Real Estate Platform Comparison· Updated May 5, 2026

RealtyMogul vs. Roots 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

A side-by-side breakdown of returns, liquidity, fees, and trustworthiness to help you decide where to invest your money.

3.0

RealtyMogul is a credible, established option for investors who want exposure to commercial real estate REITs. The $5,000 minimum, multi-tier fees, and 3-year minimum hold for redemption make it best for buy-and-hold investors with mid-sized portfolios.

★ Our Pick Roots logo

3.5

Roots offers an unusual win-win structure where renters earn shares of the REIT alongside investors, with $100 minimums, quarterly distributions, quarterly liquidity, and a 12.02% trailing twelve-month return as of April 2026 — but investors hold REIT shares rather than direct property ownership.

At a Glance

RealtyMogul vs. Roots — Key Stats

$5,000 (REITs); $25,000–$50,000+ (private placements)Minimum$100

3-year minimum before penalty-free redemption (REITs); 5+ years (private placements)Holding Period1 year minimum to avoid early-redemption penalty

Quarterly redemption with discount in years 1–3; not guaranteedEarly WithdrawalPenalty applies in first 12 months; no penalty after year one

Monthly distributions (Income REIT); quarterly (Apartment Growth REIT)Rent PayoutQuarterly distributions

Income REIT targets 6–8% annual distributions; private placements target higher IRRAvg. Returns12.02% trailing 12 months (4/10/25 – 4/10/26); 17.17% average annual since inception 7/1/2021

Pros & Cons

What each platform does well and poorly

Long track record
Founded in 2012, RealtyMogul is one of the original real estate crowdfunding platforms. The company has publicly reported deploying more than $1 billion of investor capital across hundreds of properties since founding.
Real commercial REIT exposure
MogulREIT I (Income) and MogulREIT II (Apartment Growth) give non-accredited investors exposure to institutional-quality commercial real estate — multifamily, office, retail, industrial.
Monthly Income REIT distributions
MogulREIT I pays distributions monthly — more frequent than most peer REIT platforms — and has historically targeted 6–8% annualized distribution yield.
Penalty-free redemption after 3 years
Both MogulREITs offer a quarterly share repurchase program. After 3 years held, investors can redeem at full NAV (subject to availability).
$5,000 REIT minimum
RealtyMogul's REIT minimum is 50x Lofty's and 500x Fundrise's. The high minimum makes it harder to test the platform or diversify without committing real capital.
Complex, layered fees
RealtyMogul charges a 1–1.25% asset management fee plus organization, offering, and acquisition fees that vary by product. Private placements add sponsor-level fees on top.
Early redemption discounts
Redemption requests in years 1–2 are discounted (typically 2–4% off NAV) and not guaranteed if there's insufficient liquidity in the share repurchase program.
Most deals are accredited-only
Only the two MogulREITs are open to non-accredited investors. Individual private placements and 1031 exchange deals require accredited status.

$100 minimum, open to non-accredited investors
Roots is open to both non-accredited and accredited investors with a $100 starting minimum, making it one of the more accessible REIT-style platforms for first-time real estate investors.
Quarterly liquidity
Roots offers investors the ability to redeem shares every quarter — meaningfully more flexible than the multi-year lock-ups common at Arrived, CrowdStreet, and Cadre. After the first 12-month holding period there's no early-redemption penalty.
Strong reported track record
Roots reports a 12.02% trailing twelve-month return (4/10/25 – 4/10/26) and a 17.17% average annual return since inception in July 2021. Returns are not guaranteed, but the published track record is competitive with peer REIT funds.
Renters build wealth alongside investors
The 'Live in it Like You Own It' program gives Roots renters quarterly equity grants for behaviors that improve property value (paying rent on time, keeping properties in good condition). Roots reports more than $1.7M saved and invested by renters under the program.
Low transaction fees
Only a $5 transaction fee to get started and no penalty to cash out after the first year — light fees compared with Fundrise's 1% AUM or Arrived's variable sponsor markups.
REIT shares, not direct property ownership
You own units of the Roots REIT, not fractional ownership of a specific property. That's simpler and more diversified than per-property models, but it means investors don't pick individual properties or vote on property-level decisions.
Geographically concentrated
Roots is heavily concentrated in the Atlanta metro and a small number of additional Sun Belt markets. That focus is part of the brand but means less geographic diversification than national platforms.
Quarterly (not daily) distributions
Distributions are paid quarterly rather than daily or monthly. Investors waiting on real estate income for cash flow may find quarterly cadence inconvenient.
Less property-level transparency than per-property platforms
Because Roots is a fund, individual property underwriting and rent rolls are aggregated rather than fully exposed to investors.

Deep Dive

Detailed comparison

What You're Investing In

MogulREIT I (income-focused, monthly distributions), MogulREIT II (apartment growth, quarterly distributions), and individual private placements (accredited only, 5+ year holds, higher minimums).

A single REIT — the Roots REIT — focused on residential real estate in Atlanta and select other Sun Belt markets.

Property Locations

Properties are spread across the U.S. with concentration in growth metros — Texas, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Arizona, and select coastal cities. Each deal's location is disclosed in the offering documents.

Primarily Atlanta metro, with select expansion into adjacent Sun Belt markets.

Expected Returns

MogulREIT I targets 6–8% annualized distributions with limited NAV appreciation. MogulREIT II targets growth (apartment value appreciation) with smaller current distributions. Private placements target higher IRRs (often 12–18%) but carry deal-specific risk and longer holds.

Roots targets 12–15% annual returns and reports 12.02% trailing twelve months (4/10/25 – 4/10/26) and 17.17% average annual return since inception (7/1/2021). Past performance does not guarantee future results — read the offering circular before investing.

Fees

RealtyMogul charges 1–1.25% asset management on REITs plus organization, offering, and acquisition fees that vary by deal. Private placements layer sponsor fees (acquisition, asset management, disposition) on top. Investors should read each deal's full fee schedule.

Roots charges a $5 transaction fee to get started and no early-redemption penalty after the first year. There is no investor-facing AUM fee disclosed; the REIT covers operating expenses internally before distributing returns.

Liquidity

Both MogulREITs offer a quarterly share repurchase program. After 3 years held, redemption is at full NAV, subject to availability. Private placements typically run 5+ years with no early-exit option.

12-month minimum holding period to avoid an early-redemption penalty. After year one there is no exit penalty.

Who Can Invest

MogulREITs are open to non-accredited and accredited U.S. investors. Private placements and 1031 exchange offerings are restricted to accredited investors only.

Open to both non-accredited and accredited U.S. investors aged 18 or older. International availability is limited.

The Verdict

Which is better — RealtyMogul or Roots?

3.0

RealtyMogul is a credible, well-established option for mid-sized investors who want exposure to commercial real estate REITs with monthly distributions and the option of accredited-only private placements. The trade-offs are real: a $5,000 minimum that limits diversification, layered fees, and a 3-year minimum hold for penalty-free redemption mean RealtyMogul rewards committed buy-and-hold investors. Investors with smaller capital, those wanting daily payouts or a 24/7 exchange, or those focused on direct property-level ownership will find better fit elsewhere.

Full RealtyMogul review →

★ Our Pick

3.5

Roots is one of the most differentiated REIT options in 2026. The win-win renter-equity model is genuinely unique, the $100 minimum is accessible, quarterly liquidity is meaningfully better than most private real estate platforms, and the published 12% trailing return is competitive. The trade-offs are REIT (not direct property) ownership, a heavy Atlanta concentration, and quarterly (not daily) distributions. A solid hands-off pick for investors aligned with its mission.

Full Roots review →

Bottom Line

Roots scores higher (3.5/5) and edges out RealtyMogul on our investment quality criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

RealtyMogul vs. Roots FAQ

Which is better — RealtyMogul or Roots?

Based on our scoring criteria — returns, fees, liquidity, transparency, minimums, and track record — Roots (3.5/5) scores higher than RealtyMogul (3.0/5). Roots offers an unusual win-win structure where renters earn shares of the REIT alongside investors, with $100 minimums, quarterly distributions, quarterly liquidity, and a 12.02% trailing twelve-month return as of April 2026 — but investors hold REIT shares rather than direct property ownership.

What is the minimum investment for RealtyMogul vs. Roots?

RealtyMogul's minimum investment is $5,000 (REITs); $25,000–$50,000+ (private placements). Roots's minimum investment is $100.

How do RealtyMogul and Roots compare on liquidity?

RealtyMogul: Both MogulREITs offer a quarterly share repurchase program. After 3 years held, redemption is at full NAV, subject to availability. Private placements typically run 5+ years with no early-exit option. Roots: 12-month minimum holding period to avoid an early-redemption penalty. After year one there is no exit penalty.

What returns can investors expect from RealtyMogul vs. Roots?

RealtyMogul reports average yearly returns of Income REIT targets 6–8% annual distributions; private placements target higher IRR. Roots reports average yearly returns of 12.02% trailing 12 months (4/10/25 – 4/10/26); 17.17% average annual since inception 7/1/2021. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

One of the most flexible ways to invest in real estate

Start building generational wealth with Lofty

$50 minimums · Daily rent payouts · No lock-up periods · 24/7 exchange

View Properties Get started free

Real Estate Platform Comparison· Updated May 5, 2026

RealtyMogul vs. Roots 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

A side-by-side breakdown of returns, liquidity, fees, and trustworthiness to help you decide where to invest your money.

3.0

★ Our Pick Roots logo

3.5

At a Glance

RealtyMogul vs. Roots — Key Stats

$5,000 (REITs); $25,000–$50,000+ (private placements)Minimum$100

3-year minimum before penalty-free redemption (REITs); 5+ years (private placements)Holding Period1 year minimum to avoid early-redemption penalty

Quarterly redemption with discount in years 1–3; not guaranteedEarly WithdrawalPenalty applies in first 12 months; no penalty after year one

Monthly distributions (Income REIT); quarterly (Apartment Growth REIT)Rent PayoutQuarterly distributions

Income REIT targets 6–8% annual distributions; private placements target higher IRRAvg. Returns12.02% trailing 12 months (4/10/25 – 4/10/26); 17.17% average annual since inception 7/1/2021

Pros & Cons

What each platform does well and poorly

Long track record
Founded in 2012, RealtyMogul is one of the original real estate crowdfunding platforms. The company has publicly reported deploying more than $1 billion of investor capital across hundreds of properties since founding.
Real commercial REIT exposure
MogulREIT I (Income) and MogulREIT II (Apartment Growth) give non-accredited investors exposure to institutional-quality commercial real estate — multifamily, office, retail, industrial.
Monthly Income REIT distributions
MogulREIT I pays distributions monthly — more frequent than most peer REIT platforms — and has historically targeted 6–8% annualized distribution yield.
Penalty-free redemption after 3 years
Both MogulREITs offer a quarterly share repurchase program. After 3 years held, investors can redeem at full NAV (subject to availability).
$5,000 REIT minimum
RealtyMogul's REIT minimum is 50x Lofty's and 500x Fundrise's. The high minimum makes it harder to test the platform or diversify without committing real capital.
Complex, layered fees
RealtyMogul charges a 1–1.25% asset management fee plus organization, offering, and acquisition fees that vary by product. Private placements add sponsor-level fees on top.
Early redemption discounts
Redemption requests in years 1–2 are discounted (typically 2–4% off NAV) and not guaranteed if there's insufficient liquidity in the share repurchase program.
Most deals are accredited-only
Only the two MogulREITs are open to non-accredited investors. Individual private placements and 1031 exchange deals require accredited status.

$100 minimum, open to non-accredited investors
Roots is open to both non-accredited and accredited investors with a $100 starting minimum, making it one of the more accessible REIT-style platforms for first-time real estate investors.
Quarterly liquidity
Roots offers investors the ability to redeem shares every quarter — meaningfully more flexible than the multi-year lock-ups common at Arrived, CrowdStreet, and Cadre. After the first 12-month holding period there's no early-redemption penalty.
Strong reported track record
Roots reports a 12.02% trailing twelve-month return (4/10/25 – 4/10/26) and a 17.17% average annual return since inception in July 2021. Returns are not guaranteed, but the published track record is competitive with peer REIT funds.
Renters build wealth alongside investors
The 'Live in it Like You Own It' program gives Roots renters quarterly equity grants for behaviors that improve property value (paying rent on time, keeping properties in good condition). Roots reports more than $1.7M saved and invested by renters under the program.
Low transaction fees
Only a $5 transaction fee to get started and no penalty to cash out after the first year — light fees compared with Fundrise's 1% AUM or Arrived's variable sponsor markups.
REIT shares, not direct property ownership
You own units of the Roots REIT, not fractional ownership of a specific property. That's simpler and more diversified than per-property models, but it means investors don't pick individual properties or vote on property-level decisions.
Geographically concentrated
Roots is heavily concentrated in the Atlanta metro and a small number of additional Sun Belt markets. That focus is part of the brand but means less geographic diversification than national platforms.
Quarterly (not daily) distributions
Distributions are paid quarterly rather than daily or monthly. Investors waiting on real estate income for cash flow may find quarterly cadence inconvenient.
Less property-level transparency than per-property platforms
Because Roots is a fund, individual property underwriting and rent rolls are aggregated rather than fully exposed to investors.

Deep Dive

Detailed comparison

What You're Investing In

MogulREIT I (income-focused, monthly distributions), MogulREIT II (apartment growth, quarterly distributions), and individual private placements (accredited only, 5+ year holds, higher minimums).

A single REIT — the Roots REIT — focused on residential real estate in Atlanta and select other Sun Belt markets.

Property Locations

Primarily Atlanta metro, with select expansion into adjacent Sun Belt markets.

Expected Returns

Fees

Liquidity

12-month minimum holding period to avoid an early-redemption penalty. After year one there is no exit penalty.

Who Can Invest

MogulREITs are open to non-accredited and accredited U.S. investors. Private placements and 1031 exchange offerings are restricted to accredited investors only.

Open to both non-accredited and accredited U.S. investors aged 18 or older. International availability is limited.

The Verdict

Which is better — RealtyMogul or Roots?

3.0

Full RealtyMogul review →

★ Our Pick

3.5

Full Roots review →

Bottom Line

Roots scores higher (3.5/5) and edges out RealtyMogul on our investment quality criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

RealtyMogul vs. Roots FAQ

Which is better — RealtyMogul or Roots?

What is the minimum investment for RealtyMogul vs. Roots?

RealtyMogul's minimum investment is $5,000 (REITs); $25,000–$50,000+ (private placements). Roots's minimum investment is $100.

How do RealtyMogul and Roots compare on liquidity?

What returns can investors expect from RealtyMogul vs. Roots?

One of the most flexible ways to invest in real estate

Start building generational wealth with Lofty

$50 minimums · Daily rent payouts · No lock-up periods · 24/7 exchange

View Properties Get started free