You can buy REITs through a brokerage account, just like stocks
REITs trade on major exchanges — primarily the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ — so any brokerage that lets you buy stocks will let you buy REITs. You open an account, fund it, search for the REIT by ticker symbol, and place an order. The process is identical to buying any other publicly traded security. No special account type or permission is required.
The real choice is which brokerage to use, because fees, research tools, and account minimums vary. Some brokerages charge per trade; others offer commission-free trading. Some provide detailed REIT research and screening tools; others offer the bare minimum. Your choice depends on how much you plan to trade, whether you want research support, and how much money you're starting with.
Key Takeaways
- REITs trade on public exchanges through any standard brokerage account, with no special requirements or minimum investment beyond what the brokerage sets.
- Full-service brokerages like Fidelity and Schwab offer research tools and educational resources but may charge higher fees or require larger minimums.
- Discount brokerages like E-Trade and Robinhood offer commission-free trading and lower minimums but provide less research and guidance.
- You can also buy REITs through mutual funds or ETFs, which bundle multiple REITs into a single investment and require less individual stock-picking.
- Compare commissions, account minimums, research quality, and trading platforms before opening an account, because switching later is time-consuming.
Full-service brokerages with research and education
Fidelity and Charles Schwab are the largest full-service brokerages. Both offer commission-free stock and ETF trading, no account minimum to open, and extensive research tools specific to REITs — including sector breakdowns, dividend histories, and analyst reports. Both also provide educational content about how REITs work and what to watch for.
Fidelity's platform includes a REIT screener that lets you filter by sector, dividend yield, and market cap. Schwab offers similar tools plus access to third-party research. Both charge nothing to trade, so the main trade-off is learning curve — their platforms have more features and take longer to master if you're new to investing.
These brokerages make sense if you want to research individual REITs before buying, or if you plan to hold a mix of REITs and other stocks. They're also useful if you want to speak to a human advisor, though advisory fees apply if you use that service.
Discount brokerages for low-cost, straightforward trading
E-Trade, TD Ameritrade, and Robinhood are discount brokerages that prioritize low fees and simple interfaces. All three offer commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs, no account minimum (or very low minimums), and mobile apps designed for quick trades.
E-Trade and TD Ameritrade provide basic REIT research and educational resources, though less depth than Fidelity or Schwab. Robinhood offers the simplest interface but the least research — you get price quotes and basic information, but not detailed REIT analysis or sector breakdowns.
These platforms work well if you've already decided which REIT to buy and just need a place to execute the trade. They're also good if you're starting with a small amount of money and want to avoid account minimums or hidden fees.
REIT mutual funds and ETFs for hands-off diversification
If you don't want to pick individual REITs, you can buy a REIT mutual fund or REIT ETF through any brokerage. These are funds that hold a basket of REITs — sometimes 20, sometimes 100 or more — so you get instant diversification with a single purchase.
REIT ETFs trade like stocks during market hours and typically have lower expense ratios (the annual fee charged by the fund). REIT mutual funds are priced once per day after market close and may have higher expense ratios but sometimes offer more active management. Both can be bought commission-free at most brokerages.
This route removes the need to research individual REITs or worry about picking the wrong one. The trade-off is that you own a slice of many REITs, so you can't target specific sectors or properties. It's a simpler starting point if you're new to REIT investing.
Robo-advisors for automated REIT allocation
Robo-advisors like Betterment, Wealthfront, and Vanguard Personal Advisor Services build portfolios automatically based on your goals and risk tolerance. Many include REITs as part of a diversified portfolio, though the allocation varies by service and your settings.
You answer questions about your timeline and risk comfort, fund the account, and the robo-advisor buys and rebalances for you. You don't pick individual REITs or even specific REIT funds — the algorithm does. Fees are typically 0.25% to 0.50% of your account balance per year, plus any underlying fund expenses.
This approach works if you want REIT exposure but don't want to make individual decisions. The downside is less control — you can't exclude certain sectors or property types, and you're paying for the automated management.
What to compare before choosing a brokerage
| Factor | Why it matters | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Trading commissions | Fees eat into returns, especially on small trades | Most major brokerages now offer commission-free stock and ETF trading; confirm this applies to REITs |
| Account minimum | Determines whether you can open an account with your starting capital | Most brokerages have no minimum; some robo-advisors require $500 to $1,000 |
| Research tools | Helps you understand what you're buying before you buy it | REIT screeners, dividend histories, sector breakdowns, analyst reports |
| Mobile app quality | Determines ease of trading and monitoring on the go | Read reviews; test the app before funding if possible |
| Customer support | Matters if you get stuck or have questions | Phone support, email, chat; check response times in reviews |
How to open an account and make your first purchase
Choose a brokerage, visit their website, and click "Open an Account." You'll provide your name, address, Social Security number, and employment information. The process takes 10 to 15 minutes. Most brokerages approve accounts instantly or within one business day.
Once approved, link a bank account or transfer funds. Most brokerages let you start trading as soon as the money clears, which typically takes one to three business days. Search for the REIT by its ticker symbol (for example, "O" for Realty Income or "SPG" for Simon Property Group), review the current price and recent performance, and place a buy order.
You can place a market order (buy at the current price immediately) or a limit order (buy only if the price drops to a specific level). For most REIT investors, a market order is simpler. Your order executes during market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays), and the REIT appears in your account within two business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special account type to buy REITs?
No. REITs trade like regular stocks, so a standard brokerage account works. If you want tax advantages, you can buy REITs inside a retirement account like an IRA or 401(k), but the brokerage itself doesn't need to be special.
What's the minimum amount of money I need to start?
Most brokerages have no account minimum, so you can open one with any amount. However, individual REIT share prices range from $10 to $200 or more, so you'll need at least enough to buy one share. Starting with $500 to $1,000 gives you room to diversify across a few REITs or buy a REIT fund.
Should I buy individual REITs or a REIT fund?
Individual REITs let you target specific sectors or properties but require research and carry more risk if one REIT underperforms. REIT funds spread that risk across many properties but offer less control. Beginners often start with funds; experienced investors mix both.
Can I buy REITs in a retirement account?
Yes. REITs can be held in an IRA, Roth IRA, or 401(k) through the same brokerages that offer regular accounts. Tax treatment varies — traditional IRAs defer taxes, Roth IRAs avoid them on gains, and 401(k)s depend on your plan — so check with your plan administrator or tax advisor.
What happens to REIT dividends when I buy through a brokerage?
Dividends are paid directly to your brokerage account, usually quarterly. You can reinvest them to buy more shares, or withdraw them as cash. Your brokerage will send you a tax form (1099) at year-end showing dividend income for tax filing.