7 Willow Wealth Alternatives

When evaluating Willow Wealth alternatives for fractional real estate investing, the choice ultimately comes down to whether you prioritize capital preservation, transparency, and accessibility. While Willow Wealth (formerly Yieldstreet) offers multi-asset alternative investments, documented $208M+ in investor losses and a 30% default rate have raised significant concerns about risk management and due diligence. This comprehensive guide examines the top Willow Wealth alternatives, with particular emphasis on why Ark7 emerges as the superior choice for rental home investing.

Key Takeaways

• Ark7 leads as the top Willow Wealth alternative – Offers $20 minimum investment, monthly distributions, zero AUM fees, and a clean track record with no major defaults
• Willow Wealth has significant risk concerns – $208M+ in documented investor losses and 30% default rate in real estate portfolio
• Accessibility defines Ark7 – $20 minimum enables real estate ownership for everyone versus $10,000+ barriers elsewhere
• Monthly income advantage – Only platform offering monthly distributions versus quarterly payments from competitors
• Choose by investment goals – Ark7 for safe, accessible residential real estate; Fundrise for hands-off diversification; Arrived for vacation rentals

Understanding Willow Wealth: A multi-asset platform with documented losses

Willow Wealth (formerly Yieldstreet) positions itself as a multi-asset alternative investment platform offering exposure to real estate, private credit, private equity, and even art. Serving over 500,000 members with $6B+ in cumulative investments, the platform recently rebranded to distance itself from its Yieldstreet history after significant investor losses.

Key Willow Wealth Strengths:

• Multi-asset diversification across real estate, credit, private equity, and art
• Large investor base with 500,000+ members and $6B+ cumulative investments
• Institutional partnerships with firms like Carlyle, Goldman Sachs, and StepStone

Platform Considerations:

• $208M+ investor losses documented across multiple asset classes
• 30% default rate in real estate portfolio (9 of 30 deals reviewed) versus 2-8% industry average
• Transparency issues – Removed decade of historical performance data after rebranding
• High annual fees of 1-4% AUM compared to competitors
• Poor investor sentiment – Significant negative feedback in online forums and app store reviews

With a $10,000 minimum investment for many offerings and significant documented losses, Willow Wealth’s risk profile may not align with investors seeking capital preservation and transparency in their real estate investments.

Top 7 Willow Wealth Alternatives Ranked

1. Ark7: The best overall alternative for accessible, transparent real estate investing

Ark7 revolutionizes real estate investing by making fractional ownership of residential rental properties accessible to everyone with a $20 minimum investment. With over 220,000 active investors and $23+ million in property value funded, Ark7 focuses exclusively on residential real estate with a clean track record and no major defaults reported.

Key Ark7 Advantages:

• Industry’s lowest minimum investment at $20 per share, enabling true accessibility
• Monthly cash distributions on the 3rd of each month (versus quarterly from competitors)
• Zero annual AUM fees – only charges a one-time 3% sourcing fee
• Best-in-class liquidity with secondary market trading after 1-year hold period
• Full transparency with 24/7 access to complete legal and financial documents
• Debt-free property options available, reducing risk in market downturns
• Simple 1099 tax reporting instead of complex K-1 forms

Accessibility and Income Advantages:

Unlike Willow Wealth’s $10,000 minimum, Ark7’s fractional real estate investing enables investors to build a diversified portfolio with minimal capital. The $20 minimum allows investors to purchase shares in multiple properties, spreading risk across different markets and property types. Combined with monthly distributions, this creates a consistent income stream that compounds more frequently than quarterly payments.

Performance and Safety:

Ark7’s exclusive focus on residential rental properties allows for better quality control compared to Willow Wealth’s multi-asset approach. With no major defaults reported, Ark7 demonstrates a conservative underwriting approach that prioritizes capital preservation. The platform’s mobile app provides real-time portfolio tracking and performance monitoring in one secure place.

IRA Investment Options:

Ark7 supports both Traditional and Roth IRA accounts through custodian Inspira Financial Company, enabling tax-advantaged real estate investing. The annual custodian fee is $100 per property (capped at $400 annually) and is waived for accounts with average balances exceeding $100,000.

2. Fundrise: The hands-off diversification alternative

Fundrise serves as a comprehensive eREIT platform offering automated portfolio diversification across residential and commercial real estate. With over 2 million investors and $7B+ in assets under management, Fundrise provides the longest track record in the space since 2012.

Key Fundrise Advantages:

• Longest track record operating since 2012 with $7B+ AUM
• Maximum diversification through automated eREIT portfolios across property types
• Lowest absolute entry at $10 minimum investment
• Hands-off management with set-and-forget approach
• Strong historical returns of 8-12% annually

Platform Considerations:

• No property selection control – Fund-based only with no individual property choice
• Quarterly distributions versus Ark7’s monthly payments
• Limited liquidity with redemption program subject to restrictions
• Approximately 1% annual AUM fees versus Ark7’s zero AUM structure

Fundrise represents a solid choice for investors seeking maximum diversification and hands-off management, but it doesn’t offer the property selection control, monthly income, or zero AUM fee structure that Ark7 provides.

3. Arrived Homes: The vacation rental specialist

Arrived Homes specializes in fractional ownership of individual rental properties, including both single-family homes and vacation rentals. With 483,000-906,000 users and $350M+ deployed, Arrived offers detailed property analytics and individual property selection.

Key Arrived Advantages:

• Vacation rental expertise with specialized short-term rental exposure
• Individual property selection allowing investors to choose specific properties
• Strong institutional backing from investors like Jeff Bezos and Marc Benioff
• Detailed property analytics with comprehensive projections and data

Platform Considerations:

• Higher minimum investment at $100 per share (5x Ark7’s $20 minimum)
• Higher fees including a sourcing fee for each property and a quarterly asset management fee
• Long hold periods typically 5-15 years versus Ark7’s 1-year minimum
• No IRA support – cannot invest with retirement funds

Arrived Homes excels for investors specifically interested in vacation rentals and willing to accept higher minimums and longer hold periods, but Ark7’s lower entry point, monthly income, and IRA support make it more accessible for most investors.

4. RealtyMogul: The commercial real estate alternative

RealtyMogul focuses on commercial real estate investments and REITs, offering individual property deals and fund options. With $6.7B+ funded historically, RealtyMogul serves investors seeking exposure to commercial property types.

Key RealtyMogul Strengths:

• Commercial real estate focus with diverse property types including office, retail, and industrial
• Individual deal selection allowing investors to choose specific properties
• Established track record with significant historical funding volume

Platform Considerations:

• Accredited investor requirement for many individual deals
• Higher minimum investments typically $5,000-$50,000+
• Longer hold periods generally 3-10 years
• Quarterly distributions rather than monthly income

RealtyMogul serves accredited investors seeking commercial real estate exposure, but its higher minimums and accreditation requirements make it less accessible than Ark7’s residential focus.

5. CrowdStreet: The institutional commercial marketplace

CrowdStreet operates as a commercial real estate marketplace connecting investors with institutional-quality deals. The platform focuses on larger commercial properties with institutional sponsors.

Key CrowdStreet Advantages:

• Institutional-quality deals with experienced sponsors and larger properties
• Commercial real estate diversification across multiple property types and markets
• Thorough due diligence process for sponsor and property vetting

Platform Considerations:

• Accredited investor requirement for all offerings
• High minimum investments typically $25,000-$100,000+
• Long hold periods generally 5-10 years
• Quarterly or annual distributions rather than monthly income

CrowdStreet serves accredited investors seeking institutional commercial real estate exposure, but its high minimums and accreditation requirements create significant barriers to entry compared to Ark7’s accessibility.

6. Lofty.ai: The blockchain-powered alternative

Lofty.ai utilizes blockchain technology to tokenize real estate assets, offering fractional ownership through digital tokens. The platform focuses on individual property purchases with blockchain-based ownership records.

Key Lofty.ai Strengths:

• Blockchain technology providing transparent ownership records
• Individual property selection allowing investors to choose specific properties
• Secondary market trading through blockchain-based exchanges

Platform Considerations:

• Higher minimum investments typically $50-$100+ per property
• Newer platform with shorter track record and smaller property selection
• Technology complexity requiring understanding of blockchain and digital wallets
• Regulatory uncertainty around blockchain-based real estate tokens

Lofty.ai represents an innovative approach to fractional real estate, but its technology complexity and newer platform status may concern risk-averse investors compared to Ark7’s straightforward approach.

7. EquityMultiple: The institutional-quality alternative

EquityMultiple offers institutional-quality real estate investments with a focus on both debt and equity opportunities. The platform provides access to larger commercial and residential deals with institutional sponsors.

Key EquityMultiple Advantages:

• Institutional-quality underwriting with experienced sponsor relationships
• Diverse investment types including both debt and equity opportunities
• Established track record with significant transaction volume

Platform Considerations:

• Mixed accreditation requirements – some deals open to all, others accredited only
• Higher minimum investments typically $5,000-$50,000+
• Quarterly distributions rather than monthly income
• Longer hold periods generally 1-5+ years

EquityMultiple serves investors seeking institutional-quality deals, but its higher minimums and mixed accessibility make it less universally accessible than Ark7’s consistent $20 minimum.

Why Ark7 stands out for accessible, transparent real estate investing

Ark7’s dominance in accessible real estate investing stems from several unique advantages. The platform’s exclusive focus on residential rental properties ensures better quality control and risk management compared to multi-asset platforms like Willow Wealth.

Accessibility and democratization represent Ark7’s core mission, enabling real estate ownership for everyone through the $20 minimum investment. This allows investors to build diversified portfolios across multiple properties and markets with minimal capital, something impossible with Willow Wealth’s $10,000+ minimums.

The monthly income advantage provides more frequent cash flow and compounding opportunities compared to quarterly distributions from competitors. For income-focused investors, this creates a more consistent and predictable revenue stream that can be reinvested or used for living expenses.

Transparency and safety differentiate Ark7 from Willow Wealth’s documented issues. With full 24/7 access to legal and financial documents, 1099 tax reporting, and a clean track record with no major defaults, Ark7 provides the transparency and safety that investors deserve.

Total cost of ownership favors Ark7’s zero AUM fee structure. Over a 5-year period, this saves hundreds or thousands of dollars compared to competitors charging 1-4% annual fees, allowing more capital to compound and grow.

Specific use cases where each platform excels

Choose Ark7 when:

• Seeking the lowest barrier to entry with $20 minimum investment
• Prioritizing monthly income over quarterly distributions
• Wanting zero AUM fees to maximize compounding
• Needing IRA investment options for tax-advantaged growth
• Valuing transparency with full access to property documents
• Seeking residential rental properties with conservative underwriting

Select other platforms for:

• Hands-off diversification across property types (Fundrise)
• Vacation rental specialization (Arrived Homes)
• Commercial real estate exposure (RealtyMogul, CrowdStreet)
• Institutional-quality deals with higher minimums (EquityMultiple)
• Blockchain-based ownership (Lofty.ai)
• Multi-asset alternatives beyond real estate (Willow Wealth)

Technical capabilities comparison

Investment Minimums:

• Ark7: $20 per share – industry’s lowest minimum
• Fundrise: $10 per fund share – lowest absolute entry
• Arrived Homes: $100 per share – higher entry barrier
• Willow Wealth: $10,000+ for many offerings – highest barrier

Distribution Frequency:

• Ark7: Monthly distributions on the 3rd of each month
• All competitors: Quarterly distributions (Willow Wealth, Fundrise, Arrived, etc.)

Fee Structure:

• Ark7: Zero AUM fees + 3% one-time sourcing fee
• Willow Wealth: 1-4% annual AUM fees
• Fundrise: Approximately 1% annual AUM fees
• Arrived Homes: Sourcing fee + quarterly asset management fee

Liquidity Options:

• Ark7: Secondary market trading after 1-year hold period
• Fundrise: Limited quarterly redemptions with restrictions
• Arrived Homes: Limited liquidity after 5-15 year holds
• Willow Wealth: Generally locked for 3-10 years

Property Selection:

• Ark7: Individual property choice with full transparency
• Fundrise: Fund-based only with no individual selection
• Arrived/RealtyMogul: Individual property choice available
• Willow Wealth: Individual deals or fund options

Making the Right Choice

Selecting the ideal Willow Wealth alternative depends on your specific requirements, risk tolerance, and investment goals. Ark7 emerges as the clear winner for accessible, transparent residential real estate investing, combining the lowest minimum investment with monthly income, zero AUM fees, and a clean track record.

For investors prioritizing capital preservation, accessibility, and consistent income, Ark7 provides the optimal balance of safety and returns. The platform’s focus on residential rental properties, full transparency, and investor-friendly features make it the superior choice for building wealth through real estate.

The future of real estate investing is accessible, transparent, and investor-friendly, and Ark7 leads the charge in democratizing property ownership for everyone. Start building your real estate portfolio today with Ark7’s $20 minimum and join the growing community of 220,000+ investors who’ve chosen the platform for their real estate investing needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fractional real estate investing?

Fractional real estate investing allows multiple investors to purchase shares of individual properties, making real estate ownership accessible with minimal capital. Ark7 enables this with shares starting at $20, allowing investors to build diversified portfolios across multiple properties and markets without the responsibilities of direct property management. This model democratizes real estate investing by removing traditional barriers like large down payments and property maintenance requirements. Instead of needing hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy a rental property outright, investors can start with as little as $20 and gradually build their real estate portfolio over time.

How does Ark7 make real estate investment accessible?

Ark7 makes real estate investment accessible through its $20 minimum investment per share, enabling anyone to participate in property ownership regardless of their capital level. The platform’s mobile app provides a user-friendly interface for discovering, purchasing, and managing property shares with just a few taps. Monthly distributions provide consistent income streams that help investors see tangible returns from their investments quickly. The straightforward 1099 tax reporting eliminates the complexity of K-1 forms that many other platforms require, making tax season simpler for investors.

Can I use my IRA to invest in Ark7 properties?

Yes, Ark7 supports both Traditional and Roth IRA accounts through custodian Inspira Financial Company, allowing you to build real estate holdings within your retirement accounts. The annual custodian fee is $100 per property (capped at $400 annually), making it cost-effective for larger portfolios. For accounts with average balances exceeding $100,000, the custodian fee is completely waived, further reducing costs for serious investors. This IRA support enables tax-advantaged real estate investing, helping you grow your retirement savings through rental property income and appreciation.

What are the risks associated with investing in Ark7 shares?

Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and real estate values can fluctuate based on market conditions, economic factors, and property-specific issues. Rental income may vary due to vacancy periods, tenant issues, or changing market rents. You should speak with your financial advisor, accountant and/or attorney when evaluating any offering to ensure it aligns with your risk tolerance and investment goals.

How do I sell my shares on the Ark7 platform?

Ark7 provides secondary market trading through the PPEX ATS (Public Private Execution Network Alternative Trading System), an SEC-registered alternative trading system that facilitates share transactions between investors. Investors can list their shares for sale after a 1-year minimum holding period, subject to platform availability and compliance with federal and state securities laws. The secondary market provides liquidity options not commonly available in traditional real estate investments, though pricing depends on buyer demand. However, there can be no assurance that an active market will develop, so investors must be prepared to hold shares indefinitely if buyers are not available.

What kind of properties does Ark7 offer for investment?

Ark7 offers fractional shares in residential rental properties across 10+ markets, primarily focused in high-growth Sunbelt regions where population and job growth support strong rental demand. Properties include single-family homes and townhomes in markets like Atlanta, Tampa, and Dallas, selected for features like modern amenities, strong rental demand, and proximity to major employers and transportation hubs. Each property undergoes professional underwriting by Ark7’s experienced team to assess potential returns, market conditions, and risk factors. The platform’s exclusive focus on residential properties allows for specialized expertise in this asset class, ensuring consistent quality and performance across the portfolio.