Real estate Investment Comparison

Fundrise vs. Groundfloor

Wondering whether Fundrise or Groundfloor is a better investment? We put them both to the test to help you compare and decide where to invest your money.

vs.

Comparison Table
Fundrise
Groundfloor
Minimum Investment
$10
$10
Investment Holding Period
5 years
1-18 months
Early Withdrawal Penalties
1% of total investment
Unavailable
Rent Payouts
Quarterly
N/A
Avg. Yearly Returns
10.70%
10.5%
Accessibility
Star Rating - 0.5
Star Rating - 1Star Rating - 1.5Star Rating - 2Star Rating - 2.5Star Rating - 3Star Rating - 3.5Star Rating - 4Star Rating - 4.5Star Rating - 5
Star Rating - 0.5
Star Rating - 1Star Rating - 1.5Star Rating - 2Star Rating - 2.5Star Rating - 3Star Rating - 3.5Star Rating - 4Star Rating - 4.5Star Rating - 5
Earning Potential
Star Rating - 0.5
Star Rating - 1Star Rating - 1.5Star Rating - 2Star Rating - 2.5Star Rating - 3Star Rating - 3.5Star Rating - 4Star Rating - 4.5Star Rating - 5
Star Rating - 0.5
Star Rating - 1Star Rating - 1.5Star Rating - 2Star Rating - 2.5Star Rating - 3Star Rating - 3.5Star Rating - 4Star Rating - 4.5Star Rating - 5
Investment Liquidity
Star Rating - 0.5
Star Rating - 1Star Rating - 1.5Star Rating - 2Star Rating - 2.5Star Rating - 3Star Rating - 3.5Star Rating - 4Star Rating - 4.5Star Rating - 5
Star Rating - 0.5
Star Rating - 1Star Rating - 1.5Star Rating - 2Star Rating - 2.5Star Rating - 3Star Rating - 3.5Star Rating - 4Star Rating - 4.5Star Rating - 5
Fundrise
Investment Quality Score
3.0
Star Rating - 0.5
Star Rating - 1Star Rating - 1.5Star Rating - 2Star Rating - 2.5Star Rating - 3Star Rating - 3.5Star Rating - 4Star Rating - 4.5Star Rating - 5
Groundfloor
Investment Quality Score
4.0
Star Rating - 0.5
Star Rating - 1Star Rating - 1.5Star Rating - 2Star Rating - 2.5Star Rating - 3Star Rating - 3.5Star Rating - 4Star Rating - 4.5Star Rating - 5
Fundrise

The Bottom Line

Fundrise is a good hands-off investment option for novice real estate investors, but investors pay for it with very low liquidity, paltry rent dividends, and appreciation gains disconnected from the true value of the properties they help fund.

Fundrise Pros:

Easy to Use ✨

Makes it easy to invest in real estate with a well designed platform and low entry costs

Low Fees 🏠

Their stated fee structure is low, starting at just 1% per year

Strong Track Record πŸ“œ

They've been around since 2010 and has acquired billions worth of real estate

‍

Fundrise Cons:‍‍

Long Lockup Period πŸ”

Expected investment time window is at least 5 years

Investment Tip: Have an exit plan before you make an investment

Troubling Accounting πŸ’Έ

They make a big deal about their low 1% fees. But they've disconnected the value of their REITΒ shares from the true value of the properties in their portfolio, giving them opportunities to capture returns before they appear in their investor's accounts

Investment Tip: Beware of investments that disconnect true value from investment value.

Average investment returnsπŸ“‰

Typical returns of 10.70% per year is average compared with returns from other real estate investment options (typically 5-15% in rent yield per year) and the stock market (average 10% per year)

Investment Tip: Compare the return of an investment with alternative options

Slow rent payout 🐌

Only pays rent to investors a few times a year - much less often than other real estate investment options. This hurts cash flow and makes it harder to reinvest and access compounding returns

Investment Tip: Compare cash flow of an investment with alternative options

Groundfloor

The Bottom Line

Groundfloor provides decent returns in an accessible and easy to use product ideal for first-time real estate investors, but investors looking for higher returns may want to look elsewhere.

Groundfloor Pros:

Real estate knowledge not required 🏠

Since Groundfloor offers real estate debt investments, investors needn't know much about real estate investing at all

Low minimums Β πŸ”‘

Investors can get started from just $10

Short investment terms ⏩

While you can't withdraw an investment early, Groundfloor investment terms are not typically longer than two years

Decent return record πŸ“œ

Average returns of over 10% is not spectacular, but it's solid

‍

Groundfloor Cons:

Capped upside 🧒

The loans Groundfloor investors finance don't give investors access to a property's cash flow or appreciation upside

Investment Tip: Make sure efforts to reduce risk don't disproportionately reduce potential gains too

Lump sum returns ⛰️

Most investments operate on deferred payment, meaning investors are only paid out when the loan is paid back in full.

Investment Tip: Make sure you calculate in the timing of investment returns when calculating your long term gains

No opportunity to learn about real estate investing πŸ“‰

Groundfloor does well to make investing easy, but its debt structure means investors don't leave knowing more about how to earn more leveraging real estate.

Investment Tip: Look for opportunities to compound not only money, but investing skill as well

Read our comprehensive
Fundrise
Review
Read Full Review
Read our comprehensive
Groundfloor
Review
Learn more about Lofty
Read Full ReviewGo to Lofty.ai