Crowdfunding real estate investment in Australia

In the real estate world, crowdfunding allows investors to buy a share of a property or development project. Entering the property market is expensive, but it gets easier if you divide the purchase costs (and eventual profits) among a larger group of crowdfund investors.

The way investors make money depends on the type of investment. For some investments, such as a residential house or unit, investors could share the rent the property generates. For other investments, such as a large-scale property development, profit comes with the eventual sale price of the property.

How does crowdfunding differ from regular real estate investment?

Crowdfunding a property investment has a few potential benefits over traditional investing (buying a property yourself and renting it out while hoping the value grows).

Lower entry costs

The main draw of crowdfunding for real estate investment is that it lowers the barrier into the market for would-be property investors. Buying a property yourself means saving a deposit of up to 20% of a property's price. It means borrowing hundreds of thousands of dollars through an investor mortgage and paying tens of thousands of dollars in stamp duty.

Crowdfunding allows these costs to be spread among a broad base of investors. It likewise allows these investors to share in the returns. While it may seem like an uphill battle to come up with, for example, $580,000 to purchase an investment property, crowdfunding means that 580 individuals could invest $1,000 each and then share in the rental returns or the profit generated by the sale of the property.

Buy into bigger real estate developments

Real estate crowdfunding also allows everyday investors to access projects at a scale that would be otherwise impossible. Crowdfunding platforms in Australia have offered stakes in large-scale commercial properties and huge residential developments along with traditional, single family, owner-occupied properties.

These large projects are usually off-limits to the individual investor.

Lower returns but lower risk

An investor in a crowdfunded property does not have their name on the property’s title or on an associated mortgage, meaning their credit history isn’t impacted should the investment take a turn for the worse. Moreover, with the ability to trade or sell stakes in an investment at any time, investors aren’t tied to properties long-term.

Is crowdfunded property investing for me?

If you’re looking to get involved in property investment but don’t have the means to save a deposit for a home loan (or simply don’t want the long-term commitment), crowdfunding could be a good alternative. However, it’s important to keep in mind that with a smaller investment you won’t see the same level of returns you could with traditional property investment.

Getting involved in crowdfunded real estate projects can offer a good, hands-on learning experience in picking the right properties to maximise your investment. Second, real estate crowdfunding can often carry a higher rate of return than shares or term deposits.

For would-be investors looking to save a deposit, putting your money in a crowdfunded real estate project could see it grow much faster than it would sitting in your savings account. The caveats to this, of course, is that returns aren’t guaranteed.

How do I find real estate crowdfunding projects?

Real estate crowdfunding in Australia is still in its infancy, but there are several platforms you can use to participate. These include the following:

• VentureCrowd
• DomaCom
• CrowdfundUP

These platforms let individual investors buy shares in property projects. Different platforms carry different minimum investments, from $100 up to $5,000.

To get started, pick a platform with a level of investment, structure and choice of projects that suits you. Research the projects available to backers and decide which one looks most attractive to you. While most crowdfunding projects will give investors an idea of the rate of return they can expect on their investment, it always pays to do independent research on the properties or areas available for investment.

Alternatives to crowdfunding: REITs and fractional investing

If crowdfunding an investment doesn't work for you and traditional property investing is too expensive, you do have other options:

• Fractional property investing. This form of investing is similar to crowdfunding, to the point where the 2 overlap (some of the platforms mentioned above call themselves fractional investment platforms). Fractional property investing allows you to purchase shares in investment properties that are purchased on the investing platform. A difference between this and crowdfunding is that the properties are already purchased when you invest in them. Whereas with crowdfunding, a group of investors may band together to fund a new development or purchase.
• REITs. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are typically complicated, publicly traded investment vehicles that have to be managed by experts, carrying with them high maintenance costs and lower rates of return. REITs offer investors a stake in a real estate company, while crowdfunding offers investors a stake in a specific property or project.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is real estate crowdfunding Australia?

  Real estate crowdfunding allows investors to partake in investing in real estate by contributing just a small portion of the total purchase price for partial "ownership" of the asset. It can be a good investment for diversifying your portfolio with lower upfront costs. However, it carries risks, such as property market fluctuations and platform reliability.

• Is crowdfunding Legal in Australia?

  Yes, crowdfunding is legal in Australia. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates equity crowdfunding, ensuring that platforms and investments comply with Australian financial regulations.

• What is the average return on real estate crowdfunding?

  The average return on real estate crowdfunding in Australia can vary but typically ranges from 5% to 10% per annum. Some years, the market can remain flat or even go backwards in value. Returns depend on the specific project, location and market conditions.

• Is crowdfunding taxable in Australia?

  Yes, income earned through crowdfunding, such as profits or returns on investment, is taxable in Australia. It is important to declare this income on your tax return and comply with Australian tax laws.

• How much money does crowdfunding take?

  The amount of money needed for crowdfunding varies depending on the platform and the project. Some platforms allow investments starting from as little as $100, while others may require larger minimum contributions.

Written by

Marc Terrano

Publisher

Marc Terrano is a lead publisher and growth marketer at Finder. He has previously worked at Finder as a publisher for frequent flyer points and home loans, and as a writer, podcast host and content marketer. Marc has a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) from the University of Technology Sydney. He’s passionate about creating honest and simple reviews and comparisons to help everyone get value for money. See full bio

Co-written by

Richard Whitten

Editor

Richard Whitten is a money editor at Finder, and has been covering home loans, property and personal finance for 6+ years. He has written for Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Homely; and has appeared on various radio shows nationwide. He holds a Certificate IV in mortgage broking and finance (RG 206), a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification and a Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products (RG 146) certification. See full bio

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Richard has written 556 Finder guides across topics including:

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