Real Estate Guides & Articles

RealtyShares shut down in 2018 after running out of capital. Here's what happened to investors' money, how the wind-down worked, and which platforms you can use instead.

REIT dividends are mostly ordinary income but may qualify for the 20% QBI deduction. Capital gains are taxed separately. Here's the full breakdown of REIT tax treatment.

Depreciation lets real estate investors deduct the cost of a property over 27.5 years, reducing taxable income. Here's how it works and how to use it through crowdfunding.

A REIT is a company that owns income-producing real estate and pays out 90% of taxable income as dividends. Here's how REITs work in plain English.

Fundrise's interval fund structure offers quarterly redemption windows. Here's how it works, what it means for liquidity, and how it compares to other Fundrise products.

Fundrise pools investor capital into private real estate eREITs. Here's exactly how the investment process works — what you're buying, how distributions work, and how to exit.

RealtyShares, PeerStreet, Mainvest, and Linqto all failed or shut down. Here's what happened, what investors lost, and the warning signs you should watch for today.

Fundrise is SEC-registered, has over $7 billion in AUM, and more than 2 million investors. Here's an honest look at the platform — including the real risks and limitations.

Fundrise offers private REIT access with lower fees and higher potential returns but less liquidity than public REITs. Here's a direct comparison to help you decide.

PeerStreet filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023. Here's what happened, what it meant for investors with money on the platform, and how the case resolved.

REITs come in many forms: equity, mortgage, hybrid, public, private, and non-traded. Here's what makes each type different and when to consider each.

Real estate crowdfunding became legal in the US after the 2012 JOBS Act. Here's how the industry evolved from Fundrise's first offering to the platforms operating today.

Passive activity losses from real estate can offset passive income but not ordinary income — unless you're a real estate professional. Here's how the rules work.

A waterfall distribution determines the order and amounts in which profits are paid to investors and sponsors. Here's how to read a waterfall structure in a real estate deal.

A preferred return guarantees investors receive a minimum return before the sponsor takes profits. Here's how preferred returns work in real estate syndications.

Opportunity zones offer capital gains tax deferrals for investing in designated low-income areas. Here's how the program works, the tax math, and the investment risks.

A Delaware Statutory Trust lets you complete a 1031 exchange into a fractional ownership of institutional real estate. Here's how it works and whether it makes sense.

Real estate offers depreciation, 1031 exchanges, opportunity zone benefits, and passive loss deductions. Here's how each works and how to take advantage of them.

Real estate crowdfunding is regulated but not risk-free. Here's an honest assessment of what can go wrong, which platforms are the most trustworthy, and how to protect yourself.

Direct ownership means full control and tax benefits but requires capital, credit, and management time. Crowdfunding is passive with lower minimums. Here's the full comparison.

Real estate platforms offer both debt and equity investments. Debt is senior and safer but lower-return. Equity offers upside but more risk. Here's how to think about it.

Public REITs trade on exchanges and offer liquidity. Private REITs are illiquid but may offer higher returns and lower volatility. Here's how they compare.

Active real estate means owning and managing properties. Passive means investing through platforms or REITs. Here's how to choose based on your time, capital, and goals.

A 1031 exchange lets real estate investors defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting proceeds into a like-kind property. Here's exactly how it works and the key deadlines.

Opportunity zones offer capital gains tax deferrals for investing in designated communities. Here's how the tax benefits work, the risks, and whether they're worth it.

Real estate syndications pool accredited investor capital into large commercial properties. Here's how the structures work, what to expect, and how to find deals.

REITs are available through brokerages, private platforms, and crowdfunding apps. Here's how to invest in each type, what they cost, and what to expect.

REITs let you invest in real estate without buying property. Here's how they work, the different types, what they return, and how to add them to your portfolio.

Real estate crowdfunding lets you invest in properties with as little as $10 by pooling money with other investors. Here's how it works and what to expect.

CrowdStreet lost $63M in investor funds in the 2023 Nightingale Properties fraud. Here's what happened, what it means for current investors, and what changed.

Real estate crowdfunding carries real risks including illiquidity, platform failure, and deal-level losses. Here's what to know before investing.

Real estate crowdfunding and REITs both offer real estate exposure but work very differently. Here's a direct comparison on liquidity, fees, returns, and risk.

You can invest in real estate starting with $10 through crowdfunding platforms. Here's how it works, what to expect, and which platforms to consider.