Real Estate vs. Stock Market: Which One Will Make Me More Money (2024)

Real estate and stocks are two different asset classes. Real estate is owning properties, buildings, or homes while stocks are owning equity in a publicly traded company. Both types of assets can appreciate in value for capital gains and both can be used to create cash flow. Many factors effect which investment could be right for you and how each may perform based on your own specific timing and goals.

Let’s take a look at them for the contrasts along with benefits and risks.

Is real estate or stocks more profitable?

Investments in real estate have historically earned 3% to 4% per year on average; contrasted to investments in stock market indexes earning approximately 10% annually over the long-term. While the stock market beats the real estate market on average by almost tripling the returns over the history of both asset classes there are specific factors to consider.

Nominal U.S. real estate returns historically have simply been based on inflation rising and the replacement value of homes.(The nominal rate of return is the amount of money generated by an investment before factoring in expenses such as taxes, investment fees, and inflation).

Is it better to invest in property or shares?

The housing market like the stock market can go through boom and bust periods caused by low interest rates, Federal Reserve easy money policy, and speculation by investors. Real estate values are also very location dependent and rise based on supply and demand in specific areas as a local economy booms. When jobs are created employees need places to live and it creates geographic demand. The supply of new homes from builders in an area also determines supply and prices.

Buying your own home in a growing area or buying a rental or investment property in an area in high demand can be a great investment. It’s possible to outperform the stock market with the right property timing in the right area. However both must be correct where you buy and when you buy in real estate. Also real estate is less liquid and has high transaction fees and not as easy as just buying a mutual fund or index exchange traded fund (ETF).

Buying individual stocks in the right company can give an investor the best returns of any asset class as stocks can have upsides of 100% to 1000% when the right ones are chosen and held long enough. The upside of stocks are greater but the risks of stocks are also more as they can also fall 50% to 90% which real estate almost never does. Of course stock index funds create a smoother return over time.

Returns in real estate and stocks are based on where in a market cycle you buy and when you sell to lock in profits. Buying late in a bubble in either market will lead to losses and buying after a crash in either market can lead to outsized gains. The key is buying at reasonable fundamental value during a trend.

The quality of what you buy is more important than the asset type of buy. Price is what you pay, value is what you get. A high value property will beat a low value speculative stock. A stock index fund can beat a terrible property in a bad geographic and economic area.

If you buy and hold either asset class over long periods of time like 10 to 20 years then returns can start to average out regardless of the entry buy point and you can expect the average historical return all else being equal with a diversified portfolio of stocks or properties.

Real estate or stocks, which will make you richer?

If we look at the list of therichest people in the worldthe majority of them built their wealth through founding companies, taking them public, and holding on to a large share of the stock as they built them into large cap companies.

Looking at this list it shows that owning shares in the best companies is the most common path to world class wealth. Nothing creates net worth on a larger scale than the leverage of building a business that can be taken public. At the same time investors can participate in this wealth building by owning the shares the billionaires own or copying the portfolios of legendary investors. You can start small and grow your own portfolio.

Surprisingly no one is on the top 20 list through real estate investments, as it does not create the same level of opportunity of scale, leverage, compounding, and growth that stocks can create. Owning the earnings value of a good company through shares has a lot more future cash flow value than a piece of real estate.

Steve Balmer is the only employee on this list as he was able to use his position as Microsoft employee #30 and CEO to get a large amount of equity in Microsoft early in its growth cycle.

Other members of this list were founders or children of the founders of major corporations excluding Warren Buffett who took over Berkshire-Hathaway and turned it into an insurance holding company and corporate conglomerate.

We all have the opportunity to invest in and trade the stocks of the public companies that these capitalists founded and grew to create their own large net worth.

Everyone has a different risk tolerance and return goals so they must choose the asset class that fits them. There are plenty of real estate millionaires but more billionaires used stock ownership to create their wealth.

Habeeb Mahmood

Real Estate vs. Stock Market: Which One Will Make Me More Money (2024)

FAQs

Which will make you richer real estate or stocks? ›

Is real estate or stocks more profitable? Investments in real estate have historically earned 3% to 4% per year on average; contrasted to investments in stock market indexes earning approximately 10% annually over the long-term.

Is real estate or stock market a better investment? ›

If you're looking for a long-term investment, real estate may be the better option. There are no guarantees, but real estate tends to appreciate in value over time. If you're looking for a more passive investment, stocks may be the way to go.

What makes more millionaires stocks or real estate? ›

“90% of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” This famous quote from Andrew Carnegie, one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of all time, is just as relevant today as it was more than a century ago.

Why 90% of millionaires invest in real estate? ›

Federal tax benefits

Because of the many tax benefits, real estate investors often end up paying less taxes overall even as they are bringing in more income. This is why many millionaires invest in real estate. Not only does it make you money, but it allows you to keep a lot more of the money you make.

Do millionaires invest in real estate? ›

Between the passive income potential, long-term appreciation, and tax benefits, real estate continues to be the investment of choice for the wealthy. Even better, real estate can make millionaires out of everyday investors.

Is real estate the best way to get rich? ›

Real estate is one of the best investments you can make because you can earn double-digit returns with the right deal. Once you find the right deal, you'll have a superior asset compared to stocks and other alternative investments.

Why are stocks better than real estate? ›

The Advantage of Stocks

Stocks are very liquid, quick and easy to sell. They are also flexible, and can even be reallocated into a retirement account—tax-free—until you start to withdraw the money. Also, many stocks can do considerably better than real estate in one year.

Is real estate a good investment in 2023? ›

In my opinion, real estate is one intelligent option to consider in 2023, as it often has excellent returns, tax advantages and provides diversification even in the face of a challenging economic climate. Real estate also has the potential to compound your investment.

Why stocks are better than property? ›

While property investments typically require a larger initial capital outlay compared to shares, they offer investors greater control and leverage over their money. Shares, on the other hand, provide easier access to diversification, liquidity, and potentially higher returns over time.

Is real estate the fastest way to build wealth? ›

Investing in real estate can be one of the best ways to accumulate wealth. Wealth grows through compounding, which means putting money into something on the expectation that you will receive more money back later.

What property makes the most money? ›

What Types of Commercial Properties Are the Most Profitable? High-Tenant Properties – Typically, properties with a high number of tenants will give the best return on investment. These properties include RVs, self-storage, apartment complexes, and office spaces.

Where do most millionaires keep their money? ›

Many millionaires keep a lot of their money in cash or highly liquid cash equivalents. They establish an emergency account before ever starting to invest. Millionaires bank differently than the rest of us. Any bank accounts they have are handled by a private banker who probably also manages their wealth.

What do rich people invest in? ›

Ultra-wealthy individuals invest in such assets as private and commercial real estate, land, gold, and even artwork. Real estate continues to be a popular asset class in their portfolios to balance out the volatility of stocks.

Is it smart to invest all your money in real estate? ›

Real estate has proven itself a worthy investment that provides cash flow and appreciation over time. Whether you're an aggressive or conservative investor, it's a great way to diversify your portfolio and can pay off in the short-term and long-term.

Why is real estate not the best investment? ›

Even after buying the property, you have to pay property tax, society maintenance, pay for repairs, etc. Moreover, if you have rented your property, there are chances of damage to the property, which is an added cost to you. All these expenses do not make real estate a good investment option.

What bank do millionaires use? ›

Citi Private Bank is the private banking department of Citibank. Their services are reserved for worldly and wealthy individuals as well as their families. While eligible clients can get deposit accounts and retirement accounts as you'd find at any other bank, there are also many specialized products and services.

Do millionaires keep their money in the bank? ›

High net worth investors typically keep millions of dollars or even tens of millions in cash in their bank accounts to cover bills and unexpected expenses. Their balances are often way above the $250,000 FDIC insured limit.

Is real estate the best asset? ›

On its own, real estate offers cash flow, tax breaks, equity building, competitive risk-adjusted returns, and a hedge against inflation. Real estate can also enhance a portfolio by lowering volatility through diversification, whether you invest in physical properties or REITs.

What is the best way to become rich? ›

  1. Establish Financial Goals. To get rich, you need to start by defining exactly what rich means to you. ...
  2. Destroy Your Debt. ...
  3. Create a Cushion. ...
  4. Start Investing Now. ...
  5. Diversify Your Portfolio. ...
  6. Boost Your Income. ...
  7. Learn about FIRE. ...
  8. Avoid the Schemes.
Dec 29, 2022

Can anyone get rich from real estate? ›

Can real estate make you rich? It can, but it's not a sure bet. The real estate market has boom and bust cycles, and real estate investors can lose money as well as make money.

How can I get rich in 5 years? ›

How to become wealthy in 5 years: 14 strategies
  1. Become Financially Literate Through Self-Education.
  2. Spend Less, Earn More, Invest the Difference.
  3. Do Something You Love.
  4. Invest in Properties.
  5. Build a Portfolio of Stocks and Shares.
  6. Focus on Contemporary Areas of Growth.
  7. Be An Innovator, don't just paint by numbers.
Jan 8, 2023

What is riskier real estate or stocks? ›

Volatility refers to how quickly prices move up and down, which causes large swings in value over short periods. Stock markets are historically more volatile than real estate, making them riskier investments.

What is the best way to invest 50000? ›

Property investment is likely the best way to invest 50k. It would help if you spoke to a financial advisor before deciding to invest money. A savings account is the safest way to invest 50k. You need to know your risk tolerance before deciding where to invest 50k.

Should I sell stocks and buy real estate? ›

Many people consider selling stock for a down payment. While selling stock to buy a house is often a safe and even smart move, you shouldn't do it without understanding the tax implications. It's scary to sell off part of your stock portfolio, even if it's for another significant investment.

Is the end of 2023 a good time to buy a house? ›

The Market Ahead

Redfin deputy chief economist Taylor Marr expects about 16% fewer existing home sales in 2023 vs 2022. Marr believes potential buyers are still grappling with affordability, high mortgage rates, high home prices, inflation, and a potential recession. “People will only move if they need to,” Marr says.

Is it smart to invest in gold? ›

Gold is considered a hedge against inflation

Gold and other precious metals have long been considered a smart way to fight inflation. That's because it tends to hold its value and preserve your purchasing power over the long haul, despite fluctuations in the dollar.

Is real estate a good investment during inflation? ›

Economic factors, such as inflation, have a direct impact on the real estate market. As with other goods and services, real estate prices may rise alongside inflation. This is due to the fact that real estate is commonly considered a safe and stable investment that can be used to combat the effects of inflation.

Is buying property the best investment? ›

The Bottom Line

If you're financially stable and need a place to live, buying a home can be a great investment. With fixed mortgage rates, you could save money on rent, build equity and enjoy the tax deductions of being a homeowner.

Why is owning property so important? ›

The Importance of Homeownership

For many people, owning a home represents the stability, independence and freedom of reaching adulthood. While that perception may be changing to some degree as more people wait longer to buy homes, it is still considered a major milestone.

Is real estate riskier than bonds? ›

Equities and real estate generally subject investors to more risks than do bonds and money markets. They also provide the chance for better returns, requiring investors to perform a cost-benefit analysis to determine where their money is best held.

How to make $1000000 a year in real estate? ›

How To Make A Million Dollars In Real Estate
  1. Learn About Real Estate Investing.
  2. Establish Your Goals.
  3. Start Now, But Start Small.
  4. Write Offers For Affordable Deals.
  5. Generate Cash Flow.
  6. Start Growing Your Portfolio.
  7. Invest In Larger Properties.
  8. Continue Growing To 1 Million Dollars.

What builds wealth the fastest? ›

10 Ways To Build Wealth Fast
  • Save. You can't begin any type of wealth-generation plan without having money to invest. ...
  • Buy an S&P 500 Index Fund. ...
  • Buy Dividend-Paying Stocks. ...
  • Buy a Rental Property. ...
  • Keep Asking for Raises. ...
  • Start a Business. ...
  • Broaden Your Education and Skill Set. ...
  • Set Up Multiple Streams of Income.
7 days ago

What is the best way to make a lot of money in real estate? ›

Let's dive in and see how you, too, can become a lucrative real estate investor.
  1. Leverage Appreciating Value. Most real estate appreciates over time. ...
  2. Buy And Hold Real Estate For Rent. ...
  3. Flip A House. ...
  4. Purchase Turnkey Properties. ...
  5. Invest In Real Estate. ...
  6. Make The Most Of Inflation. ...
  7. Refinance Your Mortgage.
Mar 31, 2023

Can you be a millionaire in real estate? ›

Becoming a millionaire from real estate investing isn't as far-fetched as it may seem, but it's not an easy goal to reach. You shouldn't expect it to happen overnight, but it is achievable. If you have the right knowledge, develop a plan, and be persistent enough, you can become a millionaire real estate investor.

Are most millionaires real estate? ›

Physical possessions like furniture and money were secondary to productive farmland and rental property someone owned. More importantly, real estate remains a wealth-building tool for the majority of moguls. An estimated ninety percent of millionaires were created through real estate investing.

How fast can you make money in real estate? ›

It can take about six months to start making money as a real estate agent. Everyone is different, but six months is around the time many agents make their first sale. To start making consistent money, you should plan for about a year. To make a profit, you should plan for up to 18 months.

What do most millionaires invest their money in? ›

Millionaires have many different investment philosophies. These can include investing in real estate, stock, commodities and hedge funds, among other types of financial investments. Generally, many seek to mitigate risk and therefore prefer diversified investment portfolios.

How do most millionaires get rich? ›

No matter how much their annual salary may be, most millionaires put their money where it will grow, usually in stocks, bonds, and other types of stable investments. Millionaires put their money into places where it will grow such as mutual funds, stocks and retirement accounts.

How do rich people stay rich? ›

They Avoid Get-Rich-Quick Schemes

Rather than taking a risk on volatile get-rich-quick schemes, Samay said the wealthy take a slow-and-steady approach to investing, and they focus on diversification. She recommended investing across several asset classes to gradually build wealth.

What can make you extremely rich? ›

  • Establish Financial Goals. To get rich, you need to start by defining exactly what rich means to you. ...
  • Destroy Your Debt. ...
  • Create a Cushion. ...
  • Start Investing Now. ...
  • Diversify Your Portfolio. ...
  • Boost Your Income. ...
  • Learn about FIRE. ...
  • Avoid the Schemes.
Mar 24, 2023

What are 5 things that rich people do? ›

5 Things Millionaires Do With Their Money That Normal People Don'...
  • They Don't Talk About Money. ...
  • They Have Credit Cards That Are Different Colors and Weights Than the Average Person. ...
  • The Ultra-Wealthy Take Portfolio Diversification to the Next Level. ...
  • Some Wealthy Individuals Don't Mind Being Frugal.
Dec 30, 2022

What common things do rich people do? ›

Here are the 10 habits that Daugs' wealthiest self-made millionaire clients have incorporated into their financial life that you can, too.
  • They avoid debt. ...
  • They buy their cars, and plan to keep them long-term. ...
  • They have emergency funds. ...
  • They invest. ...
  • They take advantage of everything their employer has to offer.

Why is all cash good in real estate? ›

A cash offer is an all-cash bid, meaning a homebuyer wants to purchase the property without a mortgage loan or other financing. These offers are often more attractive to sellers, as they mean no buyer financing fall-through risk and, usually, a faster closing time.

What is the disadvantage of real estate? ›

Real estate investments tend to have high transactional costs, especially in legal and brokerage fees. The process of acquiring a new property is also very long and tedious with lots of legal formalities. Another disadvantage of property investments is that they are not easy to liquidate.

Should I just invest all my money? ›

If you are saving up for a short-term goal and will need to withdraw the funds in the near future, you're probably better off parking the money in a savings account. Conversely, if your goals are longer term, you'll generally find you can obtain more satisfactory results from investing.

Do stocks or real estate make more money? ›

Is real estate or stocks more profitable? Investments in real estate have historically earned 3% to 4% per year on average; contrasted to investments in stock market indexes earning approximately 10% annually over the long-term.

What is the biggest disadvantage of real estate? ›

High Cost: The biggest disadvantage with real estate investment is the high capital requirement. To get started, you need to provide for down payments, EMIs, insurance, property taxes, stamp duty and so on.

Why am I not successful in real estate? ›

The most common mistakes that agents make is inadequate prospecting, failing to market properties in ways that lead to fast sales, and not following up with their contacts so that strong relationships result in returning clients.

Are stocks more risky than real estate? ›

Is real estate less volatile than the stock market? Generally, yes. It depends on the particular stock and real estate investment (there are numerous ways to invest in real estate and they're not all equally risky), but real estate is typically less volatile than the stock market.

Is it smart to invest in real estate? ›

The benefits of investing in real estate are numerous. With well-chosen assets, investors can enjoy predictable cash flow, excellent returns, tax advantages, and diversification—and it's possible to leverage real estate to build wealth.

What are the five negatives of real estate investment? ›

Disadvantages of Real Estate Investing
  • Real Estate Investing is a Long Grind. ...
  • Real Estate Income Can Be Variable. ...
  • Real Estate Requires Maintenance. ...
  • Real Estate is Impacted by Rent Control. ...
  • Real Estate Requires Your Time. ...
  • Real Estate Transaction Costs are High. ...
  • Real Estate Income is Subject to Taxation.
Jun 4, 2023

Does real estate appreciate faster than inflation? ›

Looking at the data, inflation-adjusted returns, even factoring in inflation, have almost always been positive in history - meaning that price appreciation for real estate is greater than the inflation rate!

What is one major disadvantage to investing in real estate? ›

Real estate investments tend to have high transactional costs, especially in legal and brokerage fees. The process of acquiring a new property is also very long and tedious with lots of legal formalities. Another disadvantage of property investments is that they are not easy to liquidate.

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