As you look toward retirement, you know you need to build a financial foundation strong enough to support decades of life ahead. Most people start with the basics—maxing out 401(k) contributions, opening IRAs, maybe dabbling in index funds. These are smart moves, but they're only part of the picture.

A truly resilient retirement strategy requires diversification beyond traditional paper assets. And for many investors, that means looking at real estate.

Single-family rental properties offer a unique combination of benefits that complement traditional retirement accounts. When integrated thoughtfully into your overall financial plan, real estate can provide income stability, tax advantages, and inflation protection that stocks and bonds simply can't match.

The clock is ticking on 2025. While most people are planning holiday gatherings and New Year's resolutions, savvy real estate investors are making strategic moves to optimize their tax position before the calendar flips. These weeks left in the last quarter present critical opportunities to reduce your tax liability and set yourself up for success in 2026.

Here's your action plan for closing out the year with peace of mind:

In today’s real estate landscape, the rules of the game are evolving. Investors are entering the space with high expectations—and sometimes without the preparation necessary to meet them. I’m seeing it in investor conversations, online forums, and in the hundreds of inquiries we receive each month at REI Nation.

If you’re investing in real estate for the first time, you probably have lots of questions. After all, there are so many options and strategies available. It can be overwhelming! But let’s focus on one of the bigger decisions investors must make: To invest in older properties that require renovation or opt for shiny, brand-new builds.

Where should you invest in real estate? It’s the age-old question. We can make an excellent case for a few specific markets, but we want to speak more generally here. Real estate investment strategy is often about the slow zoom-in—focusing on general principles that grow in specificity as you move towards your personal pinpoint.

Early retirement. The prize many real estate investors have their eyes on. If they can generate enough passive income to make up for an active career, they’ve made it. 

What’s the best way to save for retirement? Unfortunately, many of our traditional strategies don’t cut the mustard anymore! Relying on pensions, Social Security, or personal homes as an investment isn’t enough. There’s good news, though – you can still build and earn passive wealth to fund your dream retirement. 

If you’ve retired or started seriously planning for retirement, you may think it’s too late to do any worthwhile investing. After all, passive investing can take years, even decades, to really pay off. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have plenty to gain.

You’ve worked hard to secure your retirement. From 401Ks and IRAs to passive income and pensions, you want that hard work and fiscal dedication to pay off. Here's how to help protect those golden years ahead.

Motley Fool just reported on data from Transamerica that reveals that some 44 percent of American workers aren’t thinking about retirement investment. They’d rather wait until they’re closer to retirement age. Other priorities and concerns are at the forefront. While planning for retirement, many take a backseat, laissez-faire approach.