11 Best Real Estate Investing Apps in 2023

Real estate is often touted as one of the best ways to build wealth. Around 90% of millionaires were created via real estate investing.

Unfortunately, building wealth through traditional real estate investing is easier said than done in the scorching real estate market that has dominated the past couple of years. With double-digit annual appreciation since 2020, prospective home buyers find it challenging to buy a home for themselves, let alone as an investment.

Luckily, there are many great ways to invest in real estate without working with real estate agents and owning physical properties. Now, anyone can own a slice with as little as a few hundred dollars through crowdfunded real estate.

Several great real estate investing platforms make owning property accessible for first-time and accredited investors alike.

Here are the best real estate investing apps to start your real estate journey.

Why Invest in Real Estate?

Like the overall stock market, real estate has shown to be a consistent and lucrative investment over time. While prices will occasionally fluctuate, real estate has generally shown consistent appreciation. From 1976 to 2005, real appreciation averaged 2.2% a year.

Real estate has come back with a vengeance despite a colossal correction and negative growth from 2007 to 2011, and we’ve seen double-digit appreciation annually for the past two years.

While not guaranteed, real estate almost always appreciates over time. You have to pay for housing anyway, so why not keep your costs steady (via your mortgage) and work toward owning an asset worth more over time?

Even if you don’t own your primary residence, you can still build wealth with real estate investing. Not only do the properties you own appreciate, but you’ll offset your expenses with rental income, and an increase in rents over time will put more money in your pocket.

But the best part is that as a real estate investor, others will be buying your assets for you.

Ways to Invest in Real Estate

Before we jump into real estate investing apps, let’s briefly touch on other ways to invest in real estate.

Rental Properties

Owning rental properties is what most think of when they think of real estate investments. With this form of investing, real estate assets might include single-family homes, condos, apartment complexes, townhouses, multi-family real estate, or commercial properties.

A rental property can either be a long-term or short-term rental.

Long-Term Rentals

Long-term rentals can include both commercial and residential properties. In this case, a tenant pays a fixed monthly amount per the lease agreement terms. Real estate investors earn rental income and are responsible for repairs and major maintenance. Tenants are typically responsible for utilities and general upkeep of the property.

Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rentals are properties rented for purposes other than as a personal residence or business location. Short-term rentals include vacation homes, Airbnbs, 30-day rentals, and other shorter-term rental options. These properties are targeted toward vacationers or other groups looking for short-term stays in a particular location. These properties generally require more attention to manage but have the potential to produce significantly more cash flow.

Flipping Houses

Flipping houses has become popularized by many shows on HGTV and related channels. House flipping involved buying a fixer-upper, renovating it quickly, and selling it for a higher value. Foreclosed properties and other off-market investment opportunities often yield these fixer properties. While profitable, flipping requires significant experience, access to funding, and a team to complete needed repairs.

REITs

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are great for those wanting a hands-off real estate investment. A corporation (or trust) uses investors’ money to purchase and operate commercial or residential real estate. The corporation pays out 90% of its taxable profits in dividends to investors, thus avoiding corporate income taxes. REITs are generally bought and sold on major exchanges like stocks.

Real Estate Crowdfunding Platforms

A real estate crowdfunding platform is similar to a REIT in that it pools funds from those who want to invest in commercial properties or other real estate projects. Investments are made on real estate investing platforms, and investors look to earn passive income from their investments. In many cases, there is a low minimum investment threshold, making crowdfunding attractive for those looking to begin investing.

11 Best Real Estate Investment Apps

 There are now a variety of real estate apps available for those looking to get into real estate investing without the need to manage properties. Each real estate investing app is slightly different, and the best option for you will largely depend on the type of investor you are, how much capital you have to invest, and the types of properties you want to invest in.

If you’re looking to make your first investment, these are the best real estate apps.

1. Concreit

Concreit is a real estate investment app that lets you buy and sell private, non-traded REIT shares. The trust is invested in private loans backed by commercial properties like multi-family complexes.

Type of Investment: 

Real estate investment trust consists of:

• Commercial real estate, such as multi-family complexes
• Private short-term loans to real estate builders & developers
• Real estate-related securities

Average Return:

5.5% per year

Number of Years in Business:

Four years

Fees:

1% annual fee for asset management, as well as short-term redemption (less than a year) and ACH fees (bank transfer fees).

Their Unique Value Proposition?

Allows real estate investors access to commercial real estate for as little as $1.

Sign Up Today

2. Fundrise

Fundrise is one of the most popular real estate investments. This real estate app allows average investors to buy into private commercial and residential properties by pooling their assets through REITs and other funds.

Type of Investment:

Commercial and residential real estate are offered through eREITs, eFunds, and Interval Funds.

Average Returns:

Returns ranged from 7.31% to 16.11% between 2017 and the third quarter of 2021.

Number of Years in Business:

12 years

Fees:

There is an asset management fee of 0.85% and an advisory fee of 0.15%, but other fees may apply. 

Their Unique Value Proposition?

Fundrise launched the first online real estate investment trust and was the first to offer lower-cost access to real estate investing.

Sign Up Today

3. Yieldstreet

Yieldstreet is a crowdfunding platform for various alternative investments, including real estate, commercial, marine, legal, and art investment opportunities.

Type of Investment: 

Commercial, real estate, marine vessels, litigation finance, and art.

Average Return:

12.44% net annual return, but returns vary based on the investment.

Number of Years in Business:

Eight years

Fees:

Management fees range from 0% to 2.5%. Some investments may also carry a flat annual fee ranging from $100 to $150 in the first year and $30 to $70 in the following years.

Their Unique Value Proposition?

Yieldstreet offers individuals with a high net worth direct access to a range of alternative investments.

Sign Up Today

4. Crowdstreet

CrowdStreet allows accredited investors to invest in commercial projects nationwide. Developers are reviewed by CrowdStreet, narrowing the field of opportunities for investors. Investors can pick individual properties or buy into CrowdStreed backed funds, which offer a diverse option of commercial properties.

Type of Investment: 

Commercial real estate, including individual projects or funds.

Average Returns:

12-18%

Number of Years in Business:

Nine years

Fees:

CrowdStreet fund fees vary from 0.50% to 2.5% of invested capital annually. Fees for individual projects range by the project.

Their Unique Value Proposition?

The platforms connect individual investors with project developers.

Sign Up Today

5. PeerStreet

PeerStreet is a crowdfunding marketplace that connects accredited investors with real estate debt investments. It is a peer-to-peer platform where an accredited investor can earn passive income by providing or helping to provide loans backed by assets.

Type of Investment: 

Debt investment opportunities in real estate.

Average Return:

The average investor will earn a 6.2% actual annualized return, although this could vary depending on the investment.

Number of Years in Business:

Nine years

Fees:

There is a servicing fee for each loan between 0.25% and 1%.

Their Unique Value Proposition?

PeerStreet manages the entire process from underwriting to asset management and loan servicing.

Sign Up Today

6. DiversyFund

DiversyFund offers options for accredited and non-accredited investors alike. Distributions are reinvested into the properties until they are sold, so investors must be prepared for a 3-5 year investment.

Type of Investment: 

REIT with multi-family and commercial properties throughout the country.

Average Return:

Investors receive returns only once the properties are sold, including principal and 7% preferred returns. If the properties yield above 7% returns, then profits are shared, with 65% going to investors.

Number of Years in Business:

Eight years

Fees:

2% management fee

Their Unique Value Proposition?

DiversyFund owns and manages properties directly.

Sign Up Today

7. RealtyMogul

RealtyMogul is a real estate app with offerings for both accredited and non-accredited investors. However, investors will likely find RealtyMogul’s offerings more complex than other platforms.

Type of Investment: 

Public, non-traded REITs, and private placements for accredited investors.

Average Return:

4.5% to 10%, depending on the investment.

Number of Years in Business:

Nine years

Fees:

1% to 1.25%, depending on the investment. Other fees may also apply. 

Their Unique Value Proposition?

The REIT buyback program makes this real estate investment more liquid than most.

Sign Up Today

8. EquityMultiple

EquityMultiple is a crowdfunding platform giving investors access to professionally managed commercial properties. It has a relatively low minimum investment, but investors must be accredited.

Type of Investment: 

Professionally managed commercial real estate.

Average Return:

7% to 17%, depending on the investment.

Number of Years in Business:

Seven years

Fees:

0.5% to 1.5%, but each investment has its own fee structure, and additional fees may apply.

Their Unique Value Proposition?

EquityMultiple offers equity, preferred equity, and senior debt investments.

Sign Up Today

9. Streitwise

Streitwise provides access to a public, non-traded commercial real estate REIT with high dividends and the potential for capital appreciation. Thus far, the returns on the REIT are comparable to the S&P 500.

Type of Investment: 

Commercial real estate REIT.

Average Return:

8.4% to 10% since inception.

Number of Years in Business:

Five years

Fees:

3% upfront fee when you purchase shares and a 2% annual management fee.

Their Unique Value Proposition?

Higher liquidity and high dividends.

Sign Up Today

10. Roofstock

Roofstock is different from other best real estate apps because it is primarily for active investors interested in purchasing or selling single-family rental properties. You can finance properties or pay with cash, and Roofstock will also match you with a vetted property manager to handle the day-to-day. Roofstock One allows investors to purchase shares in fully-managed rental homes

Type of Investment: 

Single-family homes

Average Return:

Depends on the investment, 5-12%

Number of Years in Business:

Seven years

Fees:

$500 or 0.5% (whichever is higher) of the contract price for buying, 3% fee for selling, and $5,000 for Roofstock One investments. Buyers and sellers will also need to pay typical buying/selling fees.

Their Unique Value Proposition?

Roofstock is a platform connecting buyers and sellers with turn-key rental property. Vetted property management options also allow individuals to collect passive income.

Sign Up Today

11. Groundfloor

Groundfloor specializes in residential property loans for investors that fix and flip properties. The borrowers use short-term debt to buy, renovate, refinance, or sell a property for a profit. Groundfloor also recently began offering Stairs, an app that combines saving and investing.

Type of Investment: 

Short-term loans to flippers and builders.

Average Return:

Around 10%

Number of Years in Business:

Nine years

Fees:

None for the investor. The borrower pays all fees.

Their Unique Value Proposition?

Groundfloor is the only platform offering real estate debt investments over a short-term basis of 6-12 months.

Sign Up Today

Real Estate App Frequently Asked Questions 

Is Real Estate a Good Investment?

Real estate is generally an excellent investment strategy. Your assets will generally appreciate over time, and you can generate ongoing passive income.

Are Real Estate Investment Apps Worth It?

Real estate apps allow individuals to break into the real estate industry and access real estate deals for much less money and energy than it would take to own physical properties. The best real estate apps also open the door to investment opportunities not available to the average person, such as vetted commercial real estate.

What Is a Good ROI?

Most real estate experts agree that anything above 8% is a good return on investment for rental properties. The majority of the best real estate apps will yield 8+% returns annually, all with minimal effort on the part of the investor.

Is There an App to Invest in REITs?

Many real estate apps offer REITs. These include Concreit, Fundrise, DiversyFund, RealtyMogul, and Streitwise.

Which App Is Best for Newbie Investors?

 The best real estate apps for beginning real estate investors are DiversyFund and Fundrise. Both offer access to a diversified real estate portfolio with low minimum investments.

Final Thoughts on Real Estate Investing Apps

Real estate investing is a dream for many, but acquiring the capital necessary to purchase and manage physical properties can be challenging. However, with the rise of real estate investing apps, it’s never been easier to start building wealth.

And the best part is you don’t need a high net worth, a bunch of cash, or a real estate business to start investing. With these best real estate apps, you can gain access to real estate investment opportunities for as little as $10 and build your own portfolio of properties.

Plus, it’s never been easier to start investing in real estate with easy-to-use mobile apps.

Choose the type of properties to invest in and how much, and start investing today!