Debt, Equity, Development & More: Types of Crowdfunded Real Estate Investments

“I’m thinking about diversifying into real estate… I’m not sure if I should buy a rental property or just focus on REITs”.

Unlike REITs – which are publicly traded – these investments exhibit low correlation to public markets, and so offer downside protection in a portfolio when included alongside stocks and bonds.

Unlike direct ownership of real estate, these investments do not force you to take on a second job managing physical property, and the low investment minimums allow for diversification across markets and property types.

Debt, Equity, Development & More: Types of Crowdfunded Real Estate Investments

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While “real estate crowdfunding” is getting more attention in investing circles, it’s important to realize that, like REITs, there’s a fair amount of variety among individual real estate crowdfunding assets and the platforms that offer them.

Types of Crowdfunded Real Estate Investments

The risk-return profiles and quality of offerings vary substantially.  Here’s a quick look at the most prominent forms of “real estate crowdfunding”.

In this case, the site / platform raises capital in order to issue a loan to a developer or real estate investment firm. Individuals who invest in these offerings – typically issued as notes – are effectively mini-lenders on a real estate project.

Platform-based debt

In this case, the site / platform syndicates some or all of an existing loan from a private lender. PeerStreet, for example, exclusively offers this kind of investment.

Syndicated Debt

Preferred equity investments offer a happy medium between debt and higher-upside equity investments; preferred equity is subordinate to debt, but preferred equity investors are entitled to payment before common equity investors receive returns.

Preferred Equity

The highest upside, but most risky variety of commercial real estate investments, these investments offer individuals the chance to co-invest alongside real estate firms that pursue opportunities for high yield based on micro and macroeconomic factors.

Common Equity

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