Real Estate Platform Comparison· Updated July 15, 2026

RealT 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.

1.0

RealT pioneered tokenized U.S. rental properties with weekly rent distributions, but the platform is now winding down. On July 2, 2026, RealT announced the voluntary liquidation of its U.S. structures. Weekly distributions are suspended, roughly 700 Detroit properties sit under a court-approved special fiduciary following the city's nuisance lawsuit, and sale proceeds go to repairs, taxes, and legal obligations before token holders see anything. A class action and a criminal complaint are underway in France. Do not buy RealTokens. Existing holders should document their positions and follow the liquidation process closely.

★ 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

RealT vs. Roots, Key Stats

N/A: platform is in voluntary liquidation and was never open to U.S. investorsMinimum$100

Indefinite: token holders are waiting on asset sales in a wind-downHolding Period1 year minimum to avoid early-redemption penalty

N/A: recovery depends on liquidation proceeds, not a withdrawal processEarly WithdrawalPenalty applies in first 12 months; no penalty after year one

Suspended (historically weekly in stablecoins)Rent PayoutQuarterly distributions

N/A: distributions suspended; advertised yields historically exceeded 10%, which the current outcome puts in perspectiveAvg. 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

Proved global demand for tokenized rentals
RealT operated since 2019 and attracted thousands of investors worldwide to fractional U.S. rental properties, demonstrating real international appetite for tokenized real estate with frequent distributions.
Weekly distributions set the cadence benchmark
When operating, RealT distributed rent weekly in stablecoins, more frequently than the monthly or quarterly schedules used by most competitors.
Genuinely onchain ownership records
RealTokens live on public blockchains, which means holders retain independently verifiable records of their positions even with the platform in liquidation. That transparency is helping investors organize during the wind-down.
Public paper trail
The Detroit court proceedings, fiduciary agreement, and liquidation announcements are publicly documented, so token holders can follow the process through primary sources rather than platform statements alone.
Voluntary liquidation announced July 2026
On July 2, 2026, RealT announced the voluntary liquidation of its U.S. structures and the progressive sale of its entire property portfolio. The announcement reportedly came via a YouTube call rather than formal notice through a registered transfer agent. Roughly 14,000 French investors are affected according to counsel involved, alongside holders worldwide.
Detroit lawsuit and court-approved fiduciary
The City of Detroit initiated proceedings in July 2025 over code violations and tax arrears on roughly 408 properties. In April 2026 a court approved an agreement placing a special fiduciary in control of roughly 700 RealT Detroit properties, with authority to renovate, sell, or demolish. RealT still owes millions in unpaid taxes, and only a city motion prevented 300+ properties from going into foreclosure.
Weekly distributions suspended
Rent distributions to token holders are suspended, and RealT has said proceeds are being directed first to repairs, stabilization, and legal obligations. Yields historically advertised above 10% annualized are not being paid.
Class action and criminal complaint
A class action is underway in France and a criminal complaint has been filed with the financial division of the Paris judicial court. Former collaborators have publicly alleged that some marketed properties may never have been purchased, an allegation that, if proven, would be securities fraud.

$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. RealT is liquidating its portfolio and no new offerings are available.

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

Property Locations

Primarily Detroit (roughly 83% of the portfolio), with Cleveland, Chicago, and Memphis exposure. The Detroit portfolio is under fiduciary control until at least the end of October 2026.

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

Expected Returns

N/A. Distributions are suspended and future returns depend entirely on liquidation proceeds after repairs, taxes, fiduciary costs, and legal obligations. Historically advertised yields above 10% annualized should be read in light of that outcome: the highest advertised yields in the category came with the weakest underlying operations. 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

Moot for new investors. For existing holders, fiduciary fees, escrow requirements, repair costs, and back taxes are effectively senior to token holder recoveries in the wind-down.

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. Token holders are waiting on a liquidation process with no published completion timeline.

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

Who Can Invest

No one. The platform was closed to U.S. persons under Regulation S, and with the July 2026 liquidation announcement it is effectively closed to new investment entirely.

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

The Verdict

Which is better, RealT or Roots?

1.0

RealT is not an investable platform. It is a wind-down. The July 2026 voluntary liquidation, suspended distributions, fiduciary-controlled Detroit portfolio, unpaid taxes, and pending litigation mean prospective buyers should stay away entirely, including from discounted RealTokens on decentralized exchanges. Existing holders should document positions, follow the Detroit docket and the French class action, and calibrate expectations to distressed liquidation values. Investors who came to RealT for tokenized rentals with frequent payouts should evaluate operators on the factors that failed here: property condition and tax compliance, platform financial health, and what happens to investors if the operator disappears. See how Lofty compares on those specific criteria.

Full RealT 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 RealT on our investment quality criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

RealT vs. Roots FAQ

Which is better, RealT or Roots?

Based on our scoring criteria, returns, fees, liquidity, transparency, minimums, and track record, Roots (3.5/5) scores higher than RealT (1.0/5). 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 RealT vs. Roots?

RealT's minimum investment is N/A: platform is in voluntary liquidation and was never open to U.S. investors. Roots's minimum investment is $100.

How do RealT and Roots compare on liquidity?

RealT: Indefinite. Token holders are waiting on a liquidation process with no published completion timeline. 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 RealT vs. Roots?

RealT reports average yearly returns of N/A: distributions suspended; advertised yields historically exceeded 10%, which the current outcome puts in perspective. 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

RealT 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.

1.0

★ Our Pick Roots logo

3.5

At a Glance

RealT vs. Roots, Key Stats

N/A: platform is in voluntary liquidation and was never open to U.S. investorsMinimum$100

Indefinite: token holders are waiting on asset sales in a wind-downHolding Period1 year minimum to avoid early-redemption penalty

N/A: recovery depends on liquidation proceeds, not a withdrawal processEarly WithdrawalPenalty applies in first 12 months; no penalty after year one

Suspended (historically weekly in stablecoins)Rent PayoutQuarterly distributions

Pros & Cons

What each platform does well and poorly

Proved global demand for tokenized rentals
RealT operated since 2019 and attracted thousands of investors worldwide to fractional U.S. rental properties, demonstrating real international appetite for tokenized real estate with frequent distributions.
Weekly distributions set the cadence benchmark
When operating, RealT distributed rent weekly in stablecoins, more frequently than the monthly or quarterly schedules used by most competitors.
Genuinely onchain ownership records
RealTokens live on public blockchains, which means holders retain independently verifiable records of their positions even with the platform in liquidation. That transparency is helping investors organize during the wind-down.
Public paper trail
The Detroit court proceedings, fiduciary agreement, and liquidation announcements are publicly documented, so token holders can follow the process through primary sources rather than platform statements alone.
Voluntary liquidation announced July 2026
On July 2, 2026, RealT announced the voluntary liquidation of its U.S. structures and the progressive sale of its entire property portfolio. The announcement reportedly came via a YouTube call rather than formal notice through a registered transfer agent. Roughly 14,000 French investors are affected according to counsel involved, alongside holders worldwide.
Detroit lawsuit and court-approved fiduciary
The City of Detroit initiated proceedings in July 2025 over code violations and tax arrears on roughly 408 properties. In April 2026 a court approved an agreement placing a special fiduciary in control of roughly 700 RealT Detroit properties, with authority to renovate, sell, or demolish. RealT still owes millions in unpaid taxes, and only a city motion prevented 300+ properties from going into foreclosure.
Weekly distributions suspended
Rent distributions to token holders are suspended, and RealT has said proceeds are being directed first to repairs, stabilization, and legal obligations. Yields historically advertised above 10% annualized are not being paid.
Class action and criminal complaint
A class action is underway in France and a criminal complaint has been filed with the financial division of the Paris judicial court. Former collaborators have publicly alleged that some marketed properties may never have been purchased, an allegation that, if proven, would be securities fraud.

$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. RealT is liquidating its portfolio and no new offerings are available.

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

Property Locations

Primarily Detroit (roughly 83% of the portfolio), with Cleveland, Chicago, and Memphis exposure. The Detroit portfolio is under fiduciary control until at least the end of October 2026.

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

Expected Returns

Fees

Moot for new investors. For existing holders, fiduciary fees, escrow requirements, repair costs, and back taxes are effectively senior to token holder recoveries in the wind-down.

Liquidity

Indefinite. Token holders are waiting on a liquidation process with no published completion timeline.

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

Who Can Invest

No one. The platform was closed to U.S. persons under Regulation S, and with the July 2026 liquidation announcement it is effectively closed to new investment entirely.

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

The Verdict

Which is better, RealT or Roots?

1.0

Full RealT review →

★ Our Pick

3.5

Full Roots review →

Bottom Line

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

Frequently Asked Questions

RealT vs. Roots FAQ

Which is better, RealT or Roots?

What is the minimum investment for RealT vs. Roots?

RealT's minimum investment is N/A: platform is in voluntary liquidation and was never open to U.S. investors. Roots's minimum investment is $100.

How do RealT and Roots compare on liquidity?

What returns can investors expect from RealT 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

RealT vs. Roots 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

RealT vs. Roots, Key Stats

What each platform does well and poorly

Detailed comparison

Which is better, RealT or Roots?

RealT vs. Roots FAQ

Start building generational wealth with Lofty

RealT vs. Roots 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

RealT vs. Roots, Key Stats

What each platform does well and poorly

Detailed comparison

Which is better, RealT or Roots?

RealT vs. Roots FAQ

Start building generational wealth with Lofty