48. Real estate Crowdfunding

The “Real estate crowdfunding” is starting to take off in Spain and there are currently at least three projects in operation that offer attractive returns – far above those offered by most banking products – to those who help finance building and housing construction Single-family homes.

Housers.es has been the last platform to bet on this novel formula. Through it anyone can invest in the purchase of homes from 500 euros. The company plans to raise no less than 300 million euros over the next three years to secure a portfolio of 1,500 homes, commercial premises and industrial buildings.

Its creators say they have adapted their systems to set the investment limits indicated by the new legislation on crowdfunding approved by the Government: thus, non-accredited investors have a limit of 3,000 euros per project and a maximum of 10,000 euros invested in a period of 12 months on the platform, while accredited investors have no limits.

In addition, they assert that it is a low risk product because the platform facilitates the diversification of their investment in different houses. “In this way, the risks are minimized, compared to the traditional formula where a large amount of capital is invested in the same property. For example, you can choose to invest everything in a single project or in small investments in different projects”, they explain.

It is estimated that the crowdfunding market in Spain will reach more than 250 million euros in 2016, of which 15% will go to real estate projects. In fact, Housers is not the only platform that is actively seeking investors. There are at least two more platforms dedicated to real estate investment through the internet.

The Crowd Estates has just launched a campaign to build three single-family homes with a private pool “just 140 meters from one of the most beautiful coves on the Costa Brava, Cala Montgo in L’Escala”. The minimum investment to participate in this project is 3,000 euros.

On the other hand, InvesReal bets on attracting small investors through a ticket of 520 euros for the purchase, reform and subsequent sale of apartments in prime residential areas of Madrid and Barcelona. In return it offers a profitability of up to 15%, a figure which according to experts implies a moderately high risk of investment.