Accredited vs Non-Accredited Investors: Differences
LAST UPDATED: April 24, 2023 | By Conrad Golly
Groundfloor is a real estate investing platform that offers investment opportunities to both accredited and non-accredited investors. However, there are some significant differences between these two types of investors when it comes to investing with Groundfloor.
Accredited vs Non-Accredited Investors:
Accredited investors are those who have a higher net worth or annual income and are considered to be more financially sophisticated. Non-accredited investors, on the other hand, are everyday investors who may not have the same level of financial knowledge or resources.
Accredited investors typically have a higher minimum investment requirement, which can range from $25,000 to $100,000. Non-accredited investors, on the other hand, can get started with a minimum investment of just $10.
This makes it much more accessible for everyday investors to get involved in crowdfunded real estate investing and start building wealth through passive investing.
Accredited vs Non-Accredited Investors

One of the main differences between accredited and non-accredited investors on Groundfloor is the investment options available to them.
Accredited investors have access to a wider range of investment opportunities, including private real estate investments and commercial real estate projects. Non-accredited investors, on the other hand, are limited to investing in residential real estate projects through Groundfloor.
However, this still provides a great opportunity for non-accredited investors to diversify their investment portfolios and potentially earn passive income through monthly distributions.
Another important difference between accredited and non-accredited investors on Groundfloor is the minimum investment required.
Definition of Accredited Investor
An accredited investor is an individual or entity that meets certain financial criteria set by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). To be considered an accredited investor, an individual must have a net worth of at least $1 million, excluding the value of their primary residence, or an annual income of at least $200,000 for the past two years, or $300,000 combined with a spouse.
Definition of Non-Accredited Investor
A non-accredited investor is an individual or entity that does not meet the financial criteria set by the SEC to be considered an accredited investor. This includes any individual whose net worth is less than $1 million and has an income under $200,000 individually (or $300,000 with a spouse).
Differences between Accredited and Non-Accredited Investors
The main difference between accredited and non-accredited investors is the level of wealth and investment opportunities available to them.
Accredited investors have access to a wider range of investment options, including private equity, hedge funds, and venture capital, that are not available to non-accredited investors. This is because these types of investments tend to be high-risk and involve a large amount of money.
Non-accredited investors, on the other hand, have access to more traditional investment options, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, that are available to the general public. These investments tend to be less risky but also offer lower returns compared to alternative investments.
Another key difference between accredited and non-accredited investors is the level of regulation and protection provided by the SEC.
Accredited investors are assumed to have a higher level of financial sophistication and are therefore subject to less regulation and oversight compared to non-accredited investors.
Overall, the main difference between accredited and non-accredited investors is their level of wealth and the investment opportunities available to them.
Accredited investors have access to a wider range of high-risk, high-reward investments, while non-accredited investors have access to more traditional, lower-risk investments.
Risk and Returns
Risk Associated with Non-Accredited Investors
Groundfloor offers real estate debt investments to both non-accredited and accredited investors. However, investing in real estate carries risks, and non-accredited investors may face a higher level of risk due to their limited investment experience and financial resources.
Non-accredited investors may not have access to the same level of information as accredited investors and may not be able to assess the risks associated with a particular investment.
Additionally, non-accredited investors may not be able to absorb the loss of their investment as easily as accredited investors.
Returns for Accredited vs Non-Accredited Investors
While both accredited and non-accredited investors can invest in Groundfloor, there are differences in the returns they can expect.
Accredited investors may have access to investments with potentially higher returns due to their ability to invest in more complex and risky investments. On the other hand, non-accredited investors may have access to investments with lower returns but with less risk.
Groundfloor offers a range of investments with varying levels of risk and return, allowing investors to choose the investment that best fits their financial goals and risk tolerance. It is important to note that past performance is not a guarantee of future results, and all investments carry risk.
Groundfloor provides detailed information about each investment opportunity, including the risks and potential returns, allowing investors to make informed decisions about their investments. It is important to carefully consider the risks and returns before investing in any real estate opportunity.
Real Estate Investments
Real estate investments can be a great way to diversify a portfolio and build wealth. There are many options available for both accredited and non-accredited investors.
Real Estate Investing Options for Accredited Investors
Accredited investors have access to a wider range of real estate investment options, including real estate investment trusts (REITs) and private real estate investments.
REITs are companies that own and manage income-producing real estate, such as apartment buildings, shopping centers, and office buildings. Accredited investors can also invest in private real estate projects, which can offer higher potential returns but also come with higher risk.
One popular platform for accredited investors is Fundrise, which offers a variety of investment options with minimum investments starting at $1,000.
Another option is RealtyMogul, which allows accredited investors to invest in commercial real estate projects with minimum investments of $5,000.
Real Estate Investing Options for Non-Accredited Investors
Non-accredited investors also have options for investing in real estate. One popular platform is Groundfloor, which offers short-term, high-yield real estate debt investments to non-accredited investors.
Groundfloor allows investors to invest in individual residential real estate projects with minimum investments starting at just $10. This can be a great way for everyday investors to get exposure to private real estate investments and potentially earn passive income.
Another option for non-accredited investors is American Homeowner Preservation, which allows investors to invest in distressed mortgages and earn passive income through monthly distributions. The investment minimum is $100 and the portfolio is diversified across single-family homes.
It’s important for investors to do their due diligence and understand the risks involved with any investment.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulates the sale of investment securities to protect investors from fraud and misrepresentations.
Investors should also be aware of the fees associated with any investment and understand the disclosures provided by the investment platform.
Overall, real estate investing can be a great way to build wealth and diversify a portfolio. With the passage of the JOBS Act, private real estate investment opportunities have become more accessible to everyday investors.
Groundbreaking platforms like Groundfloor have developed proprietary grading algorithms to assess loan grades and senior lien positions, making it easier for investors to evaluate investment opportunities and transfer funds through crowdfunding.
With passive investing and monthly distributions, non-accredited investors can earn passive income while building a diversified portfolio.
Groundfloor
Groundfloor is a real estate investing platform that offers investment opportunities to both accredited and non-accredited investors. The platform provides borrowers with access to loans for residential real estate projects, and investors can invest in these loans for as little as $10.
What is Groundfloor?
Groundfloor is a crowdfunding platform that allows investors to invest in real estate loans. The platform offers a variety of investment options, including senior lien notes, mezzanine notes, and equity investments. Groundfloor also provides investors with access to commercial real estate projects, which can help diversify their portfolio.
Groundfloor for Accredited Investors
Accredited investors have access to a wider range of investment options on Groundfloor. These investors can invest in private real estate investments, such as real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other investment securities.
Accredited investors also have access to more information about the investments they are considering, including disclosures about the risks involved and the potential returns.
Groundfloor for Non-Accredited Investors
Groundfloor is one of the few real estate investing platforms that offers investment opportunities to non-accredited investors.
These investors can invest in residential real estate loans for as little as $10. Groundfloor uses a proprietary grading algorithm to assess the risk of each loan, and investors can choose to invest in loans with different loan grades and yields.
Non-accredited investors also have access to monthly distributions, which can provide a source of passive income.
Real Estate Crowdfunding Platforms
Real estate crowdfunding platforms have become popular among investors looking for alternative ways to invest in real estate. Here are some of the top real estate crowdfunding platforms:
Fundrise
Fundrise offers a diversified portfolio of real estate investments with a minimum investment of $500. They have a unique eREIT model that allows investors to invest in a collection of properties with a single investment.
Fundrise offers both debt and equity investments and has a track record of strong returns for their investors.
Roofstock
Roofstock is a platform that specializes in single-family rental properties. They offer a wide range of properties across the United States, with a minimum investment of $5,000.
Roofstock offers both debt and equity investments, and their properties are already rented, which means investors can start earning rental income right away.
DiversyFund
DiversyFund offers a unique investment model that allows investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of real estate assets with a minimum investment of $500.
They offer both debt and equity investments, and their investments are focused on multi-family properties. DiversyFund has a strong track record of returns for their investors.
Streitwise
Streitwise is a platform that specializes in investing in commercial real estate properties, with a minimum investment of $1,000. They offer both debt and equity investments, and their properties are focused on office and retail properties.
Streitwise has a track record of strong returns for their investors.
Groundfloor
Groundfloor is a unique real estate crowdfunding platform that enables non-accredited investors to invest in short-term real estate loans starting at just $10.
Most loans average 6-12 months in duration, while most real estate crowdfunding platforms require you to lock up your money for at least 5 years or pay a fee to sell your shares early. Groundfloor offers only debt investments.
The Bottom Line: Accredited vs Non-Accredited Investors
Groundfloor is a real estate investing platform that offers investment opportunities to both accredited and non-accredited investors.
Accredited investors have access to a wider range of investment opportunities, including private real estate investments and commercial real estate projects. They also typically have a higher minimum investment requirement, which can range from $25,000 to $100,000.
Non-accredited investors, on the other hand, are limited to investing in residential real estate projects through Groundfloor.
However, they can get started with a minimum investment of just $10, making it much more accessible for everyday investors to get involved in crowdfunded real estate investing and potentially earn passive income through monthly distributions.