Real Estate Platform Comparison· Updated May 5, 2026

Cadre vs. Groundfloor 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

A side-by-side breakdown of returns, liquidity, fees, and trustworthiness to help you decide where to invest your money.

2.5

Cadre is a credible accredited-only commercial real estate platform with strong reported historical IRRs and institutional backing, but its $50,000 minimum, the January 2024 acquisition by Yieldstreet (now Willow Wealth), and a 2018 Kushner Cos. property controversy mean retail investors and platform-trust-sensitive investors should weigh it carefully.

★ Our Pick Groundfloor logo

4.0

Groundfloor is a strong, transparent option for investors who want short-term, real-estate-backed yield without picking properties. ~10% historical returns, zero investor fees, and 6–18 month terms are excellent — but you're a lender, not an owner, so upside is capped and default risk is real.

At a Glance

Cadre vs. Groundfloor — Key Stats

$50,000 (typical direct deal)Minimum$10 per loan ($100 account minimum)

5–8 years typicalHolding Period6–18 months (per loan term)

Limited liquidity optionsEarly WithdrawalUnavailable — capital locked until loan repays

Varies by deal (often quarterly)Rent PayoutN/A — interest paid per loan terms (often deferred to maturity)

~17.8% historical IRR per Cadre's own platform reportingAvg. Returns~10% historical average

Pros & Cons

What each platform does well and poorly

Institutional-quality commercial deals
Cadre curates commercial real estate offerings — multifamily apartments, office, hotels, industrial — that typically only institutional investors can access directly.
Established platform with track record
Founded in 2014, Cadre has reported approximately $184 million in cumulative gross distributions to investors and a roughly 17.8% historical IRR across realized deals.
Cadre Direct Access Fund
Investors who don't want to pick deals one-by-one can use the Cadre Direct Access Fund, which builds a diversified portfolio across roughly 15 high-growth U.S. markets.
Backed by a larger alt-investment platform
Since January 2024, Cadre has operated as part of Yieldstreet (rebranded to Willow Wealth in October 2025), a multi-asset alternatives platform with broader product distribution. Cadre's CEO Ryan Williams continues to lead the brand and Cadre's investment team transitioned with the deal.
$50,000 minimum
Cadre's typical direct-deal minimum is $50,000 — among the highest in our comparison set. Spreading capital across multiple deals (the prudent diversification strategy) requires several hundred thousand in available capital.
Accredited investors only
Cadre is closed to non-accredited investors. You must verify $200K+ income (or $300K+ jointly), $1M+ net worth excluding primary residence, or hold relevant financial licenses.
5–8 year hold periods, limited liquidity
Cadre deals typically run 5–8 years with no formal early-exit option. Sponsors decide when to liquidate. Capital should be considered locked for the full hold.
Now part of Willow Wealth (formerly Yieldstreet)
Yieldstreet completed its acquisition of Cadre on January 23, 2024 and rebranded the parent platform to Willow Wealth in October 2025. Investors who want a fully independent commercial real estate platform should factor in that Cadre's parent company has faced significant investor-loss coverage tied to other (non-Cadre) parts of its business.
2018 Kushner Cos. controversy
In 2018, Fortune Magazine and Bloomberg reported Cadre benefited from misleading rent filings on a Kushner Cos. property deal. The episode prompted significant scrutiny of the platform's underwriting and disclosure practices.
Limited public transparency
Independent reviewers (notably the Real Estate Crowdfunding Review) have flagged Cadre for declining to answer detailed performance and methodology questions. The platform reports its own IRR figures but external scrutiny is limited.

Zero investor fees
Groundfloor charges investors nothing — no AUM, no transaction fees, no closing costs. Borrowers pay 2–4.5% origination plus closing fees, so the entire interest yield flows to investors.
$10 per-loan minimum
Investors can spread $100 across ten loans, making real diversification accessible. Groundfloor's account minimum is $100 and individual loans go down to $10.
Short hold periods (6–18 months)
Most Groundfloor loans mature in 6–18 months — dramatically shorter than the 5–7 year holds typical of equity-style platforms — making it a useful complement to longer-duration real estate.
Transparent, A–G grading
Every loan is graded A–G with corresponding interest rates and risk factors. Loan documents, project details, and borrower track records are published before funding.
Capped upside
You're a lender. If a property doubles in value, you still only earn the interest rate on the loan. None of the appreciation upside flows to investors.
Lump-sum and deferred payouts
Many loans are deferred-payment, meaning interest accrues but isn't paid until the loan is fully repaid. That hurts compounding versus monthly- or daily-payout platforms.
Default risk is real
Groundfloor's reported default rate has historically been higher than peer platforms. Recoveries through foreclosure can take time and erode returns. The collateral is the property itself.
No early withdrawal
Once you fund a loan, capital is locked until the loan repays. There's no secondary market for Groundfloor LROs.

Deep Dive

Detailed comparison

What You're Investing In

Individual commercial real estate deals (multifamily apartments, office, hotels, industrial) and the Cadre Direct Access Fund. Both carry meaningful minimums and accreditation requirements. Cadre branding lives inside the broader Willow Wealth platform.

Three core products: Groundfloor Original (individual loans graded A–G), Stairs by Groundfloor (a savings-style product paying a steady rate), and Notes (short-duration debt instruments). All are real estate debt — no equity ownership.

Property Locations

The Cadre Direct Access Fund covers approximately 15 high-growth U.S. markets, with concentration in Sun Belt metros. Direct deals are sourced across the U.S.

Groundfloor lends in 45+ U.S. states, giving investors broad geographic diversification across one platform.

Expected Returns

Cadre reports a historical IRR of approximately 17.8% across realized deals and roughly $184 million in cumulative gross distributions. Advertised target returns on individual offerings typically range 10–15%. Past performance is platform-reported and not independently audited.

Groundfloor's historical average return is approximately 10% per year. A diversified portfolio across all available loans has historically produced around 10.7% annualized. Loans pay between roughly 5.5% (A grade) and 25%+ (G grade), and investors earn the same rate the borrower pays. Capital not deployed within 45 days returns to the investor with no interest.

Fees

Cadre's fee structure varies by offering and includes both platform-level and sponsor-level fees. Read each deal's fee schedule carefully. Fund products typically include both management and carried-interest fees.

Zero investor fees. Borrowers pay 2–4.5% origination plus other closing fees, all visible inside the offering documents but not charged to investors.

Liquidity

Typical hold periods run 5–8 years. Sponsors decide when to liquidate; investors do not control exit timing.

Holding period equals the loan term — typically 6–18 months. Investors can target shorter durations by buying into in-progress loans.

Who Can Invest

Accredited investors only. SEC accreditation requirements apply: $200,000+ annual income (or $300,000+ jointly), $1,000,000+ net worth excluding primary residence, or holding relevant financial licenses.

Open to non-accredited and accredited U.S. investors. International investors can participate but must email support to fund accounts and meet a $5,000 minimum transfer.

The Verdict

Which is better — Cadre or Groundfloor?

2.5

Cadre is a credible institutional-quality commercial real estate platform with a strong reported track record and a diversified fund product. The $50,000 minimum and accredited-only access already limit it to high-net-worth investors, and the January 2024 acquisition by Yieldstreet — now Willow Wealth — plus the lingering 2018 Kushner Cos. controversy and limited public transparency add additional considerations. High-net-worth investors who already have institutional CRE exposure may still find selective value here, but most retail investors should look elsewhere.

Full Cadre review →

★ Our Pick

4.0

Groundfloor is one of the cleanest options in real estate crowdfunding. Zero investor fees, ~10% historical returns, short 6–18 month durations, and full transparency on every loan make it a strong fit for investors who want yield backed by real estate without picking properties or signing up for a 5+ year lock-up. The trade-off is real: you're a lender with capped upside and default exposure, not an owner with a stake in appreciation.

Full Groundfloor review →

Bottom Line

Groundfloor scores higher (4.0/5) and edges out Cadre on our investment quality criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cadre vs. Groundfloor FAQ

Which is better — Cadre or Groundfloor?

Based on our scoring criteria — returns, fees, liquidity, transparency, minimums, and track record — Groundfloor (4.0/5) scores higher than Cadre (2.5/5). Groundfloor is a strong, transparent option for investors who want short-term, real-estate-backed yield without picking properties. ~10% historical returns, zero investor fees, and 6–18 month terms are excellent — but you're a lender, not an owner, so upside is capped and default risk is real.

What is the minimum investment for Cadre vs. Groundfloor?

Cadre's minimum investment is $50,000 (typical direct deal). Groundfloor's minimum investment is $10 per loan ($100 account minimum).

How do Cadre and Groundfloor compare on liquidity?

Cadre: Typical hold periods run 5–8 years. Sponsors decide when to liquidate; investors do not control exit timing. Groundfloor: Holding period equals the loan term — typically 6–18 months. Investors can target shorter durations by buying into in-progress loans.

What returns can investors expect from Cadre vs. Groundfloor?

Cadre reports average yearly returns of ~17.8% historical IRR per Cadre's own platform reporting. Groundfloor reports average yearly returns of ~10% historical average. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

One of the most flexible ways to invest in real estate

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$50 minimums · Daily rent payouts · No lock-up periods · 24/7 exchange

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Real Estate Platform Comparison· Updated May 5, 2026

Cadre vs. Groundfloor 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

A side-by-side breakdown of returns, liquidity, fees, and trustworthiness to help you decide where to invest your money.

2.5

★ Our Pick Groundfloor logo

4.0

At a Glance

Cadre vs. Groundfloor — Key Stats

$50,000 (typical direct deal)Minimum$10 per loan ($100 account minimum)

5–8 years typicalHolding Period6–18 months (per loan term)

Limited liquidity optionsEarly WithdrawalUnavailable — capital locked until loan repays

Varies by deal (often quarterly)Rent PayoutN/A — interest paid per loan terms (often deferred to maturity)

~17.8% historical IRR per Cadre's own platform reportingAvg. Returns~10% historical average

Pros & Cons

What each platform does well and poorly

Institutional-quality commercial deals
Cadre curates commercial real estate offerings — multifamily apartments, office, hotels, industrial — that typically only institutional investors can access directly.
Established platform with track record
Founded in 2014, Cadre has reported approximately $184 million in cumulative gross distributions to investors and a roughly 17.8% historical IRR across realized deals.
Cadre Direct Access Fund
Investors who don't want to pick deals one-by-one can use the Cadre Direct Access Fund, which builds a diversified portfolio across roughly 15 high-growth U.S. markets.
Backed by a larger alt-investment platform
Since January 2024, Cadre has operated as part of Yieldstreet (rebranded to Willow Wealth in October 2025), a multi-asset alternatives platform with broader product distribution. Cadre's CEO Ryan Williams continues to lead the brand and Cadre's investment team transitioned with the deal.
$50,000 minimum
Cadre's typical direct-deal minimum is $50,000 — among the highest in our comparison set. Spreading capital across multiple deals (the prudent diversification strategy) requires several hundred thousand in available capital.
Accredited investors only
Cadre is closed to non-accredited investors. You must verify $200K+ income (or $300K+ jointly), $1M+ net worth excluding primary residence, or hold relevant financial licenses.
5–8 year hold periods, limited liquidity
Cadre deals typically run 5–8 years with no formal early-exit option. Sponsors decide when to liquidate. Capital should be considered locked for the full hold.
Now part of Willow Wealth (formerly Yieldstreet)
Yieldstreet completed its acquisition of Cadre on January 23, 2024 and rebranded the parent platform to Willow Wealth in October 2025. Investors who want a fully independent commercial real estate platform should factor in that Cadre's parent company has faced significant investor-loss coverage tied to other (non-Cadre) parts of its business.
2018 Kushner Cos. controversy
In 2018, Fortune Magazine and Bloomberg reported Cadre benefited from misleading rent filings on a Kushner Cos. property deal. The episode prompted significant scrutiny of the platform's underwriting and disclosure practices.
Limited public transparency
Independent reviewers (notably the Real Estate Crowdfunding Review) have flagged Cadre for declining to answer detailed performance and methodology questions. The platform reports its own IRR figures but external scrutiny is limited.

Zero investor fees
Groundfloor charges investors nothing — no AUM, no transaction fees, no closing costs. Borrowers pay 2–4.5% origination plus closing fees, so the entire interest yield flows to investors.
$10 per-loan minimum
Investors can spread $100 across ten loans, making real diversification accessible. Groundfloor's account minimum is $100 and individual loans go down to $10.
Short hold periods (6–18 months)
Most Groundfloor loans mature in 6–18 months — dramatically shorter than the 5–7 year holds typical of equity-style platforms — making it a useful complement to longer-duration real estate.
Transparent, A–G grading
Every loan is graded A–G with corresponding interest rates and risk factors. Loan documents, project details, and borrower track records are published before funding.
Capped upside
You're a lender. If a property doubles in value, you still only earn the interest rate on the loan. None of the appreciation upside flows to investors.
Lump-sum and deferred payouts
Many loans are deferred-payment, meaning interest accrues but isn't paid until the loan is fully repaid. That hurts compounding versus monthly- or daily-payout platforms.
Default risk is real
Groundfloor's reported default rate has historically been higher than peer platforms. Recoveries through foreclosure can take time and erode returns. The collateral is the property itself.
No early withdrawal
Once you fund a loan, capital is locked until the loan repays. There's no secondary market for Groundfloor LROs.

Deep Dive

Detailed comparison

What You're Investing In

Property Locations

The Cadre Direct Access Fund covers approximately 15 high-growth U.S. markets, with concentration in Sun Belt metros. Direct deals are sourced across the U.S.

Groundfloor lends in 45+ U.S. states, giving investors broad geographic diversification across one platform.

Expected Returns

Fees

Zero investor fees. Borrowers pay 2–4.5% origination plus other closing fees, all visible inside the offering documents but not charged to investors.

Liquidity

Typical hold periods run 5–8 years. Sponsors decide when to liquidate; investors do not control exit timing.

Holding period equals the loan term — typically 6–18 months. Investors can target shorter durations by buying into in-progress loans.

Who Can Invest

Open to non-accredited and accredited U.S. investors. International investors can participate but must email support to fund accounts and meet a $5,000 minimum transfer.

The Verdict

Which is better — Cadre or Groundfloor?

2.5

Full Cadre review →

★ Our Pick

4.0

Full Groundfloor review →

Bottom Line

Groundfloor scores higher (4.0/5) and edges out Cadre on our investment quality criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cadre vs. Groundfloor FAQ

Which is better — Cadre or Groundfloor?

What is the minimum investment for Cadre vs. Groundfloor?

Cadre's minimum investment is $50,000 (typical direct deal). Groundfloor's minimum investment is $10 per loan ($100 account minimum).

How do Cadre and Groundfloor compare on liquidity?

What returns can investors expect from Cadre vs. Groundfloor?

One of the most flexible ways to invest in real estate

Start building generational wealth with Lofty

$50 minimums · Daily rent payouts · No lock-up periods · 24/7 exchange

View Properties Get started free