Renters can invest in real estate without buying property through Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), real estate crowdfunding platforms, and renter reward programs like Roots Wealth Building Rewards, which lets members earn Investable Rewards™ from financial education challenges and deploy those rewards into the Roots REIT, a Reg A REIT accessible to non-accredited investors. You don't need a down payment, a mortgage, or a high net worth to start building real estate wealth as a renter.
Why Renters Can, and Should, Invest in Real Estate
The conventional story goes like this: you rent until you save enough for a down payment, then you buy a home, and that home builds your wealth over time. Homeownership is the vehicle. Renting is the waiting room.
That story has two problems. First, in many markets as of 2026, the down payment on a median home requires years of disciplined saving. Second, the wealth-building mechanism of homeownership (real estate appreciation and equity accumulation) isn't exclusive to homeowners. It's accessible to anyone who owns a piece of real estate, even a small one, even without a mortgage.
A renter who invests in real estate consistently for 10 years may build more real estate wealth than a renter who saves for a down payment for 10 years and then buys. The difference is starting.
4 Ways Renters Can Invest in Real Estate
1. Public REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts).
A publicly traded REIT is a company that owns income-producing real estate and trades on a stock exchange like any other stock. You can buy shares through any standard brokerage account with as little as the price of one share.
REITs are required by law to distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders as dividends. Best for renters who already have a brokerage account and want to add real estate exposure to a diversified portfolio.
2. Real estate crowdfunding platforms.
Crowdfunding platforms like Fundrise and DiversyFund pool money from many investors to purchase specific real estate properties or portfolios. These investments aren't traded on a stock exchange, so they're less liquid. Some platforms are open to non-accredited investors. Others require you to meet income or net worth thresholds.
3. Reg A REITs (non-accredited investor accessible).
A Reg A REIT (regulated under SEC Regulation A) is a real estate investment trust that's legally permitted to accept investments from non-accredited investors. This removes the barrier that typically requires investors to earn over $200,000 per year or have a net worth of over $1 million.
Roots is a Reg A REIT based in Atlanta that focuses on residential real estate and has served more than 29,500 investors since 2021.
4. Renter reward programs that invest in real estate.
The newest category, and the one most directly designed for renters, is a renter rewards program that converts financial education activity into a real estate investment. Roots Wealth Building Rewards bundles credit-building, rewards, and real estate investing into a single subscription for $10 a month.
What Is a REIT and How Does It Work?
A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a company that owns, operates, or finances income-producing real estate. Congress created REITs in 1960 to allow everyday investors to access large-scale real estate investments the same way they access stocks and bonds.
REITs must invest at least 75% of total assets in real estate, derive at least 75% of gross income from real estate-related sources, and distribute at least 90% of taxable income to shareholders as dividends. In exchange, REITs pay no corporate income tax on distributed income, which results in higher dividend payouts to investors.
What Is a Reg A REIT and Why Does It Matter for Renters?
Under SEC Regulation A, certain investment offerings can be made available to non-accredited investors, meaning everyday people who don't meet the income or net worth thresholds typically required for private investment.
A Reg A REIT combines the REIT structure with Regulation A compliance, making real estate investment accessible to anyone. No income minimum, no net worth requirement, no accreditation needed.
Roots is a Reg A REIT based in Atlanta that focuses on residential real estate. As of early 2026, Roots has helped more than 29,500 investors participate in real estate ownership, many of them renters who started through Roots Wealth Building Rewards.
How Roots Wealth Building Rewards Turns Membership Into Real Estate Investment
Here's what the path looks like in practice:
You enroll in Roots Wealth Building Rewards for $10 a month.
You pay rent as you normally do. Nothing changes about your payment method or timing.
WBR reports your rent payment to credit bureaus, building your credit history.
You earn Investable Rewards™ by completing short financial education challenges.
You deploy those rewards into the Roots REIT, credit repair, home-purchase services, or other Growth Market partners.
Over time, rewards deployed into Roots compound as fractional ownership in a residential real estate portfolio. As a Roots investor, you participate in distributions and potential appreciation of the underlying properties.
Start investing in real estate with Roots Wealth Building Rewards →
Frequently Asked Questions About Renters Investing in Real Estate
Can renters invest in real estate?
Yes. Renters can invest in real estate through public REITs, real estate crowdfunding platforms, Reg A REITs like Roots, and renter reward programs like Roots Wealth Building Rewards. All without buying property or making a large upfront investment.
What is the minimum investment for a REIT?
Public REITs can be purchased for the price of a single share through any brokerage account, sometimes as little as $10 to $50. Roots, through Roots Wealth Building Rewards, is accessible for $10 a month.
Do I need to be an accredited investor to invest in real estate?
Not for all options. Public REITs and Reg A REITs like Roots are open to non-accredited investors. Many private crowdfunding platforms and most private equity real estate funds do require accreditation.
Is it better for renters to invest or save for a down payment?
There's no universal answer. It depends on your local market, timeline, and financial situation. In many markets, investing consistently while renting produces comparable or better long-term wealth than waiting to buy.
How does Roots Wealth Building Rewards invest my rewards in real estate?
WBR rewards are deployed into the Roots REIT, a Reg A real estate investment trust that owns residential properties. As a Roots investor, you participate in distributions and potential appreciation of the fund's property portfolio.
Can renters build wealth without buying a home?
Yes. Renters who invest consistently in real estate, stocks, or other assets can build significant wealth over time. The wealth-building advantage of homeownership comes from equity accumulation and appreciation, both of which are accessible to non-homeowners through REITs and programs like Roots Wealth Building Rewards.
About Roots Wealth Building Rewards
Roots Wealth Building Rewards is a $10/month subscription app for renters. Members complete short financial education challenges, earn Investable Rewards™, and put those rewards to work in the Roots REIT, credit repair, home-purchase services, and other Growth Market partners. WBR is powered by Roots, a win-win wealth building community that has helped more than 29,500 investors build wealth since 2021. Learn more at investwithroots.com.
Disclosure: Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.
Last Updated: April 2026
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