Willow Wealth, formerly Yieldstreet, has positioned itself as a multi-asset private markets platform offering exposure to real estate, private credit, private equity, and other alternative assets. Yieldstreet changed its name to Willow Wealth in November 2025, a name change rather than a new legal entity, and the company describes its current platform as serving more than 500,000 members and as being built for individual accredited investors. Willow Wealth also says minimums vary by offering and typically begin at $5,000 for a first investment, while Willow 360 Managed Portfolios require $25,000.
Investors comparing Willow Wealth with real estate focused alternatives may prioritize lower minimums, property level visibility, or different ownership structures. This guide examines seven alternatives for investors looking to build wealth through fractional real estate investing in 2026, starting with mogul, a fractional real estate platform club founded by former Goldman Sachs executives, offering fractional access to single-family rental investments with monthly dividends.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed professional before making any financial or investment decisions.
Key Takeaways
Property-specific ownership provides transparency: Platforms like mogul offer membership interests in a property-specific investment club LLC tied to an individual home, giving investors property-level economic exposure rather than exposure through a blind pooled fund
Distribution cadence varies by platform: mogul distributes rental income monthly once a property is operational and has distributable net rental income, a more frequent cadence than platforms that pay quarterly
Blockchain integration adds verifiable ownership records: mogul records ownership information on the Avalanche network, independently inspectable through Snowtrace and secured with Fireblocks wallet infrastructure
Fee bases differ across platforms: mogul charges 2.5% of gross rental income plus a capitalized upfront charge, Fundrise's core fund structure runs 1.00% annually, and Willow Wealth says its fees vary by offering and structure, with management fees on Willow-managed investments collected on offering cash flows rather than universally as a percentage of assets
Accreditation requirements differ: Willow Wealth describes its platform as built for individual accredited investors, while mogul states that accreditation is not required
First-year loss protection for new members: mogul covers up to $10,000 in losses on investments made during a member's first seven days on the platform
1. mogul
mogul delivers a fractional real estate platform club founded by former Goldman Sachs executives with $10 billion in collective deal experience. The platform reports $90M+ in assets as of June 1, 2026, and its current How It Works page invites investors to join 40,000+ investors buying into single-family rental properties without the traditional barriers to entry. Member conviction shows in the numbers as well: 90% of mogul investors invest a second time, and when they do it is 3x their first investment.
How Does mogul Work?
mogul acquires income-producing residential properties, places each into a property-level LLC formed at the state level, and fractionalizes ownership into interests investors can purchase. In legal terms, investors purchase ownership in the investment club LLC that owns the individual property, which provides property-level economic exposure rather than shares in a blind pooled fund. Key highlights:
Property-Specific LLC Interests: Investors hold LLC membership interests tied to a named property, not units in a diversified pool
Monthly Distributions: Once a property is operational and has distributable net rental income, mogul generally distributes an investor's proportional share monthly, with amounts dependent on actual property performance and available distributable cash
Tax Treatment: The partnership-taxed property LLC structure generally results in investors receiving a Schedule K-1 reflecting their share of income, expenses, and depreciation, with outcomes depending on each investor's individual circumstances
Blockchain Verification: Every mogul property is tokenized, with ownership recorded on Avalanche, independently inspectable through Snowtrace, and Fireblocks used for wallet infrastructure
Hands-Off Management: mogul handles property management, tenant and guest coordination, maintenance, and operational responsibilities, keeping ownership headache-free
Community Rewards: Community features like mogul Clubs distribute up to 2% in rewards to members
Investment Structure
mogul's fee model differs from AUM-based approaches:
Capitalized upfront charge: mogul's main site summarizes this as a 5% capitalized platform fee calculated on property purchase price and covering finding, vetting, and onboarding. Its 2026 comparison pages describe the structure more granularly as a 3% onboarding and platform fee plus a 2% setup fee where applicable, with the additional 2% possible if rent-ready preparation is required
Ongoing management: 2.5% of gross rental income, not assets under management
No traditional annual AUM fee: mogul states it charges no traditional annual AUM fee on investor equity, unlike models built on an annual percentage of assets under management
Risk Protection
New members receive $10,000 loss protection during their first year, a feature not commonly found among competing platforms. If your total return on investments made in the first seven days results in a loss after one year, mogul covers up to $10,000 from its own balance sheet capital. mogul also runs a Give $50, Get $50 offer: refer a friend and get $50 when they invest, subject to the referral program terms.
Target Returns
mogul targets a 15-20% annual IRR, with an 18.8% average annual return reported across the platform compared with the S\&P 500's 9%. Targets reflect underwriting projections, with 15-20% annual return projections currently displayed on multiple property cards on its homepage. By strategy, mid-term rentals carry target levered returns of roughly 17% to 22% and short-term rentals roughly 13% to 18%. Properties span short-term rentals, mid-term rentals, long-term rentals, and sale-leasebacks across high-growth markets, with an average investment of ~$10k.
Best For: Investors seeking property-level economic exposure with monthly income, blockchain-recorded ownership, and a selective underwriting process from a team with Goldman Sachs real estate experience.
2. Fundrise
Fundrise operates as one of the largest real estate investment platforms with a 10+ year track record. Rise Companies' 2026 SEC filing states that, as of March 31, 2026, Fundrise had over 402,000 active investor accounts and 2.411 million active users. The platform offers a fund-based approach to real estate investing with one of the lowest entry points in the category.
Key Features
Very low minimum investment: $10 for standard taxable accounts, $1,000 for IRAs
Fund-based structure: Investors purchase shares in diversified real estate funds rather than individual properties
Core fund fee structure: For the Income Fund structure, 0.85% asset management plus 0.15% advisory, totaling 1.00% annually. This is not a universal platform fee: the same disclosure states the Opportunistic Credit Fund charges a 1.75% fund management fee and may incur an additional performance fee under specified circumstances
IRA integration: Self-directed retirement account options available
Performance Considerations
Fundrise's Flagship Fund returned +1.33% in 2025, according to its SEC-filed annual report.
Liquidity Considerations
Redemption and repurchase terms are set at the fund level and can vary over time across Fundrise's lineup.
Distribution Schedule
Fundrise pays quarterly dividends, a different cadence from mogul's monthly distributions.
Best For: Beginning investors with limited capital seeking exposure to diversified real estate funds at a very low entry point.
3. RealtyMogul
RealtyMogul provides a mix of REIT products and private placement deals, offering different options for accredited and non-accredited investors through separate investment vehicles.
Key Features
REIT options: The RealtyMogul Income REIT (income-focused) and RealtyMogul Apartment Growth REIT (growth-focused) have historically offered non-accredited access
Private placements: Individual commercial deals with $25,000+ minimums for accredited investors only
REIT minimum: $5,000
Commercial focus: Emphasis on office, retail, multifamily, and industrial properties
Fee Structure
RealtyMogul's REITs charge approximately 1% and 1.25% annual asset management fees for the Income REIT and Apartment Growth REIT respectively. RealtyMogul's published REIT fee tables describe an up to 3% charge as organization and offering expenses on gross offering proceeds, not as a universal private placement sourcing fee. Individual private placement fee structures are deal-specific.
Liquidity Considerations
Private placement investments have very limited liquidity and are typically held until the sponsor exits the deal, which can take 5-10 years.
Distribution Schedule
Distribution timing is set separately for each REIT, with cash payments generally following a quarterly cadence during 2026.
Best For: Investors interested in commercial real estate exposure through both REIT and direct deal structures, with higher minimums for private placements.
4. Arrived Homes
Arrived offers residential real estate investments with a low entry point and a secondary market feature that provides periodic trading windows.
Key Features
Low minimum: $100 to start investing in relevant products
Secondary market: Monthly trading windows once an eligible property has been fully funded and held for at least six months, although trades depend on the availability of buyers and sellers and on market pricing
Product scope: Individual single-family and vacation rental investments, a Single Family Residential Fund, and a Real Estate Income Fund
Monthly distributions: Arrived states that individual income-producing properties pay monthly dividends, and that both the Single Family Residential Fund and the Real Estate Income Fund are expected to pay monthly
Fee Structure
For an individual single-family residence, Arrived states an AUM fee of 0.15% of asset purchase price per quarter, equivalent to roughly 0.60% annualized before considering changes in the fee base, and property management expenses of 8% of gross rental income. A one-time sourcing fee may be included in the original offering price and is disclosed property by property.
Performance Data
Arrived currently presents an estimated historical range of 6%-10% annually for single-family residential strategies, described as an estimated range derived by combining long-run Zillow Home Value Index appreciation through Q1 2023 with Arrived dividend yield data through Q1 2023. Its Real Estate Income Fund separately reports an 8.45% last-twelve-month annualized dividend yield as of July 2026, which is a different return metric.
Best For: Investors prioritizing periodic secondary market access and seeking residential rental exposure with a low entry point.
5. EquityMultiple
EquityMultiple serves accredited investors with commercial real estate investments spanning equity, preferred equity, and debt positions across multiple property types.
Key Features
Accredited investors only: Platform exclusively serves qualified investors
Minimum investment: Generally $5,000 to $30,000 depending on the offering
Multiple investment types: Equity, preferred equity, and senior debt positions
Commercial focus: Multifamily, industrial, office, and specialty properties
Deal Structure
EquityMultiple offers various risk-return profiles through its different investment types:
Equity positions: Higher potential returns with more risk
Preferred equity: Priority returns over common equity, ranking behind debt
Senior debt: Lower returns with secured positions
Best For: Accredited investors seeking diversified commercial real estate exposure across multiple capital stack positions.
6. CrowdStreet
CrowdStreet connects accredited investors directly with commercial real estate sponsors, and its 2026 platform also distributes broader private market strategies.
Key Features
Direct sponsor access: Investors connect with commercial real estate operators
High minimums: Individual sponsor investments can start around $25,000
Accredited only: The platform remains intended for accredited investors
Deal-by-deal selection: Choose individual commercial properties
Broader private markets lineup: In March 2026 CrowdStreet announced StepStone funds spanning private credit, private equity, secondaries, venture capital, and real assets, and in May 2026 it launched Nuveen strategies including middle-market senior and junior private capital alongside global real estate
Risk Considerations
CrowdStreet deals involve direct sponsor relationships. Private placements are illiquid and are held until the sponsor executes the business plan and exits.
Best For: High-net-worth accredited investors seeking direct access to commercial real estate sponsors and broader institutional private market strategies with substantial capital to deploy.
7. Groundfloor
Groundfloor offers short-term real estate debt investments, and its 2026 platform has expanded into additional private market products beyond real estate.
Key Features
Debt-based model: For individual Loans, investors purchase Limited Recourse Obligation securities tied to specific short-term real estate loans, which Groundfloor describes as including fix-and-flip and new construction loans
Separate Notes product: Groundfloor Notes are a distinct fixed income product in which investors lend directly to Groundfloor, secured by pools of originated loans
Minimums vary by product: Individual Loans start at a low entry point, with Notes at $100 for one-month and three-month terms and $1,000 for 12-month Notes
Investor access: Core retail real estate loan products are accessible to non-accredited investors, although several newer offerings are accredited-investor-only, including the Music Royalties Portfolio and the SMB Growth Fund
Short duration: Individual Loans generally have 6-18 month scheduled terms, while Groundfloor Notes commonly mature in 30 days, 90 days, or 12 months
Product-specific rates: 9%-15% for individual Loans, Preferred Note rates up to 9.25% for accredited and 8.25% for non-accredited investors, an 8.5% APY Bridge Note in mid-2026, and a 12%-15% target net IRR for the Music Royalties Portfolio
Investment Structure
Returns on Groundfloor's real estate debt products come from interest payments rather than rental income or property appreciation. Beyond real estate, Groundfloor states it is expanding across fixed income alternatives, real estate, private credit, private equity, and specialty finance, launching an SMB Growth Fund in June 2026 and a Music Royalties Portfolio in July 2026.
Best For: Investors seeking short-term debt exposure to real estate with quick turnover, with non-accredited access to the core retail loan products.
Why mogul Stands Out for Real Estate Investors
Monthly Income Distributions
mogul distributes rental income monthly once a property is operational and has distributable net rental income, a more frequent cadence than platforms that pay quarterly. Members benefit from monthly dividends, real-time appreciation, and tax benefits in one place. For those building real estate portfolios focused on cash flow, monthly frequency can make a meaningful difference in financial planning.
Property-Specific LLC Membership Interests
Unlike fund-based platforms where investors own shares of a diversified pool, mogul provides membership interests in a property-specific investment club LLC associated with an individual home. The structure delivers:
Transparency: Know exactly which property your interest is tied to
Tax treatment: Schedule K-1 allocations reflecting your share of income, expenses, and depreciation, alongside the broader tax benefits of owning real estate
Governance rights: Weighted by ownership percentage and applied to major property decisions, subject to the applicable operating agreement. mogul states that decisions below $1,000 are handled directly by licensed property managers, while decisions above $1,000 go to a formal vote decided by super-majority
Individual selection: Choose specific properties that match your criteria
Blockchain-Recorded Ownership
mogul tokenizes every property and records ownership information on the Avalanche network, with ownership independently inspectable through Snowtrace and Fireblocks used for wallet infrastructure. This provides:
Verifiable, tamper-evident ownership records
Enhanced security and transparency
A foundation for mogul's planned secondary market
What distinguishes mogul is its specific Avalanche and Fireblocks implementation, paired with institutional real estate underwriting.
Selective Underwriting Process
Founded by former Goldman Sachs executives, mogul applies institutional-style underwriting informed by its team's Goldman Sachs real estate experience, delivering professionally vetted and managed properties. Fewer than 1% of properties reviewed pass mogul's diligence process, and the team uses proprietary underwriting models with demographic, employment, and price-to-rent analysis to identify properties with strong income potential across short-term, mid-term, and long-term rental strategies.
Fee Structure Tied to Rental Revenue
mogul's ongoing 2.5% fee on gross rental income scales with rental revenue rather than invested equity, while separate upfront capitalized fees also apply. Tying the ongoing fee to the property's rental operation keeps the structure fee-efficient and directly connected to the asset investors own.
Risk Mitigation for New Investors
The $10,000 first-year loss protection provides a safety net not available elsewhere. For investors evaluating why real estate belongs in their portfolio, this protection lowers the barrier to entry.
Access for Accredited and Non-Accredited Investors
While Willow Wealth describes its platform as built for individual accredited investors, mogul states that accreditation is not required. This accessibility broadens participation in single-family rental real estate.
For investors seeking Willow Wealth alternatives with property-level transparency, monthly income, and blockchain-recorded ownership, mogul's combination of Goldman Sachs experience and technology-enabled ownership makes it a leading real estate platform. Explore available investment properties to see current opportunities, or schedule a call with the team.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed professional before making any financial or investment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between YieldStreet and real estate-focused platforms like mogul?
Willow Wealth, formerly Yieldstreet, offers multi-asset private market investments spanning real estate, private credit, private equity, and other alternatives, while mogul focuses primarily on single-family real estate, including short-term, mid-term, and long-term rental strategies and sale-leasebacks. Willow Wealth says minimums typically begin at $5,000, with Willow 360 Managed Portfolios at $25,000, and describes its platform as built for individual accredited investors. mogul provides membership interests in a property-specific investment club LLC with monthly distributions once a property is operational, Avalanche-recorded ownership, and access without accreditation.
How can fractional real estate ownership help diversify an investment portfolio?
mogul's August 2026 analysis reports a 13.8% historical single-family rental IRR versus 9.8% for the S\&P 500 over 1993 to 2023. Real estate offers four wealth-building components, appreciation, rental income, tax advantages, and leverage, that can create diversification benefits beyond stocks and bonds. Property-specific ownership through platforms like mogul provides exposure without requiring six-figure down payments or property management responsibilities, with an average investment of ~$10k across the platform.
Are there risks associated with alternative investment platforms, and how can I mitigate them?
All real estate investments carry real estate investing risks, including property value fluctuations, vacancy, and market downturns. Considerations that can help manage those risks include platforms with rigorous property selection processes (mogul states fewer than 1% of reviewed properties pass diligence), risk protection features like mogul's $10,000 first-year loss coverage, and transparent ownership structures that make clear exactly what you own.
What kind of returns can I expect from real estate investment platforms in 2026?
Returns vary significantly by platform and investment type, and reported figures often use different methodologies. mogul targets a 15-20% annual IRR as an underwriting projection, with an 18.8% average annual return reported across the platform compared with the S\&P 500's 9%. Fundrise's Flagship Fund returned 1.33% in 2025. Arrived presents a 6%-10% estimated historical annual range built from historical home-price appreciation and dividend yields. Groundfloor's rates are product specific, with individual Loans at 9%-15%. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Do alternative investment platforms offer liquidity options for my investments?
Liquidity varies considerably across platforms. mogul's secondary market is in development, with share values calculated monthly using third-party appraisal-level data, and typical property holds run 3-10 years. Arrived offers monthly trading windows after a six-month hold for eligible properties, subject to available buyers and sellers. Holding periods vary widely: some short-term real estate debt products mature within months, such as Groundfloor Notes at 30 days, 90 days, or 12 months and individual Loans with 6-18 month scheduled terms, while private real estate equity and private placement investments may require multi-year holding periods.
How does mogul's $10,000 loss protection work for new investors?
mogul's first-year loss protection covers up to $10,000 in losses on investments made during your first seven days on the platform. If you invest $100,000 across multiple properties in your first week and the portfolio value drops to $90,000 after one year, mogul trues you up to your $100,000 with its own balance sheet capital. This protection is unique among fractional real estate platforms and provides a meaningful safety net for investors entering the asset class.