Groundfloor is a real estate crowdfunding platform that lets you invest in property loan investments. Rather than buying equity in a specific building, you fund loans for residential developers. Groundfloor vets the developers and deals, and so far, over 800 loans have been repaid with an average 12% return.
As an investor, you can start with as little as $10. Groundfloor aggregates funds from many average investors to finance property redevelopment loans. In return, you earn interest on the loan. Once the developer repays the loan, you get your initial investment back plus the interest.
For new real estate investors, Groundfloor provides an easy way to get into the market without big capital or specialized knowledge. You get the benefits of real estate returns without the responsibilities of being a landlord.
Groundfloor is open to accredited and non-accredited investors, so you don’t need a high net worth to participate. For more details on what Groundfloor Finance has to offer, here is a detailed Groundfloor Finance review.
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The Pros of Investing in Groundfloor Finance
If you’re looking for an easy way to invest in real estate, Groundfloor Finance has a lot going for it.
Ease of Use
Groundfloor’s platform is simple to navigate, allowing both accredited and non-accredited retail investors to review loan offerings and sign up in minutes. You don’t need any special knowledge or experience to get started.
Education
Groundfloor recognizes that education is key. They provide resources to help you understand real estate investing and make informed choices. You’ll find blog posts, video tutorials, and stats on historical performance.
Investment Options
While Groundfloor specializes in short-term loans for house flippers, they also offer loans for rental real estate property purchases, new home construction, and commercial real estate projects. There are options for all levels of risk tolerances.
Competitive Returns
Groundfloor’s average return of 10.5% is higher than most traditional fixed-income investments. Actual returns will vary based on the loans you choose, but with solid historical performance and low default rates, the potential is there for attractive gains.
Convenience
Groundfloor’s mobile app, Stairs, means you can review real estate investment options, deposit funds, and monitor your investment portfolio on the go. You’re not stuck in front of a computer to manage your account.
Low Minimum Investment
To get started, you only need $10 to invest in a single note. This allows you to dip your toe in the water and try it out without a huge upfront commitment. If you end up liking the experience, you can invest in multiple notes to build up your portfolio over time.
Potential for Solid Returns
Notes currently offer annual returns between 6-14%, which can potentially beat the average stock market return. The actual return you earn depends on the types of notes you choose to invest in.
Those with higher loan-to-value ratios and shorter terms typically offer higher returns to offset the additional risk level or risk grade. While there’s always a chance of default, Groundfloor reports an average annual default rate of just 1.5% across all notes.
The Cons of Investing in Groundfloor Finance
While Groundfloor Finance offers some attractive benefits for individual investors, there are also some significant downsides to consider before investing.
- One of the biggest risks of investing in Groundfloor Finance is the inherent possibility of bankruptcy or default on the loans. Since the loans are given to borrowers with poor or no credit, there is a higher chance they may fail to repay the loan.
- You’re locked into the investment until it matures or is repaid. There are no buying or selling notes in the meantime. Your money will be tied up for the duration of the loan term, typically 6 to 36 months. If you need to access your funds sooner, you’re out of luck.
Our Final Take: Is Groundfloor Finance Worth It?
So, after reviewing the pros and cons, is Groundfloor Finance worth investing in? Overall, we think so, especially if you’re looking to dip your toes into real estate investing.
Groundfloor’s interest rates are hard to beat. At the time of writing, they’re offering a rate of return of up to 14% for their real estate loans. This crushes the average stock market and high-yield savings account investment returns. If earning a strong, passive income stream appeals to you, Groundfloor delivers.
You only need $10 to get started with Groundfloor. This makes real estate investing accessible to nearly anyone. You can start small and build up your investment over time as you get comfortable.
There is a chance borrowers could default on individual loans, jeopardizing your principal investment. Groundfloor conducts background checks and assesses borrowers’ creditworthiness to minimize risk, but loan defaults can still happen. This is the trade-off for the high potential returns.
Overall, if you go in with realistic expectations about liquidity and risk profile, Groundfloor is an appealing way for new investors to gain exposure to real estate. The potential rewards, especially the high-interest rates, seem to outweigh the risks for many. Ready to take the plunge into real estate investing? Click here to start with Groundfloor today and start your investment journey.
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