Streitwise vs BuyProperly vs Ark7: Finding Your Best Fractional Real Estate Platform

When evaluating fractional real estate investment platforms, investors face a critical decision: balancing accessibility, income frequency, and fee structures against track record and asset exposure. Traditional platforms like Streitwise and BuyProperly offer real estate exposure but come with significant barriers: high minimum investments, quarterly income distributions, and ongoing asset management fees that erode returns. This is where Ark7’s fractional ownership model transforms the paradigm. By enabling investments starting at just $20 per property, delivering monthly cash distributions, and charging zero annual asset management fees, Ark7 democratizes real estate investing in ways competitors cannot match. This comprehensive comparison examines the three platforms, with particular emphasis on why Ark7 emerges as the optimal choice for investors seeking accessible, transparent, and high-yield real estate exposure.

Key Takeaways

• Ark7 stands out as the premier solution for accessible fractional real estate with a $20 minimum investment, monthly distributions, and zero AUM fees, making it ideal for beginners and income-focused investors
• Ark7 offers superior liquidity through its daily secondary trading market after a 1-year hold, compared to Streitwise’s quarterly redemption windows or BuyProperly’s limited secondary market
• Ark7 provides full property selection control and transparency, allowing investors to choose specific residential properties in growing Sunbelt markets, unlike Streitwise’s single REIT approach
• Streitwise excels in dividend consistency with an 8.3% average since 2017 and offers commercial office exposure, but requires a $5,000+ minimum investment and only quarterly distributions
• BuyProperly provides cross-border access to Canadian and U.S. markets with AI-powered deal sourcing, but has a high $500 USD minimum and charges 1.25-2.5% annual AUM fees

Understanding Fractional Real Estate Investing Platforms

Fractional real estate platforms have revolutionized access to property investment by allowing individuals to purchase shares in real estate assets without the capital requirements of whole ownership. These platforms pool investor capital to acquire properties, then distribute rental income and potential appreciation to shareholders. While the core concept is similar across platforms, significant differences exist in minimum investments, fee structures, income frequency, asset focus, and liquidity options.

The fractional real estate model addresses several key investor challenges:

• High barrier to entry: Traditional real estate requires substantial capital for down payments, closing costs, and reserves
• Management complexity: Direct property ownership demands time for tenant management, maintenance coordination, and financial oversight
• Liquidity constraints: Real estate is traditionally an illiquid asset requiring lengthy sale processes
• Diversification limitations: Most investors can only afford one or two properties, creating concentration risk

Ark7 specifically addresses these challenges through its residential rental property focus, with investments starting at just $20 per share, professional end-to-end management, a daily trading market after a 1-year hold, and the ability to diversify across multiple properties even with minimal capital.

Ark7: Accessible & Transparent Fractional Ownership

Ark7 revolutionizes fractional real estate by replacing high barriers with unprecedented accessibility and transparency. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Francisco, Ark7 has grown to serve 230,000+ active investors while funding over $23 million in property value and distributing $3.5 million+ in dividends.

Ark7’s Key Advantages

• Industry-lowest minimum investment: $20 per property vs $500-$5,000+ at competitors
• Monthly cash distributions: Paid on the 3rd of each month vs quarterly at competitors
• Zero AUM fees: Only charges 8-15% of rental income (performance-aligned) vs 1.25-2.5% annual AUM fees
• Superior liquidity: Daily trading on PPEX ATS after 1-year hold vs quarterly redemptions
• Individual property selection: Choose specific residential properties with full transparency
• Mobile-first platform: 4.7/5 App Store rating for portfolio management
• IRA integration: Invest retirement funds through Ark7 IRA accounts

Ark7’s Commitment to Transparency and Efficiency

Ark7’s operational model emphasizes “full operational transparency” with complete legal and financial disclosure accessible 24/7. Each property is structured as a separate series LLC under SEC Regulation A+, with Ark7 maintaining a minority ownership stake (1%-20%) in each property, aligning its interests with investors. The platform provides real-time access to property details, financial statements, and distribution history through both its website and highly-rated mobile app.

The fee structure exemplifies Ark7’s investor-friendly approach: zero annual asset management fees, with revenue derived only from property management (8-15% of rental income). This performance-aligned model ensures Ark7 only earns when properties generate income, creating better alignment between platform success and investor returns.

Ark7’s Diverse Property Portfolio: Sunbelt Opportunities

Ark7 focuses exclusively on residential rental properties in 10+ U.S. markets, with a strategic emphasis on Sunbelt regions experiencing strong population growth, job creation, and rental demand. The portfolio includes both single-family and multi-family homes, ranging from newly built townhomes to established properties in desirable neighborhoods.

Property Selection Examples

• Atlanta area properties: Newly built 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom townhomes in the growing Atlanta metro area, offering exposure to markets with 15% population growth over the past decade
• Dallas-S8 Property Shares: A 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom, 2,313 sqft single-family home in Mesquite, TX, featuring a +6.51% dividend yield and benefiting from Dallas’s strong job market with 23 Fortune 500 companies in the area

Each property listing provides comprehensive details including photos, floor plans, neighborhood information, financial projections, and market data, enabling informed investment decisions. The Sunbelt focus targets regions with favorable economic fundamentals: strong job growth, population influx, business-friendly policies, and affordable housing relative to coastal markets.

Understanding Streitwise: Equity REIT Investing

Streitwise operates on a fundamentally different model than Ark7, functioning as an Equity REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) focused exclusively on commercial office buildings in secondary U.S. markets. Founded in 2017, Streitwise offers a simplified investment approach where investors purchase shares in a single REIT rather than selecting individual properties.

Streitwise’s Approach

• Asset focus: Commercial office buildings only
• Investment structure: Single REIT with no property selection
• Minimum investment: $5,000+
• Distribution frequency: Quarterly
• Fee structure: 2% annual AUM fee
• Liquidity: Quarterly redemptions with potential restrictions
• Track record: 8.3% average dividend since 2017, 30 consecutive quarters of payments

Streitwise’s primary strength lies in its consistent dividend history and commercial office exposure, which provides portfolio diversification for investors seeking alternatives to residential real estate. However, this comes with significant limitations: the $5,000+ minimum creates accessibility barriers, quarterly distributions limit cash flow frequency, and the single-REIT structure eliminates property selection control. Additionally, Streitwise offers no mobile app, requiring investors to manage their portfolios through a web portal only.

BuyProperly: AI-Powered Canadian Real Estate

BuyProperly operates as a cross-border fractional real estate platform with access to both Canadian and U.S. properties. Founded in 2019, the platform leverages AI-powered deal sourcing to analyze 1.5 million+ data points for property identification and selection.

BuyProperly’s Model

• Geographic focus: Canada and U.S. markets
• Technology integration: AI algorithm for property analysis
• Minimum investment: $500 USD / $2,500 CAD
• Fee structure: 1.25-2.5% annual AUM fees plus GST/HST
• Property selection: Individual property choice available
• Mobile accessibility: iOS and Android apps available

BuyProperly’s value proposition focuses on cross-border diversification and AI-powered deal sourcing. The platform requires a $500 USD minimum investment, charges 1.25-2.5% annual AUM fees, and provides performance data with varying levels of detail regarding yields and distribution frequency.

The platform raised $2 million in 2021 for expansion but has minimal presence in public review data, making independent validation of performance claims challenging. While the AI-powered approach sounds innovative, the lack of transparency around actual returns and the high fee structure raise questions about long-term value for investors.

Comparing Investment Minimums and Accessibility

The minimum investment requirement represents one of the most significant differentiators between these platforms, directly impacting accessibility and portfolio diversification potential.

Minimum Investment Comparison

• Ark7: $20 per property
• BuyProperly: $500 USD / $2,500 CAD
• Streitwise: $5,000+

This dramatic difference in entry barriers has profound implications for investors:

• Portfolio diversification: With $5,000, an Ark7 investor can diversify across 250 different properties, while Streitwise and BuyProperly investors are limited to one investment
• Risk management: Spreading capital across multiple properties reduces concentration risk, a key advantage of Ark7’s low minimum
• Barrier to entry: Ark7’s $20 minimum makes real estate investing accessible to virtually any investor, while competitors require significantly more capital
• Dollar-cost averaging: Lower minimums enable more frequent, smaller investments to build positions over time

For beginners or investors with limited capital, Ark7’s accessibility represents a transformative advantage. The ability to start with $20 and gradually build a diversified real estate portfolio aligns with modern investment principles of starting early and maintaining consistent contributions.

Passive Income Potential: Dividends and Distributions

Income frequency and yield are critical considerations for investors seeking passive income from real estate investments. The platforms differ significantly in both distribution frequency and historical performance.

Distribution Frequency and Yield

• Ark7: Monthly distributions with historical yields ranging from 3.96% to 7.65% annualized
• Streitwise: Quarterly distributions with an 8.3% average yield since 2017
• BuyProperly: Distribution frequency and yield not publicly disclosed

The monthly vs. quarterly distribution frequency represents a substantial difference in cash flow management. Ark7’s monthly payments provide three times more frequent income, enabling better budgeting, faster reinvestment compounding, and superior income predictability.

While Streitwise boasts a higher historical average yield (8.3% vs. Ark7’s 3.96-7.65% range), this must be considered alongside the fee structure. Streitwise’s 2% annual AUM fee is charged regardless of property performance, while Ark7’s 8-15% property management fee is only charged when properties generate rental income.

Ark7’s portfolio shows strong operational performance with a 94.81% occupancy rate as of November 2024, ensuring consistent rental income generation and distribution reliability. The platform has maintained over 30 consecutive months of monthly distributions, demonstrating operational stability.

Liquidity and Exit Strategies for Your Investment

Liquidity represents a critical consideration in real estate investing, as traditional property ownership involves lengthy, complex sale processes. The platforms offer varying approaches to providing investors with exit options.

Liquidity Comparison

• Ark7: Daily trading on PPEX ATS (SEC-registered alternative trading system) after 1-year minimum hold, with no early sale penalties
• Streitwise: Quarterly redemption windows with potential restrictions and fees
• BuyProperly: Limited secondary market information available

Ark7’s liquidity solution is industry-leading, providing daily trading opportunities through the PPEX ATS after a 1-year holding period. This SEC-registered alternative trading system enables peer-to-peer share trading, offering unprecedented liquidity for a real estate investment while maintaining the long-term appreciation potential of property ownership.

Streitwise’s quarterly redemption model creates significant liquidity constraints, requiring investors to wait for specific windows and potentially facing redemption limits during periods of high demand. This structure can create challenges for investors needing access to capital between quarterly periods.

BuyProperly’s secondary market details are not clearly disclosed, leaving investors uncertain about their exit options. This lack of transparency around liquidity represents a significant risk factor compared to Ark7’s clearly defined daily trading market.

Fees, Transparency, and Investment Risks

Fee structures and transparency directly impact net returns and investor confidence. The platforms differ dramatically in their approach to fees and disclosure.

Fee Structure Analysis

• Ark7: 3% one-time sourcing fee, 0% annual AUM fees, 8-15% of rental income for property management
• Streitwise: 2% annual AUM fee (charged regardless of performance)
• BuyProperly: 1.25-2.5% annual AUM fees plus GST/HST

Ark7’s performance-aligned fee structure means investors only pay fees when properties generate income, creating better alignment between platform success and investor returns. Over 5 years on a $10,000 investment, this structure saves approximately $1,000 compared to AUM-based models.

Transparency extends beyond fees to include property details, financial statements, and operational updates. Ark7 provides comprehensive property information including photos, floor plans, neighborhood data, and financial projections, enabling informed investment decisions. The platform’s commitment to “full operational transparency” with 24/7 access to legal and financial documents sets a high standard for the industry.

All investments involve substantial risks, including illiquidity, lack of diversification, and complete loss of capital. Investors should carefully review the risks located in the respective offering materials and speak with their financial advisor, accountant, and/or attorney when evaluating any offering.

Making the Right Choice for Your Investment Goals

Selecting the ideal fractional real estate platform depends on your specific investment goals, capital availability, and risk tolerance.

Choose Ark7 when you need:

• Low barrier to entry with a $20 minimum investment
• Monthly cash distributions for better cash flow management
• Individual property selection with full transparency
• Superior liquidity through daily trading after 1 year
• Residential rental property exposure in growing Sunbelt markets
• Zero ongoing AUM fees with only performance-based management fees

Consider Streitwise when you:

• Prioritize dividend consistency with an 8.3% average since 2017
• Seek commercial office real estate exposure for portfolio diversification
• Can meet the $5,000+ minimum investment requirement
• Prefer a simplified single-REIT approach without property selection decisions

Evaluate BuyProperly when you:

• Require cross-border investment between Canada and U.S.
• Value AI-powered deal sourcing for property identification
• Can meet the $500 USD / $2,500 CAD minimum investment
• Seek access to alternative asset classes beyond real estate

For most investors, particularly beginners and those seeking monthly income with minimal capital requirements, Ark7’s combination of accessibility, transparency, and superior liquidity makes it the optimal choice. The platform’s 230,000+ active investor base and $3.5 million+ in dividends paid demonstrate strong market validation of its investor-friendly approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fractional real estate investing?

Fractional real estate investing allows multiple investors to purchase shares in a single property, enabling access to real estate investment with significantly lower capital requirements than traditional whole ownership. Platforms like Ark7 structure these investments as SEC-qualified securities, with investors receiving proportional shares of rental income and potential appreciation. This model democratizes real estate investing by removing traditional barriers of high down payments, property management complexity, and illiquidity. The approach enables portfolio diversification even with minimal capital.

How does passive income work with these platforms?

Passive income from fractional real estate platforms comes from rental income generated by the underlying properties, distributed to investors proportional to their ownership. Ark7 distributes income monthly on the 3rd of each month, providing three times more frequent cash flow than competitors’ quarterly distributions. Streitwise pays quarterly dividends with an 8.3% average yield since 2017, while BuyProperly’s distribution frequency and yield are not publicly disclosed. All platforms handle property management, tenant relations, and maintenance, allowing investors to receive passive income without landlord responsibilities.

Can I sell my shares on a secondary market?

Ark7 provides superior liquidity through daily trading on the PPEX ATS (SEC-registered alternative trading system) after a 1-year minimum holding period, with no early sale penalties. Streitwise offers quarterly redemption windows with potential restrictions and fees, requiring investors to wait for specific periods and potentially facing redemption limits during high demand. BuyProperly’s secondary market details are not clearly disclosed, leaving investors uncertain about exit options. Ark7’s daily trading market represents an industry-leading liquidity solution for real estate investments.

Are there any hidden fees to be aware of?

Ark7 emphasizes “no hidden fees” with a transparent fee structure: 3% one-time sourcing fee, 0% annual AUM fees, and 8-15% of rental income for property management charged only when properties generate income. Streitwise charges a 2% annual AUM fee regardless of performance, while BuyProperly charges 1.25-2.5% annual AUM fees plus GST/HST. All platforms should be evaluated based on their complete fee structure, as ongoing AUM fees can significantly erode long-term returns compared to performance-aligned models. Investors should review all offering materials for complete fee disclosure.

Is investing in these platforms considered risky?

All investments involve substantial risks, including illiquidity, lack of diversification, and complete loss of capital. Fractional real estate investments are speculative and should be considered as part of a diversified portfolio, not as a standalone investment strategy. Investors should carefully review the risks located in the respective offering materials and speak with their financial advisor, accountant, and/or attorney when evaluating any offering. Neither Ark7 nor Dalmore makes any recommendations or provides advice about investments, and no communication should be construed as a recommendation for any security offered on the platform.