If you’re like most people, you probably think real estate means buying a rental property, dealing with tenants, and hoping for steady monthly rent. For years, that’s been the standard playbook. But as property prices scale new heights and competition sharpens, it’s time to ask: what if I want to grow my investment without buying another house or managing repairs at midnight? There’s a world of less traditional strategies that can deliver impressive results—often with less hassle, more flexibility, and a lower threshold for entry.

Let’s look beyond rentals and dig into five often-overlooked approaches you can use right now, no matter your level of experience.

“Don’t wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait.” That’s a classic from T. Harv Eker, and while patience is still important, today’s options allow for action without a huge upfront investment or the stress of 30-year mortgages.

First, consider the quiet disruptor: real estate crowdfunding. This is where anyone—from the college student with $1,000 to the retiree with $50,000—can collectively fund large projects. Ever thought about investing alongside hundreds of others in an office building in Austin or a retail strip in Seattle—without leaving your living room? Crowdfunding platforms let you stake a claim in projects once reserved for big institutions, and you can buy in for as little as a few thousand dollars. Websites like Fundrise and RealtyMogul streamline the process, offering portfolios built and managed by professionals. Why does this matter? It means you can chase the returns of commercial developments or even hotels, but share both the upside and the risk across a bigger pool of investors.

Would you rather buy into something already traded on the stock market? Enter the second strategy: niche-focused Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). REITs are companies that own and operate property in specific sectors. While residential or office REITs are common, the real opportunities may lie in less obvious places. Did you know there are REITs specializing in data centers, cell towers, self-storage units, and even cold storage facilities? For example, a data center REIT like Equinix offers a way to profit from the world’s explosive demand for internet infrastructure—without you ever seeing a server. Storage-focused REITs tap into life’s transitions: people always need somewhere to keep their stuff, recession or not. By targeting these specialized markets, you gain exposure to real estate trends that aren’t tied to traditional housing booms and busts.

“Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world.” These are the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt—though he might never have imagined investing in cell towers. Can you see yourself owning a piece of the infrastructure that powers all those texts and streaming videos?

Now, let’s pivot to something even more unconventional: tax lien certificate investing. This strategy involves buying the debt attached to unpaid property taxes from local governments. Here’s the structure: when property owners don’t pay their taxes, counties sell certificates to investors. You pay the tax bill, and in exchange, you earn interest—sometimes as high as 8% to 12%. If the owner pays back the lien, you get your money plus interest. If not, you might even get the property at a steep discount. Of course, there’s complexity to this approach—understanding the auction process, the laws in your area, and the risks of foreclosure. But it’s a secured return, often higher than what you’d get from banks or bonds. Ever wondered why institutional investors flock to county auctions every year, bidding on these paper assets?

“If you do not actively attack the risks, they will actively attack you.” This Stephen R. Covey quote captures the appeal of tax liens. You’re securing your investment directly with real property, a strategy that’s survived volatile markets for generations.

Shifting gears, let’s talk about real estate options. Options aren’t just for Wall Street traders—they can be used in property buying as well. Imagine you spot a distressed property in a neighborhood poised for a turnaround. Instead of buying it outright, you pay the seller a small fee—maybe $500 or $1,000—for the exclusive right (but not the obligation) to purchase it later, often six months or a year. If the market improves or you find a buyer willing to pay more, you exercise your option and flip the property. If not, you walk away, losing only your initial fee. This method lets you control valuable deals without locking up your capital or taking on debt. Have you ever thought about controlling property with less money than you’d spend on a vacation?

“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” Vincent van Gogh’s wisdom rings true—options offer a low-risk way to tiptoe into bigger deals and develop your negotiating muscle.

Lastly, consider a strategy I find particularly practical and overlooked: house hacking through multi-unit purchases. Instead of buying the standard single-family home, you acquire a duplex, triplex, or fourplex. Live in one unit, rent out the others. Your tenants’ payments may cover most, if not all, of your mortgage—and you get to build equity while living close to your investment. This is especially smart for first-time buyers, since owner-occupant loans often come with lower rates and smaller down payments. I’ve met people who started this way and over just a few years, moved out, kept the building as pure rental, and repeated the process. Have you run the numbers to see if a two- or three-unit property could help you cover your housing costs?

“Real estate investing, even on a very small scale, remains a tried and true means of building an individual’s cash flow and wealth.” Robert Kiyosaki made this observation, and it fits house hacking perfectly. With just one creative purchase, you could turn your largest expense into a working asset.

So, what steps make sense if you want to branch out? I always suggest starting with something easy to manage and quick to diversify, like REITs or real estate crowdfunding. These don’t demand extreme research or major commitment, and you can get a sense for how property-based investments fit your comfort with risk and return. As your understanding grows, you might set aside time to research local tax lien auctions—each state and county has unique rules, so preparation pays off.

Interested in real estate options? Your best source of opportunities may not be online—networking with local wholesalers or real estate agents can introduce you to motivated sellers willing to entertain creative structures. Meanwhile, if the idea of house hacking appeals but you’re not sure about the math, rental income calculators are your friend. Test different property types, see how much rent you’d need to cover your mortgage, and factor in maintenance and vacancy.

One rule I find helpful: don’t overexpose your portfolio. As attractive as real estate can be, committing more than 20% to these alternative methods is usually not wise—balance is key, just like in any long-term plan.

Are these strategies immune to risk? Of course not. Every method carries unique challenges: platforms might limit liquidity, niche REITs could face volatility, lien properties might be derelict, and options are wasted if the market doesn’t move. But that’s what makes this world so nuanced. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it’s about mixing and matching based on your goals, resources, and appetite for details.

If you ever feel the urge to play it safe and stick with what you know, remember this from Peter Drucker: “Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.” There’s reward in the willingness to try paths the crowd ignores.

The best part? Real estate is finally accessible to almost anyone. What was once confined to the well-capitalized and connected is now open through technology, new legal structures, and greater transparency. The question is no longer just “should I buy a rental?” but “what property types, entry points, and structures match my aims?”

Ready to take the next step? Maybe you’ll try funding a portion of a warehouse development one year, buy shares in a cold storage REIT another, and bid at your local county’s next tax lien sale. Maybe you’ll get creative and control a property through an option or try living virtually rent-free in a multi-unit building.

The landscape is bigger, more dynamic, and more inventive than ever. Traditional rentals may still have their place, but modern investing rewards those willing to look around the corner—and see beyond four walls and a lease agreement. How will you build your real estate journey?