Elevate.Money vs InvestBay vs Ark7: Which is the Right Fractional Real Estate Platform? 

The fractional real estate investment landscape has undergone a dramatic shift entering 2026. With Elevate.Money closing its doors on December 30, 2025, and InvestBay primarily serving European markets, U.S. investors seeking accessible, transparent real estate opportunities face a different competitive environment. For Americans looking to build wealth through rental property ownership, Ark7’s fractional shares have emerged as the leading platform with verified performance, regulatory compliance, and genuine accessibility. This comprehensive comparison examines these three platforms to help investors make informed decisions in the current market.

Key Takeaways

• Elevate.Money has permanently closed operations as of December 30, 2025, with all investor funds distributed and no ongoing access to the platform
• Ark7 stands as the primary active platform for U.S. investors, offering SEC Regulation A+ qualified shares in high-yield rental properties with a $20 minimum investment
• InvestBay focuses on European vacation properties with blockchain tokenization, but may have geographic restrictions for U.S. investors
• Ark7 delivers verified actual performance with $3.5M+ in dividends paid and $75,538 in monthly distributions (November 2026), contrasting with competitors’ projected returns
• Cost efficiency favors Ark7 with zero ongoing AUM fees, saving approximately $600 annually on a $10,000 investment compared to Elevate.Money’s historical fee structure
• Liquidity is demonstrated, not just promised with Ark7’s $61,662 monthly trading volume on the PPEX ATS secondary market

Understanding Fractional Real Estate Investing Platforms

Fractional real estate platforms democratize property ownership by allowing investors to purchase shares in individual rental properties rather than entire assets. This model addresses traditional barriers like high capital requirements ($300K+ for single-family homes) and landlord responsibilities. However, not all platforms deliver on their promises of accessibility, transparency, and performance.

The critical distinction lies between verified actual performance and projected returns. As the market evolves, investors increasingly demand platforms that demonstrate consistent cash flow, regulatory compliance, and genuine liquidity rather than theoretical benefits.

Key Considerations for Investors:

• Platform reliability and operational history – Active vs. closed platforms
• Geographic accessibility – U.S. market focus vs. international restrictions
• Performance verification – Actual dividends paid vs. projected yields
• Fee structures – Ongoing AUM fees vs. performance-based compensation
• Secondary market liquidity – Demonstrated trading volume vs. theoretical access

Ark7: Accessible & Transparent Fractional Real Estate

Ark7 has established itself as the premier platform for U.S.-based fractional real estate investing through its commitment to accessibility, transparency, and verified performance. With over 230,000 active investors, Ark7 offers shares in curated high-yield rental properties nationwide, with investments starting as low as $20 per share.

Ark7’s Investment Model:

• Share-by-share ownership in specific single-family and multi-family rental properties
• Monthly cash distributions paid on the 3rd of each month from rental income
• Full operational transparency with 24/7 access to legal and financial documents
• Professional property management handling acquisition, leasing, tenanting, and maintenance
• SEC Regulation A+ qualified offerings ensuring regulatory compliance and investor protections

Verified Performance Metrics:

• $3.5M+ in cumulative dividends paid to investors since inception
• $75,538.20 in monthly dividend distributions (November 2026)
• 94.81% portfolio occupancy rate (December 2026)
• $61,662 monthly trading volume on the PPEX ATS secondary market
• 27 properties actively trading (70% of portfolio availability)

The Ark7 Mobile App enhances the investor experience with features for property discovery, share purchase, investment tracking, and secondary market trading, all accessible from iOS and Android devices.

Comparing Investment Minimums and Accessibility

Accessibility is a cornerstone of fractional real estate investing, and the minimum investment threshold significantly impacts an investor’s ability to diversify and manage risk.

Minimum Investment Comparison:

• Ark7: $20 per share – enabling true portfolio diversification with minimal capital
• Elevate.Money: $100 (when active, now closed)
• InvestBay: €100-500 ($107-535) – significantly higher barrier to entry

This accessibility difference is substantial. With $1,000, an Ark7 investor can own shares in 50 different properties, while the same amount would purchase shares in only 1-2 InvestBay properties. This diversification capability is crucial for managing the inherent risks of real estate investing.

U.S. Market Focus: Ark7’s exclusive focus on the U.S. rental market provides several advantages:

• Properties in high-growth Sunbelt regions like Atlanta, Dallas, and Tampa
• Familiar legal and regulatory frameworks
• Strong rental demand driven by population growth and job creation
• Professional management by local experts with market knowledge

Examples include the Atlanta-T3 property shares in Jonesboro, GA, and the Tampa-S10 property shares in Land O Lakes, FL, both offering exposure to high-demand rental markets.

Evaluating Returns and Passive Income Potential

Income generation is a primary motivation for real estate investors, and the frequency and reliability of distributions significantly impact cash flow management and compounding opportunities.

Income Distribution Comparison:

• Ark7: Monthly distributions with verified $75,538.20 paid in November 2026
• Elevate.Money: Monthly (when active, now closed)
• InvestBay: Annual or unspecified frequency

Ark7’s monthly distribution schedule provides several advantages:

• More frequent cash flow for investors’ financial planning
• Better compounding opportunities through reinvestment
• Consistent income stream that can supplement other revenue sources
• Transparent performance tracking with monthly updates

The platform’s conservative approach to return projections—focusing on verified actual performance rather than optimistic projections—builds investor trust and sets realistic expectations. While competitors may advertise 7-9% projected returns, Ark7 delivers a verified 3.96% portfolio average with actual cash distributions.

Understanding Liquidity and Secondary Markets

Real estate has traditionally been an illiquid asset class, but fractional platforms promise enhanced liquidity through secondary markets. However, theoretical liquidity differs significantly from demonstrated trading activity.

Secondary Market Comparison:

• Ark7: Active PPEX ATS trading with $61,662 monthly volume and 70% of properties available for trading
• Elevate.Money: Share redemption program suspended before closure
• InvestBay: Blockchain P2P trading with undisclosed volume

Ark7’s secondary market operates through the PPEX ATS, an SEC-registered alternative trading system, providing regulatory oversight and actual liquidity. Investors can sell shares after a 12-month holding period, with the platform reporting consistent monthly trading volume.

This demonstrated liquidity is crucial for investor confidence, as it provides a genuine exit strategy rather than just theoretical access. The $61,662 monthly trading volume (November 2026) shows that investors actively buy and sell shares, creating a functioning market for fractional real estate ownership.

Investment Choices: Single-Family and Multi-Family Properties

Property selection significantly impacts investment performance, and platforms differ in their property focus and geographic strategy.

Property Portfolio Comparison:

• Ark7: 27+ actively trading U.S. residential rental properties in high-growth markets
• Elevate.Money: 2 commercial properties at closure (STNL+ REIT)
• InvestBay: Multiple European vacation properties in Spain, Croatia, and Czech Republic

Ark7’s focus on U.S. residential rentals provides several advantages:

• Strong rental demand driven by demographic trends and housing shortages
• Properties in high-growth Sunbelt markets with job creation and population growth
• Professional management by local operators with market expertise
• Diversification across multiple property types and geographic locations

Specific examples include the Dallas-S8 property, a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath single-family home built in 1998 in Mesquite, TX.

Leveraging IRA for Real Estate Investments

Tax-advantaged retirement accounts can significantly enhance real estate investment returns through tax deferral or tax-free growth.

IRA Investment Capabilities:

• Ark7: Full IRA compatibility through Inspira Financial Company custodian
• Elevate.Money: Not available (platform closed)
• InvestBay: Not available

Ark7’s IRA investment option enables investors to use retirement funds to purchase fractional real estate shares, combining the benefits of real estate ownership with tax advantages. The platform charges no opening fee, with annual custodian fees of $100 per property (capped at $400 annually) or waived for account balances over $100,000.

This capability is particularly valuable for long-term wealth building, as it allows investors to benefit from both property appreciation and rental income while deferring or eliminating taxes on these gains.

Regulatory Compliance and Investor Protections

Regulatory oversight provides essential investor protections in the fractional real estate space.

Compliance Framework Comparison:

• Ark7: SEC Regulation A+ qualified offerings with Dalmore Group LLC as FINRA/SIPC registered broker-dealer
• Elevate.Money: SEC filed (inactive due to closure)
• InvestBay: European MiCA regulation

Ark7’s regulatory compliance provides several investor protections:

• SEC qualification ensures thorough review of offering materials
• FINRA/SIPC registered broker-dealer provides transaction oversight
• Full disclosure requirements ensure transparent risk communication
• Operating agreements clearly define investor rights and platform obligations

The platform’s commitment to “Access Operation Transparency” means investors have 24/7 access to legal and financial documents, enabling informed decision-making and ongoing due diligence.

Why Ark7 Stands Out for U.S. Investors

Ark7’s dominance in the U.S. fractional real estate market stems from its combination of accessibility, verified performance, and regulatory compliance.

Verified Track Record: Unlike competitors that rely on projected returns, Ark7 demonstrates actual performance with 230,000+ active investors and $3.5M+ in cumulative dividends paid. The platform’s November 2026 dividend distribution of $75,538.20 provides concrete evidence of rental income generation.

Cost Efficiency: Ark7’s fee structure eliminates ongoing AUM fees that burden investors on other platforms. While Elevate.Money charged approximately 6% annually in management fees, Ark7 charges only performance-based fees from rental income, saving investors roughly $600 annually on a $10,000 investment.

Genuine Accessibility: The $20 minimum investment threshold enables true portfolio diversification that’s impossible on higher-minimum platforms. This accessibility, combined with monthly distributions and active secondary market trading, creates a genuinely investor-friendly platform.

U.S. Market Focus: Ark7’s exclusive focus on U.S. rental markets ensures investors benefit from strong demographic trends, job growth, and professional local management. Properties in high-growth Sunbelt markets like Atlanta, Dallas, and Tampa provide exposure to some of the country’s strongest rental markets.

Specific Use Cases Where Ark7 Excels

Choose Ark7 when:

• You’re a U.S.-based investor seeking SEC-compliant real estate opportunities
• You want verified actual performance rather than projected returns with monthly dividend distributions
• You need the lowest possible entry point ($20) for portfolio diversification
• You value transparency with 24/7 access to legal and financial documents
• You want IRA compatibility for tax-advantaged real estate investing through Ark7’s IRA option
• You seek genuine liquidity with demonstrated secondary market trading activity

Consider alternatives only when:

• You specifically want European vacation property exposure (InvestBay)
• You’re comfortable with blockchain tokenization and crypto wallet management (InvestBay)
• You’re not a U.S.-based investor and prefer international property markets

Frequently Asked Questions

Can U.S. investors use InvestBay?

InvestBay primarily focuses on European vacation properties in Spain, Croatia, and the Czech Republic, and may have geographic restrictions for U.S. investors. The platform uses blockchain tokenization which may present additional regulatory considerations for American users. Based on available information, access for U.S. investors may be limited or unavailable. Investors should verify their eligibility directly with InvestBay or consider U.S.-focused platforms like Ark7.

How do returns typically work with fractional real estate platforms?

Returns from fractional real estate platforms come from two sources: monthly rental income distributions and potential property appreciation over time. Ark7 pays monthly cash distributions from rental income, averaging $75,538.20 monthly as of November 2026, while holding properties long-term for appreciation potential. Unlike platforms that rely on projected returns, Ark7 provides verified actual performance data. Investors receive proportional shares of rental income based on their ownership percentage.

What fees should I expect when investing with Ark7?

Ark7 charges a 3% one-time sourcing fee and performance-based management fees of 8-15% from rental income, not from your principal investment. Crucially, there are no ongoing AUM fees, which saves approximately $600 annually compared to platforms like Elevate.Money that charged ~6% in annual management fees. For IRA accounts, custodian fees are $100 per property annually (capped at $400) or waived for balances over $100,000. This transparent fee structure ensures investor interests align with platform performance.

How does the secondary market for shares operate?

Ark7’s secondary market operates through the PPEX ATS, an SEC-registered alternative trading system that provides regulatory oversight and genuine liquidity. Investors can sell shares after a 12-month holding period, with the platform reporting $61,662 in monthly trading volume as of November 2026. This demonstrated liquidity provides a real exit strategy, with 70% of properties actively available for trading. The functioning secondary market differentiates Ark7 from platforms offering only theoretical liquidity.