For investors seeking accessible entry points into rental property ownership, fractional real estate platforms offer a compelling solution. While Elevate.Money provides basic real estate investment through a commercial REIT structure, Ark7 delivers a comprehensive, transparent, and investor-friendly approach to owning shares in individual, cash-flowing rental properties. Understanding these fundamental differences—between blind REIT investing and direct property ownership—helps investors select the platform that best matches their goals for passive income, portfolio control, and long-term wealth building.
New to passive real estate investing?
Explore Ark7 OpportunitiesKey Takeaways
- Ark7 offers the industry’s lowest entry barrier at $20 per share – Making real estate investment accessible to everyone compared to Elevate.Money’s $100 minimum and lack of individual property selection
- Zero ongoing AUM fees maximize investor returns – Ark7 charges only property-level management fees (8-15% of rental income) with no annual platform fees, unlike competitors that erode returns through recurring charges
- Individual property selection provides portfolio control – Ark7 investors choose specific homes across 38+ properties in 10+ states rather than investing blindly in Elevate.Money’s REIT portfolio with limited transparency
- Active secondary market enables liquidity after 12 months – Ark7’s PPEX ATS-powered trading platform provides real exit options, while Elevate.Money offers limited liquidity through a discretionary share repurchase program
- Monthly dividend distributions enhance cash flow – Ark7 pays rental income monthly versus quarterly competitors, providing 12 compounding opportunities annually instead of just 4
When investors seek to build wealth through real estate without landlord responsibilities, the choice between basic REIT platforms and direct property ownership becomes critical. Two distinct approaches—Elevate.Money and Ark7—represent fundamentally different philosophies toward fractional real estate investing. While Elevate.Money operates as a commercial real estate REIT with minimal property-level transparency, Ark7 provides direct ownership shares in individual residential rental properties with complete operational visibility. This comparison reveals why Ark7’s investor-centric model delivers superior accessibility, control, and returns for both new and experienced real estate investors.
Understanding Each Platform’s Core Positioning
Elevate.Money positions itself as a commercial real estate investment platform, offering REIT shares focused on retail properties like gas stations and dollar stores. Founded in 2020 and based in Newport Beach, CA, Elevate.Money has limited market presence with only 2 properties publicly disclosed and minimal performance data shared with investors. The platform serves investors seeking completely passive commercial real estate exposure but provides no individual property selection or detailed performance metrics.
Ark7 takes a radically different approach. Founded in 2018-2019 by Andy Zhao (ex-Google engineer) and headquartered in San Francisco, Ark7 specializes in fractional ownership of individual, cash-flowing residential rental properties. With 220,000+ active investors and $23 million+ in funded property value, Ark7 has established itself as a leading platform for non-accredited investors seeking direct real estate exposure. The platform serves investors with full control over property selection across single-family homes, multifamily units, and short-term rental properties in high-growth markets nationwide.
The fundamental difference lies in transparency and control: Elevate.Money offers blind REIT investing with limited disclosure, while Ark7 provides direct property ownership with 24/7 access to financials and operating statements.
Platform Features Reveal Distinct Investment Philosophies
Elevate.Money’s limited feature set includes:
- Commercial real estate REIT shares
- $100 minimum investment
- Monthly dividends (subject to board approval)
- No individual property selection
- Limited liquidity through discretionary share repurchase program
- Minimal performance transparency
- Limited track record with only 2 properties disclosed
This basic REIT approach works for investors seeking completely hands-off commercial exposure but provides no control over specific assets or detailed performance data.
Ark7’s comprehensive features focus on investor empowerment:
- Individual property selection across 38+ residential properties
- Industry-lowest $20 minimum investment per share
- Monthly cash distributions from rental income
- Active secondary market trading after 12-month hold
- Full operational transparency with 24/7 financial disclosure
- Diverse property types including single-family, multifamily, and short-term rentals
- Integrated IRA investing through Inspira Financial partnership
For example, while Elevate.Money offers blind investment in a commercial REIT portfolio, Ark7 investors can choose specific properties like homes in markets such as Mesquite, TX and other high-growth locations. This control advantage becomes crucial for investors seeking to build customized real estate portfolios aligned with their specific market preferences and risk tolerance.
Investment Accessibility Shows Clear Democratic Advantages
The minimum investment requirements reveal each platform’s commitment to investor accessibility.
Elevate.Money’s accessibility barriers:
- $100 minimum investment per transaction
- No individual property selection
- Limited property inventory (only 2 properties disclosed)
- REIT structure provides no asset-level control
- No transparent performance data available
Ark7’s democratic accessibility features:
- Industry-leading $20 minimum investment per share
- Choose from 38+ individual properties across 10+ states
- Property-level performance data including occupancy rates and yields
- Transparent fee structure with “no hidden fees, no surprise ever” commitment
- Mobile app for iOS and Android enabling investment management anywhere
When calculating portfolio diversification potential, the difference becomes stark. With Ark7’s $20 minimum, investors can spread $1,000 across 50 different properties, achieving true diversification even with limited capital. Elevate.Money’s $100 minimum and REIT structure prevent this level of portfolio customization. This accessibility advantage aligns perfectly with Ark7’s mission to “make real estate investment accessible to everyone” and “side with the many.”
For investors with limited capital or those seeking to test real estate investing before larger commitments, Ark7’s low barrier to entry provides a significant advantage. The platform’s mobile app further enhances accessibility, allowing investors to discover properties, purchase shares, and track dividends from their smartphones.
Property Selection and Transparency Demonstrate Control Differences
Elevate.Money’s property approach:
- Commercial real estate focus (gas stations, retail stores)
- REIT portfolio structure with no individual selection
- Limited transparency with minimal performance disclosure
- Only 2 properties publicly disclosed
- No geographic diversification information available
Ark7’s property selection advantages:
- Residential rental properties in high-growth Sunbelt markets
- Individual property choice across single-family, multifamily, and short-term rentals
- Full transparency with 24/7 access to financial statements and operating metrics
- 38+ properties across 10+ states including Texas, Georgia, and Florida
- Detailed market analysis including population growth, job markets, and rental demand
Ark7’s property sourcing strategy combines AI-driven analytics with local market expertise to identify high-yield opportunities. Properties like the Atlanta-T3 townhome in Jonesboro, GA exemplify this approach—newly built in 2020 with modern amenities in a region experiencing 15% population growth over 10 years. Investors receive complete property details including square footage, bedroom count, market data, and growth potential before investing.
This transparency extends to ongoing operations, with Ark7 providing monthly operating highlights showing portfolio occupancy rates of 94.81%. Elevate.Money provides no comparable performance data, leaving investors guessing about their REIT’s actual returns and occupancy levels.
Passive Income Generation Shows Frequency and Reliability Differences
Both platforms promise passive income, but the delivery mechanisms differ significantly.
Elevate.Money’s income approach:
- Monthly dividends subject to board approval
- No disclosed historical return data
- REIT structure with embedded management fees
- No property-level income transparency
- Commercial real estate rental income (retail focus)
Ark7’s income advantages:
- Consistent monthly cash distributions from actual rental income
- Transparent historical returns of 4.31-4.67% annualized
- $3.5 million+ in total dividends paid to investors
- Direct correlation between property performance and investor returns
The monthly distribution frequency provides Ark7 investors with superior cash flow management and compounding opportunities. With 12 distribution periods annually versus quarterly competitors, investors can reinvest dividends more frequently or use the income for other financial goals. This reliability stems from Ark7’s focus on residential rental properties with stable tenant demand, as evidenced by the platform’s consistent 94.81% portfolio occupancy rates.
For investors prioritizing predictable passive income, Ark7’s transparent, monthly distribution model provides significant advantages over Elevate.Money’s opaque REIT structure with undisclosed returns and limited performance data.
Liquidity Options Highlight Market Maturity Differences
Elevate.Money’s liquidity limitations:
- Limited liquidity through a discretionary share repurchase program
- Share repurchase may have restrictions and holding periods
- REIT structure with potential redemption limitations
- No secondary trading market activity data available
- Limited transparency about repurchase terms
Ark7’s liquidity advantages:
- Active secondary trading market via PPEX ATS since 2022
- Continuous trading availability (not quarterly windows)
- 12-month minimum holding period before selling shares
- Transparent resale process with federal and state securities compliance
Ark7’s secondary market provides real liquidity options for investors who need to exit positions after the 12-month holding period. While the platform notes that “there can be no assurance that an active market for any Shares will develop,” the established PPEX ATS platform demonstrates actual market functionality. This stands in contrast to Elevate.Money’s discretionary share repurchase program, which may have limitations and is subject to board approval.
For investors concerned about emergency liquidity needs or changing investment strategies, Ark7’s established secondary market provides a crucial option that Elevate.Money’s repurchase program may not match in terms of accessibility and transparency.
Fee Structures Reveal True Cost of Ownership Differences
The pricing models reflect each platform’s value proposition and investor priorities.
Elevate.Money’s fee structure:
- $100 minimum investment
- 0.5% monthly REIT management fee (~6% annually)
- Undisclosed sourcing/acquisition fees
- No transparent breakdown of embedded costs
- Limited fee disclosure raises transparency concerns
Ark7’s transparent fee structure:
- $20 minimum investment per share
- 3% one-time sourcing fee
- 8-15% property-level management fee (of rental income)
- $0 annual AUM or platform fees
- “No hidden fees, no surprise ever” commitment
When calculating the total cost of ownership over 5 years, Ark7’s fee structure provides significant advantages. On a $10,000 investment, Ark7’s total estimated costs range from $300-500, while Elevate.Money’s costs likely exceed $900 due to the 6% annual management fee embedded in their REIT structure. The absence of ongoing AUM fees in Ark7’s model means more of investors’ returns stay in their pockets, compounding significantly over time.
For IRA investors, Ark7 offers additional transparency with clear custodian fees of $100 per property annually (capped at $400), waived for account balances over $100,000. Elevate.Money provides no information about IRA investing capabilities or associated fees.
Regulatory Compliance and Platform Reliability
Elevate.Money’s compliance profile:
- Limited regulatory disclosure
- Poor Trustpilot rating of 2.5/5 (7 reviews)
- Not BBB accredited
- Minimal track record with only 2 years of operation
- Limited transparency about broker-dealer relationships
Ark7’s robust compliance framework:
- SEC Regulation A+ qualified offerings
- Dalmore Group LLC as FINRA/SIPC registered broker-dealer
- Trustpilot rating of 4.1/5 (243 reviews)
- BBB rating of A
- 220,000+ active investor community
- Transparent offering circulars available for all series
Ark7’s regulatory compliance provides investors with confidence in the platform’s legitimacy and oversight. The FINRA/SIPC registration of Dalmore Group LLC as the broker-dealer of record ensures proper regulatory scrutiny, while Elevate.Money’s limited disclosure raises questions about their compliance infrastructure. The significant difference in user reviews—4.1/5 for Ark7 versus 2.5/5 for Elevate.Money—reflects investor satisfaction with platform reliability and customer service.
For investors concerned about platform legitimacy and regulatory oversight, Ark7’s transparent compliance framework provides substantial peace of mind compared to Elevate.Money’s limited disclosure.
Why Ark7 Delivers Superior Value for Real Estate Investors
Real estate investors seeking accessible, transparent, and profitable fractional ownership face a clear choice between basic REIT platforms and direct property ownership. Elevate.Money’s commercial REIT approach offers minimal control and transparency, while Ark7’s direct ownership model empowers investors with individual property selection, monthly income, and real liquidity options.
Key advantages of Ark7’s approach:
- Unmatched accessibility: Industry-lowest $20 minimum enables true portfolio diversification even with limited capital, making real estate investment achievable for everyday investors
- Maximum transparency: 24/7 access to property-level financials, occupancy rates, and operating statements ensures investors know exactly how their money performs
- Superior liquidity: Active secondary market with PPEX ATS platform provides real exit options after the 12-month holding period, unlike Elevate.Money’s discretionary share repurchase program with potential limitations
- Cost efficiency: Zero ongoing AUM fees preserve investor returns, with total ownership costs significantly lower than competitors charging annual platform fees
- Investor control: Choose specific properties across diverse markets and property types rather than investing blindly in a REIT portfolio with no asset-level visibility
For investors building wealth through real estate without landlord responsibilities, Ark7 represents the superior platform for fractional ownership. The combination of low barriers to entry, individual property control, monthly income distributions, and transparent operations creates compelling value that basic REIT platforms like Elevate.Money cannot match.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum investment for Ark7 and how does it compare to Elevate.Money?
Ark7 offers the industry’s lowest minimum investment at $20 per share, allowing investors to build diversified real estate portfolios even with limited capital. Elevate.Money requires a $100 minimum investment per transaction. This accessibility advantage enables Ark7 investors to spread investments across multiple properties, achieving true diversification that isn’t possible with Elevate.Money’s higher minimum and REIT structure. The $20 entry point aligns with Ark7’s mission to make real estate investment accessible to everyone, regardless of income level or investment experience.
Can I sell my shares on Ark7, and what are the limitations?
Yes, Ark7 investors can sell shares on the PPEX ATS secondary trading platform after a 12-month minimum holding period. However, investors should note that “there can be no assurance that an active market for any Shares will develop” and liquidity isn’t guaranteed. Elevate.Money offers limited liquidity through a discretionary share repurchase program, which may have restrictions and holding periods subject to board approval. Ark7’s secondary market provides more transparent exit options compared to Elevate.Money’s repurchase-only approach.
What type of fees should I expect with Ark7 and how transparent are they?
Ark7 maintains a transparent fee structure with “no hidden fees, no surprise ever.” Investors pay a 3% one-time sourcing fee and 8-15% property-level management fees (based on rental income), but there are zero annual AUM or platform fees. This contrasts with Elevate.Money’s 0.5% monthly REIT management fee (~6% annually) plus undisclosed sourcing costs. For IRA investors, Ark7 charges $100 per property annually (capped at $400), waived for account balances over $100,000.
Is investing in fractional real estate on platforms like Ark7 and Elevate.Money safe?
Investing in fractional real estate involves substantial risks including illiquidity, lack of diversification, and potential complete loss of capital. Both platforms operate under regulatory oversight, but Ark7 provides significantly more transparency and investor protection. Ark7’s offerings are qualified under SEC Regulation A+ with Dalmore Group LLC as the FINRA/SIPC registered broker-dealer. The platform maintains a Trustpilot rating of 4.1/5 versus Elevate.Money’s 2.5/5, reflecting investor confidence in platform reliability.
Can I invest my IRA funds on Ark7?
Yes, Ark7 offers integrated IRA investing through a partnership with Inspira Financial Company as the custodian. Investors can open both Traditional and Roth IRAs with $0 Ark7 platform fees. The annual custodian fee is $100 per property (capped at $400 annually) but is waived for account balances over $100,000. Elevate.Money provides no information about IRA investing capabilities, making Ark7 the clear choice for retirement-focused real estate investors.
Are Ark7 properties subject to professional management?
Yes, Ark7 handles all property management responsibilities end-to-end, including acquisition, leasing, tenanting, and maintenance. The platform holds a minority ownership stake (1%-20%) in each property, aligning its interests with investors by sharing both profits and losses. This professional management eliminates landlord responsibilities while ensuring properties are maintained to maximize rental income and property value. Investors receive monthly cash distributions without any property management duties, truly enabling passive real estate investing.
