Compare Invest With Roots and Realbricks side-by-side. See differences in property choice, dividend returns, fees, liquidity, and investment structure to find the platform that fits your real estate investing goals.
Invest With Roots vs Realbricks: Which Real Estate Investment Platform Is Right for You?
When it comes to passive real estate investing, two platforms — Invest With Roots and Realbricks— offer accessible entry points and promising returns. But while they may look similar at first glance, their structures, transparency, and investor experience differ significantly.
1. Structure & Investment Model
Invest With Roots operates as a Reg A+ private REIT. Investor money is pooled into a portfolio of over 88 residential properties mainly in the Greater Atlanta and Augusta, GA areas. Investors do not choose individual properties — instead, they own shares in the overall portfolio.
Realbricks, also SEC-regulated, allows investors to buy shares of individual long-term rental properties in markets like Omaha, Nebraska. Each property is fully vetted, and investors see all property-level details before investing. Realbricks is also prepping to expand into more areas very soon.
2. Minimum Investment
Invest With Roots: $100 per transaction (plus a transaction fee unless on Roots+).
Realbricks: $100 minimum investment — with shares starting at $10.
3. Transparency & Control
Invest With Roots: No property-level choice. The portfolio is managed entirely by the Roots team, making it feel more like a traditional REIT.
Realbricks: Investors select specific properties and can diversify across multiple homes. Full financial breakdowns, photos, and projections are available before investing.
4. Liquidity
Invest With Roots: Quarterly liquidity, up to $100,000 per quarter. 12-month minimum hold period; early withdrawals incur a steep 8% penalty.
Realbricks: A peer-to-peer marketplace allows investors to sell shares once a property moves to the secondary market (after all initial offering shares sell). This creates an option for liquidity, which is still relatively new to the fractional real estate space.
5. Dividend Returns & Distributions
Invest With Roots: Delivers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of approximately 4.1%, based purely on rental income distributed quarterly.
Realbricks: Offers an estimated 6% annual dividend yield, supported by property-level performance data. As reported for Q4 2024, Realbricks distributed 2.25% in that quarter alone, which annualizes to 9%, showcasing an ability to exceed baseline expectations.
6. Fees
Invest With Roots: $5 fee per one-time investment; $3 per recurring investment (both higher than Realbricks’ flat $2.50 per order). No AUM fees, but the 8% penalty for early withdrawals can significantly reduce returns if funds are accessed before 12 months.
Realbricks: Platform Fee: $2.50 per buy or sell order. AUM Fee: 0.75% quarterly (based on the property’s original purchase price). Property Management Fee: 8% of gross rental income monthly.
Comparison Table
Feature
Invest With Roots
Realbricks
Structure
Reg A+ REIT (bundled portfolio)
SEC-regulated fractional ownership of individual properties
Minimum
$100
$100
Property Choice
No
Yes
Liquidity
Quarterly, 12-mo hold, 8% early withdrawal penalty
Peer-to-peer marketplace after secondary listing
Dividend Yield
Varies quarterly
Estimated 6%
Distributions
Quarterly
Quarterly
Transaction Fees
$5 one-time, $3 recurring per order
$2.50 per order
Other Fees
None beyond transaction fees; early withdrawal penalty of 8%
If you want complete control over which properties you invest in and the opportunity to benefit from both consistent cash flow and appreciation on specific homes, Realbricks offers more transparency, flexibility, and lower transaction fees.
If you prefer a bundled portfolio approach similar to a REIT and can commit to longer hold periods without needing liquidity, Invest With Roots might be appealing.
Both platforms make real estate investing accessible at just $100 — but they differ greatly in control, fee structure, and liquidity flexibility.
Disclaimer: Investing in real estate involves risks, including the potential loss of capital. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Investors should perform their own research and consult with financial professionals before making investment decisions.