Dear friend, it really depends on the country we live. Where I was born and raised up (south european country) it means a huge amount of tax not affordable for everyone. In add to this, as lately became terribly difficult to find a renter who regularly pays his fee. It's easier for very wealthy people who yet know their future renters or can pay agencies to find the right renters for them. Then paying for regular maintainance comes too. This when buying physical properties. Then there is the real estate funds to invest and until now it was convenient in Brazil, where I moved years ago. Here it's possible to invest through internet banking, stock exchange mode. But is necessary to know markets, finance and economy to not fall into wrong real estate fund, so it's not for beginners, but for experienced investors.