In the ever-expanding world of online business models, one method that has gained significant traction is digital real estate. This model, often referred to as rank and rent, has been at the core of Derek and Dakota's Remote Business Academy. But with increasing popularity comes the inevitable question: Is digital real estate a scam? In this blog post, we’ll break down the business model, share real-world success stories, and dive into a review of Remote Business Academy to determine if it’s a legitimate opportunity.
Who Are Derek and Dakota?
Derek and Dakota, also known as The Digital Real Estate Cousins, are the founders of Remote Business Academy. They specialize in teaching individuals how to build passive income by ranking websites on Google and renting them out to local service businesses. Their program has gained widespread attention, leading many to ask: Are Derek and Dakota legit?
What is Digital Real Estate?
Digital real estate follows a simple yet powerful concept:
Build a Website – Create a website targeting a specific local service industry (e.g., roofing, HVAC, landscaping).
Rank the Website on Google – Use SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to rank the site in search results for high-demand keywords.
Generate Leads – Once ranked, the website starts generating exclusive leads from potential customers looking for that service.
Rent the Website to a Local Business – Businesses pay a monthly fee for exclusive access to these leads, providing recurring revenue for the site owner.
This model is often compared to traditional real estate because, like rental properties, digital assets appreciate over time and provide passive monthly income.
Is Digital Real Estate a Scam?
One of the most common concerns about digital real estate is whether it is a scam. However, when broken down, it is clear that it’s a legitimate business model with real-world applications. The rank and rent strategy capitalizes on Google’s organic search traffic, a key driver of revenue for many businesses.
Zach, a Remote Business Academy program member and digital real estate expert, confirms this:
"I’ve been doing this for nearly 10 years. It started as a side hustle but has now replaced my full-time income. The best part? My sites generate leads passively, and I rent them out for $500–$1,500 per month per site."
If digital real estate were a scam, it wouldn’t be possible for individuals like Zach to build a six-figure business using this method.
Remote Business Academy Review: Is It Worth It?
If you’re looking for an in-depth Remote Business Academy review, here’s what you need to know:
1. Comprehensive Training
The program provides step-by-step training on:
Website building (no coding required)
SEO and ranking strategies
Lead generation techniques
Negotiating with local business owners
Zach, who has contributed to the training materials, states:
"The beauty of this program is that you don’t need to be a tech expert. Anyone willing to follow instructions and put in the work can succeed."
2. Live Coaching & Support
One of the biggest advantages of Remote Business Academy is the ongoing coaching. Unlike many online courses that leave students to figure things out on their own, Derek and Dakota offer:
Live weekly coaching calls
Personalized mentorship
A private community for networking and support
3. Proven Success Stories
Many members of Remote Business Academy have reported significant financial gains. Zach, for instance, started with a goal of making $3,000/month in passive income and is now on track to hit $30,000/month.
Another key point? Many students land their first paying client within 60 days.
4. Scalability & Passive Income
Unlike other online businesses that require constant management (e.g., Amazon FBA, dropshipping), digital real estate is truly scalable and passive. Once a website is ranked and generating leads, minimal maintenance is required.
Zach shares:
"I have sites that I haven’t touched in years that continue to bring in $750-$1,000 per month. This is as close to passive income as it gets."
Are Derek and Dakota Legit?
With their extensive track record, transparent training, and hundreds of success stories, it’s clear that Derek and Dakota are legitimate business owners and educators. They continue to be actively involved in the digital real estate space, proving that they aren’t just selling a course—they are practitioners who teach what they do.
Final Verdict: Should You Join Remote Business Academy?
If you’re considering Remote Business Academy, here’s our final take:
✅ Legitimate business model – Digital real estate is a proven way to generate passive income.
✅ Derek and Dakota are credible mentors – They actively build and rent digital assets themselves.
✅ Strong support system – Includes live coaching, a private community, and step-by-step training.
✅ Scalable income potential – With no income ceiling, members have reached $10,000+ per month.
If you’re looking for a long-term online business that provides recurring revenue, then Remote Business Academy may be the right fit for you.