While we adhere to strict editorial guidelines, partners on this page may provide us earnings.
Phil Osagie
Updated Apr 1, 2026
Savvy investors have long turned to real estate as a way to grow their investment portfolios.
Real estate can offer a blend of steady appreciation, predictable returns, tax advantages and natural protection against inflation over time.
Over the years as inflation has increased, the value of real estate properties has also continued to grow – making the sector an appealing investment opportunity.
Whether you have $10 or $100,000 to invest, there are many ways to grow your nest egg with real estate. Here are five different ways to invest in this asset class in 2026.
Fundrise Flagship Fund
Buy real estate through Fundrise's $1 billion private fund
Private real estate funds
Private real estate funds allow investors to gain exposure to valuable property assets without the hassles of direct ownership.
Such pooled capital typically offers investors access to institutional-quality real estate projects that would be difficult to acquire individually while potentially providing attractive returns and portfolio diversification.
The Fundrise Flagship Fund¹ is a $1.2 billion private real estate fund that lets you invest in an expertly crafted strategy without needing hundreds of thousands of dollars. You don’t need to be an accredited investor, and you can get started with as little as $10.
With 4,700+ single-family homes and 2,500+ residential units owned by the Fundrise Flagship Fund, you get exposure to institutional-style scale and diversification.
Industrial
215 Interchange
Las Vegas, NV
Build-for-rent
Pine Ridge
Fountain Inn, SC
Build-for-rent
Omnia
Richmond Hill, GA
These are a few examples of properties powering the Fundrise Flagship Fund. For a full list of the Fundrise Flagship Fund's portfolio properties see the Flagship Fund website.
After you place your first investment, the Fundrise Flagship Fund will work to find and add new assets to your portfolio over time and send you transparent updates along the way.
It only takes a few minutes to sign up now and become a real estate investor today.
Fundrise Flagship Fund
Buy real estate through Fundrise's $1 billion private fund
Class B real estate
Class B real estate includes well-maintained, professionally managed properties that cater to middle-income renters and tenants. These assets typically offer strong fundamentals — good locations, stable occupancy and consistent cash flow — without the pricing premiums of newer, luxury developments.
What makes this segment especially compelling is its built-in resilience and balanced risk-return profile. Class B assets tend to perform steadily through market cycles, supported by a broad tenant base and sustained demand for quality, affordable space.
Featured
Residential
Columbus, OH
Featured
Industrial
Tobyhanna, PA
Featured
Residential
Beverly Hills, MI
These are a few examples of past properties or acquisitions from Lightstone. Explore more investment opportunities when you register with Lightstone DIRECT.
In times of volatility, they often benefit from renters “trading down” from higher-cost options, while limited new supply keeps vacancies in check.
Accredited investors can now tap into this opportunity through platforms such as Lightstone DIRECT, which gives you access to single-asset multifamily and industrial deals — with a minimum investment of $100,000.
Lightstone invests at least 20% of its own capital in every deal — roughly four times the industry average. With its skin in the game, the firm ensures its interests are directly aligned with those of its investors.
Explore investment opportunities with Lightstone DIRECT today.
Single-family rentals
Rental properties have long been a proven source of steady, passive income for investors. However, the time, effort and costs involved in managing and maintaining those properties can be a deterrent for many.
That's where Arrived comes in — making rental property investing easier and more accessible than ever before.
Backed by billionaire investor Jeff Bezos, Arrived is an online platform that allows you to invest in shares of rental homes and vacation rentals without the hassle of property management.
100% Funded
The Vanzant
Single Family Residential
$415K
Invested
1,294
Investors
100% Funded
The Smokey
Vacation Rental
$983K
Invested
1,748
Investors
100% Funded
The SuiteSpot
Vacation Rental
$1.2M
Invested
1,672
Investors
These are a few examples of properties from Arrived. Check out the full list of single family residential homes and vacation rentals currently available.
That means no more dealing with maintenance issues, tenant complaints or operational headaches. Instead, you can enjoy the potential for consistent income and diversify your investment portfolio with minimal effort.
Get started today with as little as $100.
Institutional-quality properties
Another option is a platform called mogul.
The real estate investment platform offers fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, which gives investors monthly rental income, real-time appreciation and tax benefits without the need for a $250,000 down payment or 3 A.M. tenant calls.
Founded by former Goldman Sachs real estate investors, the team hand-picks the top 1% of single-family rental homes nationwide for you. Simply put, you can invest in institutional-quality offerings for a fraction of the usual cost.
Across the board, the platform features an average annual IRR of 18.8%. Their cash-on-cash yields, meanwhile, average between 10-12% annually. Each property undergoes a vetting process, requiring a minimum 12% return even in downside scenarios. With numbers like that, it's no wonder that offerings sell out in under three hours — with investments typically ranging between $15,000 and $40,000 per property.
Private credit funds
If you prefer the steady drip of monthly income over waiting for a property to appreciate in value, consider the Arrived Private Credit Fund.
While the traditional Arrived model lets you own a piece of a home, the Private Credit Fund lets you act as the lender.
You can invest in short-term loans used to fund real estate projects, such as renovations, property rehabs or even new home construction. The minimum investment is $100, meaning that this opportunity is open to every type of investor.
The fund generates cash returns by collecting interest payments on the loans and distributing monthly payouts to investors.
All of the loans are secured by residential housing as collateral, so even if the borrowers default, the underlying property can be sold to keep the fund healthy.
It’s an attractive alternative to traditional fixed-income accounts, especially since the fund has historically paid out an 8.3% annualized dividend.
Keep in mind that there are restrictions on when you can withdraw your cash, so it’s best suited for money you want to see grow steadily over time.
Optimizing your real estate investments
Investing in real estate is a powerful wealth-builder, but as your portfolio grows, so does your tax liability. If you’re managing properties without a comprehensive tax strategy, you’re likely overpaying the IRS and slowing your path to retirement.
This is where a fiduciary financial advisor becomes your most valuable asset. Unlike traditional brokers, fiduciaries are legally obligated to put your interests first.
They look at your whole financial picture — from rental income and depreciation schedules to your 401(k) and cash reserves — as a single, tax-efficient machine. Whether it’s navigating 1031 exchanges, optimizing cost segregation or ensuring your rental income doesn't push you into a higher tax bracket, they provide the institutional-grade oversight the 1% use to shield their millions.
Platforms like Advisor.com take the guesswork out of finding this expertise.
Just answer a few quick questions through their online form, and the platform will match you with a vetted financial advisor in 5 minutes from a network of established firms and boutique professionals.
You can set up a free, no-obligation-to-hire call to see how they can help you keep more of your rental income and whether their approach and pricing model make sense for you.
- Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fundrise Flagship Fund before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund’s prospectus. Read them carefully before investing. This marketing was vetted by the Moneywise team and sponsored by the Fundrise Flagship Fund.
Phil Osagie
Conversion Copywriter
Phil is a writer at Moneywise, bringing a strong background in public relations, financial communications and copywriting. Educated in Cambridge, U.K., he has created content for several blue-chip companies, combining clarity with strategic insight.
Explore the latest articles
Invest in vacation and rental homes for just $100
This real estate investing platform saves you time and money.
Em Norton
Content Specialist
Disclaimer
The content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither investment, tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities, enter into any loan, mortgage or insurance agreements or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.
†Terms and Conditions apply.
