Updated May 28, 2024

Fundrise Review: Is It Legit?

By Anna G
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Fundrise lets you invest in real estate with just $10. But is it any good? Find out in this review if it's worth it and legit.

5-point scale (the higher, the better)

Pros and Cons

  • Just $10 to start
  • Strong past performance
  • Passive investing
  • Illiquid investment
  • Unknown future returns
Terms Apply
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Bottom Line

Good way to invest in real estate with low fees and no income requirements

Fundrise is among the pioneers that made real estate investing accessible, even to the average person (aka non-accredited investor), with just a minimum of $10.

Aside from funds based on real estate properties and loans, Fundrise also offers a fund for private tech companies.

However, is it the right choice for you?

Learn more with this detailed review.

Note: This is a testimonial in partnership with Fundrise. We earn a commission from partner links on CreditDonkey.

Can you really make money with Fundrise?

Yes, you can make money with Fundrise by investing in its real estate, private credit, or venture capital funds. You can receive profits either through periodic dividends or fund price appreciation at the end.

According to the current track records of Fundrise's clients, you can potentially achieve a 44% cumulative net return after 5 years.[1]

But as with any investment, note that past performance does not guarantee future results.

Is Fundrise high risk? Fundrise can be risky. While you may experience high returns, you can also incur negative returns. Plus, your investments are quite illiquid, so you can't easily withdraw your money. It is also unclear how Fundrise would perform in a financial crisis, such as the 2008 market crash.

What is Fundrise?

Fundrise is a real estate and venture capital investment platform. Initially, Fundrise focused on real estate properties, but it now extends its offerings to include venture capital and private credit (or private lending).

Ben Miller, the co-founder and CEO of the company, started Fundrise in 2012 with the idea to make real estate investing accessible to everyone.

The minimum investment in Fundrise is only $10. It is open to all types of investors who are U.S. residents 18 years or older.

Here are some Fundrise stats-to-date:[2][3]

Active investors385,000+
Active real estate projects225
Completed real estate projects222
Real estate portfolio value$7+ billion
Dividends paid to investors$361+ million
Venture capital portfolio21+ assets, $110+ million raised

How does Fundrise Work?

Fundrise works just like a mutual fund, but for alternative assets mainly real estate.

At Fundrise, you're not directly investing in an individual asset like a house, loan, or private company. Instead, you're investing in a fund managed by Fundrise with these as the underlying.

Here are the 3 ways to invest in Fundrise:

  1. Auto-diversified portfolios
    Earn passive income through automatically diversified portfolios. Fundrise's portfolios can either be composed of real estate, private credit, or venture capital funds.

    There are 4 investment plans with different asset allocations depending on your goal. You can change your plan anytime.[4]

    Types of Investment PlanGoal
    Supplemental IncomeRegular income from dividends
    Long-Term GrowthIncome from long-term asset appreciation
    Balanced InvestingA mix of long-term appreciation and dividend earnings
    Venture CapitalInvest in top-tier private tech companies before it goes public

  2. Fundrise Pro
    Customize your investment plan and invest in specific funds by subscribing to Fundrise Pro for $10/month or $99/year.[5]

    Some of the funds you can pick include the Flagship Real Estate Fund (Real Estate), Income Real Estate Fund (Private Credit), or Innovation Fund (Venture).

  3. Fundrise iPO (internet Public Offering)
    Directly buy shares of Fundrise while it is still a private company and earn money upon its exit event, such as an IPO or M&A. Only those with $500+ capital are eligible to invest.

You can either do a one-time investment or set up recurring deposits to further automate your investments.

If you're looking for a short-term investment, this isn't the app for you. Fundrise is best for long-term investors who want a simple way to get into real estate. Check out their website to start investing with just $10.

How do people make money on Fundrise?

You can earn money at Fundrise in two ways:[6]

  1. Quarterly dividends
    Receive quarterly dividends resulting from loan interest payments and rental income of leased properties.

  2. Appreciation in asset value
    Gain income as the net asset value (NAV) prices of your Fundrise funds increase over time.

At Fundrise, you can also reinvest your dividends automatically.

What is the Average Return in Fundrise?

Fundrise annual returns were between -7.45% to 22.99% from 2017 to 2023, with an average income return of 4.81%.

Out of these 7 years, 24 quarters had positive returns, while 4 quarters experienced a negative return. In comparison, stocks and public REITs had 7 quarters of negative returns during the same period.

Here's a breakdown of Fundrise's average annualized returns (after the fees are subtracted) per year:[7]

201412.25%
201512.42%
20168.81%
201710.63%
20188.81%
20199.16%
20207.31%
202122.99%
20221.50%
2023-7.45%

Fundrise vs. Traditional REITs and Stocks:

Based on the 7-year average income returns, Fundrise (4.81%) has outperformed the dividend yields from public REITs (4.21%) and public stocks (2.03%).

Here's the historical total returns for Fundrise, public REITs, and public stocks:

Fundrise[1]Public REITsPublic Stocks
201710.63%9.27%21.83%
20188.81%-4.10%-4.38%
20199.16%28.07%31.49%
20207.31%-5.86%18.40%
202122.99%39.88%28.71%
20221.50%-25.10%-18.11%
2023-7.45%11.48%26.29%

Is it better to invest in REITs or Fundrise?
Fundrise is the better option if the sole basis is dividend gains and costs, as it has a higher historical average income return and lower management fees compared to REITs. However, REITs may be a better choice if you want greater liquidity, as you can buy and sell REIT shares anytime on the stock exchange.

My Experience with Fundrise

Here, I'll share my personal Fundrise experience and returns. I started investing with Fundrise in February 2019. Since then, I've invested $12,943 total by making steady auto deposits each month.

As of end of December 2023, my account value is $13,442.77. This is $499.35 in total returns with an average annual return of 1.5%. The total advisory fees is $46.

Here's how it breaks down by year. I've also included how much were from dividends and appreciation.

YearAnnual ReturnDividends AppreciationTotal returns (net of fees)
2019 (from Feb)6.1%$49.77$53.24$103.01
20207.6%$67.28$196.30$263.53
202127.1%$142.22$1,365.50$1,506.72
20221.0%$429.55-$317.95$111.60
2023-8.4%$157.06-$1,642.73-$1,485.67

I chose the Long-Term Growth portfolio. This means the investments focus more on long-term appreciation than on dividends. Your returns will differ according to which portfolio you choose.

In the 5 years, Fundrise has been volatile with highs and lows. 2021 was an outstanding year, but like mentioned earlier, don't expect every year to perform like that.

Since I am in the Long-Term Growth plan, it's still unclear how much appreciation I'd see in a few years when more projects mature. I plan to keep my investments for the long haul to ride out the downs.

So yes, you could make more with other investments, but remember that all investments carry some risk. It depends on your risk appetite and your time horizon.

Fundrise Fees

Fundrise charges an all-in 1% management fee as follows:

  • 0.85% annual asset management fee (that goes towards operating costs of the projects)
  • 0.15% annual advisory fee (can be waived in certain circumstances)

However, this does not apply to the Fundrise Innovation Fund which has a flat 1.85% annual management fee.[8]

For Fundrise Pro, the membership fee is $10/month or $99/year (30-day free trial).[9]

This pricing is pretty competitive. However, some of Fundrise's potential costs are not as transparent. Read on to learn more.

Hidden Fees

  • 0-2% acquisition fee when Fundrise buys a new asset
  • 1% penalty when you redeem shares within five years of investing (No fee in the first 90 days)[10]
  • An annual fee of $125 to Millennium Trust Company if you're investing as an IRA[11]

Specific funds may have additional fees, including asset management, acquisition, servicing and others. For a full picture of these charges, you would need to review the few hundred-page circular that comes with each investment.

If you're looking for a no-fee alternative, check out Groundfloor. The company offers short-term real estate loan projects and has no monthly management fees.

Withdrawing Profits in Fundrise

To withdraw funds from Fundrise, you need to submit a liquidation request. These requests are reviewed quarterly in early April, July, October, and January.

When it is approved, you'll receive an email. Expect funds to be disbursed within 6-10 business days of the redemption date.

When you redeem, the shares you've had for the longest will be liquidated first, following the first in, first out (FIFO) rule.

Fundrise funds are designed to be held long-term, typically 5 years or more. So, you can't easily sell and withdraw anytime you want, unlike publicly traded REITs.

What is the early withdrawal fee for Fundrise? There's no withdrawal fee for the Flagship Fund, Income Fund, or Innovation Fund. However, there's a 1% penalty fee for withdrawing eREIT/eFund shares held for less than 5 years.[12]

Fundrise Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Just $10 to start
  • Don't need to be an accredited investor
  • Automatically diversified portfolio
  • Quarterly dividend distributions
  • Completely passive investing
  • Available as IRA
  • Option to customize portfolio through Fundrise Pro
  • See Fundrise Deal >>

Cons:

  • Long-term investment (typically five years or more)
  • Cannot choose individual assets; limited to funds only
  • Potential liquidation fees
  • Lack of fee transparency
  • Can be volatile

Read on to learn more.

Best Alternatives to Fundrise



How to Get Started

Want to let your money work through Fundrise? Here's how:

  1. Create an account
    View special offers and sign up accordingly.

  2. Pick a plan
    Answer some questions about your investment goal. Then, Fundrise will automatically assign an investment plan for you. However, you can also change your plan anytime.

    If you want more control over your portfolio, subscribe to Fundrise Pro.

  3. Fund your account
    Link a checking account to your Fundrise account or set up a wire transfer. Processing may take several days, but after that, you can start investing. Minimum is $10.

  4. Earn money
    Fundrise investors are paid dividends every quarter and at the end of investments when the assets mature.

How much do you want to invest in real estate?

Fundrise Investment Plans

After signing up, you'll need to select one of the 4 investment plans to determine how Fundrise will invest your money.

Here's how each strategy differs:

  1. Supplemental Income: This focuses on properties that create cash flow from rent or interest. You will earn more dividends here, so select this if your goal is passive income.

  2. Long-Term Growth: This focuses on properties that are expected to appreciate in value. You'll earn less dividends now, but the potential long-term returns could be the highest.

  3. Balanced Investing: This approach creates a more balanced mix of income and growth properties. You earn money through both dividends and appreciation.

  4. Venture Capital: This portfolio invests in high-growth private tech companies (some examples include Uber, Unity, and Canva). Returns are expected to be in the form of long-term appreciation.

You can change your investment plan at any time, so you're not stuck with your initial choice. Changing will only affect future investments and will not rebalance your current positions.

Types of Accounts

Fundrise supports the following accounts:

  • Personal taxable account
  • Joint account
  • Traditional or Roth IRA (through Millennium Trust Company)
  • Certain entity accounts (Trusts, Limited Liability Companies, Limited Partnerships, C Corporations, and S Corporations)

Typically, private real estate investments are made through taxable accounts, which require you to pay income tax on what you earn. However, you have the option to invest in Fundrise through a self-directed IRA for tax advantages.

Is Fundrise Safe?

Yes. Fundrise portfolios are made up of qualified offerings regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) so they follow strict reporting requirements.

Additionally, Fundrise reduces your risk through extensive due diligence, thorough underwriting, and a conservative approach, positioning their portfolio to sustain economic downturns.[13]

Fundrise also has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which suggests its trustworthiness and reliability. [14]

To keep your personal information safe, Fundrise uses bank-level security. This includes 2-factor authentication, AES bit symmetric key encryption, and Transport Layer Security (TLS).

But all investing carries some risk. Fundrise has done well since its establishment, but there is no guarantee it'll continue to do so.

Fundrise is not without faults. In August 2023, the SEC filed charges against Fundrise for paying content creators to solicit clients in violation of the cash solicitation rule. Fundrise has then agreed to a cease-and-desist order, a censure, and a $250,000 civil penalty to settle the charges.[15]

See Current Offer >>

How Fundrise Compares

See how Fundrise stacks up against the competition, including other real estate investing platforms.

Fundrise vs Groundfloor
Groundfloor is a good option if you're looking for short-term real estate investments. The projects last only 12 to 18 months.

Groundfloor works a little differently. Instead of investing in equity, you are lending money to borrowers for quick fix-and-flip housing projects. When the house is renovated and then sold, you'll get your investment back (along with interest).

So far, the average returns to date is 10%.[16] Each loan has a fixed interest rate and projected term, so you know beforehand what to expect.

You can pick your own loans, or you can even set up automated investing and Groundfloor will invest for you based on the portfolio profile you create.

Fundrise vs Crowdstreet
Crowdstreet is one of the largest commercial real estate marketplaces. This platform is only open to accredited investors (unlike Fundrise, which is open to everyone).

They focus on high quality commercial real estate deals. You can either choose your own deals, or invest in a fund that includes multiple projects. Most of the deals require a $25,000 minimum investment.

Crowdstreet is popular because of its impressive returns. Since 2014, it has averaged a very strong annualized IRR of 15.0%.[17]

Fundrise vs Yieldstreet
Yieldstreet is a platform for alternative investments. Instead of only real estate, you can also invest in other alternative assets like art, luxury vehicle leasing, and litigation financing.

Non-accredited investors can invest in Yieldstreet's Prism Fund. This is a collection of a lot of different alternative assets. It's an easy way to get a little of everything with only one investment.

If you are accredited, you can pick your own individual offerings. They usually start at $10,000 minimum. Yieldstreet's investments have an average IRR of 9.6%. [18]

What the Experts Say

Beginners can start investing in real estate with just a little bit of money. Find out if that's a good idea.

As part of our series on real estate investing and passive income, CreditDonkey asked a panel of industry experts to answer some of our readers' most pressing questions:

  • Is real estate crowdfunding a safe or risky investment?
  • What is the best way for beginners to invest in real estate?

Here's what they had to say:

Bottom Line

Typically, investing in real estate requires large amounts of money. Fundrise gives anyone the opportunity to enter the world of real estate investing at low cost and without taking a large risk. It could be a good way to make passive income from real estate.

However, be aware that the real estate market can be volatile too, so it's best if you can invest for the long term. Also remember that accessing your funds will be more limited, and there could even be a penalty in the first 5 years.

If you're willing to tie up your money up and start small, diversifying into real estate through Fundrise might be worth the investment.

Next steps: View portfolio plans, terms and details

Disclaimer: The information contained herein neither constitutes an offer for nor a solicitation of interest in any securities offering; however, if an indication of interest is provided, it may be withdrawn or revoked, without obligation or commitment of any kind prior to being accepted following the qualification or effectiveness of the applicable offering document, and any offer, solicitation or sale of any securities will be made only by means of an offering circular, private placement memorandum, or prospectus. No money or other consideration is hereby being solicited, and will not be accepted without such potential investor having been provided the applicable offering document. Joining the Fundrise Platform neither constitutes an indication of interest in any offering nor involves any obligation or commitment of any kind.

The publicly filed offering circulars of the issuers sponsored by Rise Companies Corp., not all of which may be currently qualified by the Securities and Exchange Commission, may be found at www.fundrise.com/oc.

References

  1. ^ Fundrise. Client Returns, Retrieved 4/29/2024
  2. ^ Fundrise. About Us, Retrieved 12/23/2023
  3. ^ Fundrise. Real Estate Strategies, Retrieved 12/23/2023
  4. ^ Fundrise. What is the difference between the Investment Plans?, Retrieved 05/27/2024
  5. ^ Fundrise. How much does Fundrise Pro cost?, Retrieved 01/18/24
  6. ^ Fundrise. How can I earn returns on my investment?, Retrieved 2/8/2024
  7. ^ Fundrise. Explore client performance over time, Retrieved 2/2/23
  8. ^ Fundrise. What are Fundrise's fees?, Retrieved 5/1/2024
  9. ^ Fundrise. Discover these features and more, with Fundrise Pro, Retrieved 2/8/2024
  10. ^ Fundrise. Are there any costs associated with liquidating shares?, Retrieved 2/8/2024
  11. ^ Fundrise. What are the fees associated with investing through my IRA?, Retrieved 2/8/2024
  12. ^ Fundrise. How do I withdraw funds (request a liquidation)?, Retrieved 2/8/2024
  13. ^ Fundrise. How It Works, Retrieved 10/28/2023
  14. ^ Better Business Bureau. Fundrise BBB Rating & Accreditation, Retrieved 4/3/2022
  15. ^ Securities and Exchange Commission. SEC Charges Fundrise Advisors, LLC for Paying Content Creators to Solicit Clients in Violation of the Cash Solicitation Rule, Retrieved 4/30/2024
  16. ^ Groundfloor. Groundfloor for investors, Retrieved 1/3/2024
  17. ^ Crowdstreet, Marketplace Performance, Retrieved 05/27/2024
  18. ^ Yieldstreet. Historical Performance, Retrieved 1/3/2024
Fundrise

Invest in Real Estate with $10+

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  • Only $10 minimum investment
  • Get a diversified portfolio of real estate projects across the US
  • Open to all investors
Arrived Homes

Invest in Rental Homes with $100+

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CrowdStreet

Invest in Private Equity Real Estate

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  • $25,000 minimum investment
Yieldstreet

Online Alternative Investments

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GROUNDFLOOR

Invest in Real Estate with $10

Learn More
The minimum investment amount is only $10. (Though most transfer $100 for better diversification; subsequent transfers can be for any amount)

  • Short-term real estate investments lasting just 12-18 months
  • Open to non-accredited investors
  • No investor fees

Write to Anna G at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.

Fundrise, LLC ("Fundrise") compensates CreditDonkey Inc for new leads. CreditDonkey Inc is not an investment client of Fundrise.

Compare:

How much do you want to invest in real estate?
29% Less than $500
20% $500 - $1,000
19% $1,000 - $5,000
13% $5,000 - $10,000
19% More than $10,000
Source: CreditDonkey poll of 2,396 respondents
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