Online real estate investing platforms like Ark7 are digital marketplaces that let individual investors buy fractional shares of rental properties, REITs, and real estate debt with minimums as low as $10 to $25,000. These platforms handle property acquisition, tenant management, and operations while distributing rental income to investors as dividends, making real estate returns accessible without direct ownership responsibilities. If you have up to $25,000 to invest in real estate, you have probably noticed how hard it is to get a straight answer about which platform is worth your money. The comparison articles all rank different winners, several major platforms have restricted withdrawals in the past year, and fee structures are presented differently on every site, making direct comparison nearly impossible. This guide reviews the best online real estate investing platforms for under $25,000 in 2026, with analysis of what each platform offers and how to evaluate them based on your priorities.
The fractional real estate platform market was valued at $4.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $14.8 billion by 2034, with over $2 billion flowing into these platforms in 2025 alone DataIntelo. Registered users across leading platforms surpassed 6.3 million as of 2026, and more than 50% of these investors are millennials and Gen Z seeking alternatives to direct homeownership.
Key Takeaways
- A $25,000 budget allows you to invest across multiple fractional real estate platforms, covering single-family rentals, real estate debt, and private credit funds through different providers.
- Liquidity terms have become the defining factor in platform selection. Several major platforms suspended or restricted redemptions in 2025-2026, making secondary market access a critical evaluation criterion.
- Fee structures vary widely. Platforms with AUM-based fees (0.6-1% annually) create ongoing return drag, while sourcing-plus-management models with zero AUM fees can be more cost-effective over multi-year holding periods.
- Platforms with continuous or periodic secondary markets offer better capital access than those relying solely on quarterly redemption programs that can be suspended.
- The right platform depends on your investment goals. Considerations include monthly cash flow needs, liquidity requirements, desired level of diversification, and preferred holding period.
New to passive real estate investing?
Explore Ark7 OpportunitiesWhy Investors Are Reevaluating Platforms in 2026
The past 18 months have been the most unsettled period in the history of online real estate investing. Fundrise temporarily suspended its Equity REIT redemption plan in October 2025, leaving investors unable to access capital they expected to withdraw within quarterly windows. RealtyMogul suspended its share repurchase programs in April 2026, and its Income REIT NAV declined from $11.00 to $7.49, a 32% drop. These events affected tens of thousands of investors.
Three concerns are driving the reevaluation:
Liquidity risk. Redemption gates are contractually permitted in most platform terms, often with fine-print caps as low as 5% annual withdrawal limits. Many investors did not know these provisions existed until platforms activated them. Platforms with secondary markets, where investors can trade shares directly, provide an alternative exit path that does not depend on the platform’s redemption queue.
Fee transparency. Most platforms display their management fees prominently but bury sourcing fees, property management fees, and disposition fees in offering documents. The total fee stack can add 300-400 basis points of annual drag compared to direct ownership or REIT ETFs CrowdfundedWealth. A platform that charges zero AUM fees but takes a sourcing fee at acquisition and a management fee on rental income may cost less over a multi-year hold than a platform with a 1% AUM fee layered on top of sourcing and property management charges.
Platform financial health. Several platforms operate at a loss or carry going-concern qualifications in their SEC filings. An investor’s capital is only as secure as the platform’s ability to continue operating, service assets, and maintain exit channels.
For investors with under $25,000, these risks are amplified because a smaller total portfolio has less margin to absorb platform-level losses or prolonged lock-up periods.
What Defines the Best Real Estate Investing Platform?
An online real estate investing platform connects individual investors with real estate assets they could not typically access on their own. The best platforms do this with transparent fee structures, reasonable minimum investments, clear liquidity terms, and regulatory compliance.
When evaluating platforms for a budget under $25,000, several criteria carry more weight than others. Minimum investment requirements determine how much of your capital you need to commit to access a platform’s offerings. Fee structures affect your net returns over time. Liquidity terms define when and how you can access your invested capital. Historical performance provides context, though past returns do not predict future results. Regulatory status affects investor protections and disclosure requirements.
The fractional real estate market has matured considerably since the first platforms launched in the early 2010s. North America represents 38.6% of global revenue in this space, and residential properties account for 41.3% of the market by property type DataIntelo. The growth in registered users and capital inflows reflects a structural shift in how individual investors access real estate.
The need for this shift is clear. First-time homebuyers have fallen to roughly half the historical norm as home prices have outpaced wage growth across most U.S. markets NAR. Millennials and Gen Z, who make up roughly 50% of fractional real estate investors, face a housing market where direct ownership is out of reach in many cities but the desire for real estate exposure has not diminished. Online platforms fill this gap by converting large capital requirements into small, entry-level investments.
Best Platforms Under $25,000: Quick Comparison
| Platform | Minimum | Fee Structure | Key Differentiator | Liquidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ark7 | $20/share | 3% sourcing + 8-15% PM (0% AUM) | Continuous PPEX ATS secondary market | Trade after 12-month hold |
| Fundrise | $10 | ~1% annual AUM (0.85% mgmt + 0.15% advisory) | Broad 300+ property diversification | Quarterly redemptions (Equity REIT paused) |
| Arrived Homes | $100 | 0.6% AUM + sourcing + PM fees | Bezos-backed, 536+ properties | Monthly trading windows |
| Groundfloor | $10/loan | 0% investor fees | Short-term real estate debt, ~10% avg returns | Loan maturity (6-18 months) |
| Lofty.ai | ~$50 | Marketplace trade fees | Tokenized real estate, daily distributions | 24/7 blockchain marketplace |
| RealtyMogul | $5,000 | Management fees + promote | Commercial REIT access | Suspended since April 2026 |
| CrowdStreet | $25,000+ | Deal-dependent fees | Direct commercial deal selection | No secondary market |
| Streitwise | ~$3,420 | No performance fees | Non-accredited and foreign nationals OK | Quarterly redemption program |
Best Real Estate Platforms for Under $25,000 in 2026
Based on minimum investment requirements, fee structures, liquidity terms, and historical performance, the top online real estate investing platforms for investors with under $25,000 are:
- Ark7: $20 minimum, zero AUM fees, monthly dividends, continuous PPEX ATS secondary market
- Fundrise: $10 minimum, broad diversification across 300+ properties, ~1% annual fees
- Arrived Homes: $100 minimum, Bezos-backed, 536+ funded properties across 66 markets
- Groundfloor: $10 minimum, zero investor fees, ~10% average returns on 6-18 month loans
- Lofty.ai: $50 minimum, tokenized real estate with 24/7 blockchain marketplace
- RealtyMogul: $5,000 minimum, commercial REIT exposure (redemptions currently suspended)
- CrowdStreet: $25,000 minimum, direct commercial deals (accredited investors only)
- Streitwise: $3,420 minimum, commercial non-traded REIT open to foreign nationals
1. Ark7
Ark7 offers fractional ownership of individual single-family rental properties starting at $20 per share. Each property is held in its own Series LLC, providing legal separation between investments. The platform has funded over $23 million in property value and serves 230,000+ active investors.
Investors receive monthly dividends distributed on the 3rd of each month from net rental income. The portfolio-wide average dividend yield was approximately 4.36% in early 2026, with a 94.81% portfolio occupancy rate. Ark7 has distributed over $3.5 million in lifetime dividends to its investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
What sets Ark7 apart
- Continuous SEC-registered secondary market through PPEX ATS, an Alternative Trading System. Investors can trade shares after a 12-month holding period with no trading fees. This provides ongoing access to capital compared to quarterly redemption windows that can be suspended.
- Zero AUM fees. Ark7 charges a 3% sourcing fee at acquisition and 8-15% property management fee on rental income, but no annual fee on invested capital. This differs from platforms that charge 0.6-1% annually on total assets under management.
- Monthly dividends versus the quarterly cadence common on other fractional platforms.
- Simple 1099-DIV tax treatment qualifying for the 20% QBI deduction, avoiding K-1 complexity.
- IRA investing available in both Roth and Traditional self-directed structures.
- SEC Regulation A+ qualified offerings with FINRA/SIPC oversight through Dalmore Group.
Ark7’s fee model addresses a common complaint in fractional real estate: the ongoing drag of AUM fees that reduce net returns regardless of property performance. By charging fees only at acquisition and on rental income, the platform aligns its compensation with property performance rather than capital accumulation.
The PPEX ATS secondary market is a particularly relevant feature for investors under $25,000. When your total invested amount is modest, having your capital tied up for years without access is a significant constraint. Ark7’s 12-month hold period is followed by continuous trading access Ark7, meaning investors can sell shares when they need capital rather than waiting for a quarterly redemption window that may or may not be honored.
Monthly dividend distributions also benefit smaller portfolios. A platform paying quarterly dividends requires investors to wait three months between payouts, while Ark7’s monthly cadence provides more regular cash flow. For an investor with a diversified portfolio generating meaningful income, the difference between monthly and quarterly compounding can be significant over time. To understand how this compares to other monthly dividend options, read our piece on real estate investing platforms generating monthly dividends.
Ideal for
- Investors who want to own shares of specific rental properties with property-level transparency
- Those who prioritize regular monthly cash flow and secondary market liquidity
- Investors seeking to avoid AUM fee drag over multi-year holding periods
- Non-accredited investors looking for SEC-qualified real estate investments
- Anyone who wants to start with as little as $20 and build a diversified position over time Ark7
Getting started
Browse available properties → on Ark7.com. Each property listing shows the dividend yield, occupancy history, and financial details. Minimum investment is $20 per share, and no accredited investor status is required Ark7.
2. Fundrise
Fundrise operates pooled eREITs and eFunds across real estate, private credit, and venture capital. The platform manages approximately $2.87 billion in equity and has the longest track record in the fractional space, having launched in 2012. Minimum investment is $10 for a standard brokerage account Investopedia, making it the most accessible platform by dollar amount.
Fundrise offers broad diversification across 300+ properties through its fund structure. Investors do not select individual properties. They buy shares in pooled funds that own diversified real estate portfolios. The flagship Flagship Real Estate Fund returned 7.47% in 2024 but returned -7.45% in 2023 during the commercial real estate downturn SEC Filing. Its Innovation Fund went public on the NYSE in March 2026 under ticker VCX, rising 63.27% in its first 12 months BusinessWire.
Key Features
- Non-accredited investors accepted with a $10 minimum
- Broad diversification across real estate, private credit, and venture capital funds
- 385,000+ active investors, $2.87B AUM
- Core Flagship fund plus Innovation Fund (VCX) listed on NYSE
- Advisory fee of 0.15% plus management fee of 0.85% annually
Pricing
$10 minimum for standard brokerage accounts. $1,000 minimum for IRA accounts. The Innovation Fund carries a higher fee of 1.85% annually. A 1% early redemption penalty applies to shares held less than five years. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
3. Arrived Homes
Arrived Homes offers fractional ownership of individual rental properties starting at $100 per property. It is backed by investment from Jeff Bezos and Marc Benioff.
Key Features
- $100 minimum per property, open to non-accredited investors
- Private Credit Fund with 8.1-8.36% annualized yield
- 173 properties sold with 18.6% average total return on exits
- Simple 1099 tax treatment with QBI deduction
Pricing
$100 minimum per property. The fee structure includes an AUM fee, sourcing fees at acquisition, and property management fees on rental income. The total fee stack can add up to significant annual drag compared to platforms that forgo AUM fees entirely.
4. Groundfloor
Groundfloor focuses on short-term real estate debt through Loan Repair Opportunities (LROs) and a fixed-income Notes product. It was the first SEC-qualified real estate crowdfunding platform for non-accredited investors PRNewswire. The platform has funded over $2.2 billion in loans since its founding.
Individual LROs target 6-18 month terms with approximately 10% average annualized returns since 2013 CrowdfundedWealth. The Notes product has a 100% on-time payment record since 2018, paying $8.4 million in interest in 2025. The 12-Month Signature Note pays 8.25% and is available to non-accredited investors. Groundfloor charges zero investor fees. All costs are borrower-paid, which is unusual in the industry.
Key Features
- Zero investor fees on individual loans CrowdfundedWealth
- Notes product with 100% on-time payment record since 2018
- Short 6-18 month loan terms
- 12-Month Signature Note available to non-accredited investors at 8.25%
- IRA-eligible investments
Pricing
$10 minimum per loan ($100 account minimum). Zero platform fees on individual loans. No secondary market. The platform carries a going-concern qualification in its FY2024 SEC filings with a $55.8 million accumulated deficit.
5. Lofty.ai
Lofty.ai offers tokenized fractional real estate ownership on the Algorand blockchain, enabling 24/7 peer-to-peer trading. The platform accepts non-accredited investors with a minimum investment of approximately $50 and allows investors to buy shares in individual rental properties. It is backed by Y Combinator and has reached profitability Y Combinator.
Lofty.ai provides daily rental distributions based on net rental income, a cadence that differs from the monthly or quarterly distributions on other platforms. The platform has no lock-up period, meaning investors can trade tokens at any time through its blockchain-based marketplace.
Key Features
- 24/7 peer-to-peer trading on the Algorand blockchain
- Open to non-accredited investors
- Daily rental distributions
- No lock-up period
- Y Combinator backed (S19), reached profitability
Pricing
Minimum investment approximately $50 per token. Round-trip trading fees of approximately 5.5% (2.5% buy + 3% sell). Property pricing varies. The marketplace is not registered as a securities exchange, which introduces regulatory uncertainty compared to SEC-registered platforms.
6. RealtyMogul
RealtyMogul operates two non-traded REITs (MogulREIT I and II) and private placements for accredited investors. The platform was acquired by The Wideman Company, a Susquehanna Holdings affiliate, in November 2025. Its headline performance metric is an 18.1% IRR across 234 realized investments ModernAlts.
RealtyMogul’s share repurchase programs were suspended on April 21, 2026. Distributions on MogulREIT II have been paused since Q4 2025, and new investor subscriptions are closed. The platform has a Trustpilot rating of 1.5/5 with widespread complaints about multi-year redemption delays.
Key Features
- Non-accredited investors can invest via two public REITs at a $5,000 minimum CRE Daily
- SEC-regulated offerings with public filings
- Commercial real estate exposure through REIT structure
- Acquired by The Wideman Company with co-investment commitment
- $5,000 minimum for REIT investments
Pricing
$5,000 minimum for REIT investments. Accredited private placements start at $25,000-$35,000. Fee structure includes management fees plus promote on deal-level performance. Not currently accepting new investor capital CRE Daily.
7. CrowdStreet
CrowdStreet connects accredited investors with direct commercial real estate deals. Most investments require $25,000 or more, with many deals requiring $50,000-$100,000.
A $1 billion class-action lawsuit remains in active litigation, and over 125 FINRA arbitration claims have been filed. The Wall Street Journal found that more than half of 104 analyzed CrowdStreet deals missed target returns, with 19 deals producing $34 million in total investor losses. No secondary market exists, requiring 3-10 year holds with no early exit.
Key Features
- Direct deal-level selection for accredited investors
- Distribution partnerships with Nuveen/Churchill and StepStone Group
- New CEO John Imbriglia installed July 2024
- FINRA broker-dealer license obtained September 2023
- Third-party escrow mandatory on all deals since June 2023
Pricing
Minimums typically $25,000 or higher per deal. No secondary market. Investors hold until property sale or fund liquidation.
8. Streitwise
Streitwise operates a non-traded REIT available to non-accredited investors and foreign nationals. The REIT invests in a concentrated portfolio of commercial properties. Management holds a 17% co-investment in the fund, which aligns operator interests with investors.
Dividends were reduced in Q4 2024 from $0.13 to $0.03 per share. NAV has declined from the $10.00 offering price to $6.96 as of Q1 2026, reflecting a 30.4% decline. The portfolio is concentrated with 2-3 properties in two Midwest markets, offering limited geographic diversification. The current yield is approximately 1.7%, which trails high-yield savings accounts.
Key Features
- Non-accredited investors and foreign nationals accepted
- No performance fees or promotes
- 20% pass-through QBI deduction
- Management’s 17% co-investment aligns interests
- Quarterly redemption program available
Pricing
Minimum approximately $3,420 (500 shares at $6.96 NAV). No performance fees. Fee structure includes management fees from the REIT’s operations. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and all real estate investing carries risk, including potential loss of principal.
How to Choose Based on Your Investment Amount
The amount you have to invest directly affects which platforms are accessible and how you should approach diversification. Here is how the options break down by capital tier.
$10 to $99: Fundrise and Groundfloor accept investments at this level, with minimums of $10 each. Ark7 offers share purchases starting at $20 on its secondary market, making direct property ownership accessible at this tier as well. Lofty.ai starts at approximately $50.
$100 to $999: This tier opens up Arrived Homes at $100 per property and broader access to Ark7’s new offerings at $100. Groundfloor’s Notes program requires higher minimums within this range. Most REIT-based platforms require $1,000 to $5,000.
$1,000 to $4,999: Streitwise becomes accessible at approximately $3,420. RealtyMogul’s REITs start at $5,000. Ark7 investors at this level can build a diversified portfolio of 10 to 50 properties across different markets.
$5,000 to $24,999: This is the most flexible tier. Investors can access almost every non-accredited platform. RealtyMogul REITs are accessible. The main exclusion is CrowdStreet, which requires $25,000 minimums and accredited status.
For non-accredited investors, the accessible platforms at every tier include Ark7, Fundrise, Arrived Homes, Groundfloor, Lofty.ai, and Streitwise. RealtyMogul is accessible but not currently accepting new capital.
Diversification Across Platforms
A budget of $25,000 allows investors to build positions across multiple platforms with different investment types and liquidity profiles. Consider combining:
- A diversified fund-based platform for broad real estate exposure
- A property-level fractional ownership platform for direct rental income
- A short-term real estate debt platform for defined-maturity investments
- A non-traded REIT for commercial real estate exposure
This type of allocation diversifies across equity, debt, and commercial real estate with staggered liquidity timelines, where capital becomes available at different intervals rather than all at once. Investors should consult a licensed financial advisor for personalized allocation decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and all real estate investing carries risk including potential loss of principal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum investment for online real estate investing platforms?
Minimums range from $10 (Fundrise, Groundfloor) to $25,000+ (CrowdStreet deals). The most accessible platforms for fractional real estate investing start at $10 to $100 per investment. Ark7 offers the lowest minimum for direct property-level ownership at $20 per share.
How much money do I need to start investing in real estate online?
You can start with as little as $10 on Fundrise or Groundfloor. For fractional ownership of individual rental properties, minimums range from $20 (Ark7) to $100 (Arrived Homes). A $25,000 budget provides room to diversify across multiple platforms.
What fees do real estate investing platforms charge?
Fee structures vary. Some platforms charge annual AUM fees (Fundrise at approximately 1%, Arrived at 0.6%) that create ongoing return drag. Others charge sourcing and management fees at acquisition or on rental income. Ark7 charges a 3% sourcing fee and 8-15% property management fee with no AUM fee. Groundfloor charges zero fees on individual loans.
How long does it take to withdraw money from real estate investing platforms?
Withdrawal timelines range from days (Ark7 secondary market trades) to indefinite (platforms with suspended redemption programs). Platforms with secondary markets offer faster access than those relying solely on quarterly redemption programs. Redemption programs can be restricted or suspended during market stress, as demonstrated by Fundrise in October 2025 and RealtyMogul in April 2026.
What happens if a real estate investing platform suspends withdrawals?
Most platform terms include provisions allowing them to cap or suspend redemptions, often with contractual limits as low as 5% of NAV per quarter. When this happens, investors cannot access their capital until the platform lifts the suspension, which may take months or years. Platforms with secondary markets provide an alternative exit path that operates independently of the platform’s redemption program. This distinction is worth evaluating before investing rather than during a suspension event.
Do I need to be an accredited investor to use real estate investing platforms?
No. Most platforms listed in this guide accept non-accredited investors. Ark7, Fundrise, Arrived Homes, Groundfloor, Lofty.ai, RealtyMogul (REITs), and Streitwise all offer options for non-accredited investors. CrowdStreet requires accredited status for its direct deals.
Final Verdict
The most important lesson from the 2025-2026 period is that liquidity matters as much as returns. A platform’s ability to let you exit when needed should be evaluated before its projected yield.
For a $25,000 investor evaluating options, the following considerations apply across different priorities:
- Investors who want monthly cash flow and secondary market liquidity alongside property-level transparency may find Ark7’s structure worth evaluating. The $20 minimum, zero AUM fees, and continuous PPEX ATS secondary market address the most common pain points in fractional real estate. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and all real estate investing carries risk, including potential loss of principal.
- Those who prioritize broad passive diversification across hundreds of properties with the lowest dollar minimum may lean toward fund-based platforms that pool investor capital across diversified portfolios.
- Investors with a shorter time horizon who prefer fixed-income exposure may gravitate toward short-term real estate debt instruments with defined maturity dates.
- For those considering tokenized real estate, regulatory structure and ownership protections are important factors to evaluate alongside yield.
Each platform serves different approaches to real estate investing. The right choice involves evaluating your own priorities around income, liquidity, diversification, and holding period. Start investing with $20 →
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Real estate investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult a licensed financial advisor for personalized investment decisions.
