutual funds or ETFs.
  4. Consider low-risk bonds.
  5. Leverage robo-advisors for hands-off investing.
  6. Open a CD for steady returns.
  7. Put a little into cryptocurrency for high potential returns.
Mar 29, 2023

What is the 50% rule in real estate? ›

Like many rules of real estate investing, the 50 percent rule isn't always accurate, but it can be a helpful way to estimate expenses for rental property. To use it, an investor takes the property's gross rent and multiplies it by 50 percent, providing the estimated monthly operating expenses. That sounds easy, right?

What is the 4 3 2 1 real estate strategy? ›

The 4-3-2-1 Approach

This ratio allocates 40% of your income towards expenses, 30% towards housing, 20% towards savings and investments and 10% towards insurance.

What is the 80% rule in real estate? ›

The 80% rule means that an insurer will only fully cover the cost of damage to a house if the owner has purchased insurance coverage equal to at least 80% of the house's total replacement value.

Is 30 too late to start investing in real estate? ›

Or, if you're (somewhat) closer to retirement age, you figure you've missed your chance to become an investor. Starting a real estate investing career can be a sound, financial decision — at any age — as long as you're armed with enough knowledge to make a sensible and practical plan for your investing future.

Is real estate easiest way to become a millionaire? ›

Becoming a millionaire from real estate investing isn't as far-fetched as it may seem, but it's not an easy goal to reach. You shouldn't expect it to happen overnight, but it is achievable. If you have the right knowledge, develop a plan, and be persistent enough, you can become a millionaire real estate investor.

What is one major disadvantage to investing in real estate? ›

Real estate investments tend to have high transactional costs, especially in legal and brokerage fees. The process of acquiring a new property is also very long and tedious with lots of legal formalities. Another disadvantage of property investments is that they are not easy to liquidate.

Why real estate creates 90% of millionaires? ›

Because of the many tax benefits, real estate investors often end up paying less taxes overall even as they are bringing in more income. This is why many millionaires invest in real estate. Not only does it make you money, but it allows you to keep a lot more of the money you make.

What bank do millionaires use? ›

Some of the most popular banks for millionaires and billionaires include JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and UBS. Other examples of banks that may be popular among the ultra-rich include: Private banks: Private banks are banks that offer specialized financial services to high net worth individuals and families.

What part of real estate is most profitable? ›

Commercial real estate is known to yield higher returns than residential real estate. If you can afford to manage a commercial space, it can prove lucrative over time, depending on your area.

What do rich people invest in? ›

Ultra-wealthy individuals invest in such assets as private and commercial real estate, land, gold, and even artwork. Real estate continues to be a popular asset class in their portfolios to balance out the volatility of stocks.

How to invest $1 million dollars in real estate? ›

There are many ways to invest $1 million dollars of your own money in real estate, including through:
  1. Multifamily Real Estate Syndication.
  2. Purchasing Rental Properties.
  3. Fix & Flipping Properties.
  4. Purchasing Office, Retail, or Industrial Buildings.
  5. Private Lending.
  6. Investing in REITs.
Dec 30, 2022

Where do billionaires invest their money? ›

Private Equity and Hedge Funds

While they aren't the same thing, these two types of investment tools are popular among billionaires. They appeal to people of high net worth who can afford large investments and higher risk. Such people are sometimes categorized as sophisticated investors or accredited investors.

How to invest $20 000 dollars in real estate? ›

Now, let's look at eight different ways to invest in real estate with only $20,000.
  1. #1. Low down payment purchase. ...
  2. #2. Seller carryback. ...
  3. #3. Fix-and-flip. ...
  4. #4. Wholesale real estate. ...
  5. #5. Rent-to-own. ...
  6. #6. Buy shares in single-family rental property. ...
  7. #7. Real estate crowdfunding. ...
  8. #8. Real estate ETFs and REITs.
Oct 7, 2021

Is 200K enough to invest in real estate? ›

Investing $200,000 in real estate can be a good way to generate extra income while preserving investment capital. With the right investments, a $200K nest egg could significantly increase when real estate is held for the long term.

Can I invest in real estate with $100 dollars? ›

Based on my experience over the past year, you can make money investing only $100 in real estate. But the question is: Is it worth investing only $100 in real estate? As you can see from the returns I've earned on my investments, it's unlikely that $100 is going to grow into a massive portfolio on its own.

What is the 5% rule investing? ›

In investment, the five percent rule is a philosophy that says an investor should not allocate more than five percent of their portfolio funds into one security or investment. The rule also referred to as FINRA 5% policy, applies to transactions like riskless transactions and proceed sales.

What is the 7% rule in real estate? ›

The top 7% are hustlers. If they don't know something, they'll learn it. If the heat is on, they'll put in the extra hours to make it happen. You don't have to know everything, everyone, have all the money, or talent, but if you'll apply those two principles, you'll do very well in real estate.

What is the 100 times rule in real estate investing? ›

Savvy real estate investors often pay no more than 100 times the monthly rent to purchase a property. In the case of the couple above, an investor following the 100 times monthly rent rule wouldn't pay more than $750,000 because the monthly market rent was $7,500.

How to turn $25,000 into a million? ›

Based on an investment of $25,000 today, it'd take a return of 13.08% per year to transform into $1 million in 30 years. If you require a shorter time to grow your investments, you'll need a higher return to arrive at $1 million sooner.

How to earn $500 per day with investment? ›

Tips When You Start Trading For The First Time
  1. Believe in booking small profits and consider doing multiple trades. ...
  2. Focus on the shares having a high volume. ...
  3. Start trading in trending shares. ...
  4. Focus on entry and exit points. ...
  5. Management of trading costs. ...
  6. Take advantage of stop-loss.
Aug 31, 2022

What is the best way to invest $100000 short term? ›

Here are a few of the best short-term investments to consider that still offer you some return.
  • High-yield savings accounts. ...
  • Short-term corporate bond funds. ...
  • Money market accounts. ...
  • Cash management accounts. ...
  • Short-term U.S. government bond funds. ...
  • No-penalty certificates of deposit. ...
  • Treasurys. ...
  • Money market mutual funds.
Jun 1, 2023

What is the 2% rule in real estate? ›

This is a general rule of thumb that determines a base level of rental income a rental property should generate. Following the 2% rule, an investor can expect to realize a gross yield from a rental property if the monthly rent is at least 2% of the purchase price.

What is the 10% rule in real estate? ›

A good rule is that a 1% increase in interest rates will equal 10% less you are able to borrow but still keep your same monthly payment. It's said that when interest rates climb, every 1% increase in rate will decrease your buying power by 10%. The higher the interest rate, the higher your monthly payment.

What is the 4 rule in real estate? ›

This is a simple enough question and one many investors ask when checking on their progress toward retirement. The “4% rule” is a theory that states you should be able to retire and safely withdraw 4% of your savings every year and your money should last 30 years.

What are the three C's of real estate? ›

They evaluate credit and payment history, income and assets available for a down payment and categorize their findings as the Three C's: Capacity, Credit and Collateral.

Which is generally the riskiest real estate strategy? ›

Opportunistic is the riskiest of all real estate investment strategies. It is also synonymous with 'growth' in the stock market, like 'value-add,' but it is even riskier. Opportunistic investors take on the most complicated projects and may not see a return on their investment for three or more years.

What is 1 3 5 goal setting real estate? ›

The 1-3-5 framework has you starting with a goal then breaking that goal into 3 priorities, and 5 strategies for each priority. The goal and priorities should be measurable targets; while the strategies are your plans to achieve each priority. If all 3 priorities are met, then your goal should be attained.

What is the 25 rule in real estate? ›

To calculate how much house you can afford, use the 25% rule—never spend more than 25% of your monthly take-home pay (after tax) on monthly mortgage payments.

What is the 20 rule in real estate? ›

The rule, applicable in many financial, commercial, and social contexts, states that 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes. For example, many researchers have found that: 80% of real estate deals are closed by 20% of the real estate teams.

What is the 20 rule in investing? ›

Emphasize Saving Goals: By allocating 20% of your income to savings, you can set up an emergency fund, prepare for retirement, pay off debt, invest, or pursue other financial goals. By consistently saving this amount, you establish sound financial practices and build a safety net for unforeseen costs or future goals.

Where should I be financially at 35? ›

So to answer the question, we believe having one to one-and-a-half times your income saved for retirement by age 35 is a reasonable target. By age 50, you would be considered on track if you have three to six times your preretirement gross income saved.

How much do I need to save to be a millionaire in 30 years? ›

To save a million dollars in 30 years, you'll need to deposit around $850 a month. If you make $50k a year, that's roughly 20% of your pre-tax income. If you can't afford that now then you may want to dissect your expenses to see where you can cut, but if that doesn't work then saving something is better than nothing.

What is the best age to invest in real estate? ›

For example, those who invest in their 20s and 30s will begin earning cash flow sooner than their peers. Over time, as they pay down the debt on those properties, they can either a) maximize cash flow on debt-free properties; or b) refinance those properties with new, long-term debt.

How many rental properties do you need to become a millionaire? ›

To become a real estate millionaire, you may have to own at least ten properties. If this is your goal, you need to accumulate rental properties with a total value of at least a million.

How can I build wealth fast in real estate? ›

  1. 7 Fastest Ways to Make Money in Real Estate. ...
  2. Renovation Flipping. ...
  3. Airbnb and Vacation Rentals. ...
  4. Long-Term Rentals. ...
  5. Contract Flipping. ...
  6. Lease to Buy. ...
  7. Commercial Property Rentals. ...
  8. Buying Land.

Who is the richest realtor? ›

1. Donald Bren. Donald Bren began his career as a typical real estate agent, making his first investment in a real estate company that purchased over 90,000 acres of land.

Why most people don t invest in real estate? ›

Many people are unable to begin creating wealth due to fear. They're scared about money, or the negative things that come with owning rental properties—like evictions or repairs. I've done many episodes about fear, and I strongly believe that your ability to change your life lies in your ability to quiet your fears.

What is the best option to invest money? ›

Best Investment Options in India
  1. Direct Equity – Stocks. Direct equity stocks are one of the best investment options for aggressive investors. ...
  2. Equity Mutual Funds. ...
  3. Equity Debt Funds. ...
  4. National Pension Scheme (NPS) ...
  5. Public Provident Fund (PPF) ...
  6. Bank Fixed Deposit. ...
  7. Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) ...
  8. Unit Linked Insurance Plans.

What can go wrong when investing in real estate? ›

7 Mistakes Real Estate Investors Should Avoid When Buying An Investment Property
  • 1.1. Not Doing Thorough Research.
  • 1.2. Doing Everything On Your Own.
  • 1.3. Not Considering Operating Expenses.
  • 1.4. Overpaying.
  • 1.5. Not Having An Investment Strategy.
  • 1.6. Not Considering Residents' Needs.
  • 1.7. Putting All Your Eggs In One Basket.
Jul 26, 2022

What is the most profitable way to invest in real estate? ›

What Types of Commercial Properties Are the Most Profitable? High-Tenant Properties – Typically, properties with a high number of tenants will give the best return on investment. These properties include RVs, self-storage, apartment complexes, and office spaces.

What is the best way to be successful in real estate? ›

How to succeed as a real estate agent in 11 ways
  1. Improve communication skills. ...
  2. Partner with other local agents. ...
  3. Find a publicist. ...
  4. Host open-house events. ...
  5. Pitch a realty story to a news outlet. ...
  6. Use email marketing. ...
  7. Keep in contact with past clients. ...
  8. Create social media profiles.
Dec 19, 2022

What are 3 ways real estate investors make money? ›

Let's dive in and see how you, too, can become a lucrative real estate investor.
  • Leverage Appreciating Value. Most real estate appreciates over time. ...
  • Buy And Hold Real Estate For Rent. ...
  • Flip A House. ...
  • Purchase Turnkey Properties. ...
  • Invest In Real Estate. ...
  • Make The Most Of Inflation. ...
  • Refinance Your Mortgage.
Mar 31, 2023

What is the most profitable type of real estate to invest in? ›

Commercial real estate is known to yield higher returns than residential real estate. If you can afford to manage a commercial space, it can prove lucrative over time, depending on your area.

Is real estate the easiest way to get rich? ›

There is no quick way to make money or get rich in real estate, but you can grow wealth gradually and consistently by investing correctly. You are probably aware that there are numerous ways to accumulate wealth, but real estate is one of the most effective.

How to invest $5,000 dollars in real estate? ›

Below are 7 strategies you can use to actively invest in real estate with $5,000.
  1. Buy an inexpensive primary residence. ...
  2. Find a property with seller financing. ...
  3. Buy property with a partner. ...
  4. Find a hard money lender. ...
  5. Borrow money from friends and family. ...
  6. Become a wholesaler and bring buyers and sellers together.

How can I grow faster in real estate? ›

Keep these tips in mind as you take your real estate business to the next level.
  1. Be More Purposeful With Networking. ...
  2. Improve Time Management. ...
  3. Email Your Leads. ...
  4. Hire an Assistant. ...
  5. Let Go of Fear. ...
  6. Ask for Referrals. ...
  7. Don't Be Afraid of Social Media.

Is it hard to be successful in real estate? ›

Earning a living selling real estate is hard work. You have to be organized in order to keep track of legal documents, meetings, and all the tasks that go into multiple listings. You may go without a paycheck for periods of time because the work is often commission-based. If you don't sell, you don't earn anything.

What is the fastest way to build wealth in real estate? ›

  1. 7 Fastest Ways to Make Money in Real Estate. ...
  2. Renovation Flipping. ...
  3. Airbnb and Vacation Rentals. ...
  4. Long-Term Rentals. ...
  5. Contract Flipping. ...
  6. Lease to Buy. ...
  7. Commercial Property Rentals. ...
  8. Buying Land.

Is it hard to make money in real estate? ›

You don't need a lot of starting capital to make money in the real estate industry. But you do need the knowledge and the know-how. Most people think that it's easier to make money online than it is to make serious coin in real estate. But both are difficult if you don't know what you're doing.

How to build wealth through real estate? ›

Here are six key tips for how to leverage real estate investment strategies to grow generational wealth.
  1. Offset low interest rates. ...
  2. Hedge against inflation. ...
  3. Adjust your exposure. ...
  4. Consider gifting strategies. ...
  5. Invest in emerging opportunities. ...
  6. Leverage capital gains.

What are 4 benefits of real estate investing? ›

The benefits of investing in real estate include passive income, stable cash flow, tax advantages, diversification, and leverage. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) offer a way to invest in real estate without having to own, operate, or finance properties.

What properties make the most money? ›

Commercial properties are considered one of the best types of real estate investments because of their potential for higher cash flow. If you decide to invest in a commercial property, you could enjoy these attractive benefits: Higher-income potential. Longer leases.

What kind of rental properties make the most money? ›

Long term and short term rental properties are the best types of real estate investment because you can earn monthly positive cash flow and a high ROI.

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