Is EquityMultiple The Best Real Estate Crowdfunding Investment?

Jeremy BiberdorfBy: Jeremy Biberdorf

October 22, 2023October 22, 2023

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Navigating the world of real estate was once an avenue open mostly to the affluent. However, the landscape is rapidly evolving with the advent of Real Estate Crowdfunding Investment platforms. These platforms are democratizing the real estate sector, offering individual investors an opportunity to reap its rewards without the cumbersome processes of ownership, management, or hefty financing.

The allure of these platforms is not just in their accessibility but in the diversity they present. Today, a myriad of platforms cater to varied interests. But a word of advice: tread carefully, for all platforms are not created equal.

Platforms like EquityMultiple are steered by seasoned real estate veterans who have seamlessly married their expertise with cutting-edge technology. But is EquityMultiple the best Real Estate crowdfunding investment platform? Continue reading this EquityMultiple review to decide.
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What is EquityMultiple?

EquityMultiple emerged from the combined expertise of Charles Clinton and Marious Sjulsen, both seasoned in the commercial real estate game. Prior to launching this venture, Clinton served as a real estate attorney, collaborating with major private-equity entities like Blackstone and KKR.

Sjulsen brought to the table a decade of deep-rooted experience in the real estate private-equity domain. Their mutual vision was to craft a platform that offered a richer array of commercial real estate investment options than conventional REITs could provide.

Their unique approach marries the innovative dynamics of crowdfunding with traditional real estate investment methods, paving the way for potentially higher returns. With EquityMultiple, investors are presented with a diverse menu: from pooling resources for larger ventures to diving into individual commercial properties or even note investments. This platform accommodates investments starting at just $5,000.

Unfortunately, unlike some other real estate crowdfunding platforms, EquityMultiple is only available to accredited investors.

What is an Accredited Investor?

What is the definition of an accredited investor? Typically, individuals qualify if they possess a net worth of over $1 million or if they’ve garnered earnings above $200,000 each year for the last two years, with the expectation of maintaining that income level.

Also, financial experts with FINRA Series 7, 65, or 82 credentials may be recognized as accredited investors. There are other less common criteria, like overseeing a trust with assets totaling more than $5 million.

EquityMultiple Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Superior Deals: EquityMultiple’s focus is on institutional-quality commercial projects. Collaborating with nationally recognized real estate companies and lenders with low default histories ensures the quality of the deals.
  • Round-the-Clock Support: Customers can contact EquityMultiple any time, reflecting their commitment to customer service.
  • High Earning Potential: The platform offers unique equity projects that not only have a low correlation to stocks and bonds but also have the potential for unlimited growth, promising attractive risk-adjusted returns historically.
  • Diverse Investment Styles: EquityMultiple provides varied investment opportunities to cater to different investor preferences.
  • Strong Backing: Their alliance with Mission Capital, a reputable real estate advisory firm, underscores their solid foundation and credibility in the market.
  • Transparent Information: Investment opportunities come with detailed, user-friendly descriptions, ensuring investors have ample insight before diving in.

Cons:

  • Exclusive Access: EquityMultiple caters only to accredited investors, narrowing down their investor base.
  • Higher Entry Point: With a minimum investment threshold of $5,000, they position themselves higher than some competitors like Fundrise.
  • Comparatively Fewer Deals: As they continue to grow, their current deal flow remains less than some well-established platforms.
  • Pricing Considerations: Investors might find the costs associated with pooled investments to be on the higher side.
  • Liquidity Limitations: Unlike conventional REITs, EquityMultiple doesn’t offer the same level of liquidity, which might be a deciding factor for certain investors.

Is EquityMultiple Safe?

EquityMultiple is candid about the unpredictable nature of the real estate investment industry. They prioritize informing investors about potential risks and emphasize the significance of aligning investments with personal risk tolerance.

However, they don’t just present the risks. They’re also committed to offering layers of protection for the investors, regardless of the deal type.

Here’s how they safeguard your investment:

  • For short-term notes, the company takes a personal approach. If an investment doesn’t pan out, EquityMultiple leverages its own real estate assets to provide what’s termed ‘First-Loss Protection’. These particular notes stand out due to their liquidity, allowing redemptions at 3, 6, or 9-month intervals. The good news? Investors won’t face any additional fees. The only requirement is a starting deposit of $5,000, and during the investment tenure, the note accrues interest.
  • Another feather in their cap is the methodical use of deal-specific Limited Liability Companies (LLCs). Here’s how it works: when you invest in a deal, you buy into this LLC, essentially becoming a fractional owner. This gives you a stake in the deal’s highs and lows. The inclusion of an LLC is strategic. It serves as a buffer, ensuring that investors remain insulated from potential financial hiccups related to the deal.

Diving deeper into their portfolio, EquityMultiple is known to dabble in institutional commercial real estate, equity, preferred equity, and senior debt.

But they’ve marked their territory, steering clear of offerings like REITs, stocks, bonds, ETFs, or mutual funds. This specialization sets them apart in the vast world of investment platforms.

Is EquityMultiple The Best Real Estate Crowdfunding Investment?

The answer to the question, Is EquityMultiple the best Real Estate Crowdfunding Investment platform, it will depend on where you are at in your investment journey. But there are certain types of investors that stand the most to gain from EquityMultiples offerings.

EquityMultiple, for instance, is particularly enticing for those well-versed in real estate dealings. They do cater to short-term debt investors, but their sweet spot is undoubtedly in the long-term investment domain.

If you’re someone equipped with a keen sense of the real estate market, can earmark at least $5,000 for investment, then EquityMultiple might be a fitting choice for you.

If EquityMultiple sounds like it aligns with your investment objectives, Click Here to get started today.
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Jeremy Biberdorf
Jeremy Biberdorf

About the Author:

Jeremy Biberdorf is the founder of Modest Money. He's a father of 2 beautiful girls, a dog owner, a long-time online entrepreneur and an investing enthusiast.

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