Real Estate investments can diversify your portfolio. Getting into the market is as simple as buying mutual funds.

You probably haven’t ever been a landlord. It’s not glamorous to be a landlord.

Real estate investing is lucrative, even if it’s not glamorous when done correctly. This can be a way to diversify and earn additional income. Many of the best real-estate investments do not require you to be available at every tenant’s request.

Many new investors aren’t sure where or how to invest. These are the top ways to make money with real estate. They range from low-maintenance to high-end.

The best ways to invest in property

1. Buy REITs (real estate investment trusts)

REITs let you invest in real property without owning the actual real estate. They are often compared to mutual funds. They own commercial real property such as offices, retail spaces, apartments, and hotels. High dividend yield REITs are a popular investment for retirement. Investors who do not need or desire regular income can automatically reinvest the dividends to increase their investment.

“New investors might want to stick with publicly-traded REITs that you can buy through an online broker.

Are REITs a good way to invest? While they may be a good investment, they can also be complex and varied. Some are traded just like stocks, while others aren’t. Non-traded REITs can be difficult to value and are not easily sold. You should stick with publicly-traded REITs that you can buy through brokerage companies.

You will need a brokerage account to do this. Opening a brokerage account takes just 15 minutes. Many companies do not require an initial investment. However, the REIT will likely require a minimum investment.

2. Make use of an online platform for real estate investing.

Online real estate investing is easy if you are familiar with LendingClub and Prosper. These companies connect borrowers to investors who lend them money to pay for personal expenses such as home renovations or weddings.

These platforms allow real estate developers to connect with investors looking to finance projects through equity or debt. To take on significant risk and pay a fee, investors can expect to receive quarterly or monthly distributions. These distributions, like many real estate investments, are speculative. They can’t be unloaded the same way as stocks.

You may need to have money to make it. Many of these platforms can only be opened to an accredited investor. The Securities and Exchange Commission defines this as someone who has earned more than $200,000 (300,000 for a spouse) or a net worth greater than $1 million.

3. You might consider renting a property.

When she purchased her first rental property, Tiffany Alexy, 21, didn’t plan to become a real estate investor. She was a Raleigh college senior at the time. She planned to attend graduate school in Raleigh and thought buying would be more convenient than renting.

This setup paid for all her expenses and earned Alexy $100 more per month in cash. It was enough to get Alexy hooked on real estate. She is now 27 and has five rental properties.

Alexy used a strategy known as house hacking to enter the market. This term was created by BiggerPockets (an online resource for real estate investors) and is sometimes called house hacking. This means that you are renting out your investment property. Alexy used it to rent out her rooms. David Meyer, vice-president of growth and marketing for the site, said that house hacking allows investors to buy properties with up four units and still be eligible for a residential mortgage.

You can rent out entire investment properties. It would help if you looked for one with combined expenses less than what you can rent. You will also need to pay a property management fee if you don’t want to be the one who arrives with a toolbelt to fix the leak or the person who calls that person.

4. Flipping investment properties is an option.

This is HGTV at its best: You buy a home that’s too expensive, give it a few repairs and then resell it to make a profit. The strategy, house flipping, is more difficult than it appears on TV.

Meyer says that there is more risk because flipping houses requires an accurate estimation of what repairs will cost. This isn’t easy.

His advice? Find an experienced partner. He says, “Maybe you don’t have the capital or time to contribute but you should find someone who can estimate expenses and manage the project.”

Flipping has the downside of a low return on investment. You’ll lose money if you keep the property for too long. Living in the house while you renovate it can reduce that risk. This method works as long as the changes are minimal and dust is not an issue.

5. Let a room go

You could also rent a portion of your house via an Airbnb site if you want to get your feet wet in real estate. This is house hacking for those who don’t want to commit. Airbnb prescreens potential renters, and their host guarantee protects against damage.

It’s much easier to rent a room than to invest in real estate. You can rent a room if you have a spare one.

As with all investments, the best real-estate investments will be most beneficial to you as the investor. Consider how much time and capital you are willing to invest, as well as whether you would like to manage household problems when they arise. You might consider investing in real property through a REIT, crowdfunding platform or other means if you lack DIY skills.