6 Best Real Estate Investing Apps

View Fundrise’s internal investor servicing and fund management software (Source: Fundrise)

• No performance fees: Performance-based fees, like “promote” or “carried interest” fees, are eliminated in funds for everyday investors to avoid short-term decision-making and excessive risk-taking.
• Fundrise Pro: Enables active investors to personalize their allocations, directly invest in specific funds, and access expert-level data for greater control and customization.
• Investor-owned: Investors can own a stake in Fundrise through iPO (internet public offering).

Fundrise has a rating of 2 out of 5. Customers appreciate its accessibility, user-friendly platform, and quarterly dividend payments. Some customers also commended the ease of tracking investment performance. This allowed them a “hands-off” investment experience and quarterly dividend payments.

However, some reviewers raised concerns about the absence of advisory services, difficulties in retrieving owed funds, and limited low-risk investment options. One customer reported the non-payment of funds owed to him. If you prefer lower-risk investment options, Happy Nest could be an alternative—providing more beginner-friendly investment options.

Take a quiz on Yieldstreet’s website to help you decide how and where to begin investing (Source: Yieldstreet)

• Additional resources: The website provides a blog featuring a diverse range of articles that offer market data, insights, and educational content about the private market.
• Yieldstreet Prism Fund: A fixed-income portfolio across five asset classes for non-accredited investors.
• Yieldstreet IRA: Allows you to add alternatives to your retirement portfolio for further diversification.

Yieldstreet has a rating of 1.9 out of 5 from users. It is commended for providing access to multiple types of investments, which include real estate, marine, and art investments. Users liked that it allowed individuals to invest in private structured credit deals. Lastly, because they allow investments backed by assets, customers are provided with more protection.

However, some customers reported inaccuracy in their performance reports. A few reviewers mentioned that customer support was difficult to contact. For those who require a better and more transparent performance report, Fundrise may be an alternative to consider.

A sample RealtyMogul dashboard (Source: RealtyMogul)

• Redemption program: Offers a redemption program for RealtyMogul Income REIT and RealtyMogul Apartment Growth REIT, with no penalty after a three-year holding period, subject to availability. There is no redemption program for private placements.
• Share repurchase program: Allows shareholders to sell their RealtyMogul Income REIT and RealtyMogul Apartment Growth REIT investments back to the company on a quarterly basis, starting from the first year, at a reduced price.
• Auto-invest: Once actively enrolled, investors in The Income REIT and The Apartment Growth REIT can enjoy the convenience of watching their investments grow automatically month after month.

RealtyMogul has a rating of 3 out of 5 based on reviews. While there is not a lot of positive feedback on third-party reviews, the few reviews reveal a customer expressing disappointment with the outcome and deviation from the expected one- to three-year holding period. Transparency concern was also raised, with a reviewer expressing frustration over a perceived lack of clear communication from the company. If you prefer better transparency, consider Fundrise, as they actively provide reporting transparency through its software.

Read the Mid-Year 2023 Market Outlook from CrowdStreet (Source: CrowdStreet)

• In-depth research: Informative video webinars accompany individual investment offerings, enabling investors to assess the project’s specifics and determine its suitability for their portfolio.
• Additional resources: A learning center provides “how-to” videos and articles about general investing topics.
• Marketplace: Offers a range of five to 15 private equity investment opportunities, encompassing both single-asset projects and funds.

CrowdStreet holds a rating of 4 out of 5. Positive feedback emphasizes the platform’s diverse investment options and comprehensive research resources. Customers also praise its well-designed technology, high returns, and abundant investor resources available.

However, negative feedback points out certain drawbacks, such as high minimum investment requirements, unavailability to non-accredited investors, long liquidity and hold periods, and high fees. Some customers express dissatisfaction with the lack of effective management and direction. Additionally, there have been reports of issues with customer service. For a more affordable option, consider HappyNest, which allows you to invest for as low as $10.

Discover neighborhood insights on Roofstock’s website (Source: Roofstock)

• Lease Up Guarantee: Roofstock guarantees up to one year of rent coverage if a lease isn’t signed within 45 days of purchasing a vacant “rent-ready” home, providing security for buyers.
• Roofstock One: Allows accredited investors to invest in portfolios of single-family properties, with a minimum investment requirement of $5,000.
• Roofstock Academy: Access an online course on mastering turnkey rental properties, featuring one-on-one coaching sessions and a private network of real estate investors.

Roofstock has a rating of 2.9 out of 5. Positive feedback highlights the database with prescreened properties with good return on investment (ROI). It also offers easy financing solutions that address the common challenge of purchasing single-family rental properties. Customers appreciate the thorough inspections conducted by Roofstock, ensuring the quality of the houses and estimating repair costs.

However, negative feedback mentions the lack of availability and poor customer service. Some customers find Roofstock to be relatively expensive compared to alternatives that provide better customer support and faster response times to inquiries. For a more affordable option, consider HappyNest or Fundrise, which have a $10 starting price.

View HappyNest’s mobile app interface (Source: HappyNest)

• HappyNest blog: A compilation of articles that teach people how to invest in commercial real estate.
• Downloadable real estate investing guide: An e-book about learning how to invest in real estate written by a team of financial experts is available for download through the website.
• Partnering with application programming interface (APIs): HappyNest keeps your banking connections secure by using trusted partners who directly connect with your financial institution and employ industry-leading verification techniques.

HappyNest has a rating of 4.1 out of 5. Positive feedback emphasizes the simple and straightforward app that makes investing accessible to anyone. It is also commended for having an achievable minimum investing requirement and low fees. Reviewers also appreciated HappyNest as a great place to start investing, finding it accommodating and trustworthy.

However, some reviewers mentioned feeling uncomfortable due to their investments being inaccessible or non-withdrawable for extended periods. Some negative feedback also include delays in receiving refunds, and lack of transparency in the investment process. For those who require better transparency, consider Fundrise, which actively provides reporting transparency through its software.