Jeremy Biberdorf
By: Jeremy Biberdorf
March 28, 2024

Tellus Review 2025: Is it the best property management software?

Jeremy Biberdorf
By: Jeremy Biberdorf
March 28, 2024

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Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. This means we earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase a product through our links.
Tellus Logo

3.2/5

3.2 rating based on 5 ratings

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In a Nutshell: Tellus is a cutting-edge financial technology company that offers unique passive income benefits with a focus on real estate. The company provides daily boosts on customer deposits, attractive rental property management tools, and competitive interest rates on savings accounts.

With its seamless blend of property management software and high yielding accounts, Tellus has garnered a reputation among real estate investors and property managers alike. It is rated 4.8/5 stars on Trustpilot, and offers a comprehensive solution for those interested in generating passive income from real estate investments.

However, prospective users often wonder if this platform is worth their time and money. This Tellus review aims to answer just that.

Service TypeFees Promotion
Passive yields & Property ManagementNoneYes - Boost rewards for new deposits

Tellusapp Screenshot

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Competitive interest rates on customer deposits.
  • Daily boosts offering high annual percentage yield 5% - 5.9%.
  • Comprehensive rental property management tools.
  • Collaborative platform for real estate investors and property managers.
Cons
  • Accounts not FDIC Insured

What is Tellus?

tellus.com website

Tellus is a unique, smart savings platform that leverages the power of real estate to offer exceptional yields to users. The platform aims to protect consumers from the volatility of stock and crypto markets by using short term, single family home loans to power their yields.

This enables users to convert their savings into passive income, making Tellus an attractive option for individuals looking for higher returns on their savings. It’s important to understand Tellus is not a bank.

The platform is primarily targeted towards renters and landlords, offering a super high-yield interest account that surpasses the average savings account, with an Annual Percentage Yield (APY) ranging from 5.00% to 5.90%.

The unique selling point of Tellus lies in its ability to convert users’ savings into passive income. When a user deposits their money into a Tellus account, the platform supercharges the returns with interest income generated by residential real estate lending. The earnings are paid out daily, and users have the flexibility to withdraw their money at any time.

Beyond being a savings platform, Tellus also provides a mobile solution for property management. This feature enables landlords to manage their high-value residential real estate assets, secure solid tenant relationships, and collect rent electronically.

Learn More About Tellus

External Tellus Reviews & Ratings

SiteRating
Money Made5
Product Hunt4.9 from 76 votes
Money Crashers4.7
Fortunly4.5
Trustpilottellus trustpilot review
Apple App Store4.4 from 1,350 reviews

Here are some reviews from traders who have experienced the platform firsthand:

“Been using Tellus and have to say it’s excellent. Great interest rates, love the daily quiz, customer service always provide quick and accurate response to my questions. Why let your savings sit in a bank account earning nothing. Go get Tellus and earn some real interest.”
“Overall, I have enjoyed the Tellus app and the returns I have been receiving. Tellus has good support and they have made the app fun and interesting by adding the Daily Boost and the Daily Quiz questions that allow you to boost your dividends and earn a better return.”
“My recent experience was stellar. The customer support was fast and helpful, the website is very clear and most important, when I needed the funds they were back in my checking account within days. Highly recommend.”
“I am glad I came across Tellus it’s helped out so much with helping developing interest in my money rather than sitting there. I’d recommend Tellus to anyone.”

How Does Tellus Work?

tellus wallet

To get started with Tellus, users need to fund their accounts. This can be done via an Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer from a linked bank account or a wire transfer directly from their bank account, all done through the Tellus app or the user’s bank’s website or mobile app.

Once an account is funded, Tellus begins to work its magic. It converts the savings into passive income by powering the money with residential real estate. Each dollar deposited into a Tellus account is backed by real assets.

Tellus offers various savings products that cater to different needs and goals. The Tellus Boost Account, for instance, allows users to supercharge their rewards every day. The Stacks feature lets users customize and organize their savings around specific target categories. The Reserve Account feature can help users jumpstart their savings up to a small capped amount, while Vaults can assist users in reaching long-term goals with their higher reward APYs.

The platform further distinguishes itself with its focus on customer service. It has a California-based customer success team that provides live service via in-app chat, providing users with the assistance they need to maximize the benefits of using Tellus.

Tellus offers a unique combination of savings, property management, and customer service features, making it a comprehensive platform for renters, landlords, and anyone looking to make the most of their savings. Also, check out our Baselane Review.

Who is Tellus Best For?

Tellus is primarily suitable for:

  • Real Estate Investors: Those looking to invest in real estate and earn passive income may find Tellus to be an attractive platform. The competitive interest rates, coupled with the Tellus Boost feature, make it a viable option for investors seeking to maximize returns on their investments.
  • Property Managers: Tellus offers a robust property management software that includes rental property management tools. These tools help streamline various tasks, making it a suitable choice for property managers looking to improve efficiency.
  • Savers: Individuals looking to save money and earn a decent yield may find Tellus to be a good alternative to traditional banks. The daily boosts feature can help individuals grow their savings at a faster rate than conventional savings accounts.

What are The Benefits?

Choosing Tellus as a property management platform offers several noteworthy benefits:

  • High Interest Rates: Unlike traditional banking institutions, Tellus offers significantly high-interest rates. This allows users to maximize their returns on deposits, providing a valuable source of passive income.
  • Daily Boosts: A unique feature of Tellus is its daily boost program, where users can earn daily boosts on their deposits. This significantly amplifies the overall yield, making it an attractive option for savers and investors alike.
  • Seamless Property Management: The platform provides a comprehensive suite of property management tools. These tools cover everything from tenant screening, rent collection, financial reporting to listing services, making it a convenient one-stop solution for property managers.
  • Ease of Use: With a user-friendly interface, Tellus is designed to be easy to use. It provides clear instructions and has customer service readily available to assist with any issues that may arise.
  • Accessibility: There are no lockup periods in Tellus, and the minimum deposit to start earning interest is relatively low. This makes the platform accessible to a wide range of investors, regardless of their investment size.
  • Flexibility: Tellus is a flexible platform that serves the needs of various users. Whether you are a real estate investor, a property manager, or just a regular saver, you can take advantage of the platform’s wide range of services.

By combining superior financial services with effective property management tools, Tellus stands out as a beneficial platform for anyone looking to optimize their real estate investments and management operations.

Property Management Features of Tellus

Tellus emerges as a comprehensive property management platform, offering a rich array of features designed to streamline and simplify the tasks involved in managing rental properties. These features ensure efficiency, time-saving, and effective coordination between landlords and tenants. Here’s a breakdown of the key property management features that Tellus offers:

  • Tenant Screening: A crucial aspect of property management is finding reliable tenants. Tellus assists landlords in this task with its integrated tenant screening feature. This feature allows landlords to conduct background checks and credit score assessments, ensuring that the tenant is trustworthy and financially responsible.
  • Rent Collection: Tellus simplifies the rent collection process by providing a digital solution. Landlords can receive rent payments electronically via the platform, minimizing the need for physical transactions and allowing for effortless record-keeping. The platform also sends automatic reminders to tenants when their rent is due, reducing instances of delayed or missed payments.
  • Property Listing Services: With Tellus, landlords can easily list their properties on the platform, showcasing them to a broad audience of potential renters. The platform allows landlords to include detailed descriptions, photographs, and essential property features, making the property listing process simple and efficient.
  • Financial Reporting: Keeping track of income and expenses associated with rental properties is essential for effective property management. Tellus offers an inbuilt financial reporting tool, providing landlords with a clear overview of their property’s financial health. This feature allows users to track their income and expenses, monitor cash flow, and even generate financial reports for tax purposes.
  • Maintenance Request Management: Tellus also offers a tool to handle maintenance requests from tenants. Landlords can keep track of repairs and upkeep, schedule maintenance appointments, and even coordinate with preferred service providers, all through the app. This reduces the hassle associated with property maintenance and ensures the longevity and value of the property.
  • Communication Platform: Tellus provides a built-in communication tool that fosters smooth and direct interaction between landlords and tenants. This feature allows landlords to send important announcements, respond to tenant inquiries, and resolve any issues promptly.
  • Lease Agreement Tools: The platform provides a digital space for managing lease agreements. Landlords can use Tellus to create, send, and get lease agreements signed digitally, ensuring a secure and paperless process. This feature also allows landlords to store and access lease agreements easily, providing an added level of convenience.

Limitations of Tellus

While Tellus has its strengths and benefits, like every financial service, it also comes with certain limitations that potential users should be aware of before deciding to use the platform.

Not a Bank: Perhaps the most crucial aspect to understand is that Tellus is not a bank. While it provides high-yield accounts that function similarly to a savings account, it doesn’t operate under the same regulations and protections that a traditional banking institution would. This is a critical distinction because it affects the safety and security of your funds.

Lack of FDIC Insurance: In connection to the above point, since Tellus is not a bank, the deposits in Tellus accounts are not FDIC insured. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) provides insurance coverage to bank depositors up to $250,000, protecting them if the bank fails. However, as Tellus isn’t a bank, this safety net is not applicable. It’s essential to note that while the platform backs each dollar deposited by real estate assets, the absence of FDIC insurance may pose a risk to some users.

Trustpilot Reviews: Testimony of Superior Service

Trustpilot reviews play a significant role in painting a comprehensive picture of Tellus. With a remarkable average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, Tellus testifies to high user satisfaction across its offerings.

Exploring the Competitive Landscape

Arrived Homes: Real Estate Shares Investment

Arrived Logo

Arrived Homes offers an alternative model focused on investing in rental and vacation homes through real estate shares, starting from as low as $100. This platform might appeal to those interested in a more direct form of real estate investment.

Baselane: For the Hands-on Property Manager

Baselane Logo

Baselane provides a blend of investment opportunities and property management tools, catering to landlords and investors who prefer a hands-on approach to managing their rental properties.

CrowdStreet: Commercial Real Estate Investing

Crowdstreet Review 2023

CrowdStreet takes a different route by facilitating investments in commercial real estate projects and funds, suitable for those looking to diversify into commercial properties with potentially larger-scale investments.

Non-FDIC Insured Investments

One of the key considerations when using Tellus is understanding the implications of its accounts not being FDIC-insured. Unlike traditional bank savings accounts, which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000 per depositor, Tellus accounts offer no such government-backed protection. This section delves into what this means for investors, how to navigate this aspect, and the potential risks involved.

Understanding the Implications

The absence of FDIC insurance means that in the unlikely event of Tellus facing financial difficulties, the funds in your account could be at risk. While Tellus backs each dollar deposited with real estate assets, the lack of FDIC insurance adds an element of risk that is not present in traditional bank savings accounts.

Navigating Non-FDIC Insured Investments

Investors should consider diversifying their portfolios to mitigate the risks associated with non-FDIC-insured investments. This might involve spreading investments across different platforms and asset classes. Additionally, investors should thoroughly research and understand the financial health and business model of any platform like Tellus before committing their funds.

Potential Risks

The main risk of non-FDIC-insured investments is the potential loss of capital in the event of the platform’s failure. While Tellus’s business model is designed to minimize such risks by backing investments with real estate assets, the real estate market’s inherent volatility and other unforeseen economic factors could impact the platform’s ability to safeguard investors’ funds.

Real Estate Empowerment Through Technology

Tellus stands at the forefront of the intersection between financial technology and real estate. By offering a platform that simplifies property management while also providing avenues for generating passive income, Tellus is reshaping how individuals interact with real estate investments.

The platform’s seamless integration of property management tools and high-yield savings accounts makes it a compelling choice for those looking to engage in real estate without the traditional complexities.

Innovative Savings Solutions

One of Tellus’s most notable features is its offering of high-yield savings accounts, which significantly surpass the interest rates of traditional bank savings accounts. This innovative approach not only provides an attractive venue for savers but also aligns with the growing demand for alternative savings solutions that offer more substantial returns.

Empowering Property Managers

Tellus’s comprehensive suite of property management tools is designed to alleviate the burdens often associated with property management. From tenant screening to rent collection and maintenance scheduling, Tellus provides a streamlined process that enables property managers to focus on maximizing their property’s value and tenant satisfaction.

Navigating the Limitations

Despite its numerous advantages, Tellus does present some challenges that prospective users should consider.

Understanding the Non-Bank Model

Tellus operates outside the traditional banking system, which, while offering higher yields and innovative property management solutions, also means that users’ funds are not protected by FDIC insurance. This lack of insurance is a vital consideration for anyone accustomed to the safety net provided by traditional banking institutions.

Weighing the Absence of FDIC Insurance

The absence of FDIC insurance on Tellus accounts means that there is a level of risk involved that is not present with bank-insured savings accounts. Users must weigh this risk against the potential benefits of higher yields and consider how this aligns with their overall financial strategy.

Adjusting to a New Financial Landscape

For those new to fintech platforms like Tellus, there may be an initial learning curve. Understanding how Tellus integrates real estate investments with savings accounts will be crucial for maximizing the platform’s benefits.

Tellus Review Final Thoughts

Tellus provides a unique blend of high yielding accounts, and property management tools, offering a comprehensive solution for real estate investors and property managers. While the platform may require a learning curve for new users, the potential benefits it offers make it worth considering.

The high interest rates, daily boosts feature, and the comprehensive property management tools make Tellus a stand-out platform in the world of financial technology and real estate markets.

Our verdict in this Tellus Review is that it is a worthwhile service for anyone interested in maximizing their returns on their savings through real estate investments or looking for efficient property management tools.

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Get Started With Tellus

Frequently Asked Questions

Tellus offers significantly higher interest rates through its unique savings products powered by real estate investments, providing an alternative to low-yield traditional savings accounts.

No, Tellus is not a bank, and therefore, investments with Tellus are not covered by FDIC insurance. This means there’s a risk factor involved that’s not present in traditional bank savings accounts.

Yes, Tellus offers a suite of property management tools designed to streamline the management of rental properties, including tenant screening, rent collection, and maintenance management.

Tellus requires a minimum deposit to start earning interest, with rates ranging from 5.00% to 5.90% APY, depending on the account and features used.

Tellus generates interest income through residential real estate lending, which powers the yields on user deposits. This model allows Tellus to offer higher interest rates compared to traditional savings accounts.

Yes, Tellus offers the flexibility to withdraw your funds at any time without incurring penalties, making it a liquid option for your savings.

While not FDIC-insured, Tellus backs each dollar deposited with real assets and employs bank-level security measures to protect users’ funds and information.

Tellus is ideal for real estate investors, property managers, and savers looking for higher yields on their deposits. It caters to those interested in leveraging real estate for passive income while also offering robust tools for property management.

Without FDIC insurance, there’s a risk that investors could lose their funds if Tellus encounters financial issues. However, Tellus’s investments in real estate assets aim to provide a buffer against such scenarios.

Diversifying your investment portfolio across different platforms and asset classes can help mitigate the risk. It’s also crucial to keep an informed perspective on the real estate market and Tellus’s financial standing.

While the lack of FDIC insurance is an important consideration, it should be weighed against the potential benefits Tellus offers, such as higher yields and comprehensive property management tools. Assessing your risk tolerance and financial goals will guide your decision.

Jeremy Biberdorf

About the Author:

Jeremy Biberdorf is the founder of Modest Money. He’s a father of 2 beautiful girls, a dog owner, a long-time online entrepreneur and an investing enthusiast.