We don’t want to waste time trying to sell real estate as a great investment strategy in this blog post. It’s always been a good long-term strategy, everyone knows it, and that’s true whether you’re thinking about wealth preservation, outpacing inflation, or building a stable income stream. But let’s not pretend that today, buying property outright, is nigh impossible for most people.
Rising interest rates, record-setting home prices in key metros, and the increasingly tight lending environment… These are just some of the things preventing many folks from buying physical properties. So where does that leave you if you’re highly interested in real estate returns?
The good news is, today, you’re not locked out of real estate investments if you cannot afford to actually buy it. The traditional route—buying and holding physical property—is no longer the only viable path. With more flexible, lower-barrier options now available, you can still participate in real estate markets, generate income, and build equity exposure without ever purchasing a building. Sounds interesting? Then keep on reading.
REITs
If you want real estate cash flow without a down payment or a mortgage, REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) can be your entry point. What are they? In simplest of terms, publicly traded companies that own or finance income-generating properties, such as apartment complexes, data centers, hospitals, warehouses, and more.
How do you begin? You buy shares the same way you’d buy Apple stock, for example. The biggest upside of this type of investment is liquidity. If something changes in the market (or in your personal life), you’re not stuck trying to offload a house.
Another great thing about REITs is that they’re required by law to distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders. That creates a built-in dividend stream, often yielding around 4%–6% annually (some outperform, depending on the sector and timing). You can’t get that from owning a duplex.
Real Estate Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding platforms can be another great entry point to consider. Fundrise, RealtyMogul, and CrowdStreet are some of the platforms that let you invest in commercial properties or multi-family housing developments with as little as $10 in some cases (though $1,000–$5,000 is much more common).
Bear in mind that this isn’t like buying a REIT on the stock exchange. With most platforms, you would be investing directly in a specific project or fund, and then (typically) get paid through quarterly distributions. So sure, your capital is tied up for several years, but you’re also participating in deals that could return 8%–15% annually, depending on the structure and market cycle.
Partnerships
Partnering with others like friends, family, colleagues, or professionals, isn’t anything new. But the way people structure these partnerships has changed quite a bit in 2025. You don’t have to be the one managing tenants or hiring contractors. Passive partnerships (where you contribute capital and someone else runs the deal) have become more popular, especially in syndications.
Syndication allows groups to pool money to buy larger properties, say, a $10M apartment complex. A general partner handles the heavy lifting, and limited partners provide funding. These setups are common in private equity-style real estate investing, and they’re often how full-time investors scale up.
Some platforms now tokenize ownership in real estate deals using blockchain-based systems, which have several benefits, including faster transactions, lower minimums, and possibly secondary trading in the near future.
Moving Deeper Into the Business
Not everyone wants to stop at passive income. If you want to get serious with investing, whether for the income potential, the networking access, or to source better deals, it might be wise to look at certifications that can open new possibilities. Getting licensed as a broker or sales agent, for example, can open doors to insider opportunities, off-market deals, or even your own investment firm.
If you’re in New York, choosing the right broker licensing course is critical, not just to pass the exam, but to actually build credibility with clients and investors. NYREI is a great option as their programs are designed for working professionals, and they’re often the first stop for future developers or flippers looking to get real traction.
And even if you don’t pursue full licensure, getting certified as an analyst, underwriter, or property manager can boost your edge and maximize your profits, especially if you’re interested in moving into development or syndication.
Whatever path you choose, rest assured you don’t need a title deed to build wealth in real estate. Not in 2025 (and going forward). What you need is a sharp eye for market shifts and a clear sense of how each option fits into your financial goals.