Fundrise is a real estate “crowdfunding” platform that allows everyday investors to access real estate markets and deals that they couldn’t invest in on their own.
Through Fundrise, you can invest in either professionally managed residential real estate called eFunds or a diversified portfolio of commercial real estate called eREITs.
In this review, I’ll cover the basics of investing in Fundrise, why so many investors love the platform and investment opportunities, and why I haven’t put my money with the company… yet.
You can get started with Fundrise here.
Quick Summary
- Get started investing in real estate for as little as $500
- Online eREIT investment platform
- Allows withdrawals with 30 day notice, which is one of the best out there
Fundrise Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | Fundrise |
Min Investment | $500 |
Annual Fee | 1.00% AUM |
Accredited Investor? | Open to both Accredited and Non-Accredited |
Promotions | None |
Fundrise Basics
The best way to think of Fundrise as a private real estate investment trust (REIT) without all the fees. If you're not familiar with a REIT, it means that you are investing in a basket of properties. Think of it like an ETF for real estate. Inside the REIT, it holds a bunch of different investments in properties. As an owner of the REIT, you get passed along your small percentage of the income generated by these properties.
Although Fundrise is not publicly traded, they allow you to liquidate your investment up to four times per year with a 30 day notice. This is different than a publicly traded REIT, which allows you to immediately sell. However, for a private REIT, this is one of the best we've seen.
So, how can you invest in Fundrise? Right now they offer three ways:
Starter Portfolio
With the starter portfolio, you can invest in eREITs for a starting investment of just $500. You’ll gain access to over 20 different properties in major cities throughout the country.
You’ll pay a .85% annual management fee to Fundrise, but you won’t pay the additional .15% portfolio management fee until the start of January, 2018.
If you choose to invest, you’ll be in a 50/50 blend of the income eREIT and the growth eREIT. You should expect to hold onto both investments for five or more years, but you will have the chance to liquidate once per quarter.
Goals Based Portfolio
If you invest at least $1,000, you can upgrade to a Goals Based Portfolio. Fundrise’s goals based portfolios include up to 7 eREITs, and dozens of properties. You can select between a balanced portfolio, a passive income portfolio or an aggressive growth portfolio. Your mix of eREITs will depend on your goals.
You can find more about each eREIT, the properties they own, leverage and gain perspectives on future growth and income right from the Fundrise website.
Right now, you cannot customize your portfolio beyond setting your goals.
As with the starter portfolio you’ll pay a 0.85% annual management fee and a 0.15% portfolio management fee.
Direct Investments
If you choose to invest in an eFund rather than an eReit, you’re actually investing in a real estate project. You cannot expect a liquidity event before the project completes. Right now, you can invest in a Washington DC fund or a Los Angeles Fund.
To invest in these funds, you’ll pay a .85% annual fee, and a .15% portfolio management fee (which is waived in select circumstances, but not many).
One unique feature of becoming an eFund investor is the “first look” program. If you live in the area, you can purchase a home before it goes onto the market. You can use your investment in the eFund as a part of your down payment.
I don’t want to oversell the first look program, you will have to buy your house at the market rate, but I think this is a good program to consider. Housing markets in major cities are on fire right now. If you ever want to buy, it makes sense to “peg your down payment fund” to a comparable investment in your city of choice.
Self Directed IRA
Recently, Fundrise released a Self Directed IRA program for people looking to shelter their income for the IRS. You will pay a $75 annual fee for the service, but you can invest in any of the portfolios offered by Fundrise.
See if it makes more sense to open your own self directed IRA here: Best Self-Directed IRA Providers.
Why Most People Love Fundrise
I’ve spoken to numerous people who have invested in Fundrise, and they all rave about the experience. These are the three features that most real investors love.
Transparency - Fundrise makes it easy to understand what you’re investing in. It helps that you can look at a picture of the property, find where it is on a map. You can also dig into the financials of every single property. Have a question? Customer service will respond to emails and phone calls.
Lack of liquidity - Logically, most people want money easily accessible, but having money “locked” into an investment is a great way to keep your money growing. Fundrise has seen phenomenal returns, and part of their success comes from “forcing” their investors to stay the course. However, note, that during tough times (like a pandemic), Fundrise may prevent you from withdrawing your funds.
Competitive Advantage - Fundrise is a company that prides itself on it’s competitive advantage. They invest primarily in projects that have between a $5 million and $100 million market cap. These are too large for most private investors, but they get overlooked by banks who cannot accurately rate the risk profile of the developments. In some cases, Fundrise has an advantage because banks face such high costs due to burdensome regulations.
How Does Fundrise Compare?
Fundrise is one of the most popular real estate investment platforms online, but it's certainly not the only one. In fact, over the last few years, a fierce competition has emerged in the space.
Check out these main Fundrise competitors and see how Fundrise compares:
Header |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
Rating | |||
AUM Fees | 1.00% | 0.30% to 0.50% | 2.00% |
Min Investment | $500 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Open To Non-Accredited Investors? | |||
Cell |
Make Sure You Understand The Risks
I learned about Fundrise more than two years ago. At the time, they still allowed individuals to invest in particular properties. At the time, investing online in properties I’ve never seen made me nervous. The introduction of the eREIT (and the added benefit of diversification) eased my fears, but there is still a risk.
My primary concern is the level of leverage that Fundrise considers sustainable. While most would consider a 78% leverage ratio conservative (and it is), many of the properties are development projects. If demand for housing in any major city falls, the leverage could doom the profitability of the investments.
Most of the properties purchased are not done with a buy and hold forever mentality. Rather, the eREITs want regular liquidity events to enable growth.
In my personal real estate investments, I only take on debt when I can profitability hold a rental property for the long haul. I’ve been trapped underwater once, and it is not a good time. Certainly, the 100% passive nature of Fundrise should assuage my concerns, but I can’t shake them.
However, the low entry price of just $500 does limit downside risk. I would recommend Fundrise as a great starter platform for getting started in real estate. As always, before committing large amounts of capital do your own due diligence first.
You might also want to check out these Fundrise alternatives.
What do you think of Fundrise? Have you ever tried it?
Common Fundrise Questions
Here are the most common questions we get about Fundrise.
Is Fundrise a good investment?
It can be. Fundrise is a specialized real estate investment, and for some individuals, it could be the type of investment you're looking for in your portfolio. It invests in a basket of real estate, which does have higher risks than other types of investments. But the rewards can be better as well.
How does Fundrise work?
Fundrise is what's know as a REIT, a Real Estate Investment Trust. It basically owns a basket of real estate (multi-family housing, commercial buildings, etc.), and you get a small ownership slice of it. As a result, you get rewarded with your share of any rents received, appreciation on sale, etc.
Is your money trapped at Fundrise?
Your money can be subject to lock-ups, and Fundrise is very clear about this. While they try their best to provide timely withdrawals within 30 days, certain economic conditions may prevent them from doing so.
Does Fundrise pay dividends?
Historically Fundrise has paid dividends quarterly. But like all investments, dividends are subject to performance of the underlying assets.
Is Fundrise a scam?
No! Fundrise is not a scam. Fundrise is an SEC regulated investment that focuses on real estate.
Fundrise Review
- Pricing And Fees
- Ease Of Use
- Customer Service
- Products and Services
- Diversification and Risk Management
Overall
Summary
Fundrise is a real estate investment platform that allows you to start investing for just $500. It’s a private Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with low minimums and easy to use.
Pros
- Low minimums to start and low fees relative to other REITs
- You don’t have to be an accredited investor
- The REIT typically pays quarterly distributions
Cons
- Investing in a private REIT isn’t liquid, and your funds may be locked up during economically uncertain times
- Taxes on these types of investments are different than you may be used to
Robert Farrington is America’s Millennial Money Expert® and America’s Student Loan Debt Expert™, and the founder of The College Investor, a personal finance site dedicated to helping millennials escape student loan debt to start investing and building wealth for the future. You can learn more about him on the About Page, or on his personal site RobertFarrington.com.
He regularly writes about investing, student loan debt, and general personal finance topics geared towards anyone wanting to earn more, get out of debt, and start building wealth for the future.
He has been quoted in major publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox, ABC, NBC, and more. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.
