DiversyFund review

What I think of DiversyFund

As real estate investment platforms go, DiversyFund is among the most accessible. Why? Because it welcomes non-accredited investors and it only asks for a $500 minimum investment. Compare this to the likes of RealtyMogul — which has a $5,000 minimum — or ArborCrowd’s whopping $25,000 minimum, and you’re able to appreciate just how accessible DiversyFund is. This is especially true for those exploring the real estate market for the first time.
DiversyFund opens the door to low-maintenance investments through its real estate investment trust (REIT). You won’t be responsible for screening properties or managing tenants — DiversyFund handles that side of the equation. But investors must be willing to lock in funds for years at a time. If you’re a buy-and-hold investor, this likely won’t be much of a deterrent. But for those in need of higher liquidity, DiversyFund’s REIT may not be a practical fit.

What is a REIT?

A real estate investment trust — or REIT — is a company that owns and operates commercial real estate, like apartment buildings, hotels, hospitals and more. Like stocks, these companies are publicly traded and can be bought and sold on major exchanges. Some REITs even pay dividends.

How does DiversyFund work?

There are two ways to invest in commercial real estate through DiversyFund.

Growth REIT

DiversyFund’s real estate investment trust is open to anyone and requires a $500 minimum. The fund uses a value-add strategy, which means dividends are automatically reinvested to take advantage of compound interest.
The fund mostly invests in multifamily assets like apartment buildings, and investment terms typically span four years. That means investors will need to be prepared to let their money sit for years before they’re eligible to receive any returns.
Since DiversyFund runs and manages the fund, it doesn’t charge any platform or management fees. The fund is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is required to adhere to SEC reporting requirements and audits.
A quick look at the investment process:

1. Create an account. It’s free to open an account on DiversyFund’s website.
2. Choose your investment. Decide whether you’d like to invest in DiversyFund’s REIT or become a Series A Round investor.
3. Make an investment. Enter the amount you’d like to invest and transfer funds from an external account.
4. Monitor returns. Track the value of your investments from the DiversyFund platform.

Series A Round

DiversyFund’s Series A Tranche II allows accredited investors to buy into the investment platform itself. A $25,000 minimum investment is required and investors become co-owners of the DiversyFund platform and real estate sponsors in DiversyFund’s portfolio.

Who is DiversyFund best for?

The DiversyFund platform is well-suited for:

• Non-accredited investors. Unlike many of its competitors, DiversyFund opens up its commercial real estate offerings to non-accredited investors — that means that anyone is welcome to invest, regardless of annual income or net worth.
• Long-term investors. Whether you invest in DiversyFund’s REIT or become a Series A Round investor, you’ll need to be prepared to let your money sit for several years.

DiversyFund’s low $500 minimum opens the door for new investors dipping their toe into the world of commercial real estate. The platform’s REIT is a solid option for those seeking a long-term real estate investment without the hassle of owning or managing their own property.
The downside? You don’t have any say in how or where your money is invested, so if you’re seeking more control over the buying and selling process, DiversyFund likely isn’t for you.
The platform also offers a unique opportunity to accredited investors with minimum investments of $25,000 on hand. As a Series A Round investor you become a sponsor for the properties in DiversyFund’s portfolio and part-owner of the online platform.
The risk? DiversyFund doesn’t have an iron-clad exit strategy in place. It says it plans to execute an IPO or M&A exit within the next two to four years, depending on market conditions, but requests that its investors remain flexible throughout the process.

Pricing and fees

DiversyFund cuts out platform and management fees by managing its own fund. Its REIT is open to any non-accredited investor that can make the minimum investment. It doesn’t cost anything to create an account and everything is managed through the DiversyFund platform.
As far as investment minimums are concerned, DiversyFund is one of the most accessible platforms on the market. Of its competitors, only Fundrise offers a minimum as low as DiversyFund’s. Streitwise and PeerStreet require a $1,000 minimum, while you’ll need $25,000 to invest in anything on CrowdStreet’s marketplace.

	Minimum investment
Growth REIT	$500
Series A Round	$25,000

To become a Series A Round investor, you’ll need to meet the SEC’s criteria for accredited investors. To be an accredited investor, you must meet one of the following:

• You earned over $200,000 in each of the last two years and expect the same for this year.
• You and your spouse earned over $300,000 in each of the last two years and expect the same for this year.
• You have a net worth of at least $1 million, alone or together with your spouse, excluding the value of your primary residence.

Pros and cons

DiversyFund reviews and complaints

Overall, DiversyFund is fairly well-received by investors. As of April 2022, DiversyFund is a Better Business Bureau (BBB)-accredited business with an A rating and a 3.31 out of 5-star reputation from its 39 BBB customer reviews.
On Trustpilot, DiversyFund maintains a TrustScore of 3.5 out of 5 based on 525 reviews. There are no complaints against the platform on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Customers enjoy the platform’s free, low minimum approach to investing, but complain of limited investment options. The platform’s customer support receives mixed feedback — some investors had pleasant experiences with knowledgeable, informative reps, while others said they felt the representatives spoke down to them.

How do I get started?

The signup process begins on DiversyFund’s home page:

1. Choose Sign up.
2. Enter your full name, phone number and email address. Create a password and select Create account.
3. Verify your account by following the link sent to your email inbox.

DiversyFund customer service

The only way to reach DiversyFund support:

• Email. Send an email to hello@diversyfund.com for a response from the team.

Alternatives to DiversyFund

DiversyFund has much to offer but its five-year required investment period won’t be practical for everyone. If you like the idea of investing in REITs but want more liquidity, consider investing in publicly-traded REITs. These are listed on an exchange like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and can be bought and sold just like stocks.
There’s always the option of investing directly in physical commercial properties if you want to take a more hands-on approach to real estate investing. It requires a significantly larger upfront cost, more of your time and the risks may be greater, but you could see a larger return on your investment through its greater earning potential.
To find a platform that best suits your needs, compare your options by eligible investors, available asset types, annual fee and average return. Select the Go to site button for more information about a particular service.

Bottom line

DiversyFund opens up commercial real estate investing to nonaccredited investors with low capital requirements and no platform fees. But customer support is limited and investments are highly illiquid.
Not sure DiversyFund is right for your portfolio? Take a look at your real estate investment options with other providers.

Compare Diversyfund to other platforms

Frequently asked questions

• Can I invest in DiversyFund with my 401(k)?

  Invest with a 401(k) or IRA by rolling your account into a self-directed IRA.

• Can international investors invest in DiversyFund?

  No, DiversyFund's platform is only available to US residents with a valid Social Security number or individual taxpayer ID.

• Can I add to my initial DiversyFund investment?

  You'll receive a Form 1099 as well as asset updates from your account dashboard.

• What documents will I receive as a DiversyFund investor?

  Yes, add to your initial investment at any time in increments of $500.

• Can I designate an account beneficiary?

  Yes, designate a beneficiary by completing the beneficiary designation form and emailing it to invest@diversyfund.com.

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