# Six Routes Into Real Estate Investing Start at Just $10
Real estate investing no longer requires a six-figure down payment. Six distinct entry points exist for investors with budgets ranging from $10 to $100,000, each carrying different risk levels and time commitments.
Real estate crowdfunding platforms like Fundrise and RealtyMogul accept investments as low as $10 to $500. These platforms pool investor money into commercial and residential projects, then distribute returns quarterly or annually. Returns typically range from 8 to 12 percent annually, though liquidity remains limited. You receive passive income without managing tenants or repairs.
REITs (real estate investment trusts) trade like stocks on exchanges. A single share costs anywhere from $20 to $100, and brokers like Fidelity and Charles Schwab hold them in regular brokerage accounts. REITs distribute at least 90 percent of taxable income to shareholders annually. Dividend yields commonly hit 3 to 6 percent. The trade-off: you own zero physical property and cannot claim depreciation tax benefits.
Fix-and-flip partnerships require $10,000 to $50,000 commitments. You co-invest with experienced flippers who handle renovation and sale. Expected returns reach 15 to 25 percent over six to twelve months if the deal succeeds. Risk runs high if market conditions shift or repairs balloon over budget.
Direct rental property ownership demands the largest capital. A 20 percent down payment on a $200,000 home requires $40,000 upfront, plus closing costs and reserves. Monthly cash flow depends on rent minus mortgage, taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Property appreciation builds equity over decades.
Mortgage note investing lets you purchase the loan backing a property rather than the property itself. Investors buy discounted notes from $