Real Estate Is Still The Best Investment Around, According To These Famous Millionaires

Is all the hype about investing in real estate real? Making a killing in real estate has long been the stuff of millionaire legends and lore, but it can be difficult to know what’s exact truth vs. exaggeration. According to these eight investors who’ve made millions banking on real estate, putting your money in investment asset class is a sound financial decision that can really pay off.

Robert Martinez

Martinez is the founder and CEO of Rockstar Capital, a real estate investment firm with over $330 million in assets under management. “There’s an opportunity for greater and more consistent returns with real estate than with other investments.”

“When a property is built, it’s because a group of people see a population large enough to justify it. The sheer number of new properties each year is a testament to the growing real estate market. Supply follows demand, and demand is continuing to rise. Populations almost never decrease, which is why the need for housing increases year over year. The market for multifamily apartments in particular is growing. As apartments become more attractive, people are less likely to buy houses. With multifamily apartments, you continue to generate increasing income over time.” 

Peter Hernandez

Hernandez is the president of the Western Region of the real estate company, Douglas Elliman and the founder and president of Teles Properties. “Most millionaires I know made more money from owning real estate than any other investment.”

“Real estate consistently increases in value over time and outperforms other investments. Plus, it isn’t as vulnerable to short-term fluctuations as the stock market. You get a tangible, usable asset, whether you’re renting out an apartment or commercial building for income or buying a home. And there can also be tax benefits for investment properties. It’s always a good time to buy real estate. In fact, the real wealth is made by buying when everyone else is selling and vice versa.” 

Barbara Corcoran 

Corcoran is a judge on the television show, Shark Tank, the founder of The Corcoran Group, and host of the podcast “Business Unusual.” “Buying real estate has made me rich…mostly through necessity, not by design.”

“I bought my first itty-bitty studio after scraping together a few bucks because I needed to live somewhere anyway. A few years later, the studio doubled in value, giving me enough cash to plunk down 50% on a one-bedroom apartment. That soon rolled into a two-bedroom, then a three-bedroom, and finally landed me in my 10-room penthouse on Fifth Avenue in New York City.”

Daniel Lesniak

Lesniak is the founder of Orange Line Living, the broker of  Keri Shull Team, the co-founder of HyperFast Agent, and the author of “The HyperLocal, HyperFast Real Estate Agent.” “…flexibility is one of the reasons [real estate] has created more millionaires than any other asset class.”

“Real estate is always a great investment because you have more options than with other types of investments. If you invest in stocks, bonds, or a private offering, your success is completely dependent on factors outside of your control. At most, your options are to hold or sell. With real estate, you have unlimited options. You can buy a house with the intent of flipping it, then rent it if the market turns south. If you buy a rental that appreciates in value significantly, you can sell it. Real estate can be refinanced, rehabbed, and rezoned. You can develop it, lease it, subdivide it, or add parcels to it.”

Dottie Herman      

Herman is the CEO of Douglas Elliman, a real estate brokerage empire with more than $27 billion in annual sales. “It often takes time to see big appreciations, but if you hold on to your investment, you will.”

“Real estate is a bankable asset, so you can always leverage it. It also doesn’t tie up a lot of cash. You can put down as little as 10% and use banks’ money to grow your investment. With such low interest rates, that’s like free money. Unlike the stock market, where many factors are out of your control, your investment can’t disappear overnight. You can also build your wealth with excellent return rates and tax advantages. The only people who lose money in real estate are those who bought at the height of the market and sold at the wrong time or took too much equity out of their home, leaving no profit margin when they sold it.”

Marcello Arrambide 

Arrambide is the founder of Day Trading Academy and the co-founder of SpeedUpTraderFounder. “Many businesses come and go, but there’s one thing we’ll always need: land.”

“There’s an inherent demand for real estate, whether the land produces a product like coffee or is home to an apartment or retail space; so it will always be a good investment. No matter what kind of business you run, you need land. Investing in real estate allows you to protect yourself and your wealth. While the real estate market has gone up and down, it has never declined over time. Compare that to when Wall Street collapsed or currencies that aren’t backed by anything tangible.”

Grant Cardone   

Cardone is a the founder and CEO of Cardone Enterprises, is a New York Times best-selling author, and has became a millionaire by age 30. “Real estate is real, and it’s always a good idea to put your money in real assets.”

“But let me be clear: That doesn’t mean that all real estate is a good idea. I only buy certain types of properties, generally multifamily ones in upscale locations that provide consistent cash flow and great potential for future appreciation. I stay away from low-income areas and single-family homes. But even those assets are probably a better place to store your money than letting cash depreciate while sitting in the bank!”

Holly Parker    

Parker is the founder and CEO of The Holly Parker Team at Douglas Elliman, and is an award-winning broker who made over $8 billion in sales. “The wealthiest people collect property the way they used to collect cars.”

“Real estate has incredible tax benefits. In certain situations, you don’t have to pay taxes on your gains from investment properties. You can also get a $250,000 tax break as an individual and $500,000 as a married couple. At the same time, more people are choosing to rent instead of own. You can have a lucrative rental property using other peoples’ money to cover the mortgage, taxes, and upkeep. With sites like Vrbo and Airbnb, you can also find short-term renters to subsidize your overhead. While I suggest diversifying your investments, there is no better place to park your money than brick-and-mortar investments you can live in and enjoy. When you invest in your surroundings, you invest in yourself!”