Real Estate Crowdfunding: What It Is & How It Works

Real estate crowdfunding has been gaining popularity in recent years as an alternative investment option. It offers individuals the opportunity to invest in real estate without the need for large sums of money, making it more accessible to a wider audience. 

We’ll take a closer look at what real estate crowdfunding is, how it works, and its benefits and risks. So, either way, you can ask the following question: “How does Real Estates Crowdfunding work?”

Real estate crowdfunding offers several benefits for investors. It allows individuals to invest in real estate with relatively low capital requirements. 

Diversify their portfolios, and access deals that they may not have otherwise been able to participate in. It also allows sponsors to raise capital quickly and efficiently from a large pool of investors.

What is Real Estate Crowdfunding?

Real estate crowdfunding is a form of financing that allows multiple investors to contribute small amounts of money toward a real estate project. The project is typically managed by a professional real estate developer or company, that raises capital from investors through an online platform.

The United States had the largest share of the real estate crowdfunding market, accounting for 60% of the total market. The average real estate crowdfunding investment in the US was $5,000 in 2020, down from $6,000 in 2019. 

How Does Real Estate Crowdfunding Work?

Real estate crowdfunding works by connecting investors with real estate developers through an online platform. Developers create a project and set a funding goal, and investors can browse through the platform to find projects that align with their investment goals.

Investors can then invest in the project by contributing small amounts of money, typically as little as $1,000, to help the developer meet their funding goal. Once the funding goal is met, the project can proceed, and investors receive a share of the profits based on their investment.

Real Estate Crowdfunding Ratio

Here is an example table of real estate crowdfunding ratios:

Ratio	Calculation	Interpretation
Equity Ratio	Total Equity / Total Project Cost	Percentage of the total project cost that is funded by equity investors. Higher ratios indicate lower leverage and greater equity ownership in the project.
Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV)	Total Loan Amount / Property Value	Percentage of the property value that is financed by debt. Lower ratios indicate lower leverage and less risk for the project.
Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)	Net Operating Income / Annual Debt Service	Ability of the property to generate enough income to cover its debt payments. Higher ratios indicate greater cash flow and a lower risk of default.
Gross Yield	Annual Gross Rental Income / Property Value	Rate of return on the property based on its rental income. Higher ratios indicate a more profitable investment.
Internal Rate of Return (IRR)	Discounted Cash Flows / Total Equity Invested	The annualized rate of return on the investment based on the time value of money. Higher IRRs indicate a more attractive investment opportunity.

Benefits of Real Estate Crowdfunding

1. Access to Real Estate Investments: 

Real estate crowdfunding provides investors with the opportunity to invest in real estate with a lower capital requirement than traditional real estate investments.

2. Diversification: 

Real estate crowdfunding allows investors to diversify their investment portfolio by investing in different real estate projects across multiple locations and asset classes.

3. Passive Income: 

Real estate crowdfunding provides investors with the potential for passive income through rental yields and capital appreciation.

4. Transparency: 

Real estate crowdfunding platforms provide investors with transparency into the real estate project’s performance, allowing investors to make informed investment decisions.

Risks of Real Estate Crowdfunding

1. Lack of Liquidity: 

Real estate crowdfunding investments are typically illiquid, meaning that investors may not be able to easily sell their shares if they need to access their funds.

2. Risk of Loss: 

Real estate investments are inherently risky, and investors may lose some or all of their investment if the project does not perform as expected.

3. Lack of Control:

Investors in real estate crowdfunding projects typically have little to no control over the project’s management or decision-making.

4. Platform Risk: 

Real estate crowdfunding platforms are relatively new and may lack the track record and stability of traditional real estate investments.

Conclusion

Real estate crowdfunding offers investors the opportunity to invest in real estate with a lower capital requirement and diversify their investment portfolio. 

However, it is important to understand the risks involved and conduct thorough due diligence before investing in any real estate crowdfunding project. 

As with any investment, it is essential to have a well-defined investment strategy and to work with a reputable and experienced platform.

FAQs

1. What are the benefits of real estate crowdfunding?

Ans: Real estate crowdfunding provides investors with access to real estate investments that they may not have had access to otherwise. It also allows investors to diversify their portfolios and potentially earn higher returns than traditional investments.

2. What are the risks of real estate crowdfunding?

Ans: Like any investment, there are risks involved in real estate crowdfunding. The value of the investment can fluctuate based on market conditions, and the project may not perform as expected, leading to a loss of investment.

3. Who can invest in real estate crowdfunding?

Ans: In the United States, accredited investors can invest in real estate crowdfunding projects. However, some crowdfunding platforms allow non-accredited investors to invest as well.

4. How much can you invest in real estate crowdfunding?

Ans: The amount you can invest in real estate crowdfunding varies depending on the platform and the project. Some platforms have minimum investment amounts, while others allow investors to invest as little as $100.