Contributor, Benzinga
October 2, 2024
mogul
Overall Rating:
securely through mogul's website

mogul is a fractional online real estate investing platform that makes it easy for investors to start with as little as $250. Founded by Goldman Sachs alumni with over $10 billion deployed in real estate, mogul provides opportunities to invest in shares of single-family rental properties. Whether you’re interested in short-term, medium-term or long-term rental investments, mogul offers diverse options. The platform boasts an impressive average 18.8% internal rate of return (IRR) and monthly dividends, combined with potential property appreciation and tax benefits. mogul stands out for its quick sign-up process, allowing users to start investing in under 30 seconds. Plus, with two forms of insurance on properties – property and landlord insurance – investors gain additional peace of mind.

Pros
  • $250 minimum investment
  • Monthly dividends and property appreciation in real time with tax benefits
  • Two forms of property insurance
  • Fast sign-up process (30 seconds)
  • Yields for properties on platform right now are in the 12-14% range
  • High average IRR at 18.8%
Cons
  • 3% fee with an incremental 2%
  • Limited customer service options
  • No mobile app yet

mogul Ratings at a Glance

Customer Service
Security
Minimum Investment and Pricing
User Experience
Overall
Table of Contents

mogul Product Offering

mogul provides an accessible way to invest in real estate online, focusing on fractional ownership in single-family assets. The platform offers short-term, medium-term and long-term rental investments, giving users flexibility based on their investment strategy. With an average 18.8% IRR, mogul boasts competitive returns, monthly dividends and the potential for property appreciation in real time and tax benefits. Investors also benefit from tax advantages associated with real estate investments. The platform’s real estate assets are backed by property and landlord insurance, adding an extra layer of protection.

Importantly, the minimum threshold to be considered for the platform is quite steep—a property has to perform a 12% IRR on a bear case underwriting scenario in order to be considered for investment, giving you a better chance of seeing returns.

The 2 newest properties are:

  • The Shiv
    • Houston, TX
    • 10.2% starting yield
    • Sold out in 10 days
  • The Axelrod
    • Houston, TX
    • 11.4% starting yield
    • Over $100k raised in first week

Customer Service

mogul provides customer support through live chat and email, offering basic assistance for users who need help navigating the platform or have inquiries about their investments. While these options are available, the platform lacks more traditional support methods like phone support, which some users might prefer, especially when dealing with financial matters. 

The platform has been 5 stars on Trustpilot for some time, with many comments pointing out the quality customer service. Moreover, the platform values transparency in fees, documentation, underwriting standards and assumptions. There are weekly property updates, providing you with all the data you need for the places in which you have invested. 

More comprehensive customer service options would be beneficial for a platform dealing with real estate investments, which can involve large sums of money. Quick response times through live chat and email have been reported, but the absence of 24/7 support could be a drawback for investors needing help outside regular business hours. Expanding customer service to include phone support or a more responsive chatbot system could improve the overall user experience.

Security

mogul takes data protection seriously and employs industry-standard security measures to safeguard users' sensitive financial and personal information. These include encrypted transactions and secure servers to prevent unauthorized access, ensuring investors’ data and funds remain safe. The platform's focus on maintaining a secure environment is crucial, especially considering the nature of online real estate investing, where large amounts of capital are often involved. 

mogul protects its properties with two forms of insurance – property insurance and landlord insurance – further securing the physical assets investors are buying into. While the platform meets standard security protocols, further transparency on specific cybersecurity practices or regular audits would provide extra reassurance for users who are cautious about where they invest their money.

Minimum Investment and Pricing

mogul offers a very low entry point for real estate investing, with a minimum investment of only $250, which opens the door for investors of all financial backgrounds to get started. This low barrier to entry sets mogul apart from many traditional real estate investment platforms that often require several thousand dollars upfront. New users are incentivized with a $50 bonus when they make their first investment, allowing them to invest even more without additional upfront capital. 

In terms of fees, mogul charges a 3% fee and an additional 2% incremental fee for specific services. While these fees are relatively standard in the fractional real estate investing space, investors should still consider them when calculating their overall returns. Compared to other platforms, mogul's pricing is competitive, but the additional incremental fee could be a drawback for some, depending on how much they plan to invest.

mogul Returns

mogul Club has consistently delivered the highest returns out of any fractional real estate investing platforms, routinely outperforming competitors and other traditional investment avenues. This is highlighted by an average annual IRR of 18.8%, which is complemented by robust appreciation and yields.

Their properties deliver annual yields of 12-16%, with equally impressive appreciation. For example, their Logan property has appreciated by approximately 25% when factoring in leverage and comparable sales. This success is a testament to mogul Club’s rigorous vetting process, which ensures that no property with less than a 12% return under a bear case scenario is considered for the platform.

Mobile App

Currently, mogul does not offer a mobile app.

User Experience

mogul provides a seamless user experience for those new to online real estate investing. The platform’s user-friendly design allows investors to sign up and begin investing in as little as 30 seconds, making it one of the fastest onboarding processes in the industry. The clean interface is easy to navigate, with clear instructions that guide users through each step, from account setup to selecting properties for investment. This simplicity makes mogul an excellent choice for beginners or those looking for a straightforward way to diversify into real estate.

More experienced or advanced users will enjoy additional features and advanced tools on this platform. For example, while mogul offers robust access to various single-family rental properties, it provides more detailed analytics and customization options that generally appeal to seasoned investors seeking deeper insights into market trends, property performance or tax planning. You can even use bear case and bull case scenario underwriting to learn what your ideal investment amount should be.

A mobile app, which is currently missing, would also enhance the overall user experience by offering greater convenience for managing investments on the go. Despite these limitations, mogul’s ease of use and focus on quick, hassle-free investing make it an appealing option for those prioritizing simplicity over complexity.

mogul vs. Competitors

mogul competes with well-established real estate investment platforms like Fundrise and RealtyMogul, which also offer fractional investing in real estate. The key differences lie in the specifics of their offerings, minimum investments and fee structures. Fundrise, for example, has a lower minimum investment starting at $10 and offers a wider array of asset classes, including commercial real estate and REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), which might appeal to investors looking for more diversification options. RealtyMogul similarly offers broader opportunities in commercial properties and has a more comprehensive platform that caters to accredited investors with higher minimum investments.

mogul stands out for its low minimum investment of just $250, making it more accessible for new investors or those looking to dip their toes into real estate investing without committing a large sum of money. The platform's quick sign-up process – taking only about 30 seconds – also gives it a unique edge over competitors who may require more time-consuming onboarding. Platforms like Fundrise and RealtyMogul may offer more advanced features, including detailed investment performance data and mobile apps that allow users to track their investments in real time. 

Overall

mogul is a strong option for investing in real estate online without breaking the bank. Its $250 minimum investment, competitive returns and simple user experience make it a standout platform for beginner and intermediate investors. Limited customer service options and the lack of a mobile app may deter some users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How does mogul work?

A

mogul allows users to invest in fractional shares of real estate properties. You can choose between short-term, medium-term or long-term rental investments and earn monthly dividends plus potential property appreciation.

 

Q

How much do you need to invest with mogul?

A

The minimum investment required is $250, making it an accessible option for many investors.

 

Q

Is $5,000 enough to invest in real estate?

A

Yes, $5,000 is more than enough to invest with mogul, as the platform requires a minimum of just $250, allowing you to diversify across multiple properties.

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