6 BuyProperly Alternatives

When evaluating BuyProperly alternatives for fractional real estate investment, the choice ultimately comes down to whether you prioritize monthly income, minimal fees, or property-level control. While BuyProperly offers cross-border investment opportunities between Canada and the U.S., many investors seek platforms with lower entry barriers, transparent fee structures, and consistent cash flow distributions. This comprehensive guide examines the top BuyProperly alternatives, with particular emphasis on why Ark7 emerges as the superior choice for Ark7.

Key Takeaways

• Ark7 leads as the top BuyProperly alternative – Delivers monthly cash distributions, zero asset management fees, and individual property selection starting at just $20
• BuyProperly focuses on cross-border opportunities – Offers both Canadian and U.S. properties but with higher $2,500 minimum investments
• Monthly income defines Ark7 – Only major platform providing consistent monthly vs. quarterly distributions
• Fee structure advantage – Ark7 charges no AUM fees, only 8-15% property management from rental income
• Choose by investment goals – Ark7 for monthly income and low fees; BuyProperly for cross-border diversification; Fundrise for absolute beginners

Understanding BuyProperly: A cross-border investment platform

BuyProperly positions itself as a fractional real estate investment platform that enables investors to purchase shares in properties across both Canada and the United States. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, the platform leverages AI-powered deal sourcing analyzing 1.5 million+ data points to identify investment opportunities.

Key BuyProperly Strengths:

• Cross-border investment access to both Canadian and U.S. real estate markets
• AI-powered deal sourcing analyzing 1.5 million+ data points for property selection
• Diverse property types including residential, commercial, warehouse, and hospitality
• Individual property selection allowing investors to choose specific assets

Significant Limitations:

• High minimum investment of $2,500 CAD ($500 USD) creating a significant barrier to entry
• Higher management fees of 1.25-2.5% annually plus GST/HST on assets under management
• Limited performance transparency with no publicly available dividend yield data
• Unclear secondary market details making liquidity planning difficult
• Less frequent distributions with limited information on payout frequency

With its focus on cross-border opportunities and AI-powered analysis, BuyProperly serves investors seeking geographic diversification between North American markets, but the high entry barrier and fee structure may deter budget-conscious investors.

Top 6 BuyProperly Alternatives Ranked

1. Ark7: The best overall alternative for monthly income and low fees

Ark7 revolutionizes fractional real estate investing by delivering consistent monthly cash distributions from professionally managed rental properties with transparent, income-based fees instead of asset-based charges. With over 220,000 active investors and $23 million+ in property value funded, Ark7 has established itself as a leading platform for accessible real estate investment.

Key Ark7 Advantages:

• Optimal $20 minimum investment – accessible entry point without micro-investing gimmicks
• Traditional LLC ownership structure – no cryptocurrency, blockchain, or complex tech requirements
• Debt-free property options – unique risk reduction feature among fractional platforms
• Monthly income reliability – consistent distributions on the 3rd of each month
• Balanced liquidity timeline – 1-year hold period then access to PPEX ATS secondary market
• Individual property selection – choose specific assets with full underwriting transparency
• IRA eligibility – tax-advantaged investing via Inspira Financial partnership

Monthly Income Advantage:

Unlike BuyProperly’s unclear distribution schedule, Ark7 provides consistent monthly cash flow to investors. Recent portfolio performance shows dividend yields ranging from 3.96% to 7.65% annually, with an overall portfolio occupancy rate of 94.81%. This monthly distribution model provides 3x more frequent income than quarterly-paying competitors, enabling better cash flow management for income-focused investors.

Transparent Fee Structure:

Ark7’s fee structure represents a significant advantage over BuyProperly’s AUM-based fees. Instead of charging 1.25-2.5% annually on invested capital regardless of performance, Ark7 only charges 8-15% of actual rental income generated by each property. This performance-aligned model ensures investors only pay fees when their investment generates income, creating better alignment between platform and investor interests.

Proven Platform Growth:

Ark7’s effectiveness is validated by its rapid growth and investor adoption. The platform has facilitated over $3.5 million in dividends to investors and maintains strong user satisfaction with a 4.7/5 App Store rating from 1,300+ reviews. The Ark7 Mobile App provides convenient access to portfolio management, dividend tracking, and secondary market trading.

2. Fundrise: The beginner-friendly fund-based platform

Fundrise serves as the most established fractional real estate platform, offering fund-based investment options rather than individual property selection. With 385,000+ investors and $2.87 billion+ in assets under management, Fundrise provides a hands-off approach to real estate diversification.

Key Fundrise Advantages:

• Lowest entry point at just $10 minimum investment
• Diversified portfolios reducing property-specific concentration risk
• Professional portfolio management eliminating individual property selection
• Quarterly dividend payments from rental income and appreciation
• IRA accounts available with $1,000 minimum initial investment

Limitations to Consider:

• No individual property selection – Investors cannot choose specific properties or markets
• Quarterly distributions only – Less frequent income than Ark7’s monthly model
• Limited liquidity – Quarterly redemptions with potential penalties and restrictions
• AUM-based fees – 1% annual fee charged on total invested capital regardless of performance
• Less transparency – Fund-based model provides less visibility into specific property performance

Fundrise represents a solid choice for absolute beginners seeking the lowest possible entry point and hands-off diversification, but it sacrifices the control and monthly income that Ark7 provides.

3. Arrived Homes: The vacation rental specialist

Arrived Homes specializes in fractional ownership of single-family homes and vacation rental properties across the United States. Founded in 2019, the platform focuses on properties with strong short-term rental potential and provides detailed analytics on individual homes.

Key Arrived Advantages:

• Individual property selection allowing investors to choose specific homes
• Low entry point at $100 minimum investment
• Quarterly dividend payments from rental income
• Large user base with tens of thousands of active investors and strong adoption

Platform Limitations:

• Quarterly (not monthly) distributions limiting cash flow frequency
• 5-7 year typical holding periods reducing short-term liquidity
• 1% annual fee plus property management costs from rental income
• No IRA investment option limiting tax-advantaged opportunities
• Higher minimum than Ark7 at $100 versus $20 per share

Arrived excels for investors specifically seeking vacation rental exposure, but its higher fees, quarterly payouts, and specialized focus make it less versatile than Ark7’s balanced approach to stabilized rental properties.

4. Lofty.ai: The blockchain-powered instant liquidity platform

Lofty.ai leverages blockchain technology to enable fractional real estate ownership with instant secondary market trading capabilities. The platform tokenizes real estate assets, allowing for immediate buying and selling without traditional holding period restrictions.

Key Lofty Advantages:

• Blockchain technology – Tokenized assets on blockchain for transparent ownership
• 170+ properties tokenized – Established inventory of available investments
• Cryptocurrency integration – Accept crypto payments and integrate with digital wallets
• Individual property selection – Choose specific tokenized properties

Significant Limitations:

• $50 minimum investment – Higher barrier than Concreit or Ark7
• Cryptocurrency complexity – Requires understanding of blockchain and digital wallets
• Regulatory uncertainty – Blockchain real estate faces evolving regulatory landscape
• Limited mainstream adoption – Smaller investor base compared to traditional platforms
• Technology learning curve – Less accessible to traditional real estate investors

Lofty.ai serves investors prioritizing maximum liquidity and daily income, but the blockchain complexity and lack of mobile app may limit its appeal to mainstream real estate investors.

5. RealtyMogul: The institutional-grade platform

RealtyMogul offers fractional real estate investment opportunities with a focus on institutional-quality assets and commercial properties. The platform caters to both accredited and non-accredited investors with a range of property types and investment structures.

Key RealtyMogul Strengths:

• Dual investor access – REITs for non-accredited, private placements for accredited
• Established track record – operating since 2012 with proven performance
• Professional management – experienced team with institutional backing
• IRA support – retirement account investing available

Platform Limitations:

• Higher minimum investments – $5,000+ for most opportunities
• Complex investment structures – REIT and fund options require deeper understanding
• Limited property selection – REITs provide fund-level diversification without individual property choice
• Accreditation requirements – most attractive opportunities require accredited status

RealtyMogul excels for sophisticated investors seeking institutional-grade assets, but its higher minimums and less frequent distributions make it less accessible than Ark7’s streamlined approach.

6. Yieldstreet: The alternative investment marketplace

Yieldstreet operates as a broader alternative investment platform that includes real estate among various asset classes like marine finance, art, and legal receivables. The platform offers both individual real estate deals and diversified real estate funds.

Key Yieldstreet Advantages:

• Diversified alternative investments – Real estate alongside other alternative asset classes
• Institutional partnerships – Access to deals typically reserved for institutional investors
• Professional management – Expert oversight of investment portfolios
• Regulatory compliance – Full SEC registration and investor protections
• Multiple investment options – Choice between individual deals and diversified funds

Significant Limitations:

• High minimum investments – Often $10,000+ minimums for real estate offerings
• Limited real estate focus – Real estate is just one component of broader platform
• Quarterly distributions – Less frequent income than monthly-paying platforms
• Complex fee structures – Multiple fee layers including management and performance fees
• Less property-level transparency – Limited visibility into specific property operations

Yieldstreet serves investors seeking broad alternative investment exposure, but its high minimums and limited real estate focus make it less specialized than Ark7’s dedicated rental property platform.

Why Ark7 stands out for monthly income and accessibility

Ark7’s dominance in fractional real estate investing stems from several unique advantages that directly address investor pain points. The platform’s monthly distribution model ensures consistent cash flow, with recent yields ranging from 3.96% to 7.65% annually, providing reliable passive income for budget-conscious investors.

Zero AUM fee structure represents Ark7’s killer feature, eliminating the 1-2.5% annual asset management fees charged by competitors like BuyProperly and Fundrise. Instead, Ark7 only charges 8-15% of actual rental income, creating better alignment between platform success and investor returns. This performance-based model ensures investors only pay when their investment generates income.

The active secondary trading market provides liquidity that most fractional real estate platforms lack. With 70% of properties trading, investors can sell shares after a 1-year holding period without waiting for property sale or fund redemption cycles. This liquidity option provides flexibility while maintaining the long-term appreciation benefits of real estate ownership.

Accessibility through low minimums democratizes real estate investing, with $20 entry points making it possible for investors with limited capital to build diversified portfolios. This contrasts sharply with BuyProperly’s $2,500 minimum or Fundrise’s $1,000+ IRA minimums, enabling broader participation in real estate wealth building.

Specific use cases where each platform excels

Choose Ark7 when:

• Seeking consistent monthly passive income from rental properties
• Wanting to avoid AUM-based fees that charge regardless of performance
• Needing low entry barriers to build diversified real estate portfolios
• Desiring individual property selection across 10 U.S. markets
• Requiring IRA investment capability with the same low minimums
• Prioritizing mobile accessibility with a highly-rated investment app

Select other platforms for:

• Cross-border Canada/U.S. diversification (BuyProperly)
• Absolute lowest entry point with fund-based diversification (Fundrise at $10)
• Vacation rental specialization (Arrived Homes)
• Maximum liquidity with instant blockchain trading (Lofty.ai)
• Institutional-grade commercial properties (RealtyMogul)
• Broad alternative investment exposure beyond real estate (Yieldstreet)

Technical capabilities comparison

Income Distribution Frequency:

• Ark7: Monthly distributions with 3.96%-7.65% annual yields
• Other platforms: Quarterly or semi-annual distributions with varying yields
• BuyProperly: Limited public data on distribution frequency and yields

Fee Structures:

• Ark7: Zero AUM fees; only 8-15% property management from rental income
• BuyProperly: 1.25-2.5% annual AUM fees plus GST/HST
• Fundrise: 1% annual AUM fee
• Arrived: 3.5% sourcing + 0.15% AUM + property management fees

Investment Minimums:

• Ark7: $20 per share for individual properties
• Fundrise: $10 for fund-based investments
• Arrived: $100 per property
• BuyProperly: $500 USD / $2,500 CAD minimum
• RealtyMogul/Yieldstreet: $1,000+ minimums

Liquidity Options:

• Ark7: Secondary market trading after 1-year hold with 70% of properties trading
• Lofty.ai: Instant blockchain-based trading
• Fundrise: Quarterly redemptions with restrictions
• BuyProperly: Limited secondary market information available

Mobile Experience:

• Ark7: Native iOS/Android apps with 4.6-4.7/5 ratings
• Lofty.ai: Web-only platform with no mobile app
• Other platforms: Varying mobile capabilities with less emphasis on mobile-first experience

Making the Right Choice

Selecting the ideal BuyProperly alternative depends on your specific investment goals, income requirements, and budget constraints. Ark7 emerges as the clear winner for monthly income seekers, combining consistent cash flow with transparent, performance-aligned fees and accessible entry points.

For investors prioritizing monthly passive income, seeking to avoid AUM-based fees, or requiring low minimum investments to build diversified portfolios, Ark7 provides the optimal balance of income frequency, fee transparency, and accessibility. The platform’s proven track record with 220,000+ investors, active secondary market, and highly-rated mobile app ensures successful real estate investing experiences.

The future of fractional real estate investing is monthly income, transparent fees, and mobile accessibility, and Ark7 leads the charge in democratizing rental property investment for every investor. Start building your real estate portfolio today with Ark7’s $20 minimum and join the growing community of successful investors who’ve chosen the platform for their passive income needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fractional real estate investing, and how does it work?

Fractional real estate investing allows multiple investors to purchase shares of individual rental properties, enabling ownership with much lower capital requirements than traditional real estate investment. Ark7 structures these investments as SEC-qualified securities under Regulation A+, with investors receiving proportional shares of monthly rental income and potential property appreciation. Unlike fund-based platforms, Ark7 enables individual property selection across 10 U.S. markets, providing granular control over investment geography and property type.

How do I choose the best crowdfunding platform for real estate?

When evaluating real estate crowdfunding platforms, prioritize monthly income frequency, fee transparency, investment minimums, and liquidity options. Ark7 delivers on all four criteria with monthly cash distributions, zero AUM fees, $20 minimum investments, and an active secondary market for share trading after a 1-year hold. These features provide better cash flow management, lower costs, broader accessibility, and greater flexibility compared to quarterly-paying, AUM-fee-charging competitors.

Can I invest in rental properties through an IRA, and what are the benefits?

Yes, Ark7 offers IRA investment capability allowing investors to purchase fractional real estate shares through Traditional or Roth IRAs with the same $20 minimum investment. This provides tax-advantaged real estate exposure without the typical $1,000+ IRA minimums required by other platforms. Benefits include potential tax deferral or tax-free growth (depending on IRA type), tangible asset ownership within retirement accounts, and diversification beyond traditional stocks and bonds.

What are the fees associated with fractional real estate platforms like Ark7?

Ark7’s fee structure differs significantly from competitors by eliminating asset-under-management (AUM) fees that charge regardless of performance. Instead, Ark7 charges only 8-15% of actual rental income generated by each property, ensuring fees align with investment performance. There are no hidden fees, no transaction costs for buying shares, and no redemption fees for selling on the secondary market.

How liquid are my investments in fractional real estate?

Liquidity varies significantly across fractional real estate platforms. Ark7 provides an active secondary trading market where investors can sell shares after a 1-year holding period, with 70% of properties trading. This provides meaningful liquidity without waiting for property sale (typically 5-7 years) or fund redemption cycles. However, investors should be prepared to hold shares indefinitely as there’s no guarantee of finding buyers on the secondary market.

What kind of properties can I typically invest in with these platforms?

Ark7 focuses on cash-flowing single-family and townhome rental properties across 10 U.S. markets including Dallas, Tampa, Atlanta, Austin, and Seattle. Properties are typically newer construction (many built 2018-2020) in high-growth Sunbelt markets with strong rental demand and population growth. Investors can review detailed property information including square footage, bedrooms/bathrooms, year built, market data, and expected returns before investing.