7 CollabHome Alternatives

When evaluating alternatives to CollabHome for fractional real estate investment, the key decision often centers on whether you prioritize niche specialization or broad accessibility with greater control. While CollabHome offers a focused approach to student housing, many investors seek platforms that provide individual property selection, lower entry barriers, and more flexible liquidity. This comprehensive guide examines the top CollabHome alternatives, with particular emphasis on why Ark7 emerges as the superior choice for investors seeking accessible, transparent, and flexible fractional real estate investing.

Key Takeaways

• Ark7 leads as the top CollabHome alternative – Offers the industry’s lowest $20 minimum for individual property selection, 0% AUM fees, and secondary market liquidity
• CollabHome specializes in student housing – Focuses exclusively on university-adjacent properties with a community-based management model
• Accessibility defines Ark7 – Combines low entry cost with the ability to choose specific rental properties, monthly distributions, and IRA compatibility
• Liquidity is a key differentiator – Ark7’s PPEX ATS secondary market (after 1 year) provides exit flexibility unavailable on most platforms
• Choose by use case – Ark7 for control and accessibility; CollabHome for student housing focus; Fundrise for instant diversification; Lofty.ai for blockchain liquidity

Understanding CollabHome: A student housing specialist

CollabHome positions itself as a fractional real estate investment platform exclusively focused on student housing near major universities. The platform leverages a community-based management model where residents can participate in property operations, creating a unique ecosystem for investors targeting the student rental market.

Key CollabHome Strengths:

• Student housing specialization – Exclusive focus on university-adjacent properties with dedicated expertise
• Community-based management – Innovative decentralized model empowering residents to participate in operations
• Monthly distributions – Provides consistent cash flow on a monthly basis

Significant Limitations:

• Higher fees – 2% annual AUM fee plus 20% profit share on property sale
• No secondary market – Complete illiquidity until property sale (typically 3-5 years)
• Limited property selection – Usually only 1-2 investment opportunities available at any time
• Variable minimum investment – Entry points from $20 to $500 depending on property
• No mobile app – Web-only platform limits on-the-go management

With its specialized focus on student housing, CollabHome serves a specific niche, but investors seeking broader property selection, lower fees, and greater liquidity will find better alternatives in the fractional real estate market.

Top 7 CollabHome Alternatives Ranked

1. Ark7: The best overall alternative for accessible fractional real estate

Ark7 revolutionizes fractional real estate investing by combining the industry’s lowest minimum investment with individual property selection, zero ongoing fees, and balanced liquidity. With a commitment to making real estate investment accessible to everyone, Ark7 offers curated high-yield rental properties nationwide with minimums as low as $20 per share, enabling true portfolio diversification with minimal capital.

Key Ark7 Advantages:

• Industry’s lowest $20 minimum for individual property selection
• 0% annual AUM fees – Only a 3% acquisition fee with no ongoing asset management fees
• Secondary market liquidity – PPEX ATS trading after 1-year minimum hold period
• Monthly passive income distributions – Cash distributions on the 3rd of each month
• Individual property control – Choose specific rental properties rather than blind fund investing
• IRA compatibility – Invest retirement funds through Inspira Financial partnership
• Mobile-first experience – Highly-rated iOS and Android app for on-the-go management

Accessibility and Control:

Unlike CollabHome’s higher minimums (ranging from $20-$500), Ark7’s consistent $20 entry point allows investors to build diversified portfolios across multiple individual properties. For example, with $500, you could invest in a single CollabHome property or diversify across 25 different Ark7 properties in markets like Atlanta, Dallas, and Tampa. This approach to fractional real estate investing provides greater risk management and exposure to different market dynamics.

Transparent Fee Structure:

Ark7’s fee structure is notably more transparent and cost-effective than CollabHome’s. While CollabHome charges a 2% annual AUM fee plus 20% of profits on sale, Ark7 charges only a 3% one-time acquisition fee and 0% annual AUM fees. Property management fees (8-15% of rent) are standard across the industry and aligned with typical property management costs. 

Liquidity Advantage:

Ark7’s integration with the PPEX ATS secondary market provides a significant liquidity advantage over CollabHome’s complete illiquidity. After a 1-year minimum hold period, Ark7 investors can list their shares for trading on the regulated alternative trading system, providing exit flexibility that most fractional platforms lack. This feature is particularly valuable for investors who may need access to their capital before a property’s full lifecycle ends.

2. Fundrise: The diversification-focused alternative

Fundrise serves as the most established player in the fractional real estate space, offering instant diversification through eREITs and eFunds. With over 400,000 active investors and more than $3.3 billion in assets under management, Fundrise provides exposure to a diversified portfolio across various asset classes and geographic markets.

Key Fundrise Advantages:

• Largest established portfolio – Extensive property holdings with 12+ years of operating history
• Lowest absolute minimum – $10 entry point for fund investing
• Professional diversification – Instant exposure to diversified real estate portfolio
• Longest track record – Operating since 2012 with full real estate cycle experience

Platform Considerations:

• No individual property selection – Blind fund investing only without property-level control
• Quarterly distributions – Less frequent than Ark7’s monthly payouts
• 1% annual AUM fees – Ongoing fees that compound over time
• Limited liquidity – Quarterly redemptions with potential early withdrawal penalties

Fundrise excels for investors prioritizing instant diversification and professional fund management, but it doesn’t offer the individual property control, monthly distributions, or zero AUM fees that Ark7 provides.

3. Arrived Homes: The vacation rental specialist

Arrived Homes specializes in short-term rental properties, including vacation homes and Airbnb-style accommodations. With 500+ individual properties available for selection, Arrived offers the largest inventory of any fractional platform, backed by notable investors including Jeff Bezos.

Key Arrived Homes Advantages:

• Largest property selection – 500+ individual rental and vacation properties
• Vacation rental focus – Strong short-term rental (Airbnb-style) exposure
• Individual property choice – Select specific properties rather than blind funds
• Name-brand backing – Jeff Bezos as investor adds credibility

Platform Considerations:

• Higher minimum investment – $100 vs Ark7’s $20 entry point
• Quarterly distributions – Less frequent than Ark7’s monthly schedule
• 5-15 year hold periods – Extended illiquidity for property shares
• Higher total fees – 3.5-5% acquisition + 0.15% quarterly AUM + 8-25% management

Arrived Homes represents a strong choice for investors specifically seeking vacation rental exposure, but Ark7’s lower minimum, monthly distributions, and faster liquidity provide better overall value for most investors.

4. Lofty.ai: The blockchain-powered alternative

Lofty.ai leverages blockchain technology to offer fractional real estate ownership through tokenization, enabling instant trading and daily income distributions. The platform’s decentralized approach provides unique liquidity features and appeals to tech-savvy investors comfortable with cryptocurrency and blockchain concepts.

Key Lofty.ai Advantages:

• Instant liquidity – Blockchain tokenization enables immediate trading without holding periods
• Daily income distributions – Most frequent payouts in the industry
• Zero AUM fees – No ongoing management fees similar to Ark7
• Global accessibility – Blockchain enables worldwide investor participation

Platform Considerations:

• Higher complexity – Blockchain/crypto knowledge required for effective use
• Regulatory uncertainty – Tokenization faces evolving regulations and compliance questions
• Higher minimum – $50 vs Ark7’s $20 entry point
• Smaller user base – More limited scale compared to larger, more established platforms

Lofty.ai’s blockchain approach offers innovative features, but Ark7’s traditional property ownership structure, lower minimum, and established regulatory framework (SEC Reg A+) provide a more accessible and familiar experience for most investors.

5. RealtyMogul: The commercial real estate specialist

RealtyMogul focuses on commercial real estate investments, including office buildings, retail centers, and industrial properties. With 12+ years of operating history, the platform serves investors seeking exposure to commercial rather than residential real estate assets.

Key RealtyMogul Advantages:

• Commercial real estate focus – Access to office, retail, industrial properties
• Long operating history – Established platform with extensive track record
• Institutional-quality deals – Access to larger commercial transactions
• Professional management – Experienced commercial property management

Platform Considerations:

• High minimum investment – $5,000 minimum for REIT investments
• Accredited investor requirements – Many offerings restricted to accredited investors
• Quarterly distributions – Less frequent than monthly platforms
• Limited liquidity – Quarterly redemptions with potential restrictions

RealtyMogul serves a specific niche for commercial real estate investors, but its high minimums and accredited investor requirements make it inaccessible to the majority of retail investors who can easily access Ark7’s $20 minimum platform.

6. DiversyFund: The multifamily growth specialist

DiversyFund specializes in multifamily residential properties with a focus on growth-oriented markets. The platform offers both income-focused and growth-focused REITs, allowing investors to choose their preferred investment strategy within the multifamily sector.

Key DiversyFund Advantages:

• Multifamily specialization – Focused expertise in apartment building investments
• Growth vs. income options – Choice between different investment strategies
• No acquisition fees – 0% upfront fees on investments
• Professional property management – Experienced multifamily operators

Platform Considerations:

• Higher minimum investment – $500 minimum investment
• REIT structure – No individual property selection, only fund investing
• Limited property count – Smaller inventory compared to larger platforms
• 4-6 year hold periods – Extended illiquidity for most investments

DiversyFund provides solid multifamily exposure, but Ark7’s individual property selection, lower $20 minimum, and monthly distributions offer greater flexibility and accessibility for most investors.

7. Groundfloor: The real estate debt alternative

Groundfloor focuses exclusively on real estate debt investments rather than equity ownership. The platform offers short-term, real estate-backed loans with 6-24 month terms and average returns of 10%, providing a different approach to real estate investing through debt rather than property ownership.

Key Groundfloor Advantages:

• Short-term debt focus – 6-24 month loan terms vs 5+ year equity holds
• Higher average returns – 10% average returns on debt investments
• Low minimum investment – $10 entry point for loan investments
• Real estate collateral – Loans backed by actual property assets

Platform Considerations:

• Debt vs. equity – No property ownership or appreciation potential
• Different risk profile – Lending risks vs. ownership risks
• Limited diversification – Focus on debt only, no equity exposure
• Market-specific exposure – Concentrated in specific geographic markets

Groundfloor serves investors seeking short-term, debt-based real estate returns, but it doesn’t provide the property ownership, rental income, or long-term appreciation potential that Ark7’s equity-based fractional ownership offers.

Why Ark7 stands out for accessible fractional real estate

Ark7’s dominance in accessible fractional real estate stems from several unique advantages that directly address the limitations of platforms like CollabHome. The platform’s industry-leading $20 minimum enables true portfolio diversification that simply isn’t possible with higher minimum platforms, allowing investors to spread risk across multiple properties and markets.

Transparent fee structure represents another key differentiator, with Ark7’s 0% annual AUM fees contrasting sharply with CollabHome’s 2% annual fee plus 20% profit share. This transparent pricing model ensures that more of investors’ returns stay in their pockets rather than being consumed by ongoing fees.

The secondary market liquidity through PPEX ATS provides crucial exit flexibility that CollabHome completely lacks. While CollabHome investors are locked in until property sale (typically 3-5 years), Ark7 investors can access the secondary market after just 1 year, providing much-needed flexibility for changing financial circumstances.

Monthly passive income distributions offer more frequent cash flow than the quarterly schedules of Fundrise and Arrived, enabling better budgeting and compounding opportunities for income-focused investors. This feature, combined with individual property selection and IRA compatibility, makes Ark7 the most comprehensive platform for retail real estate investors.

Specific use cases where each platform excels

Choose Ark7 when:

• Seeking the lowest barrier to entry for individual property selection ($20 minimum)
• Prioritizing zero ongoing AUM fees and transparent pricing
• Requiring secondary market liquidity after a reasonable hold period
• Wanting monthly passive income distributions for consistent cash flow
• Needing IRA compatibility for tax-advantaged real estate investing
• Preferring individual property control over blind fund investing

Select other platforms for:

• Student housing specialization near major universities (CollabHome)
• Instant diversification across extensive portfolios with professional management (Fundrise)
• Vacation rental and short-term rental exposure (Arrived Homes)
• Blockchain-based instant liquidity and daily distributions (Lofty.ai)
• Commercial real estate exposure with institutional-quality deals (RealtyMogul)
• Multifamily growth-focused investments with REIT structure (DiversyFund)
• Short-term real estate debt investments with 6-24 month terms (Groundfloor)

Technical capabilities comparison

Investment Minimums:

• Ark7: $20 for individual property selection
• CollabHome: $20-$500 (varies by property)
• Fundrise: $10 for fund investing (no property selection)
• Arrived Homes: $100 for individual property selection
• Lofty.ai: $50 for blockchain tokenized properties

Fee Structures:

• Ark7: 3% acquisition fee, 0% AUM fees, 8-15% property management
• CollabHome: 2% annual AUM fee, 20% profit share on sale
• Fundrise: 0.85-1.85% acquisition, 1% annual AUM fee
• Arrived Homes: 3.5-5% acquisition, 0.15% quarterly AUM, 8-25% management
• Lofty.ai: Variable acquisition, 0% AUM fees

Liquidity Options:

• Ark7: PPEX ATS secondary market after 1-year hold
• CollabHome: No secondary market, illiquid until property sale
• Fundrise: Quarterly redemptions with potential penalties
• Arrived Homes: 5-15 year hold for properties, 6 months for funds
• Lofty.ai: Instant blockchain trading with no holding period

Distribution Frequency:

• Ark7: Monthly distributions (3rd of each month)
• CollabHome: Monthly distributions
• Fundrise: Quarterly distributions
• Arrived Homes: Quarterly distributions
• Lofty.ai: Daily distributions

Making the Right Choice

Selecting the ideal CollabHome alternative depends on your specific investment goals, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. Ark7 emerges as the clear winner for most retail investors, combining the industry’s lowest minimum for individual property selection with zero AUM fees, monthly distributions, and balanced liquidity.

For investors prioritizing accessibility, control, and cost-effectiveness, Ark7 provides the optimal balance of features and benefits. The platform’s commitment to making real estate investment accessible to everyone, combined with its transparent fee structure and flexible liquidity options, makes it the superior choice for building wealth through fractional real estate investing.

The future of fractional real estate investing is accessible, transparent, and flexible, and Ark7 leads the charge in democratizing real estate ownership for every investor. Start building your real estate portfolio today with Ark7’s $20 minimum and join the growing community of investors who’ve chosen the platform for their real estate investment needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fractional real estate investing?

Fractional real estate investing allows multiple investors to pool their money to purchase shares of individual rental properties, with each investor owning a proportional stake. Ark7 offers this through SEC Reg A+ qualified offerings, enabling investors to buy shares in curated high-yield rental properties nationwide with minimums as low as $20 per share. This approach makes real estate investment accessible to everyone while providing professional property management and passive income through monthly cash distributions.

How does the Ark7 platform ensure transparency in its offerings?

Ark7 ensures transparency through full operational transparency with complete legal and financial disclosure accessible 24/7. Each property offering includes detailed information about the specific asset, including property details, financial projections, and risk factors. All offerings are SEC Reg A+ qualified, and the platform provides comprehensive offering circulars that outline all material information investors need to make informed decisions. Additionally, Ark7 holds a minority ownership stake (1%-20%) in each property, aligning its interests with those of its investors.

Can I invest in Ark7 properties using my IRA?

Yes, Ark7 offers IRA investment options through a partnership with Inspira Financial Company, a qualified IRA custodian. Investors can open both Traditional and Roth IRA accounts to invest in fractional real estate shares. The Ark7 platform charges $0 to open an IRA, while Inspira Financial charges a $100 annual fee per property invested (capped at $400 per year, waived if account balance exceeds $100,000). This allows investors to use retirement funds for real estate investing while potentially benefiting from tax advantages.

What are the risks associated with fractional real estate investments?

Investing in fractional real estate involves substantial risks, including illiquidity, lack of diversification, and potential loss of capital. As noted in Ark7’s compliance materials, “Investments such as those on the Ark7 platform are speculative and involve substantial risks to consider before investing.” Properties may experience vacancies, maintenance issues, or market downturns that affect rental income and property values. Additionally, while Ark7 offers secondary market trading through PPEX ATS after a 1-year hold, there’s no guarantee of an active market for shares, and investors should be prepared to hold their investment indefinitely.

How does Ark7 source its properties?

Ark7 sources properties through a combination of technology-driven analysis and local market expertise. The platform uses AI and data insights to identify high-yield rental properties in markets with strong fundamentals, including population growth, job market strength, and rental demand. Properties are typically located in Sunbelt regions and other growth markets, with examples including Atlanta, Dallas, and Tampa. Ark7’s underwriting process evaluates each property based on cash flow potential, appreciation prospects, and market dynamics before making it available to investors.