Mar
25
2025

How to Invest in Commodities: Ways to Invest, Pros/Cons

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off on How to Invest in Commodities: Ways to Invest, Pros/Cons

Commodities are the raw materials or basic goods that are used to produce many of the things you use every day. Investing in commodities such as crude oil, soybeans, livestock, and wheat can be an effective way to diversify a portfolio, hedge against inflation, and potentially generate returns.

Key Points

•   Investing in commodities can diversify a portfolio, hedge against inflation, and potentially generate returns.

•   Commodities offer a low correlation to traditional asset classes like stocks and bonds, reducing market volatility impact.

•   Different ways to invest in commodities include physical ownership, commodity mutual funds and ETFs, commodity futures contracts, individual stocks, and hedge funds.

•   Commodities can act as an inflationary hedge, as their prices tend to rise with increases in consumer prices.

•   Investing in commodities carries risks, including price volatility, geopolitical factors, and the feasibility of physical ownership for individual investors.

Why Invest in Commodities?

Commodities are alternative investments that offer a low correlation to traditional asset classes like stocks or bonds. Thus, holding commodities in your portfolio can help minimize the impact of market volatility, as commodities prices are driven largely by supply and demand rather than the mood of the market.

Investing in commodities can also be a strategic play for investors who are hoping to counter the effects of rising inflation. As prices for consumer goods rise, the prices of the underlying commodities used to produce them also tend to rise. Stock prices, by comparison, do not always move in tandem with inflation.

Commodities can also be highly liquid assets, depending on how you’re trading them. Liquidity may be of importance to investors who are focused on generating short-term returns, versus a longer-term buy-and-hold approach.

💡 Quick Tip: While investing directly in alternative assets often requires high minimum amounts, investing in alts assets through a mutual fund or ETF generally involves a low minimum requirement, making them accessible to retail investors.

Alternative investments,
now for the rest of us.

Explore trading funds that include commodities, private credit, real estate, venture capital, and more.

5 Ways to Invest in Commodities

If you’re considering investing in commodities, there are several options to choose from. The one that makes the most sense for you will depend on your risk tolerance, time frame for investing, and how much capital you have to invest.

1. Physical/Direct Ownership

Physical ownership of commodities may be impractical for most individual investors as it involves taking ownership of the actual commodity. Purchasing and storing two tons of wheat, or maintaining 1,000 live animals likely isn’t realistic if you don’t have the proper facilities.

On the easier end of the spectrum, precious metal investors may hold gold or silver as bullion, or coins inside a secure bank vault. But even then, holding quantities of specific metals also require storage, insurance; and reselling these commodities comes with liquidity issues.

2. Commodity Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

Commodity mutual funds and exchange-traded funds can offer exposure to commodities without requiring you to hold anything physically. There are three broad categories of commodity funds you might invest in:

•   Physically backed funds. These funds maintain direct ownership of commodities, specifically, precious metals. A gold commodity ETF, for example, may hold gold bars at a bank.

•   Futures-based funds. Futures-based commodity ETFs invest in futures contracts. We’ll explain those in more detail shortly, but in general, a future contract is an agreement to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a set date.

•   Commodity company funds. Commodity company funds invest in commodity producers. For example, you might buy shares in an oil ETF that invests in oil and gas companies, oilfield servicers, and pipeline companies.

The main difference between a commodity mutual fund and a commodity ETF is how they’re traded. Mutual fund prices are set at the end of the trading day, while ETFs trade on an exchange just like a stock. Both commodity mutual funds and ETFs charge expense ratios, which represent the cost of owning the fund on an annual basis.

3. Commodity Futures Contracts

Commodity futures contracts are an agreement to buy or sell an underlying asset at a future date. The contract includes the price at which commodities will be bought or sold. Futures are derivative investments, meaning their value is determined by the price of another asset, i.e., the commodities you’re agreeing to trade.

Trading commodity futures contracts can be risky, as outcomes rely largely on investors making correct assumptions about which commodity prices will move. It’s possible to lose money on futures contracts if you’re expecting prices to increase but they decline instead.

4. Individual Stocks

Investing in stocks of commodity companies is another way to gain exposure to this asset class. For example, if you’re interested in adding energy sector assets to your portfolio you might buy shares in companies that produce oil, natural gas, solar technology, and so on.

Purchasing individual stocks can ensure that you’re only owning the companies that you want to, unlike a commodity mutual fund or ETF, which can hold dozens of different investments. However, picking individual stocks can be a bit more time-consuming and it may take more capital to buy shares if you’re choosing high dollar stocks.

5. Hedge Funds

Hedge funds are private investments that pool money to buy and sell assets, similar to a mutual fund. The difference is that hedge funds tend to use high-risk strategies like short-selling and may require a higher minimum investment to buy in or limit access to accredited investors only. Under SEC rules, an accredited investor is someone who:

•   Has $200,000 or more in annual income ($300,000 for married couples) for the previous two years and expects the same level of income going forward

•   Has a net worth exceeding $1 million, not including their primary residence

Financial professionals who hold certain securities licenses also qualify for accredited status.

Hedge funds can potentially offer higher returns than other commodity investments, but the risks are greater as well. If you’re considering private investment in commodities through a hedge fund you may want to talk to a professional about the pros and cons.

💡 Quick Tip: All investments come with some degree of risk — and some are riskier than others. Before investing online, decide on your investment goals and how much risk you want to take.

How Do You Open a Commodities Investing Account?

Opening a commodities trading account is no different from opening any other type of brokerage account. You’ll first need to decide which brokerage you want to trade with, then complete the necessary paperwork and funding requirements to start trading.

Personal Information

When you open a brokerage account, you’ll need to provide some basic details about yourself. That includes your:

•   Name

•   Date of birth

•   Social Security number

•   Email and phone number

•   Mailing address

•   Driver’s license number

•   Annual income

•   Net worth

•   Employment status

•   Investment objectives and risk tolerance

You may also be asked about your experience with investing and your citizenship status. You’ll need to disclose whether you’re employed by a brokerage firm.

All of this information is required to verify your identity, meet FINRA’s suitability requirements, and comply with anti-money laundering regulations. Net worth and income information may also be used to determine whether you meet the standards for an accredited investor.

Minimum Funds

The minimum amount of money you’ll need to invest in commodities through your brokerage can depend on what you’re investing in. If you’re buying individual commodities stocks, then the stock’s share price will determine how much you’ll need based on the number of shares you plan to buy.

With commodity mutual funds minimums are typically determined by the brokerage. So you might need $1,000, $3,000, or $5,000 to get started, depending on what you’re buying. Commodity ETFs sell on a per-share basis, similar to stocks.

Some brokerages offer fractional share trading, which allows you to buy shares of mutual funds, ETFs, or stocks in increments. The minimum investment may be as low as $1, though it’s important to keep in mind that it can take time to build up the commodity portfolio of your portfolio when investing in such small amounts.

Trading futures can be a little trickier as you may need to meet a minimum investment requirement and margin requirements. Margin is a set amount of money you’re required to deposit with the brokerage as a condition of trading futures contracts.

Margin is typically calculated as a percentage of the contract but it can easily run into the thousands of dollars.

Pros and Cons of Investing in Commodities

Investing in commodities has advantages and disadvantages, and it may not be right for every investor. Examining the pros and cons can help you make a more informed decision about whether it’s something you should pursue.

Pros

•   Commodities can help you diversify your portfolio beyond traditional stocks and bonds.

•   Investing in commodities can act as an inflationary hedge since commodity prices usually move in sync with increases in consumer prices.

•   Commodity ETFs and mutual funds offer a lower barrier to entry versus direct investment or hedge funds, making commodities more accessible to a wider range of investors.

•   Returns may potentially outstrip stocks, bonds, and other investments.

•   Commodity trading may generate short-term profits

Cons

•   Commodity prices can be volatile, as they may be affected by natural disasters, geopolitical conditions, and other factors.

•   Investing in commodities is generally riskier than other types of investments since supply and demand can impact trading.

•   Holding physical ownership of commodities may not be feasible for every investor.

•   Futures trading in commodities is highly speculative and while there may be potential for higher returns, there’s also more risk involved.

Is Investing in Commodities Right for Me?

Whether commodity trading makes sense for you can depend on your preferences concerning risk and your time horizon for investing. You might consider commodities if you are:

•   Comfortable trading the potential for higher returns against higher risk

•   Looking for short-term gains versus a long-term, buy-and-hold investment

•   Savvy about futures contracts (if you plan to trade futures)

•   Have sufficient capital to meet minimum investment requirements

Before investing in commodities, it’s helpful to learn more about the different types and their associated return profiles. It’s also wise to consider any costs you might pay to trade commodity ETFs, mutual funds, and stocks or the margin requirements for commodity futures trading.

The Takeaway

Although the commodities market is complex, commodities themselves are tangible products that are relatively easy to understand. Investing in commodities can take many forms, including direct or cash investment via the spot market, or by investing in commodity-related funds.

Although trading commodities comes with its own set of risks, commodities may offer some protection against inflation and traditional market movements, because these products are driven by supply and demand.

Invest in what matters most to you with SoFi Active Invest. In a self-directed account provided by SoFi Securities, you can trade stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, options, and more — all while paying $0 commission on every trade. Other fees may apply. Whether you want to trade after-hours or manage your portfolio using real-time stock insights and analyst ratings, you can invest your way in SoFi's easy-to-use mobile app.


Invest in alts to take your portfolio beyond stocks and bonds.

FAQ

Are there IRA accounts that specialize in commodity trading?

Some brokerages offer an IRA that’s designed for trading commodity futures contracts. You may also be able to gain exposure to commodity ETFs or mutual funds with a regular traditional or Roth IRA.

How much money do I need to invest in commodities?

The amount of money you’ll need to invest in commodities will depend on which vehicle you’re using. With a commodity stock or ETF, the amount of money required would depend on the share price and the number of shares you plan to purchase. Direct investment, hedge fund investments, or commodity futures contracts may require a larger financial commitment.

Can you make money with commodities?

Investors can make money with commodities through capital appreciation or by trading futures contracts. Returns may be higher than traditional assets but you may need to accept a greater degree of risk when trading commodities.

What is the risk profile for someone investing in commodities?

Investing in commodities often means being comfortable with more risk, as commodity prices can fluctuate quickly. You may want to limit your commodities allocation to 5%-10% of your portfolio to minimize your risk exposure.

About the author

Rebecca Lake

Rebecca Lake

Rebecca Lake has been a finance writer for nearly a decade, specializing in personal finance, investing, and small business. She is a contributor at Forbes Advisor, SmartAsset, Investopedia, The Balance, MyBankTracker, MoneyRates and CreditCards.com. Read full bio.


Photo credit: iStock/filadendron

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest is a trade name used by SoFi Wealth LLC and SoFi Securities LLC offering investment products and services. Robo investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage and self-directed investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

For disclosures on SoFi Invest platforms visit SoFi.com/legal. For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.

An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. This and other important information are contained in the Fund’s prospectus. For a current prospectus, please click the Prospectus link on the Fund’s respective page. The prospectus should be read carefully prior to investing.
Alternative investments, including funds that invest in alternative investments, are risky and may not be suitable for all investors. Alternative investments often employ leveraging and other speculative practices that increase an investor's risk of loss to include complete loss of investment, often charge high fees, and can be highly illiquid and volatile. Alternative investments may lack diversification, involve complex tax structures and have delays in reporting important tax information. Registered and unregistered alternative investments are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds.
Please note that Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, hence the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Investors should review the fee schedule for Interval Funds via the prospectus.

Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Investors should carefully consider the information contained in the prospectus, which contains the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other relevant information. You may obtain a prospectus from the Fund company’s website or by emailing customer service at [email protected]. Please read the prospectus carefully prior to investing.

Utilizing a margin loan is generally considered more appropriate for experienced investors as there are additional costs and risks associated. It is possible to lose more than your initial investment when using margin. Please see SoFi.com/wealth/assets/documents/brokerage-margin-disclosure-statement.pdf for detailed disclosure information.

Fund Fees
If you invest in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) through SoFi Invest (either by buying them yourself or via investing in SoFi Invest’s automated investments, formerly SoFi Wealth), these funds will have their own management fees. These fees are not paid directly by you, but rather by the fund itself. these fees do reduce the fund’s returns. Check out each fund’s prospectus for details. SoFi Invest does not receive sales commissions, 12b-1 fees, or other fees from ETFs for investing such funds on behalf of advisory clients, though if SoFi Invest creates its own funds, it could earn management fees there.
SoFi Invest may waive all, or part of any of these fees, permanently or for a period of time, at its sole discretion for any reason. Fees are subject to change at any time. The current fee schedule will always be available in your Account Documents section of SoFi Invest.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Mar
25
2025
woman in kitchen

What Is a Pension Plan & How Does It Work?

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Preparing for Retirement | Comments Off on What Is a Pension Plan & How Does It Work?

While pension plans are less common today than they once were, many workers still receive a pension — a type of retirement plan that provides guaranteed income throughout retirement (or a lump sum at retirement).

Pension plans are known as defined-benefit plans because the benefits the worker will receive during retirement are predictable (i.e., defined). A 401(k) plan or IRA account, on the other hand, is called a defined-contribution plan — because workers typically contribute a defined amount each month.

Pensions are employer-provided benefits; an individual can’t set up a pension as they would an IRA account — a key aspect of what a pension is and how it works.

Key Points

•   A pension is a defined-benefit plan that gives employees a regular paycheck throughout retirement, or in some cases a lump sum upon retirement (i.e. the payment is defined).

•   Defined contribution plans, like 401(k)s, rely on worker savings but don’t provide a guaranteed payout like defined benefit plans.

•   A pension is an employer-provided plan; workers cannot set up a pension plan.

•   Pension plans are less common today; about 19% of U.S. private sector and government workers were eligible for a pension in 2024.

•   While workers can choose their investments in a defined contribution plan like a 401(k) or 403(b), workers in pension plans cannot.

How to Get a Pension Plan

Unlike other types of retirement plans, such as IRAs, an investor who wants to save for retirement can’t simply fund a pension on their own. Like 401(k) plans, pension plans must be offered by an employer.

While pension plans were once a mainstay of how companies took care of their workers, they’ve become rare in recent decades. Only a small percentage of private sector and government employers — about 19% — offered some form of pension to their employees as of 2024.

The main reason many companies no longer offer pensions is that it’s cheaper for them to offer defined-contribution plans, such as 401(k) or 403(b) plans. That said, if an individual works for the federal, state, or local government, they may be offered a pension.

Among state and local government workers who participate in a retirement savings plan, a majority are in a pension plan.

Recommended: A 4-Step Guide to Planning Retirement

Pension Plans vs. Other Retirement Accounts

The key difference between pension plans and other retirement plans comes down to the difference between a “defined benefit” plan and a “defined contribution” plan.

•   With a defined benefit plan, such as a pension, the amount workers will receive in retirement is predictable: e.g., $2,000 per month, which is valuable when you’re living in retirement.

•   With a defined contribution plan, such as a 401(k) or similar, employees’ contributions, or savings, are defined: e.g., $500 per month. Unlike a pension, a defined contribution plan doesn’t guarantee a fixed benefit amount once the employee retires.

401(k) vs. Pension Plan

Although 401(k) plans and pension plans are both types of tax-deferred accounts that aim to provide workers with income in retirement, they differ in a few ways.

•   Funding and contribution limits

While the employer provides the bulk of funding for a pension plan, 401(k) plans are primarily funded by the employee. In some cases, an employer has the option to contribute to the 401(k) through matching funds. (Employers are not, however, required to provide an employer match.)

Another key difference is the annual contribution limit for each type of account.

For tax year 2025, employee contributions to a 401(k) plan are capped at $23,500 per year ($31,000, if you’re 50 and older), with a total limit of $70,000, including employer contributions.

The maximum total annual contribution to a pension plan for 2025 is $280,000.

•   Roth designation

There are other points of distinction between pension plans and 401(k) plans. For example, a 401(k) plan may offer a Roth feature (i.e., a Roth 401(k) account), which allows workers to contribute after-tax funds, and take tax-free withdrawals in retirement. Pensions generally do not offer a Roth option.

•   Income and Taxes

As noted, the income from a pension plan is guaranteed, and thus a defined benefit.

But the income from a 401(k), 403(b), Roth or traditional IRA, or other defined contribution plan depends on the amount the employee has saved over time, and the investments they selected for their portfolio, and how those investments performed.

Also, because a pension provides a guaranteed payout (typically monthly), these plans do not come with required minimum distributions (RMDs), as 401(k) plans do.

The income from both a pension and a regular 401(k) is considered taxable income, however.

Pension Plan vs. IRAs

Individuals can also contribute to tax-advantaged IRAs and Roth IRA accounts. These are also quite different from pension plans. First, IRAs are Individual Retirement Arrangements, and they are a type of defined contribution plan that only an individual can set up (employers generally cannot offer IRAs, although small businesses may offer a SEP IRA or SIMPLE IRA to employees)

•   Funding and contribution limits

The annual contribution limits for traditional and Roth IRAs for tax year 2025 is $7,000 per individual, with an extra $1,000 catch-up contribution for those 50 and older, for a total of $8,000.

Since standard traditional and Roth IRA plans are self-funded, there is no employer match. Small-business IRAs, like SEP and SIMPLE accounts, may offer an employer match.

•   Roth accounts

The Roth designation refers to the use of after-tax money to fund a retirement account, such as with a Roth IRA. Roth IRA account holders invest after-tax funds, and qualified withdrawals are tax-free in retirement.

However, pension plans are tax-deferred accounts; the employee pays tax on their pension income in retirement. Typically, defined-benefit plans don’t offer a Roth option.

•   Income

Like other defined contribution accounts, IRA investors can choose the investments in their portfolio. As a result, the ultimate payout from these plans depends on the amount saved and the performance, or returns of the investments in the plan.

Traditional IRAs are tax-deferred accounts, so withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax. And traditional IRA holders must take RMDs, starting at age 73 (which is older than social security retirement age). Roth IRAs are not subject to RMD rules.

One advantage that pensions have over defined contribution plans is that pensions are guaranteed by the federal government through the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). It effectively guarantees the benefits of pension-plan participants. But the PBGC does not cover people with defined contribution plans.

Recommended: What Is a Money Purchase Pension Plan (MPPP)?

Managing Your Pension Plan

Workers with pension plans should talk to a representative in their human resources department and find out what the plan offers. Every pension plan is unique. An employee may benefit from looking into the specifics such as:

•   The pension benefit amount

•   Whether it includes health and medical benefits

•   What kind of benefits the pension will offer a surviving spouse or family members.

Someone just starting in their career may also want to ask when their pension benefits vest. In many plans, the benefits vest immediately, while others vest in stages, over the course of as many as seven years, which could affect their plans to move on to a new job or company.

One way to get a better handle on what a pension may pay over time is to inquire about the unit benefit formula. Utilizing that formula is how an employer tallies up its eventual contribution to a pension plan based on years of service.

Most often, the formula will use a percentage of the worker’s average annual earnings, and multiply it by their years of service to determine how much the employee will receive. But an employee can use it themselves to see how much they might expect to receive after 20 or 30 years of service.

Pros of a Pension Plan

Perhaps the biggest advantage of a defined-benefit plan is the guarantee of predictable income from the day a worker retires until the day they die. That’s the core promise that the PBGC protects.

Many pension plans also include related medical and other benefits for the employee, as well as related benefits for surviving spouses. Those benefits vary widely from plan to plan and are important to investigate.

A defined-benefit plan enables workers to predict the amount they’ll have to live on after they retire, and when they can retire. This can help workers plan for other needs, such as supplemental medical insurance or long-term care insurance, in order to better protect themselves down the road.

Cons of a Pension Plan

The downside of knowing that a pension will provide guaranteed income is that it can give would-be retirees a false sense of security.

A pension, with its promise of steady income, can lead people to ignore important questions, and avoid budgeting for basic living expenses.

That flat monthly income might also lead people to believe that their expenses will be the same each month — which is rarely the case.

And that can lead retirees to avoid planning for increased overall living expenses due to the effects of inflation or sudden, unexpected expenses that may crop up.

There’s also the likelihood that their expenses later in life could be significantly higher, as they’re able to accomplish fewer daily necessities themselves.

That’s why, regardless of how thorough a pension plan is, it can pay to save for retirement in other ways, including through a 401(k), IRA or Roth IRA. Just because a worker has a pension, that doesn’t mean that it’s the only retirement plan that’s right for them. And employees will benefit from preparing for retirement early.

The Takeaway

Pension plans are a type of savings plan that are offered by employers, guaranteeing a certain amount of income to workers after they retire. Pension plans are defined-benefit plans, and differ in some key ways from IRAs or 401(k)s. Pensions have become less common in recent decades, and they have their pros and cons, like any other financial product or service.

Prepare for your retirement with an individual retirement account (IRA). It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. Whether you prefer a hands-on self-directed IRA through SoFi Securities or an automated robo IRA with SoFi Wealth, you can build a portfolio to help support your long-term goals while gaining access to tax-advantaged savings strategies.

Easily manage your retirement savings with a SoFi IRA.

FAQ

What is a pension plan?

A pension plan is a type of defined-benefit retirement plan offered by employers. Pensions are known for providing a guaranteed amount of income to retired workers. But pensions today are uncommon, and have largely been replaced by defined contribution plans like IRAs and 401(k)s.

How do pension plans work?

Generally, an employer maintains a pension fund that will pay workers’ income benefits when they retire; in some cases, workers may also contribute to their pensions. At retirement, the employee receives a guaranteed amount of income, often monthly. Because pension benefits are paid regularly, these accounts don’t have RMDs. Pension income is taxed at ordinary income rates.

What are the different types of pension plans?

Pension plans vary, so it’s important to know what the rules and restrictions are. For example, a defined-benefit plan uses a basic formula to calculate the amount the employee will receive. A cash-balance plan bases a worker’s payout on the account balance, while still providing a guaranteed income. In addition, some pensions may include insurance or spousal benefits (or not). Be sure to know the terms.

How do pension plans compare to 401(k)s and IRAs?

While there are several differences between these accounts, the most important distinction is that pension plans are defined-benefit plans that provide guaranteed income throughout retirement (or a lump sum) for the employee. Defined-contribution plans, like 401(k)s and IRAs, do not provide guaranteed income; rather, the account holder takes withdrawals in retirement.

Another important point is that an individual can set up a defined contribution plan and select the investments in their portfolio, but they cannot join a pension unless they work for a company that offers one.

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest is a trade name used by SoFi Wealth LLC and SoFi Securities LLC offering investment products and services. Robo investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage and self-directed investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

For disclosures on SoFi Invest platforms visit SoFi.com/legal. For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Disclaimer: The projections or other information regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of future results.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Mar
25
2025
Learn 7 Strategies to Double Your Money

Learn 7 Strategies to Double Your Money

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Terminology | Comments Off on Learn 7 Strategies to Double Your Money

Figuring out how to double your money with investments often hinges on striking the right balance between risk and reward. Your personal risk tolerance and goals can influence how you invest and the returns your portfolio generates.

However, doubling your money is a reasonable goal, especially if you’re willing to wait for your money to grow. And that’s a big variable to keep in mind: Time. If you’re interested in doubling your money and growing wealth for the long-term, there are several investing strategies to consider.

Investing Strategies to Double Your Money

1. Get to Know the Rule of 72

The rule of 72 can be a helpful guideline for answering this question: How long to double your money?

If you’re not familiar with this investing rule, it’s not complicated. It uses a simple formula to estimate how long doubling your money might take, based on your annual rate of return. You divide 72 by your annual return to get the number of years you’ll need to wait for your investment to double.

So, for example, if you have an investment that generates a 5% annual return, it would take around 14.5 years to double it. On the other hand, an investment that’s generating a 12% annual return would double in about six years.

The rule of 72 doesn’t predict how an investment will perform. But it can give you an idea of how quickly (or slowly) you can double your money, based on the returns you’re getting each year. Just keep in mind that the rule’s accuracy tends to decrease as the rate of return increases, so it’s more of a guideline than a hard-and-fast rule.


💡 Quick Tip: How do you decide if a certain trading platform or app is right for you? Ideally, the investment platform you choose offers the features that you need for your investment goals or strategy, e.g., an easy-to-use interface, data analysis, educational tools.

2. Leverage Your Employer’s Retirement Plan

One way to attempt to double your money through investing may be through your workplace retirement plan. If your employer offers a matching contribution to the money you’re deferring from your paychecks, that’s essentially free money for you.

Employer matching contributions are low-hanging fruit, in that you don’t need to change your investment strategy to take advantage of them. All that’s required is contributing enough of your salary to your employer’s retirement plan to qualify for the match.

The matching formula that companies use varies, but some companies offer a dollar-for-dollar match, meaning that the money you put into a 401(k) would automatically double when you receive your match. Keep in mind that some companies use a vesting schedule, meaning that you have to work at the company for a certain period of time before you get to keep all the employer contributions.

Aside from potentially helping to double your money, investing your 401(k) or a similar qualified retirement plan can also yield tax benefits. Contributions made with pre-tax dollars are deducted from your taxable income, which could lower your annual tax bill.

3. Diversify Strategically

Diversification means spreading your money across different investments to create a portfolio that will meet your needs for both risk and return.

As a general rule of thumb, riskier investments like stocks have the potential to generate higher returns. More conservative investments, such as bonds, tend to generate lower returns but there’s less risk that you’ll lose money on the investment.

If you want to double your money, then it’s important to pay attention to diversification and what that means for your return on investment. For instance, if you’re investing heavily in stocks then you could see greater returns but you might experience deeper losses if the market takes a hit. Playing it too safe, on the other hand, could cause your portfolio to underperform.

Also, keep in mind that there are many types of investments besides stocks, mutual funds and bonds. Real estate, stock options, futures, precious metals and hedge funds are just some stock and bond alternatives you could use to build a portfolio. Understanding their risk/reward profiles can help you decide what to invest in if you’re focused on doubling your money.


💡 Quick Tip: Distributing your money across a range of assets — also known as diversification — can be beneficial for long-term investors. When you put your eggs in many baskets, it may be beneficial if a single asset class goes down.

4. Consider Buying When Others Are Selling

The stock market is cyclical and you’re guaranteed to experience ups and downs during your investing career. How you approach the down periods can impact your ability to double your money when the market goes up again.

When the market drops, some investors start selling off stocks or other investments to avoid losses. But if you’re comfortable taking risks, the sell-off could present an opportunity to buy the dip.

If you can purchase stocks at a discount during periods of volatility when other investors are selling, you could double your money when those same stocks increase in value again. But again, making this strategy work for you comes down to knowing how much risk is acceptable to you.

5. Commit for the Long Term

There are different investment philosophies you can adopt. For example, traders regularly buy and sell investments to try and get quick wins from the market. A buy-and-hold strategy takes a different approach, but it could pay off if you’re trying to double your money.

Buy-and-hold investing involves buying an investment and holding onto it for the long-term. The idea is that during that holding period, the investment will grow in value so you can sell it at a sizable profit later.

This is a passive investment strategy that relies on patience and time to increase your portfolio’s value. The longer you have to invest, the more you can capitalize on the power of compounding gains, or gains you earn on your gains.

If you’re using a buy-and-hold strategy with a value investing strategy, you could potentially double your money or more if your investments meet your expectations. Value investing means investing in companies that you believe the market has undervalued.

This strategy takes a little work since you have to learn how to understand the difference between a stock’s market value and its intrinsic value. But if you can find one of these bargain hidden gems and hold onto it, you could reap major return rewards later when you’re ready to sell.

6. Step Up Your Investment Contributions

Another simple strategy to double your money is to invest more. Assuming your portfolio is performing the way you want and need it to to reach your goals, doubling your investment contributions could be a relatively easy way to boost your returns.

If you can’t afford to put big chunks of money into the market all at once, there are ways to increase your investments gradually. For instance, you could start building a portfolio with fractional shares and increase your contributions by a few dollars each month.

If you’re investing your 401(k) at work, you could ask your plan administrator about raising your contribution rate annually. For example, you might be able to automatically bump up salary deferrals by one or two percent each year. And if that coincides with a pay raise you may not even miss the extra money you’re contributing.

7. Focus on Tax Efficiency

Minimizing tax liability is another opportunity to stretch your investment dollars. There are different ways to do that inside your portfolio.

Investing in your retirement plan at work is an obvious one, so if you aren’t doing that yet you may want to consider getting started. Remember, the longer you have to invest, the more time your money has to grow.

If you don’t have a 401(k) or a similar plan at work, you could open a traditional or Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA) instead. A traditional IRA allows for tax-deductible contributions, meaning you get an upfront tax break. Then, you pay ordinary income tax on that money when you withdraw it in retirement.

Roth IRAs aren’t tax-deductible, since you fund them with after-tax dollars. The upside of that, however, is that qualified withdrawals in retirement are 100% tax-free.

A taxable brokerage account is another way to invest, without being subject to annual contribution limits the way you would with a 401(k) or IRA. The difference is that you’ll pay capital gains tax on your investment growth.

Paying attention to asset location can help with maximizing tax efficiency across different investment accounts. For example, exchange-traded funds can sometimes be more tax-efficient than other types of mutual funds because they have lower turnover. That means the assets in the fund aren’t bought or sold as frequently, so there are fewer taxable events.

Keeping ETFs in a taxable account while putting less tax-efficient investments into a tax-advantaged account, such as a 401(k) or IRA, could help with doubling your money if it means reducing the taxes you pay on investment gains.

The Takeaway

Learning how to double your money can mean taking a slow route or a quicker one, but it all comes down to how much risk you’re comfortable with and how much time you have to invest. One of the keys to growing your investments is being consistent and that’s where automated investing can help.

There are numerous strategies and tactics that you can try to leverage to your advantage. But ultimately, whether you’re able to double your money will likely come down to how much you’re willing to risk, how much time you have on your side, and probably a little bit of luck.

Invest in what matters most to you with SoFi Active Invest. In a self-directed account provided by SoFi Securities, you can trade stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, options, and more — all while paying $0 commission on every trade. Other fees may apply. Whether you want to trade after-hours or manage your portfolio using real-time stock insights and analyst ratings, you can invest your way in SoFi's easy-to-use mobile app.

Opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.¹

Photo credit: iStock/South_agency

About the author

Rebecca Lake

Rebecca Lake

Rebecca Lake has been a finance writer for nearly a decade, specializing in personal finance, investing, and small business. She is a contributor at Forbes Advisor, SmartAsset, Investopedia, The Balance, MyBankTracker, MoneyRates and CreditCards.com. Read full bio.


INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest is a trade name used by SoFi Wealth LLC and SoFi Securities LLC offering investment products and services. Robo investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage and self-directed investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

For disclosures on SoFi Invest platforms visit SoFi.com/legal. For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.


¹Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify. Probability percentage is subject to decrease. See full terms and conditions.

Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

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Mar
25
2025

How to Invest in Real Estate: 7 Ways for Beginners

By | Financial Independence, invest, Investing | Comments Off on How to Invest in Real Estate: 7 Ways for Beginners

Real estate investing can be an effective way to hedge against the effects of inflation in a portfolio while generating a steady stream of income. When it comes to how to invest in real estate, there’s no single path to entry.

Where you decide to get started can ultimately depend on how much money you have to invest, your risk tolerance, and how hands-on you want to be when managing real estate investments.

Key Points

•   Real estate investing offers portfolio diversification and potential income generation.

•   Benefits of real estate investing include hedging against inflation and potential tax breaks.

•   Different ways to invest in real estate include REITs, real estate funds, REIT ETFs, real estate crowdfunding, rental properties, fix and flip properties, and investing in your own home.

•   Each investment option has its own requirements, fees, holding periods, and risk factors.

•   Consider your financial goals, risk tolerance, and available capital when deciding which real estate investment strategy is right for you.

Why Invest in Real Estate?

Real estate investing can yield numerous benefits, for new and seasoned investors alike. Here are some of the main advantages to consider with property investments.

•   Real estate can diversify your portfolio, allowing you to better balance risk and rewards.

•   Provides the opportunity to generate investment returns outside of owning securities such as stocks, ETFs, or bonds.

•   Historically, real estate is often seen as a hedge against inflation, since property prices tend to increase in tandem with price increases for other consumer goods and services.

•   Owning real estate investments can allow you to generate a steady stream of passive income in the form of rents or dividends.

•   Rental property ownership can include some tax breaks since the IRS allows you to deduct ordinary and necessary expenses related to operating the property.

•   Real estate may appreciate significantly over time, which could result in a sizable gain should you decide to sell it. However, real estate can also depreciate in value, leading to a possible loss or negative return. Investors should know that the real estate market is different than the stock market, and adjust their expectations accordingly.

There’s one more thing that makes real estate investing for beginners particularly attractive: There are many ways to do it, which means you can choose investments that are best suited to your needs and goals.

💡 Quick Tip: While investing directly in alternative assets often requires high minimum amounts, investing in alts through a mutual fund or ETF generally involves a low minimum requirement, making them accessible to retail investors.

Alternative investments,
now for the rest of us.

Explore trading funds that include commodities, private credit, real estate, venture capital, and more.

7 Ways to Invest in Real Estate

Real estate investments can take different forms, some of which require direct property ownership and others that don’t. As you compare different real estate investments, here are some important things to weigh:

•   Minimum investment requirements

•   Any fees you might pay to own the investment

•   Holding periods

•   Past performance and expected returns

•   Investment-specific risk factors

With those things in mind, here are seven ways to get started with real estate investing for beginners.

1. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a company that owns and operates income-producing properties. The types of properties you might find in a REIT include warehouses, storage facilities, shopping centers, and office space. A REIT may also own mortgages or mortgage-backed securities.

REITs allow investors to enjoy the benefits of property ownership without having to buy a building or land. Specifically, that means steady income as REITs are required to pay out 90% of taxable income annually to shareholders in the form of dividends. Most REIT dividends are considered to be ordinary income for tax purposes.

Many REITs are publicly traded on an exchange just like a stock. That means you can buy shares through your brokerage account if you have one, making it relatively easy to add REITs to your portfolio. Remember to consider any commission fees you might pay to trade REIT shares in your brokerage account.

2. Real Estate Funds

Real estate funds are mutual funds that own a basket of securities. Depending on the fund’s investment strategy, that may include:

•   Individual commercial properties

•   REITs

•   Mortgages and mortgage-backed securities

Mutual funds also trade on stock exchanges, just like REITs. One of the key differences is that mutual funds are not required to pay out dividends to investors, though they can do so.

Instead, real estate funds aim to provide value to investors in the form of capital appreciation. A real estate fund may buy and hold property investments for the long term, in anticipation of those investments increasing in value over time.

Investing in a real estate fund vs. REIT could offer broader exposure to a wider range of property types or investments. A REIT, for instance, may invest only in hotels and resorts whereas a real estate mutual fund may diversify with hotels, office space, retail centers, and other property types.

3. REIT ETFs

A REIT ETF or exchange-traded fund is similar to a mutual fund, but the difference is that it trades on an exchange just like a stock. There’s also a difference between REIT ETFs and real estate mutual funds regarding what they invest in. With a REIT ETF, holdings are primarily concentrated on real estate investment trusts only.

That means you could buy a single REIT ETF and gain exposure to 10, 20 or more REITs in one investment vehicle.

Some of the main advantages of choosing a REIT ETF vs. real estate funds or individual REITs include:

•   Increased tax efficiency

•   Lower expense ratios

•   Potential for higher returns

A REIT ETF may also offer a lower minimum investment than a REIT or real estate fund, which could make it suitable for beginning investors who are working with a smaller amount of capital.

But along with those advantages, investors should know about some of the potential drawbacks:

•   ETF values may be sensitive to interest rate changes

•   REIT ETFs may experience volatility related to property trends

•   REIT ETFs may be subject to several other types of risk, such as management and liquidity risk more so than other types of ETFs.

As always, investors should consider the risks along with the potential advantages of any investment.

4. Real Estate Crowdfunding

Real estate crowdfunding platforms allow multiple investors to come together and pool funds to fund property investments. The minimum investment may be as low as $500, depending on which platform you’re using, and if you have enough cash to invest you could fund multiple projects.

Compared to REITs, REIT ETFs, or real estate funds, crowdfunding is less liquid since there’s usually a required minimum holding period you’re expected to commit to. That’s important to know if you’re not looking to tie up substantial amounts of money for several years.

You’ll also need to meet a platform’s requirements before you can invest. Some crowdfunding platforms only accept accredited investors. To be accredited, you must:

•   Have a net worth over $1 million, excluding your primary residence, OR

•   Have an income of $200,000 ($300,000 if married) for each of the prior two years, with the expectation of future income at the same level

You can also qualify as accredited if you hold a Series 7, Series 65, or Series 82 securities license.

5. Rental Properties

Buying a rental property can help you create a long-term stream of income if you’re able to keep tenants in the home. Some of the ways you could generate rental income with real estate include:

•   Buying a second home and renting it out to long-term tenants

•   Buying a vacation home and renting it to short-term or seasonal tenants

•   Purchasing a multi-unit property, such as a duplex or triplex, and renting to multiple tenants

•   Renting a room in your home

But recognize the risks or downsides associated with rental properties, too:

•   Negative cash flow resulting from tenancy problems

•   Problem tenants

•   Lack of liquidity

•   Maintenance costs and property taxes

Further, the biggest consideration with rental properties usually revolves around how you’re going to finance a property purchase. You might try for a conventional mortgage, an FHA loan if you’re buying a multifamily home and plan to live in one of the units, a home equity loan or HELOC if you own a primary residence, or seller financing.

Each one has different credit, income, and down payment requirements. Weighing the pros and cons of each one can help you decide which financing option might be best.

6. Fix and Flip Properties

With fix-and-flip investments, you buy a property to renovate and then resell it for (ideally) a large profit. Becoming a house flipper could be lucrative if you’re able to buy properties low, then sell high, but it does take some knowledge of the local market you plan to sell in.

You’ll also have to think about who’s going to handle the renovations. Doing them yourself means you don’t have to spend any money hiring contractors, but if you’re not experienced with home improvements you could end up making more work for yourself in the long run.

If you’re looking for a financing option, hard money loans are one possibility. These loans let you borrow enough to cover the purchase price of the home and your estimated improvements, and make interest-only payments. However, these loans typically have terms ranging from 9 to 18 months so you’ll need to be fairly certain you can sell the property within that time frame.

7. Invest in Your Own Home

If you own a home, you could treat it as an investment on its own. Making improvements to your property that raise its value, for example, could pay off later should you decide to sell it. You may also be able to claim a tax break for the interest you pay on your mortgage.

Don’t own a home yet? Understanding what you need to qualify for a mortgage is a good place to start. Once you’re financially ready to buy, you can take the next step and shop around for the best mortgage lenders.

How to Know If Investing in Real Estate Is a Good Idea for You

Is real estate investing right for everyone? Not necessarily, as every investor’s goals are different. Asking yourself these questions can help you determine where real estate might fit into your portfolio:

•   How much money are you able and willing to invest in real estate?

•   What is your main goal or reason for considering property investments?

•   If you’re interested in rental properties, will you oversee their management yourself or hire a property management company? How much income would you need them to generate?

•   If you’re considering a fix-and-flip, can you make the necessary commitment of time and sweat equity to get the property ready to list?

•   How will you finance a rental or fix-and-flip if you’re thinking of pursuing either one?

•   If you’re thinking of choosing REITs, real estate crowdfunding, or REIT ETFs, how long do you anticipate holding them in your portfolio?

•   How much risk do you feel comfortable with, and what do you perceive as the biggest risks of real estate investing?

Talking to a financial advisor may be helpful if you’re wondering how real estate investments might affect your tax situation, or have a bigger goal in mind, like generating enough passive income from investments to retire early.

💡 Quick Tip: When you’re actively investing in stocks, it’s important to ask what types of fees you might have to pay. For example, brokers may charge a flat fee for trading stocks, or require some commission for every trade. Taking the time to manage investment costs can be beneficial over the long term.

The Takeaway

Real estate investing is one of the most attractive alternative investments for portfolio diversification. While you might assume that property investing is only for the super-rich, it’s not as difficult to get started as you might think. Keep in mind that, depending on how much money you have to invest initially and the degree of risk you’re comfortable taking, you’re not just limited to one option when building out your portfolio with real estate.

Ready to expand your portfolio's growth potential? Alternative investments, traditionally available to high-net-worth individuals, are accessible to everyday investors on SoFi's easy-to-use platform. Investments in commodities, real estate, venture capital, and more are now within reach. Alternative investments can be high risk, so it's important to consider your portfolio goals and risk tolerance to determine if they're right for you.

Invest in alts to take your portfolio beyond stocks and bonds.

FAQ

How Can I Invest in Property With Little Money?

If you don’t have a lot of money to invest in property, you might consider real estate investment trusts or real estate ETFs for your first investments. REITs and ETFs can offer lower barriers to entry versus something like purchasing a rental property or a fix-and-flip property.

Is Real Estate Investing Worth It?

Real estate investing can be worth it if you’re able to generate steady cash flow and income, hedge against inflation, enjoy tax breaks, and/or earn above-average returns. Whether investing in real estate is worth it for you can depend on what your goals are, how much money you have to invest, and how much time you’re willing to commit to managing those investments.

Is Investing in Real Estate Better Than Stocks?

Real estate tends to have a low correlation with stocks, meaning that what happens in the stock market doesn’t necessarily affect what happens in the property markets. Investing in real estate can also be attractive for investors who are looking for a way to hedge against the effects of inflation over the long term.

Is Investing in Real Estate Safer Than Stocks?

Just like stocks, real estate investments carry risk meaning one isn’t necessarily safer than the other. Investing in both real estate and stocks can help you create a well-rounded portfolio, as the risk/reward profile for each one isn’t the same.

About the author

Rebecca Lake

Rebecca Lake

Rebecca Lake has been a finance writer for nearly a decade, specializing in personal finance, investing, and small business. She is a contributor at Forbes Advisor, SmartAsset, Investopedia, The Balance, MyBankTracker, MoneyRates and CreditCards.com. Read full bio.


Photo credit: iStock/Pheelings Media

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest is a trade name used by SoFi Wealth LLC and SoFi Securities LLC offering investment products and services. Robo investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage and self-directed investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

For disclosures on SoFi Invest platforms visit SoFi.com/legal. For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

[cd_fund-fees]
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Investors should carefully consider the information contained in the prospectus, which contains the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other relevant information. You may obtain a prospectus from the Fund company’s website or by emailing customer service at [email protected]. Please read the prospectus carefully prior to investing.


¹Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify. Probability percentage is subject to decrease. See full terms and conditions.

An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. This and other important information are contained in the Fund’s prospectus. For a current prospectus, please click the Prospectus link on the Fund’s respective page. The prospectus should be read carefully prior to investing.
Alternative investments, including funds that invest in alternative investments, are risky and may not be suitable for all investors. Alternative investments often employ leveraging and other speculative practices that increase an investor's risk of loss to include complete loss of investment, often charge high fees, and can be highly illiquid and volatile. Alternative investments may lack diversification, involve complex tax structures and have delays in reporting important tax information. Registered and unregistered alternative investments are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds.
Please note that Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, hence the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Investors should review the fee schedule for Interval Funds via the prospectus.

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25
2025

What’s the Difference Between REITs and Real Estate Mutual Funds?

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off on What’s the Difference Between REITs and Real Estate Mutual Funds?

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) and real estate mutual funds offer exposure to property investments, but in different ways. A REIT is a legal entity that owns and operates income-producing real estate and is required to pay dividends, while a real estate mutual fund is a pooled investment vehicle.

Key Points

•   REITs and real estate mutual funds offer exposure to property investments in different ways.

•   REITs are legal entities that own and operate income-producing real estate and pay dividends to shareholders.

•   Real estate mutual funds are pooled investment vehicles that invest in the real estate sector through various assets.

•   REITs can own different types of properties, while real estate mutual funds can invest in REITs, individual properties, and mortgage-backed securities.

•   The differences between REITs and real estate mutual funds lie in their structure, investment strategies, taxation, and management styles.

What Is a REIT?

A REIT is a trust that invests in real estate, typically through direct ownership. Those properties generate rental income, which is paid out to REIT shareholders in the form of dividends. The types of properties REITs may own can include:

•   Hotels and resorts

•   Self-storage facilities

•   Warehouses

•   Commercial office space

•   Retail space

•   Apartment buildings

•   Strip malls

Some REITs take a different approach in how they generate returns for investors. Rather than owning income-producing property, they may invest in mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities. A third category of REITs employs a hybrid strategy, investing in both properties and mortgages.

REITs may be publicly traded on an exchange, similar to a stock, or they may be registered with the SEC but not publicly traded. This second category of REITs can also be referred to as non-traded REITs. Regardless of how they’re classified, REITs are considered alternative investments.

💡 Quick Tip: While investing directly in alternative assets often requires high minimum amounts, investing in alternative assets through a mutual fund or ETF generally involves a low minimum requirement, making them accessible to retail investors.

Alternative investments,
now for the rest of us.

Explore trading funds that include commodities, private credit, real estate, venture capital, and more.

What Is a Real Estate Mutual Fund?

A real estate fund is a type of mutual fund that’s focused on the real estate sector. Mutual funds are pooled investment vehicles that allow multiple investors to buy shares and gain access to underlying investments. What a real estate mutual fund invests in can depend on its objective.

Real estate fund investments may include:

•   REITs

•   Individual properties

•   Mortgages and mortgage-backed securities

A fund manager determines which investments to hold inside the fund. The frequency with which fund assets turn over can depend on whether it uses an active or passive management strategy.

Real estate funds can pay out dividends to investors, though not all of them do. Some real estate funds are exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they have the structure of a mutual fund but trade on an exchange like a stock.

Like most funds, real estate mutual funds have annual fees in the form of expense ratios.

What Are Key Differences Between REITs and Real Estate Mutual Funds

The most significant differences between REITs and real estate funds lie in how they operate, how they generate returns for investors, and how they’re taxed. While both have the same overall goal of leveraging real estate for returns, they don’t approach that goal the same way.

How They’re Structured

REITs are companies that either own and operate income-producing real estate, invest in mortgages and mortgage-backed securities, or a mix of both. To qualify as a REIT, the company must pay out at least 90% of its taxable income annually to investors as dividends.

A real estate fund is structured as a pooled investment vehicle that can hold dozens of different investments. Many real estate funds concentrate holdings on REITs, with some focusing on a specific niche, such as commercial office buildings or shopping centers. Other real estate funds may hold real estate stocks.

Both REITs and real estate funds may be actively or passively managed. With an active management strategy, the fund manager’s goal is to beat the market. Passive management, on the other hand, aims to track the performance of an underlying benchmark. Real estate index funds, for example, may try to match the returns of the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index (DJUSRE).

How They’re Taxed

How a REIT generates its income can determine how dividends paid to investors are treated for tax purposes. In most instances, dividends that result from the collection of rent payments are treated as ordinary income for the investor. If a REIT sells a property at a profit, however, those dividends would be treated as capital gains.
Investors who own REIT shares should receive a Form 1099-DIV each year that breaks down:

•   Dividends from ordinary income

•   Qualified dividends

•   Capital gains

•   Payments for return of capital

Qualified dividends are taxed at the long-term capital gains tax rate. This rate is lower than ordinary income tax rates for certain taxpayers.

Real estate mutual funds can also generate a Form 1099-DIV for investors when there are taxable distributions to report. Investors have to pay tax on income and/or capital gains they receive from the fund, including:

•   Dividends

•   Interest payments

•   Capital gains from the sale of underlying assets

Ordinary dividends are taxed as ordinary income, while qualified dividends qualify for the long-term capital gains tax rate. Interest is also taxed as ordinary income in most cases, while capital gains are subject to the short- or long-term capital gains tax rate, depending on how long the assets were held.

Recommended: How Are Mutual Funds Taxed?

Key Investment Considerations

When debating whether to invest in a REIT vs. mutual fund, it’s important to consider your objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Specifically, you may want to ask yourself the following:

•   Is it more important to collect dividends for passive income or realize gains through capital appreciation?

•   What degree of risk are you comfortable taking?

•   Which real estate sectors are you seeking exposure to?

•   How much capital do you have available to invest in REITs or real estate funds?

•   How long do you plan to hold real estate investments in your portfolio?

It’s also helpful to look at the specifics of individual investments. For instance, if you’re interested in a REIT, you’d want to consider its past performance and typical dividend payout, the types of properties it owns, how the REIT is structured, and the fees you might pay.

With a real estate fund, it’s also important to look at the underlying assets and the fund manager’s strategy. While past performance isn’t a guarantee of future returns, it can give you insight into how the fund has moved in prior years. It’s also wise to check the expense ratio to see what owning the fund might cost.

Are There Similarities Between REITs and Real Estate Mutual Funds?

REITs and real estate funds are similar in two key ways. They’re both pathways to diversifying with real estate and in most cases, they’re highly liquid investments.

If you’re interested in leveraging the benefits of real estate investments in a portfolio but don’t want to own property directly, a REIT or real estate fund can help you accomplish your goal. How wide or narrow the scope of those investments ends up being can depend on the REIT or fund’s overall strategy.

Publicly traded REITs and real estate funds are relatively easy to trade. You just need a brokerage account to buy and sell either one on an exchange. If you were to buy a fix-and-flip property or a rental property, on the other hand, it could be more challenging to unload the investment once you’re ready to exit.

💡 Quick Tip: When people talk about investment risk, they mean the risk of losing money. Some investments are higher risk, some are lower. Be sure to bear this in mind when investing online.

Risks and Role of Real Estate in Your Portfolio

Real estate investments in general can act as an inflationary hedge in a portfolio. When consumer prices rise, rents tend to move in tandem. Real estate also has a lower correlation overall with the stock market, providing some added insulation against volatility.

However, there are risks involved in real estate investing, either through a REIT or real estate fund. The biggest risk factors include:

•   Declines in property values

•   Fluctuations in interest rates

•   Demand for properties

Liquidity risk can also become an issue for REITs or real estate funds that have low trading volume. Building a diversified portfolio that includes real estate as one small slice can help with managing those risks. Evaluating your risk tolerance can help you decide how much of your portfolio to commit to REITs or real estate funds.

The Takeaway

REITs and real estate funds can play an important role in an investment portfolio if you’re hoping to move beyond stocks and bonds. Familiarizing yourself with how each one works and the potential risks is a good place to start. Once you’ve decided whether to invest in REITs, real estate funds, or both you can take the next step and open a brokerage account to start trading.

Invest in what matters most to you with SoFi Active Invest. In a self-directed account provided by SoFi Securities, you can trade stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, options, and more — all while paying $0 commission on every trade. Other fees may apply. Whether you want to trade after-hours or manage your portfolio using real-time stock insights and analyst ratings, you can invest your way in SoFi's easy-to-use mobile app.

Invest in alts to take your portfolio beyond stocks and bonds.

FAQ

Are REITs a good investment?

REITs can be a good investment if the underlying assets perform well and generate consistent dividend income for investors. But there are no guarantees, and the real estate market comes with its own risks. Thus it’s important to consider the tax implications and the potential risks of REIT investing before getting started.

Are real estate funds a good investment?

A real estate fund can be a way to invest in property (or properties) without direct ownership. It’s possible to diversify a portfolio with multiple property types or sectors using only a couple of funds. Investors can benefit from dividends, capital appreciation, or a mix of both. But the real estate market is subject to interest rate risk, fluctuating trends, and more.

What are the risks associated with REITs and real estate funds?

The real estate market may not be influenced by the stock or bond markets, but real estate values can also be volatile, and prices in certain property sectors — or geographic areas — can rise and fall just as suddenly as equities. When investing in real estate directly or indirectly through REITs or real estate funds, be sure to do your due diligence about relevant risk factors.

Can you lose money investing in a REIT or real estate fund?

Yes, it’s possible to lose money in any type of investment, including real estate-related instruments like REITs and real estate mutual funds and ETFs. The underlying properties are not guaranteed to provide investors with a profit, so it’s important to understand what you’re investing in before you do so.

About the author

Rebecca Lake

Rebecca Lake

Rebecca Lake has been a finance writer for nearly a decade, specializing in personal finance, investing, and small business. She is a contributor at Forbes Advisor, SmartAsset, Investopedia, The Balance, MyBankTracker, MoneyRates and CreditCards.com. Read full bio.


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INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest is a trade name used by SoFi Wealth LLC and SoFi Securities LLC offering investment products and services. Robo investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage and self-directed investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

For disclosures on SoFi Invest platforms visit SoFi.com/legal. For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.

An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. This and other important information are contained in the Fund’s prospectus. For a current prospectus, please click the Prospectus link on the Fund’s respective page. The prospectus should be read carefully prior to investing.
Alternative investments, including funds that invest in alternative investments, are risky and may not be suitable for all investors. Alternative investments often employ leveraging and other speculative practices that increase an investor's risk of loss to include complete loss of investment, often charge high fees, and can be highly illiquid and volatile. Alternative investments may lack diversification, involve complex tax structures and have delays in reporting important tax information. Registered and unregistered alternative investments are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds.
Please note that Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, hence the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Investors should review the fee schedule for Interval Funds via the prospectus.

Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Investors should carefully consider the information contained in the prospectus, which contains the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other relevant information. You may obtain a prospectus from the Fund company’s website or by emailing customer service at [email protected]. Please read the prospectus carefully prior to investing.

Fund Fees
If you invest in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) through SoFi Invest (either by buying them yourself or via investing in SoFi Invest’s automated investments, formerly SoFi Wealth), these funds will have their own management fees. These fees are not paid directly by you, but rather by the fund itself. these fees do reduce the fund’s returns. Check out each fund’s prospectus for details. SoFi Invest does not receive sales commissions, 12b-1 fees, or other fees from ETFs for investing such funds on behalf of advisory clients, though if SoFi Invest creates its own funds, it could earn management fees there.
SoFi Invest may waive all, or part of any of these fees, permanently or for a period of time, at its sole discretion for any reason. Fees are subject to change at any time. The current fee schedule will always be available in your Account Documents section of SoFi Invest.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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