Real Estate Platform Comparison· Updated July 15, 2026

Landa 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.

1.5

Landa pioneered $5 fractional shares of single-family rentals, but the platform has been effectively frozen since spring 2025: no deposits, no secondary trading, and halted dividends for many investors. A New York court placed 119 Landa properties under an independent manager in February 2025 amid a lawsuit over $35M+ in defaulted loans, and Landa's own SEC filings have since flagged substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Do not deposit new money. Existing investors should treat this as a wind-down and monitor SEC filings.

★ 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

Landa vs. Roots, Key Stats

$5 (historical, no new investments accepted)Minimum$100

Indefinite: platform frozen, no on-platform exitHolding Period1 year minimum to avoid early-redemption penalty

N/A, withdrawals and trading are unavailableEarly WithdrawalPenalty applies in first 12 months; no penalty after year one

Halted (for many investors, since late 2024 / early 2025)Rent PayoutQuarterly distributions

N/A, dividends halted; historical yields were ~3–6% and highly variableAvg. 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

Lowest historical entry price
Landa's signature feature was $5 share prices, which made it one of the most accessible fractional real estate platforms ever launched, and proved real demand for low-minimum property investing.
Sun Belt single-family focus
Landa concentrated on cash-flowing single-family rental markets that remain popular with rental investors: Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Charlotte, Birmingham, and Jacksonville, plus a Brooklyn portfolio.
Publicly documented offerings
Landa raised capital through Regulation A offerings, which means its financials and current wind-down activity remain publicly documented in SEC filings that investors can still monitor today.
Series LLC structure
Each Landa property is held in its own series LLC. In the current wind-down, that structure is what ties each investor's claim to a specific property rather than to the parent company alone.
Platform frozen: no deposits, trading, or withdrawals
Landa's app and investor portal have been effectively non-functional since around April 2025, per TechCrunch's investigation. The site states there are no active offerings and that deposits and secondary trading are paused. Many investors report halted dividends going back to late 2024, and 130+ complaints have been filed with the Better Business Bureau.
$35M+ lender lawsuit and court-appointed independent manager
In November 2024, lenders Viola Credit and L Finance sued Landa in New York State Supreme Court over more than $35 million in defaulted loans. In February 2025 the court placed 119 Landa properties under an independent manager, and court filings allege Landa diverted roughly $724,000 in tenant rent to accounts outside the court's injunction.
Going-concern doubt in Landa's own SEC filings
Landa's SEC filings through 2026 include a steady stream of foreclosure and property-disposition reports, and its auditors have flagged substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Existing investors have no exit and no timeline
With the secondary market closed, current holders cannot sell shares on-platform, and Landa has published no restart timeline. Practically, existing investors are positioned closer to creditors in a wind-down than customers of a functioning platform.

$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

Nothing, currently. Historically: fractional shares of single-family rental homes in U.S. Sun Belt markets. No offerings are active as of 2026.

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

Property Locations

Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Charlotte, Birmingham, Jacksonville, and Brooklyn portfolios, 119 of these properties are now under court-appointed independent management.

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

Expected Returns

N/A, dividends have been halted for many investors since late 2024 or early 2025, and no returns are being generated for shareholders while properties are foreclosed or sold in the wind-down. Historical dividend yields ranged roughly 3–6% and varied widely by property. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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

Landa historically earned revenue through property management markups and series-level operating expenses rather than an investor-facing platform fee. Fee structure is moot while the platform is frozen.

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

Indefinite. The secondary market is closed and there is no on-platform way to sell.

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

Who Can Invest

No one, currently, Landa is not accepting new investors or deposits while the platform is frozen.

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

The Verdict

Which is better, Landa or Roots?

1.5

Landa is not an investable platform in 2026. The app is frozen, dividends are halted for many holders, 119 properties sit under court-appointed management amid a $35M+ lender lawsuit, and the company's own SEC filings flag going-concern doubt. Prospective investors should not deposit money. Existing investors should document their holdings, monitor SEC EDGAR and the New York court docket, and treat recovery as uncertain. Investors who still want fractional single-family exposure should evaluate platforms on the exact points where Landa failed: investor liquidity that doesn't depend on the platform's discretion, current audited disclosures, and clean separation between investor assets and platform debt. See how Lofty compares on those criteria, or review alternatives like Arrived and Ark7.

Full Landa 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 Landa on our investment quality criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Landa vs. Roots FAQ

Which is better, Landa or Roots?

Based on our scoring criteria, returns, fees, liquidity, transparency, minimums, and track record, Roots (3.5/5) scores higher than Landa (1.5/5). 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 Landa vs. Roots?

Landa's minimum investment is $5 (historical, no new investments accepted). Roots's minimum investment is $100.

How do Landa and Roots compare on liquidity?

Landa: Indefinite. The secondary market is closed and there is no on-platform way to sell. 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 Landa vs. Roots?

Landa reports average yearly returns of N/A, dividends halted; historical yields were ~3–6% and highly variable. 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

Real Estate Platform Comparison· Updated July 15, 2026

Landa 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.

1.5

★ Our Pick Roots logo

3.5

At a Glance

Landa vs. Roots, Key Stats

$5 (historical, no new investments accepted)Minimum$100

Indefinite: platform frozen, no on-platform exitHolding Period1 year minimum to avoid early-redemption penalty

N/A, withdrawals and trading are unavailableEarly WithdrawalPenalty applies in first 12 months; no penalty after year one

Halted (for many investors, since late 2024 / early 2025)Rent PayoutQuarterly distributions

N/A, dividends halted; historical yields were ~3–6% and highly variableAvg. 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

Lowest historical entry price
Landa's signature feature was $5 share prices, which made it one of the most accessible fractional real estate platforms ever launched, and proved real demand for low-minimum property investing.
Sun Belt single-family focus
Landa concentrated on cash-flowing single-family rental markets that remain popular with rental investors: Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Charlotte, Birmingham, and Jacksonville, plus a Brooklyn portfolio.
Publicly documented offerings
Landa raised capital through Regulation A offerings, which means its financials and current wind-down activity remain publicly documented in SEC filings that investors can still monitor today.
Series LLC structure
Each Landa property is held in its own series LLC. In the current wind-down, that structure is what ties each investor's claim to a specific property rather than to the parent company alone.
Platform frozen: no deposits, trading, or withdrawals
Landa's app and investor portal have been effectively non-functional since around April 2025, per TechCrunch's investigation. The site states there are no active offerings and that deposits and secondary trading are paused. Many investors report halted dividends going back to late 2024, and 130+ complaints have been filed with the Better Business Bureau.
$35M+ lender lawsuit and court-appointed independent manager
In November 2024, lenders Viola Credit and L Finance sued Landa in New York State Supreme Court over more than $35 million in defaulted loans. In February 2025 the court placed 119 Landa properties under an independent manager, and court filings allege Landa diverted roughly $724,000 in tenant rent to accounts outside the court's injunction.
Going-concern doubt in Landa's own SEC filings
Landa's SEC filings through 2026 include a steady stream of foreclosure and property-disposition reports, and its auditors have flagged substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Existing investors have no exit and no timeline
With the secondary market closed, current holders cannot sell shares on-platform, and Landa has published no restart timeline. Practically, existing investors are positioned closer to creditors in a wind-down than customers of a functioning platform.

$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

Nothing, currently. Historically: fractional shares of single-family rental homes in U.S. Sun Belt markets. No offerings are active as of 2026.

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

Property Locations

Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Charlotte, Birmingham, Jacksonville, and Brooklyn portfolios, 119 of these properties are now under court-appointed independent management.

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

Expected Returns

Fees

Liquidity

Indefinite. The secondary market is closed and there is no on-platform way to sell.

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

Who Can Invest

No one, currently, Landa is not accepting new investors or deposits while the platform is frozen.

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

The Verdict

Which is better, Landa or Roots?

1.5

Full Landa review →

★ Our Pick

3.5

Full Roots review →

Bottom Line

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Landa vs. Roots FAQ

Which is better, Landa or Roots?

What is the minimum investment for Landa vs. Roots?

Landa's minimum investment is $5 (historical, no new investments accepted). Roots's minimum investment is $100.

How do Landa and Roots compare on liquidity?

What returns can investors expect from Landa 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

About Lofty

Landa vs. Roots 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

Landa vs. Roots, Key Stats

What each platform does well and poorly

Detailed comparison

Which is better, Landa or Roots?

Landa vs. Roots FAQ

Start building generational wealth with Lofty

Landa vs. Roots 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

Landa vs. Roots, Key Stats

What each platform does well and poorly

Detailed comparison

Which is better, Landa or Roots?

Landa vs. Roots FAQ

Start building generational wealth with Lofty