Crowdinvesting: explanation, advantages and disadvantages

Too little equity, too little time, no problem! Crowdinvesting in real estate allows you to invest with smallest amounts. My recommendation for small investments starting at 500 euros are providers like Exporo and InRento.

Let’s start with basics:

What is crowdinvesting?

First of all, what is crowdinvesting?

A very simple comparison would be “a corporation“. The company sells various shares to individuals and institutions. Thus, many “participate” in a company and give it the necessary financing for growth. It works the same way with crowdinvesting in real estate.

Instead of one large investor, shares are spread to many “small” investors. This allows people to invest in real estate who either do not have the necessary credit rating, not enough equity or both. There are several providers for this, such as Bergfürst, Engel & Völkers, Exporo or also InRento, which you will also find in a list later.

More and more want to participate in the real estate market. Also Haufe reports this month“The swarm flies on real estate“, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of real estate crowdinvesting

As already learned in the introduction, you as an investor have some advantages, such as the low equity, the various properties as investment options, risk minimization through capital diversification, but also an extensive participation (fixed interest rate, profit-related distribution and participation upon sale).

• Little equity – start from 50 – 100 Euro
• Once registered, various investment options
• Transparency – contact with construction companies possible (information)
• Risk minimization – capital spread over several projects

Compensation and Disbursements:

• Fixed interest rate
• Profit-related distribution
• Participation in the exit case (sale of the property)

Disadvantages and risks for investors

As always, there are advantages, but also disadvantages that you should consider. Here also a more detailed article in Capital“Risky game“. After that you will know all the disadvantages and risks in detail.

• No right of co-determination (participatory loan)
• Capital commitment over a long period 5+ years
• Total loss when projects fail
• Too much participation – loss of overview

How does crowdinvesting in real estate work?

In the vast majority of cases, a property is to be developed (renovated or completely rebuilt).

With regular real estate investment, one would now specifically look for a partner for financing. With crowdinvestment, however, owners talk to the crowdinvestment platforms, which in turn take care of the distribution of the shares. Online platforms then broker real estate shares to investors.

This crowdinvestment platform then takes over the entire presentation to the individual investors and the owners can take care of their core business, construction and development. So with crowdinvesting, you don’t give a “typical” loan to the respective developer, you participate in the property with a participatory loan. This also means you have no say in the matter.

Participation in the real estate does not mean, of course, that you can move in tomorrow and take 0.5 square meters. The real estate will be managed afterwards, you are only a capital investor. From this you achieve a return in the form of the fixed interest rate and the profit-dependent distribution.

Once again the remuneration and payment:

• Fixed interest rate
• Profit-related distribution
• Participation in the exit case (sale of the property)

So a few euros become more and more.

Crowdinvestment provider

Which crowdfunding platform is the best? Where can you invest? There are various, reputable providers for crowdinvesting. Here is a small market overview. The minimum investments differ, depending on the projects on the platforms.

As a rule, the minimum deposits are between 100 and 1,000 euros.

List of providers:

• Bergfürst
• Crowdinvest real estate
• Scroogeinvest
• Engel & Völkers Digital Invest
• Exporo
• Immofunding
• InRento
• Linus
• Rendity
• Savings Bank
• Interest module

What makes real estate so attractive as an investment?

Does real estate investment make sense?

There is a second advantage from crowdinvesting, for you personally!

With every new real estate listing and offer, you get to know the real estate market and learn to evaluate properties accordingly. Be sure to read my article on calculating rental yields here, as this will allow you to calculate the attractiveness of real estate investments in advance.

Real estate is extremely interesting as a capital investment, due to many aspects. A very important reason for real estate as a capital investment, especially with regard to one’s own retirement provision, real estate is not subject to inflation. The material value of a property protects it from the devaluation of money. Looking at the inflation table and the development in the next 25 – 30 years shows that real estate has many advantages, especially compared to financial investments such as savings accounts or Riester pensions for retirement.

Inflation and demonetization: effects

Example: In 30 years, inflation will have risen to the point where the purchasing power of 1,000 euros will be minimized to only 600 euros. In other words, if you spend 1,000 euros in 30 years, you will only receive goods worth 600 euros today. So (circa) 40% less, after inflation.

• 1,000 euros in the savings book in 30 years = 600 euros real value

Now we come directly back to the advantage of a property as an investment. This is rented out. Accordingly, the tenant pays an equivalent value (rent) for the monthly use of the tangible asset (real estate). If money is worth 40% less, your tenant has to pay 40% more rent. Accordingly, the rental income increases from 1,000 euros to 1,400 euros. So (circa) 40% more, after inflation, respectively no real value loss.

• 1.000 Euro rent in 30 years = No loss (1.400 Euro)

So if you had invested your money in a financial product, let’s take the classic savings book, you would have had a real loss of 40%.

When you invest your money in real estate, you are protected from the effects of inflation. Even better, you additionally benefit from the increase in value of the property. Germany is a booming real estate market, not only in recent years, also when looking at the last decades.

The population is growing, housing is scarce.

This way you additionally profit from the rent increases.

No fluctuation like shares & Co.

Real estate also has the advantage that it is hardly subject to fluctuations. If you actively trade currency, invest in stocks or buy cryptocurrency, for example, you will experience constant fluctuations in prices. Depending on the type of investment, currency, stock or crypto, more or less. Leases are long-term, rent is transferred monthly and the amount remains the same, tends to even increase due to rent adjustment.

• Real estate is stable in value
• Real estate offers inflation protection
• Real estate values do not fluctuate (like stocks, cryptocurrencies, and other financial products)

Major construction site in Stuttgart, profit, thanks to crowdinvesting.

Equity: Entry into real estate investment

The biggest sticking point for most is equity.

Especially when it is no longer about condominiums worth 100,000 euros (15,000 euros equity), but about investments in large cities with apartment prices of 400,000 euros, 500,000 euros and more. For a property with a purchase price of 500,000 euros (including ancillary costs), you would have to have 75,000 euros of equity ready.

Equity share in the purchase of real estate: security of the bank

First, let’s ask the question:

How much equity do you need for a regular property?

The answer differs, especially according to the real estate location. A condominium in Munich, unaffordable for most, even in the wider Speckgürtel around Nuremberg, Freiburg.

It is no different in the other major cities, Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf or Frankfurt. So the purchase price of a property varies extremely, between 50,000 euros (in C-location) and 400,000 (in B-location). Of course, more if we talk about very good micro-location within the A-locations. e.g. Munich-Mitte, Berlin-Mitte, Hamburg-Mitte, Düsseldorf-Mitte and so on.

Calculate equity ratio: Here’s how

Whether 50,000 euros or 100,000 euros, the bank requires for the financing of a property, usually 15% equity. Especially if it is your first property.

In addition to the purchase price of the property, there are also the ancillary purchase costs. Depending on the federal state, including land transfer tax, notary costs and land registry entry, the total is approximately 7% to 10% extra.

Service charges idR. 7% – 10% yes according to federal state + broker (if involved)

The fluctuation comes on the one hand from the land transfer tax, which differs in each state. On the other hand, the question, was a broker commissioned? Here, too, the brokerage costs differ depending on the federal state. In the case of a private purchase, the buyer and seller must each share 50% of the brokerage costs. Ultimately, this results in the total purchase price of the property, including ancillary purchase costs.

This is how you calculate the equity ratio:

• Financing request: 100.000 Euro
  (purchase price plus ancillary costs)
• Equity: 15.000 Euro
• Loan from the bank: 85,000 euros

Purchase price calculation with additional costs:

• Purchase price: 100.000 Euro
• Real estate transfer tax example NRW (6.5%): 6,500 euros
• Notary fees (1.5%): 1,500 euros
• Land register entry (0.5%): 500 euros
• Brokerage commission (3.57% [3,570 / 2]): 1,785 euros

Credit rating for financing: crowdinvesting as an alternative

Not everyone has the necessary credit rating for such a large financing. Even if the equity would be available. e.g. because regular income counts (self-employed). Even more, however, do not even have the necessary equity available. For those who do not want to wait, there is a great alternative, even to invest in real estate as an investment.

Many reasons that speak for real estate as an investment and if the equity is not yet enough, for crowdinvesting in real estate.

Residential neighborhood with many condominiums (new construction):

Find profitable real estate

Crowdinvestment does not take away from you the decision in which property you invest. Therefore, here again the question opened:

How to find profitable real estate?

You still have to decide for yourself in which property you want to invest your money. Perhaps you already know my detailed guide on the subject of buying your first property? Here you will learn about the different types of real estate, the difference between yield real estate and investment real estate but also (very important) the real estate yield.

The real estate yield is a simple calculation once you know and understand it. It looks at the investment amount (purchase price and incidental purchase costs) and the monthly income (rental income). The result is a percentage.

If this is above 6%, all costs are usually covered by the repayment of the financing, interest and reserves for maintenance. Any return above 6% means additional wealth accumulation for you. Accordingly, the real estate yield is an extremely important factor for real estate investors. Because with this single key figure, you can evaluate the attractiveness of a real estate investment, but also compare different investment properties with each other.

Let’s first look at the simple formula of rental yield:

Annual net income / investment * 100 = rental yield

The rental yield is subdivided once again into the net rental yield and gross rental yield. Where is the difference?

• Net rental return = incl. incidental purchase costs
• Gross rental yield = excl. incidental purchase costs

With this knowledge, you can act much better as an investor and thus find really profitable properties for your investment.

Once you have registered in a crowdinvestment platforms, browse through the individual investment properties and compare them based on the return. Of course, you won’t get 100% of the rental payments, but you will see the yield on all platforms. Now you know what it’s all about!

Earn rental income today with investments starting at 500 euros. My recommendation:

• InRento

Living in Düsseldorf’s old town

Düsseldorf Altstadt is ideally located in Düsseldorf, directly on the Rhine and close to the city centre. In addition to numerous historic buildings and sights, the popular district also has a diverse range of restaurants, cafés and shopping opportunities to offer, so everything is combined for the perfect property location.

Welcome to Düsseldorf: Metropolis in NRW

The capital of NRW is located in the heart of NRW between the Ruhr area and the city of Cologne. The Rhine flows through the middle of the city.

Old Town: Map & Location

The lively district not only boasts excellent transport links, but is also home to Düsseldorf attractions such as the Schlossturm and the K20, the largest art collection in North Rhine-Westphalia. The city’s penchant for the visual arts is further evidenced by the Kunstakademie, which is located in the city center. Also in the old town is the famous Königsallee – one of the most famous shopping streets in Europe and one of the most attractive and expensive streets in Düsseldorf.

Sights, Monuments & Co.

Düsseldorf’s old town has a lot to offer in terms of leisure activities and sights. Here you can keep yourself busy every day and admire the numerous buildings and monuments of Düsseldorf’s old town. In addition to many restaurants, cafés and boutiques directly on the Rhine, you will also find the City Hall, the Schlossturm, the Kunsthalle Düsseldorf and the Old Port. The architecture of Düsseldorf is also breathtaking and inspires not only tourists, but also the Düsseldorfers themselves.

• City Hall
• Old port
• Düsseldorf Art Gallery
• Castle Tower
• K20, Art Collection North Rhine-Westphalia
• Castle Square

Sightseeing: A tour of the old town

The historic residential buildings enchant tourists, newcomers and long-established residents again and again. During the day, Düsseldorf convinces with its diverse shopping opportunities. It is particularly luxurious on the famous Königsallee. There you will find all the luxury labels you could wish for, perfumeries with high-quality care products, as well as exclusive cafés and restaurants. As soon as evening falls, the city centre transforms into a noble nightlife district, where you will find bars and clubs to satisfy your need for a good cocktail and a successful evening with friends.

Take a look around the bright streets here:

Old harbour in the old town of Düsseldorf

Königsallee: boutiques, cafés and more

Old building apartments, lofts and co. in ideal locations

Real estate & prices per square metre in the old town

Renovated old building apartment, spacious penthouse or exclusive loft – everyone feels at home here! And this is also reflected in the real estate prices in Düsseldorf. Even if you don’t plan to go shopping, this part of Düsseldorf is just right for a relaxed shopping day. The very good location and proximity to cafés, restaurants, boutiques & Co. is also reflected in the prices per square metre. Due to the perfect location in the city centre and on the Rhine, you should expect these prices:

• Buy apartment (existing): 9.080€/ sqm
• Buy an apartment (new building): 10.919€/ sqm
• Buy a house (existing): 3.448€/ sqm
• Buy a house (new construction): 4.100€/ sqm

Conclusion: Living in the Old Town

Living in Düsseldorf – shopping, going out, sightseeing: all this is on offer in Düsseldorf’s old town. The city centre allows central living paired with quiet corners and one of the liveliest residential environments in Düsseldorf. You would like to buy a property here and invest in a real estate as a capital investment? Singles and couples in particular feel at home here. The proximity to the Rhine and the numerous green spaces also only make this area more attractive and promise a relaxed place in the middle of Düsseldorf’s city centre.

Düsseldorf: Real estate in the metropolis on the Rhine

Düsseldorf has a fascinating attraction. Although the Rhine metropolis Cologne is only a few minutes away, you can find the big luxury boutiques, international companies, advertising agencies and many other interesting industries here. The fashion industry in particular has made Düsseldorf a very international, stylish location. If you are looking for beautiful real estate here, maybe even luxury real estate, you will find it.

Real estate in Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf stands for luxury, shopping and an internationally positioned local economy. High-fashion companies have their headquarters here, but also the state government of NRW. The Düsseldorf real estate market is therefore highly sought after. The city is located in the heart of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The state capital is divided into several districts and is very popular with property buyers due to its charming location on the Rhine.

• Real estate Düsseldorf

Living in Düsseldorf: Popular districts & residential areas

With just under 640,000, Düsseldorf is one of the largest cities in the Rhineland and home to Germany’s third largest airport, after Munich and Frankfurt. With its authentic charm, the city attracts businesses from all over the world. This international audience not only demands places to go out and work, but is also always on the lookout for the right apartments. Whether it’s the Old Town, Oberkassel or Golzheim – everything about the city’s most popular residential areas and the most expensive streets in Düsseldorf, including tips on location, property prices in Düsseldorf & Co. To the overview: Living in Düsseldorf.

• Old Town
• Oberkassel
• Golzheim

House, apartment and land for sale in Düsseldorf

A wide range of shopping facilities, a large selection of restaurants and the modern infrastructure make Düsseldorf a sought-after city for property buyers in the long term. Would you like to sell your apartment, your property or your apartment building here? Whether historic Old Town, luxurious Pempelfort, exclusive Carlstadt, magnificent Oberkassel or sought-after Golzheim – with our guides to the sales process, property valuation and the most important documents, you are very well prepared for your property sale. To the overview: Selling real estate in Düsseldorf.

• Carlstadt
• Golzheim
• Pempelfort
• Oberkassel