CrowdStreet Review 2022: How To Get Started in Commercial Real Estate
Written by
Kelli Francis
Edited by
Vance Cariaga
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
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Accessibility
3.5
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Innovation
5.0
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Flexibility
3.5
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Breadth of Products
3.8
Pros
- Free sign-up for those who qualify
- A variety of deals to choose from, including multifamily, self-storage and data centers
- Sponsors who bring commercial deals to CrowdStreet’s marketplace are carefully vetted
What Is CrowdStreet?
CrowdStreet is an online platform that lets you invest in commercial real estate without going the conventional route of buying a property yourself. As an individual investor, you can become a co-landlord of sorts, with access to a real estate market you might not otherwise have.
Who Is It Best For?
If you’re an investor with a decent amount of wealth to bring to the table, CrowdStreet offers an array of commercial real estate opportunities. You can sign up for free and start window shopping for various investments. If you find a project you like and agree with the terms of its sponsor, all you have to do is sign on to get a stake in a property.
CrowdStreet works best for more affluent investors who have an interest in commercial real estate. It’s not a great option if you don’t have a lot of money to invest, or if you want a more diversified portfolio.
How to Apply for CrowdStreet
You can sign up for a CrowdStreet account free of charge by hitting the “Create an Account” link on its homepage. You’ll have to provide your name and email address, and then create a password. You’ll also be asked to verify if you are an accredited investor, and then agree to the terms and conditions. Another option is to sign up with a Google account.
CrowdStreet Features
CrowdStreet sources commercial real estate projects and offers accredited investors the chance to buy into them. Individual projects, or single-sponsor funds, come with a professional real estate manager. When an investor identifies a deal and a sponsor of interest, the legal documents can then be signed online. These projects might target a geographic location and/or an asset class, such as office or multifamily.
What is an Accredited Investor?
To qualify as an accredited investor under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have an income that exceeded $200,000 individually or $300,000 together with a spouse during each of the prior two years, with expectations to earn the same for the current year; OR
- Have a net worth of $1 million, individually or with a spouse, excluding the value of a primary residence
How CrowdStreet Earned its Scores
Here’s a breakdown of the different factors that comprised GOBankingRates’ scoring:
Accessibility
As of March 2022, CrowdStreet still did not offer a mobile app. However, you can sign up for an account free of charge on its website, either by creating an account or by signing up with your Google account. The website itself is easy to navigate and offers a comprehensive look at various investment options.
Account Minimum
CrowdStreet is not a good option for people who don’t have a sizeable chunk of money to pour into investments. You face a minimum investment of $25,000 for most projects, but the range of minimums can go all the way up to $100,000. By comparison, RealtyMogul.com, another real estate investment platform, has a minimum investment of $1,000. EquityMultiple minimums start at $5,000 and typically range from $10,000-$30,000.
Investment Flexibility
The CrowdStreet website lets you choose investments based on several sets of criteria. These include the rate of return; deal terms such as minimum investment, minimum hold period, loan-to-cost and distribution period (e.g. monthly, quarterly, annually); offering type such as investment structure, geographic region and property type; and type of sponsor. The downside is that you can only choose real estate investments.
Breadth of Products
CrowdStreet limits itself to commercial real estate investments, so even under the umbrella of real estate you don’t have access to residential properties. However, there are numerous types of real estate funds and investments you can choose from.
Good To Know
CrowdStreet offers a range of information about investing in the commercial real estate market, starting with videos about each potential project that’s up for grabs on the site’s marketplace. Beyond that, there’s plenty of general information about the latest happenings in the commercial real estate market and the nuts and bolts of making commercial real estate decisions.
CrowdStreet vs. Competitors
CrowdStreet operates in a fairly narrow niche, but there are other platforms that let you dive into commercial real estate investments. Here’s a quick look at how they stack up.
| Platform | Best For |
| CrowdStreet | High-wealth investors who want free and easy access to commercial real estate investments. |
| RealtyMogul | Everyday investors who want exposure to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). |
| EquityMultiple | Investors who want more choices on how to invest in commercial real estate. |
CrowdStreet vs. RealtyMogul
RealtyMogul offers a cheaper way to invest in commercial real estate, with a minimum investment of $1,000. CrowdStreet gets the edge in terms of offering a broader range of commercial real estate investment options beyond REITs.
CrowdStreet vs. EquityMultiple
EquityMultiple has a lower minimum investment at $5,000 and offers investors three different options: fund investing, direct investing in individual properties, and savings investments in the form of short-term diversified notes. But CrowdStreet offers a host of options that let you narrow down your investments as well as tools to help investors better understand the commercial real estate market.
Other Options
If you are a non-accredited investor and don’t qualify to invest with CrowdStreet, you can still enter the commercial real estate market without having to buy into individual properties. The best option is to direct your funds into a Real Estate Investment Trust for a much lower cost of entry than CrowdStreet calls for.
Final Take
CrowdStreet empowers investors to enter the commercial real estate market without having to drive around and look at individual properties. You can sign up for free, and the platform is easy to navigate so you can find the types of investments that best fit your investment and risk profile. The downside is that you need at least $25,000 to invest, which will eliminate a lot of potential investors.
FAQ
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about CrowdStreet.- What is the minimum investment needed to access a project on CrowdStreet?
- Most projects have a minimum investment of $25,000, but the range of entry points can go all the way up to $100,000.
- Does CrowdStreet charge fees?
- No. Qualified investors can join CrowdStreet and browse investment opportunities at no charge.
- Do sponsors on CrowdStreet charge fees?
- Yes, real estate sponsors can charge fees if that’s the way they choose to be compensated
Vance Cariaga contributed to the reporting for this article.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by CrowdStreet. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by CrowdStreet.
