Apps You Can Make Real Money On

Want to jump straight to the best? CrowdStreet is the best real estate investing platform for most people.

Real estate investment can bring predictable cash flow, tax advantages and portfolio diversification. It's long been a reliable source of passive income, and real estate investing apps mean the market is more accessible than ever.

Use the ease of your smartphone to jumpstart your real estate investment. Check out the best real estate investing apps below.

Best Real Estate Investing Apps:

Best for Entry-Level Investors: DiversyFund
Best for Low Minimum Investment: Arrived Homes
Best for Diversification: EquityMultiple
Best for High Dividends: Streitwise
Best for Commercial Real Estate: CrowdStreet
Best for Farmland: AcreTrader
Best for Real Estate notes: Groundfloor
Best Public Nontraded REITs: RealtyMogul

1. Best for Entry-Level Investors: DiversyFund

DiversyFund requires just a low-cost initial investment, and its app has all the functionality of the website. There are no management fees, so it's easy for you to get started as an entry-level, non-accredited investor.

DiversyFund is a crowdfunded commercial real estate investment platform. Unlike the majority in the industry, DiversyFund actually owns and directly manages its commercial properties.

To get started, you buy shares in DiversyFund's DF Growth REIT. It's a public, non-listed real estate investment trust. These types of REITs are required to register and submit an annual audit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

This gives an added level of transparency you might not find with a private REIT or other real estate investments.

It's important to keep in mind that DiversyFund reinvests all dividends. This means you won't see any income until the properties are sold. Go in with a long-term mindset.

Fees

1% asset management fee

2. Best for Low Minimum Investment: Arrived Homes

Arrived Homes is one of the newest real estate crowdfunding platforms on the market and is quickly growing in popularity. This is no surprise considering the company allows investors to buy shares of rental properties with a minimum investment of only $100.

The company handles all of the landlord headaches, such as finding and acquiring the properties, finding tenants and handling the day-to-day operations that go along with property management. Investors simply collect their share of the rental income each quarter while the properties they invest in appreciate in value over time.

Arrived Homes also makes the process incredibly easy. Simply sign up for a free account on the website and browse available properties to invest in. Since new rental properties on the platform often get fully funded rather quickly, you can reserve shares of upcoming properties before they become available, so you don't miss out on any great investment opportunities.

EquityMultiple

Minimum Investment

$5,000

3. Best for Diverse Offerings: EquityMultiple

EquityMultiple is a real estate crowdfunding platform that provides a diverse range of offerings to fit almost any accredited investor's objective. It's one of the few platforms that offers equity, preferred equity, and senior debt investments, letting investors select the type(s) of assets that fit their investment goals.

They generally focus on the mid-market, commercial real estate space, with investments reflecting a diverse array of multi-tenant properties. Investments on the platform are generally focused on strong cash flow and all payments and updates are centrally managed and administered by EquityMultiple.

EquityMultiple has one of the most experienced teams in the industry and the company aims to provide a level of transparency and customer service that's not found elsewhere in the real estate investing industry.

Minimum Investment

$5,000

4. Best for High Dividends: Streitwise

Streitwise is a private REIT that offers investors shares in its portfolio of commercial real estate. The company focuses on investing in low-risk commercial real estate aimed at providing clients with consistent high-yield returns. The team invests in markets that are steadily growing and offer low-risk potential outcomes. To date, the average dividend yield paid to investors is over 9%.

Streitwise prides itself on straightforward fees without the confusion sometimes associated with REITs. On top of the initial investment, you'll pay a fee of 3% the 1st year. Then it's 2% annually. These are some of the lowest fees in the industry, and there are no acquisition fees.

While they're still young and growing, the founders have built their business based on solid experience coupled with a vision for the future of investing. If you're looking to diversify your current investment portfolio but feared real estate was too lofty a goal, Streitwise is worth exploring.

Minimum Investment

$25,000

5. Best for Commercial Real Estate: CrowdStreet

CrowdStreet provides a convenient platform for accredited investors to add commercial real estate projects to their portfolio.

It pairs individual investors with project developers vetted with background and reference checks. You can pick individual properties or buy into CrowdStreet's funds. The funds are composed of a diverse lineup of real estate projects.

The minimum investment varies by project, but most require a minimum of $25,000. CrowdStreet's real estate funds also have varied minimums.

Acre Trader

Minimum Investment

$15k – $25k

Fees

0.75% and 1% per year based on asset value

6. Best for Farmland: AcreTrader

AcreTrader features actual parcels of farmland. You can choose offerings based on your investment preferences.

Farm types range from Midwest row crop farms to California almond orchards. AcreTrader has a thorough underwriting process and presents each offering clearly on its website. You can view maps, photos, documents and an overview of projected financials before you invest.

AcreTrader typically has 1 to 3 offerings available. You can sign up and invest in less than 10 minutes.

Groundfloor

7. Best for Real Estate Notes: Groundfloor

Groundfloor is a unique financial product that allows non-accredited and accredited investors to participate directly in real estate investment loans on a fractional basis. The platform opens the door to short-term, high-yield returns backed by real estate. Typical loans have returned 10 percent annually on a 6- to 12-month term.

The product is based on venture loans to real estate entrepreneurs that are originated and serviced by Groundfloor. Prior to offering, every loan is pre-funded by Groundfloor after a thorough vetting of the borrower's experience, credit worthiness and business plan. An assessment of the property value on an as-is and as-improved basis is also required.

Founded in 2013, Groundfloor is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Realty Mogul

Minimum Investment

$5,000

Fees

Vary based on investment type

8. Best for Public Nontraded REITs: RealtyMogul

RealtyMogul's unique online platform enables investors to handle the entire commercial real estate investing process right from their RealtyMogul dashboard. With rigorously vetted property listings, expertly managed REITs, and a commitment to providing top-notch service and support to its members, RealtyMogul makes commercial real estate accessible to everyday investors.

RealtyMogul is online property investment platform that streamlines the commercial real estate investing process and provides investors with a wide range of opportunities and products to grow their portfolio. The innovative online platform is the first of its kind to make commercial real estate investing more accessible to regular investors. With a thorough due diligence process, a full range of investing products and services, and user-friendly platform make RealtyMogul one of the most unique fintech solutions on the market.

How to Make Money with Real Estate Investing

You can make money with real estate investing. Establish your maximum investment amount before you get started, so you're clear about which opportunities are open to you.

Next, determine which type of real estate investment you want to explore. Crowdfunding platforms, REITs and other alternative real estate investments mean you have choices no matter how much capital you plan to commit.

Research is always important. But go beyond superficial online research to get comfortable with your decision. Call customer service, speak to a broker and ask questions of other investors.

Plan to make a long-term commitment to your real estate investment. You may have to wait years until a property sells to see a profit. Even monthly rental income can take years to accumulate to meet your expected return.

Invest in Real Estate Now

Real estate investment is more accessible than ever before. You don't need to be a millionaire. You don't need to spend months flipping a house. Online real estate platforms and apps mean you can invest whether you're an accredited investor or not.

Take a look at the capital you have to invest, review the variety of real estate platforms and take the plunge into real estate investment now.

DiversyFund accelerates your wealth creation by reinvesting cash flows from the properties — the DiversyFund Growth REIT is a public non-traded REIT designed to build wealth by investing in multifamily real estate and intends to build wealth over an approximate 5-year timeline. You don't have to be an accredited investor to invest in Diversyfund. Open a Diversyfund account today.