11 Best Real Estate Investing Apps: Diversify Your Portfolio

If you’re looking to get into real estate investing but don’t know where to start, there are many great resources – and many of them can be found on your smartphone!

Real estate investors can generate passive income; the best part is you don’t need to be in the real estate industry to get started!

Mobile real estate investing apps now give you direct access to investing in real estate projects and properties.

Whether you’re a first-time investor or a seasoned pro, these are the best real estate investing apps for anyone looking to build their portfolio and create long-term wealth. 

Quick Picks

I found the best real estate investing apps that can accrue passive wealth, and here are the top money-making apps you can use:

Best for Real Estate Investments – Fundrise
Best for Farmland Investing – FarmTogether
Best for Non-Accredited Investors – Roofstock
Best For Accredited Investors – CrowdStreet 

What Is Real Estate Investing?

Real estate opportunities can be excellent alternative investments and help diversify your investment portfolio.

Real estate investing is the process of purchasing, owning, and managing properties to generate income.

Real estate investors can generate passive income through various methods, including rental income, house appreciation, and tax benefits. 

Investing in real estate is different than traditional investments, such as stocks and bonds, in a few key ways.

First, real estate is a physical asset class that you can see and touch- the real estate market is your oyster of tangible properties.

Another key difference is that real estate investments are usually longer-term. You won’t see the same day-to-day volatility that you see in the stock market.

This can be good or bad, depending on your investment goals and if you want long-term alternative investments.

In the past, investing in property was challenging unless you had a large amount of money and connections to real estate agents.

However, real estate investing apps have made it easier to invest in rental and commercial real estate, and some even offer crowdfunding options.

There are opportunities now for non-accredited investors to access traditionally held only for accredited investors.

But some sites still require you to be an accredited investor, so let’s check out these sites and what options you have!

11 Best Real Estate Investing Apps

There are several different real estate investing apps that you can use for real estate investing.

Here are options for apps you should invest with this year to diversify your portfolio:

1. Fundrise

Fundrise is an app that helps you to invest in real estate through eREITs. 

An eREIT is a type of real estate investment trust that allows you to pool your money with other investors to invest in larger projects. 

They offer investments in residential and commercial real estate properties and allow accredited investors to invest in individual properties- starting at $10!

Yep, that’s right- their minimum investment for crowdfunding in real estate projects is only $10!

Fundrise has financial advisors who can provide advice and guidance on investment strategies, as well as tools that allow you to track the performance of your investments.

The app also has an auto-invest feature that allows you to set up an investment portfolio and automatically invest in eREITs regularly.

This ensures that your money is continually reinvested and you get the most out of your investments.

Check out my in-depth Fundrise Review to see the app’s unique features and more.

2. FarmTogether

FarmTogether is an online marketplace where farmers can purchase, manage, and trade farmland. 

It’s a bit different than investing in residential or commercial real estate, but the program does the research and work for you!

This real estate investing app is geared towards investors who want to invest in sustainable farming practices and benefit from the long-term growth potential of agricultural investments.

Investors can choose from a range of investment options and have access to up-to-date market data.

FarmTogether is for accredited investors and has a minimum investment of $15,000, which is lower than other comparable platforms.

FarmTogether also traditionally has strong returns that yield 6-13%.

Learn more about investing in farmland in my FarmTogether Review.

3. Roofstock

Roofstock is an app that allows you to invest in single-family rental properties.

You can browse through their available properties and choose the one that best fits your investment goals. 

Many of the properties on Roofstock are turnkey, and some might already have tenants in place.

A team of real estate professionals is available to help you analyze the data and make an informed purchase decision.

After you’ve added the property to your portfolio, Roofstock will manage all the day-to-day activities related to owning and operating a rental.

That can include finding tenants, collecting rent payments, handling maintenance issues, and more.

And for a minimum investment of only $5,000, that’s a lot to offer so you don’t have to deal with managing properties.

Plus, Roodstock is open to non-accredited investors- but if you’re an accredited investor, you can invest in Roofstock One for premium investments. 

Find out how much you can make from investing in my Roofstock Review.

4. Arrived Homes

Arrived Homes is a crowdfunding app that lets you buy shares of rental properties for as little as $100.

This is a great way to start real estate investing with a low minimum investment.

Arrived Homes allows you to invest in different properties, from single-family homes to vacation homes.

Arrived Homes does all the work for you in searching for tenants, collecting rent, and maintaining the property, so real estate investors just get the money without the legwork.

Check out my Arrived Homes Review to learn more about investing in rental properties.

5. Groundfloor

Groundfloor is an app that allows you to invest in real estate loans for as little as $10 and doesn’t require users to be accredited investors. 

Unlike other apps, Groundfloor doesn’t charge any fees to investors and doesn’t require users to be accredited investors.

Instead, it earns revenue by charging its borrowers’ lenders fees at closing. This can be a great way to diversify your real estate portfolio.

Groundfloor Investors have received an average return of 10%.

6. Streitwise

Streitwise is a private REIT that invests in cash-flow properties, like commercial real estate and office parks.

It’s a set real estate investment that you can join in on and add to your portfolio for passive income.

They require a higher upfront investment than some other options- you need $5,000 to invest.

But the higher input also offers a higher return potential. This is an excellent option for non-accredited investors.

Streitwise investors, on average, have an annualized return rate of 9%.

7. HappyNest

HappyNest is an app that helps you to invest in rental properties with minimal investment.

They offer a single REIT for three commercial properties and can get started for as low as $10.

HappyNest is a good option for non-accredited investors, and they target a 6% annual income yield.

HappyNest is a little more long-term than other investing apps and requires a minimum of 3 years for investments.

They also don’t allow any premature withdrawals; other sites may, but it has a fee.

8. CrowdStreet

CrowdStreet is the largest real estate investing app, but it only allows accredited investors to participate.

CrowdStreet is a marketplace that helps to connect investors with new real estate investment opportunities.

Accredited investors can decide if they want to participate in an individual property or help fund multiple projects in a crowdsource deal.

The minimum investment in CrowdStreet is $25,000, depending on how you invest can be a little riskier than REITs.

9. CalTier

CalTier is an app that’s open to non-accredited investors. They crowdfund investments, and the minimum investment begins at only $500.

CalTier’s fund is primarily made up of multi-family properties, which you would earn quarterly dividends as a real estate investor.

CalTier members profit from rental and property sales so that you can earn income on real estate property faster than some other apps.

10. AcreTrader

Unlike the other apps on our list, AcreTrader is an app that helps you invest in farmland parcels.

The minimum investment on AcreTrader is $15,000 – $25,000, and the investments are usually for longer terms, such as 5-10 years.

Investing in farmland can be a great way to diversify your portfolio, and it has an average 11% annual return.

11. PeerStreet

PeerStreet is a good option for those who want to invest in real estate without dealing with the hassles of being a landlord.

PeerStreet offers real estate debt investing with loans secured by real property.

You can choose the loans you want to fund and earn interest accordingly.

The platform makes it easy to browse and invest in loans, and you can start with as little as $1,000.

However, only accredited investors are allowed to participate.

Ways To Invest In Real Estate

Now that I’ve gone over the different real estate investment apps, what about actual real estate investment opportunities? What are those exactly?

When it comes to investing, real estate has multiple alternative investments you can put your money into.

Real estate is a physical asset class with a long history of appreciation and can provide you with rental income and tax breaks.

However, there are a few different ways to invest in real estate, and the method you choose will depend on your goals and risk tolerance. 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

REITs are a good option if you’re looking for a hands-off way to invest in real estate.

These companies own and operate income-producing real estate, such as office buildings, apartments, shopping centers, commercial real estate properties, and warehouses.

When you invest in a REIT, you’re essentially buying shares of the company, which gives you a stake in the property it owns. 

One of the benefits of investing in REITs is that they’re required by law to pay out at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends.

This makes them a good option for investors looking for regular income from their investments. 

REITs are a good option for hands-off real estate investing. There are several REIT apps available, like Fundrise, that make it easy to invest in real estate.

With a REIT app, you don’t have to be an accredited investor to buy shares in a company that owns and operates income-producing real estate.

This gives you a stake in the property and provides regular income from your investment.

Rental Properties

You could consider buying a rental property if you’re looking for a more hands-on approach to real estate investing.

This will involve finding a property you think will be in demand by renters, securing financing, and finding tenants. 

One of the benefits of owning a rental property is that you’ll receive regular income from your tenants in the form of rent.

And, if the property appreciates in value, you’ll also see a return on your investment when you sell. 

However, one thing to consider with rental properties is that they can require a lot of maintenance, and you would also have to work as a landlord.

There are real estate sites that can help with maintenance and finding tenants. Some apps like Zillow and Trulia can help you find the perfect rental property.

Fix-and-Flip Properties

Another option for those who want a more hands-on approach to real estate investing is fix-and-flip properties.

This involves buying an investment property that needs some work, fixing it up, and then selling it for a profit. 

One of the benefits of fix-and-flip properties is that you can make a significant return on your investment if you do it right.

However, there is also a higher level of risk involved, as you could end up losing money if the property doesn’t sell for as much as you’ve invested or if the property value decreases.

This type of property is best for experienced investors and not recommended for everyday investors.

One of the best home-flipping apps is Xome, which allows you to see properties that are going to be auctioned off. Xome also has a database of foreclosures and short sales.

REIT Mutual Funds & ETFs

If you’re looking for a way to invest in REITs without picking and choosing individual companies, you could consider investing in a REIT mutual fund or ETF.

These are funds that hold a basket of REITs, which gives you exposure to several different properties. 

The benefits of investing in REIT mutual funds and ETFs are that they offer diversification and can help mitigate some risks associated with investing in individual REITs. 

Our favorite ETF app is Robinhood. It makes it easy to invest in ETFs without having to go through a lot of paperwork. You can open an account and start investing with just a few clicks.

And if you’re not sure what ETFs to invest in, Robinhood has a great selection of recommended funds.

Real Estate Crowdfunding

If you’re looking for a way to invest in real estate without coming up with a sizeable down payment, you could consider real estate crowdfunding.

Crowdfunding is where you pool your money with other investors to finance a property. These platforms are becoming extremely popular, and many top real estate apps offer this option.

This can be a great investment strategy if you’re just getting started in investment portfolios because it can require a low minimum investment.

My favorite real estate crowdfunding platform is Fundrise. With its low minimum investment requirement, this platform offers a great way to get started in investment portfolios.

They are open to non-accredited and accredited investors, and crowdfunding starts at only $10.

It’s also one of the most popular real estate crowdfunding apps out there, so you’re sure to find plenty of interesting deals.

Types of Properties To Invest In

The type of property you invest in will depend on several factors, including your investment goals, accreditation, and the amount of money you have to invest.

Residential Properties

If you’re looking for a more hands-on investment, consider investing in residential properties.

You’ll be responsible for finding tenants and maintaining the property, but you’ll also have the potential to earn higher returns.

Commercial Properties

Commercial properties can be great real estate investments, but they typically require a larger upfront investment.

Commercial properties can also be more challenging to finance and manage, even if you’re an accredited investor with experience.

However, some apps offer crowdfunding options to make it a little easier to get into.

Farmland

Investing in farmland can be a great way to diversify your portfolio.

Farmland is typically a long-term investment and can be challenging to finance.

Real estate investing apps make it easier to get into farmland investing.

FAQs

Why use a real estate investing app?

There are several reasons why you should use real estate investment apps.

For one, they can make it easier to diversify your portfolio. When you invest in REITs or mutual funds, you get exposure to many different properties.

This helps mitigate some risks associated with investing in a single property.

Another reason to use a real estate investing app is that it can provide more information about the properties you’re interested in.

This can help you to make more informed investment decisions.

Real estate apps can also help you get into the real estate market, especially if you don’t have any connections to the real estate industry or real estate agents.

They can also give you access to commercial real estate projects you might otherwise not have access to.

Finally, real estate investing apps can also save you time. Rather than having to research properties manually, you can use an app to do it for you.

This can give you more time to focus on other aspects of your life.

What makes a good app?

When you’re looking for a real estate investing app, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, you’ll want to make sure that the app is easy to use. The best real estate apps will have a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate.

But one of the first details you want to know about is if the app you’re interested in is for accredited investors only.

If you’re not an accredited investor, some apps will be out of your reach until you get accredited.

To become an accredited investor, you’ll need to meet some requirements– some of which include a high net worth.

You’ll also want to ensure that the app offers a good selection of properties and learn what the minimum investment is.

The best apps will have a wide variety of properties to choose from, so you can find the right one for your investment goals.

If the minimum investment is more than you can afford, you’ll have to try other options.

Finally, you’ll want to see that the app has a good reputation. The best apps will be well-reviewed by other users and have been in business for a while.

How do I make money on investment apps?

There are a few different ways to make money and get passive income with real estate apps.

The first way is to invest in the properties listed on the app. These can range from residential to commercial real estate.

This can provide you with regular income in the form of dividends or rent and can be a great way to diversify your real estate portfolio.

Another way to make money with real estate investing apps is to sell properties you’ve acquired for a profit. This can be a more hands-on approach and give you a significant investment return.

You could also use the app to borrow money to finance a property. This can be a good option if you don’t have the cash for the initial investment outright.

However, it’s important to note that you’ll be responsible for repaying the loan plus interest. You can also use apps to help get access to accredited investors.

No matter which method you choose, there is potential to make money with real estate investing apps. It’s just a matter of finding the right app for you and your investment goals.

Final Thoughts

From commercial real estate investments to farmland investment, an app will allow you to grow your real estate assets.

The right app for you will depend on your investment goals and how much money you have to invest.

We’ve listed the best real estate investing apps; a few stand out above the rest.

I think Fundrise is probably the easiest to use, where you can invest in REITs with only $100 and start earning dividends on properties.

Whichever real estate app you choose, research and only invest money you’re comfortable with potentially losing.

Real estate investing for new investors can seem risky, but it can be a great way to grow your wealth over time.

I hope this guide has helped you on your real estate investment journey to earn passive income!