Best Real Estate Investment Apps For Every Budget

When I first ventured into real estate investing 15 years ago, the process was quite challenging, even though solutions for syndication and crowdfunding had already started to emerge. However, the industry has experienced a significant boom in recent years, with many real estate investment platforms becoming available. This evolution marks a steady trend towards reducing bureaucracy, simplifying processes, and democratizing investment opportunities—all of which I am extremely pleased to see. Over the years, I've experimented with numerous solutions, from traditional property syndicates to crowdfunding and real estate tokenization platforms. Based on my experiences, I have compiled my Top 5 real estate investment apps.

• Best for Crypto Natives and DeFi Re-usage: RealT
• Best for a Variety of Investment Options in Different Regions and Investment Types: Binaryx Platform
• Best for US Real Estate Investment Optionality: Arrived 
• Best for Both Property Sellers and Buyers: Lofty  
• Best for Dubai Real Estate Investing: GetStake

While compiling this list, I intentionally excluded real estate syndication platforms with high investment minimums and those requiring accredited investor status. This means platforms like EquityMultiple, CrowdStreet, RealtyMogul, and Yieldstreet are not included. These platforms primarily target wealthy investors in the US and do not fully address the needs of modern, inclusive investing. Moreover, they are already well represented in existing top lists that can be found on Google.

Instead, I aim to highlight solutions that enable transparent and secure investments from virtually anywhere in the world, fitting any budget. Thanks to modern technologies, such as tokenization, investing in real estate is now as straightforward as buying a stock on the market. With just fifty or a hundred dollars, you can acquire fractional ownership and become a co-owner of properties worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. So, let’s find out the best investment platforms to suit you.

RealT: Best for Crypto Natives and DeFi Re-usage

Launched in 2019, RealT is a current market leader in real estate tokenization that has built a community of over 16,100 active investors from 154 countries and tokenized over 535 properties. The platform allows global investors to own fractions of financial instruments represented by tokens, receive net revenues, and use these tokens in DeFi apps. Since late 2023, the company has expanded into new assets like Bitcoin container tokenization and private equity.

Pros:

• Supports both crypto and fiat deposits and withdrawals.
• Allows for re-usage of property tokens in DeFi applications.
• Tokens can be traded permissionlessly on decentralized exchanges.

Cons:

• The ability to create token derivatives may pose additional risks.
• No mobile app.

Fees and minimum investment amount:

• Low minimum investment of $50.
• 3% processing fee for token sales.

RealT stands out as a great platform for crypto enthusiasts looking to diversify into real estate. RealT enables investors to purchase tokenized property shares and leverage these tokens in various DeFi strategies, such as using them as debt collateral and an asset for liquidity provision. This unique feature allows for greater flexibility and potential returns but introduces higher risks. 

Binaryx Platform: Best for a Variety of Investment Options in Different Regions and Investment Types

Founded in late 2022, Binaryx is a real estate tokenization platform that enables investors to earn passive income from fractional ownership of properties worldwide. Offering investment strategies in rental properties and construction (off-plan), Binaryx lists properties in high-demand areas like Bali and Montenegro, with plans to expand into Turkey, Dubai, and the EU. Utilizing the Wyoming DAO LLC Act and the Polygon blockchain, Binaryx allows anyone to invest as little as $50, creating a liquid and technologically advanced real estate market. The Binaryx platform aims to build a scalable infrastructure for investors to own and manage shares of the property and for management companies, agencies, and developers to tokenize and sell their property units.

Pros:

• Offers properties from multiple countries and regions.
• Introduces various investment strategies, such as rental and construction investments.
• Supports both crypto and fiat deposits and withdrawals.

Cons:

• Not a very large portfolio of properties yet.
• No mobile app.

Fees and minimum investment amount:

• Low minimum investment of $50.
• 3% fee for selling property tokens on the secondary market.

Binaryx is the best option for those who seek a broader spectrum of investment opportunities. Investors can choose from rental properties and construction projects in regions like Bali and Montenegro, with Turkey options soon to be available. The platform is ideal for those looking to create a diversified portfolio with a mix of rental income and potential gains from house flipping, all starting from a modest investment of $50.

Arrived: Best for US Real Estate Investment Optionality

Arrived, formerly known as Arrived Homes, is a real estate crowdfunding company that enables investment in shares of residential rental properties and vacation rentals with a minimum investment of $100. Founded in 2019, the platform has quickly established itself by funding more than 340 properties. According to founder Ryan Frazier, Arrived's mission is to make the wealth-building potential of rental homes accessible by simplifying the process and reducing the entry cost.

Pros:

• Offers multiple investment options, including rental homes and vacation homes, a single-family residential fund, and a private credit fund.
• Enhanced liquidity through fund investments.

Cons:

• Tokenization is accomplished on a closed platform, not on an open, permissionless network, i.e., a blockchain.
• Supports fiat deposits and withdrawals only.
• Relatively high fees.
• No mobile app.

Fees and minimum investment amount:

• Low minimum investment of $100.
• 3.5% sourcing fee and 0.15% AUM fee for long-term rentals.
• 5% sourcing fee, 5% gross rent fee, and variable management fees for vacation rentals.

Arrived is tailored for those seeking diverse real estate investment options within the US. From rental homes to vacation properties, and even residential and credit funds, Arrived offers flexibility and variety for investors. This platform is particularly suitable for those looking to invest exclusively in the US market with a slightly higher budget.

Lofty: Best for Both Property Sellers and Buyers in the US

Founded in 2018, Lofty is a Miami-based real estate tokenization startup that aims to make investing in real estate as easy as investing in stocks or crypto. By utilizing the Algorand blockchain, Lofty allows investors to purchase property tokens representing fractional shares in rental properties for as little as $50. The platform has raised over $6 million from venture capital firms like Y Combinator and Rebel Fund to make the illiquid US real estate market accessible to global investors and enable U.S. property owners to tokenize and sell their rental properties.

Pros:

• Has a clear mechanism for individual property owners to tokenize their properties and list them on the platform.
• Supports both crypto and fiat deposits and withdrawals.
• Daily rental income enrolment.

Cons:

• Is based on Algorand, which is just another EVM-compatible chain with uncertain prospects and market fit. 
• No mobile app

Fees and minimum investment amount:

• Low minimum investment of $50.
• 3% fee for transactions on the marketplace.

Since Lofty introduces the mechanism for individual property owners to sell a US house on the platform, it is a great option for those who not only seek to invest but also want to tokenize and sell their properties. Properties are evaluated based on occupancy, condition, location, and rental history and, once approved, listed on the platform. That leads to the formation of a new LLC to raise funds. 

GetStake: Best for Dubai Real Estate Investing

Launched in 2021 in Dubai, GetStake is a leading real estate crowdinvesting platform in the UAE. Since its inception, GetStake has funded over 200 properties, offering investment opportunities in residential buildings, commercial facilities, and hospitality projects. With a minimum investment of AED 500 (approximately USD 136), the platform provides a 48-hour cooling period for investors to withdraw their investments without penalties.

Pros:

• Has a strong and developed content ecosystem for training and onboarding users.
• Provides multiple structured exit options for investors.
• Has an easy-to-use mobile app.

Cons:

• Tokenization is accomplished on a closed platform, not on an open, permissionless network, i.e., a blockchain.
• Supports fiat deposits and withdrawals only.
• Currently, there are Dubai-only construction projects with no rental options.

Fees:

• Low minimum investment of 500 AED (~$136).
• The fee structure includes a 1.5% acquisition fee, 0.5% annual management fee, 0.2% initial KYC/AML fee, 0.1% annual KYC/AML fee from the second year, 2.5% exit fee, and a 7% performance fee on profits.

GetStake is an option for investors looking to dive into the lucrative Dubai real estate market. With a focus on construction projects, GetStake offers structured exits and the potential for significant appreciation, however strict to Dubai. Although the fee structure is complex, the platform provides a clear pathway for investors to realize returns, either through early community sales or by holding until project completion.

Conclusion

The landscape of real estate investing has dramatically evolved, making it accessible to a wider audience through innovative investment platforms. Each of the highlighted real estate investment apps offers unique advantages tailored to different investment preferences and budgets. These platforms serve as examples of real estate investing democratization. By leveraging these apps, you can now participate in real estate opportunities globally, regardless of your financial standing or geographic location.