Crowd Street
Doug Daniels
"Crowdstreet had inadequate diligence…"
Crowdstreet had inadequate diligence procedures in place when they started off, resulting in at least one inept sponsor listing on their platform. That sponsor is Tapestry which is in the senior housing business. A number of their ventures have gone south and they came up with various excuses other than the real reason - they didn't know what they were doing. On top of that they have recently gone radio silent. I will never again invest in anything on this platform.
Daniel-san
"Updated review from my initial 4/3/2019…"
Updated review from my initial 4/3/2019 review, now that I've had 4 years as a Crowdstreet investor.
I began investing with CS in early 2019. Over an 8 month period, I chose what I felt was a diverse array of 7 different investments, in different geos, and different sectors. I then decided to take a pause and see how the first 7 deals went before investing further in CS offerings. Thankfully I did not get myself in any deeper than that, because as of today, only 2 of those investments have been realized at a profit.
The other 5 are either far behind schedule, or appear to be on their way to bankruptcy. The lesson I've learned from CrowdStreet is that it's not for me. When it comes to real estate investing, I'm now sticking with the simplicity, liquidity and relative safety of REITs (I do not have any interest in buying property and being a landlord or paying a property manager - too much focused risk, just like CS, IMHO). The returns on REITs might not be as impressive as what CS advertises, but at least I don't have to worry I'll lose my entire investment - or MORE if I'm dumb enough to agree to a capital call. In my opinion, it does no good to offer a 2x multiple, and 20%+ IRR if it's never realized and you lose your entire investment.
Following are my CS investment experiences, with property type, and an A-F letter grade for each based on overall sponsor performance:
• Senior Housing (F): Failure to pay any cashflow, deal is likely going bankrupt. Communications aren't great and they seem to have only 1 person in their entire company who responds, so when she's out, crickets. Deal went upside down early on and just keep getting worse.
• Senior Housing (F): 4 year deal now at least 6 years due to Covid. Cashflow hasn't started yet but so far, sponsor communicates consistently, even through Covid challenges and has been responsive. Update as of 1/23/23 - deal has gone down the drain. After issuing a capital call last year, then subsequently telling us everything was on track, sponsor suddenly now is trying to sell early and claims they've had a "surprise" potential need for $1M+ new capital. We'll be lucky to get out with our original investments.
• Office (B): Paid cashflow distributions, realized 4-year deal early in 2 years (with lower IRR of course). Communications were OK, though sometimes took multiple requests to get a response. Would have been an (A) otherwise.
• Multifamily (C): Paid some cashflow distributions, then stopped (understandably) due to Covid, and realized 3 year deal in 2. Continually moved payment ETA and had to be chased around for that info each time their ETA comes and goes. Would have been a (B) if they were proactively communicating, and meeting comittments.
• Industrial (D): Paid cashflow distributions first 3 years, then stopped. Have failed to pay any capital distributions since year one. Communications have been inconsistent, though with persistence, someone eventually responds. Was to be a 3 year deal and is now at least 5-6 years not due to Covid, but due to environmental issues with the property. Lead point of contact at sponsor seems to have disappeared. They're trying to dispose of property but cannot seem to find buyers.
• Hospitality (C): They've been fairly responsive, have provided financials, and have (understandably) had to make changes to navigate Covid. Distributions ceased year 1 of 4 and haven't started back up yet. Occupancies are rebounding but they're still playing catch up from Covid.
• Mixed Use (F): In the beginning, they were fairly responsive. Then Covid hit and changes (understandably) had to be made. Then after the build-out was completed, occupancies began to increase and we all got the weekly updates telling us they were receiving the majority of their rents, I began asking when the cash distributions would start back up. And that's when they became unresponsive. What was to be a 6 year deal now appears it will take at least 9 years to recoup my investment.
Common denominator seems to be sponsors who aren't responsive to communications requests, and don't proactively send updates, or do so consistently. Covid threw a wrench into everyone's plans, but Covid can only be used as an excuse for so long, and for so much of these failed, failing or flailing investments before you have to start to wonder if the sponsor is the problem. Also doesn't explain unresponsiveness. Other common denominator is that CrowdStreet is nowhere to be found as these deals begin to unravel, and they have been NO help in resolving issues that arise with sponsors, IMHO. CS does a great job getting your money, but after you've invested, they are effectively NO help whatsoever when problems arise and you'll be on your own with the sponsor, so you MUST be sure that your sponsor is solid. REITs are MUCH simpler.
DPP
"Watch out"
we have Invested in Multiple offering. Last one they brought OC-Ventures.com for XChicago student Housing who is Fraudulent, Could not close Deal, and refuses to Refund money back since August 2022. Crowdstreet of No help even though they didn't do due diligence and brought them to platform. No phone number for customer service, when you write email, They reply but don't answer your questions. One has to take legal action on Crowdstreet and sponsor. As long as everything goes o.k. you are ok, but when things go wrong , you are on your own . NO HELP FROM CROWDSTREET. They are in for their 2 % every year from your investment. I would give 0 star, If there was choice. Remember This is not about Investment went sour due to real estate market, This is simple Fraud, Investors money taken on crowdstreet platform, No Investment done and No refund.
Chuck R.
"I have 6 investments within the CS…"
I have 6 investments within the CS universe across a variety of CRE deals. Most of my experiences have been ok, however customer support for a deal that turns out to have been done by an SEC reporting company is pathetic at best and e-mails to CS have gone into a black hole with no answer. The real issue is the sponsor which claims they can not deal with us and we have to go read their 10-Q quarterly filings, which are just this side of useless. I have told that CS should tell us upfront as part of the sales process about these sorts of hurdles to discover what is going on with a deal so an investor can avoid this situation if warranted. The current lack of response from CS about this particular deal is concerning and aggravating.
John hoff
"I’ve had mixed success with crowd…"
I’ve had mixed success with crowd street. , Federal self storage and rreaf holdings are very good sponsors that pay over 12-15 pct yearly. However the other 4 I invested in are horrible. All these other people on here complaining about lack of customer service is dead right. They ghost you once they have your money. Even the sponsors won’t call you back. I would stay away from this crowdfunding site. I will say both fundrise and realty mogul will pay you and return your calls. Those are both way better companies.
Adrian Clapp
"Great way to diversify your portfolio and realize the benefits of owning real estate!"
Great selection of vetted deals and sponsors to diversify your portfolio. Realize the income and tax benefits of owning real estate without the hassle of owning and managing properties. I highly recommend CrowdStreet!
Eric Meade
"This company is on a solid growth path…"
This company is on a solid growth path to take over private real estate investment firms by offering smaller investment opportunities to their investors through crowd-funding. They do all the vetting and heavy lifting for you as an investor.
Scott White
"An Unbelievable Platform With Access to Unique and Compelling Real Estate Deals"
CrowdStreet is an unbelievable platform providing me with access to unique and interesting deals I couldn't otherwise get access to. I have invested in numerous CrowdStreet deals over the last 5+ years. The website is incredibly easy to use and the customer service is exceptional. I chose to write a review and share my experience in part because of the incredibly positive experience I have had with the team.
John Hoyt
"CrowdStreet is great at getting your money..."
CrowdStreet is great at getting your money. Once they've gotten your money and they've gotten their percentage, your hear mostly crickets. Investors are kept largely in the dark.
I've invested in 7 projects of theirs going back four years. None have paid a dime so far. Two have required a "capital call" (more money from investors for the project to stay afloat.)
CrowdStreet does NOT advocate for their investors after the investment is made, and does NOT require meaningful reporting from project sponsors. As a result, mostly what you get is "happy talk" BS which tells you nothing. I'm very nervous about my investments.
RD R
"After monitoring crowdstreet deals for…"
After monitoring crowdstreet deals for a least a few years, I have found good deals far and few between, and when I find a deal it becomes oversubscribed quickly, and then you are waitlisted. This gives you very little time to fill out documents, especially if your trying to get verification. I completely agree with the other review - THERE IS NO DEFINED TIME TO GET YOUR DOCUMENTS IN. There should be at least 24 hours. This promotes good will, good business sense, and repeat business even though it may cost crowdstreet a little in the short run.
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