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Given the myriad of options in today's investing world, Cardone first cautions against recklessness.

"Don't invest it in something you don't know, because it could go to zero. Definitely don't bet it on one of these cryptos," he said in a recent YouTube video.

He then emphasized the importance of using a multiplier on that capital before putting it to work — and pointed to one asset that, in his view, naturally does just that.

"What you want to do is multiply the money first. You want to put it in something where you immediately get a multiplier. The only thing that does that on the planet is real estate," he said.

"When I take 50 grand and I put it in a real estate deal, it immediately becomes $200,000 or $250,000 because of leverage and I have positive cash flow. The chances of that going to zero are nilch to none. You're not going to go from a $250,000 investment to zero in 15 minutes."

Cardone is referring to the use of leverage in real estate — where an investor puts down a relatively small amount of cash and borrows the rest to control a much larger asset.

A $50,000 down payment can allow someone to purchase a property worth several times that amount, while rental income may help offset mortgage payments and expenses.

However, leverage can magnify losses as well as gains.

If property values decline, interest rates rise or local demand weakens, an investor's equity can erode. Returns can vary depending on location, financing terms and market conditions — meaning it's still possible to lose money, even if the asset itself doesn't suddenly go to zero.

Cardone also emphasized the importance of choosing the right type of real estate.

"The only thing you have to be aware of here is pick the right market — a solid market, positive job growth, have occupancy," he said. "Have your cash flow be positive from day one and buy a great asset and you'll never go to zero."

Real estate has long been viewed as a powerful wealth-building tool — particularly for investors seeking passive income.

In fact, investing legend Warren Buffett has often pointed to real estate when describing what a productive, income-generating asset looks like. In 2022, Buffett said that if you offered him "1% of all the apartment houses in the country" for $25 billion, he would "write you a check" (2).

Real estate also offers a built-in hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts with inflation.

Of course, you don't need $25 billion — or even to buy a single property outright — to invest in real estate today.

Get into real estate — starting with $100

Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived have made it easier than ever for everyday investors to gain exposure to America's real estate market.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100 — all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.

The process is simple: Browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you'd like to purchase and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.

The fund already manages more than $83 million in assets and has historically delivered an annualized cash yield of more than 8.1%. To put this in perspective, even the "aristocrats" of dividend stocks struggle to reach a high-water mark of 5.51%, according to Morningstar (3).

How it works is simple: Arrived offers short-term loans for professional real estate projects seeking to renovate, refinance or fund new construction. Each loan goes through a disciplined selection process and is backed by residential real estate, adding another layer of underwriting rigor and downside protection.

Even better, Arrived Real Estate Income Fund investors also have quarterly liquidity options beginning six months after their initial investment, offering more flexibility than many traditional income-focused investments.

Owning a rental property sounds great, until something goes wrong. One bounced check and your rental income disappears.

But institutional investors don't face that problem. Their portfolios are diversified across many units, not just one.

For accredited investors looking to diversify beyond public equities, Bonaventure offers access to institutional-grade multifamily real estate investments in high-growth markets with a minimum investment of $25,000.

Bonaventure focuses on income-producing apartment communities, offering potential tax advantages through structures like 1031 exchanges and UPREITs, allowing you to build passive income and wealth while the company manages the properties.

Plus, Bonaventure has a fully-loaded resource center that teaches you everything you need to evaluate multifamily investments. Sign up today, explore your options and construct your real estate portfolio.

Mogul is another option. It's a real estate investment platform offering fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, which gives investors monthly rental income, real-time appreciation and tax benefits — without the need for a hefty down payment or 3 a.m. tenant calls.

Each property undergoes a rigorous vetting process, requiring a minimum 12% return even in downside scenarios. Across the board, the platform features an average annual IRR of 18.8%. Offerings often sell out in under three hours, with investments typically ranging between $15,000 and $40,000 per property.