Ark7 vs Realbricks: A Comprehensive Comparison

Compare Ark7 vs Realbricks on dividends, liquidity, property structure, and investor access. See which real estate platform fits your goals.

Ark 7 Vs Realbricks

Fractional real estate investing is gaining momentum as more investors look for ways to participate in rental property income without the cost and headaches of traditional ownership. Two platforms leading this space are Ark7 and Realbricks. While both make it possible to buy shares of rental properties, the differences in structure, liquidity, and accessibility create very different outcomes for investors.

Below, we compare Ark7 and Realbricks across key categories to help you decide which platform offers the smarter path.

1. Ownership Structure & Investor Access

Ark7 uses SEC-qualified Regulation A+ offerings for its long-term rental properties, making them open to all investors. However, Ark7 enforces a 12-month holding period before any shares can be sold. That restriction applies whether you bought in the primary offering or later on the secondary market.

Realbricks offers SEC-regulated, debt-free long-term rental properties to all U.S. investors, with a clear, consistent structure. Every investor has equal access, starting with just $100 — and there are no holding periods. Once a property is fully funded and moves to the secondary market (30 days later), investors can place sell orders regardless of when they purchased. Secondary market buyers can also invest freely, without worrying about minimum holding requirements.

Comparison:

  • Ark7: SEC-qualified shares but subject to 12-month lockups per investor.
  • Realbricks: Straightforward SEC-regulated shares, debt-free, and accessible to all with no lockups.

2. Property Types & Investment Focus

Ark7 focuses on long-term rental properties, generally single-family homes and condos. Some of these properties are financed with mortgages, which can expose investors to risks tied to interest rates and refinancing costs. While investors benefit from exposure to income-producing assets, resale restrictions further limit flexibility.

Realbricks specializes in debt-free, long-term single-family rentals in Omaha, with plans to expand to additional markets and property types. Because every property is fully paid off, investors are shielded from risks related to mortgages and interest rate fluctuations. The focus is on stability, accessibility, and long-term growth.

Comparison:

  • Ark7: Long-term rentals, often with mortgage exposure, plus resale restrictions.
  • Realbricks: Long-term rentals, debt-free, accessible to all investors, with no lockups.

3. Dividends & Income Distribution

Ark7 pays monthly distributions from rental income, with returns averaging around 4.4%–4.5% annualized in 2025, based on their published performance reports. Historically, their yields have ranged from about 2.5% to 6.4%, depending on property performance.

Realbricks distributes dividends quarterly, in line with standard real estate reporting cycles. While Realbricks publicly estimates a 6% annual dividend yield, actual performance so far has been stronger: in the last three quarters, investors received 2%–2.25% each quarter, putting them on pace for 8–9% annualized returns. This combination of conservative estimates and stronger-than-expected payouts provides both transparency and upside for investors.

Comparison:

  • Ark7: Monthly payouts; average ~4.5% annual yield; varies by property.

  • Realbricks: Quarterly payouts; estimated 6%, but currently tracking 8–9% annualized.

4. Liquidity & Secondary Market

  • Ark7 offers a secondary marketplace, but investors must hold their shares for 12 months from their purchase date before they can sell. Even if a property is already trading on the secondary market, each buyer restarts their own 12-month lockup. This system creates a staggered, thinly traded marketplace that limits true liquidity.
  • Realbricks provides a peer-to-peer secondary marketplace where all investors can list shares 30 days after the property is fully funded. There are no individual lockups, which means everyone has a fair and consistent opportunity to sell, creating healthier market activity. If a person bought into a Realbricks property a month before it moves to the secondary market, they can sell their shares the same as a person who bought in 1 year before. This unlocks everyone to be able to sell, the moment it reaches the secondary market. Creating a process that embraces liquidity for investors. 

Comparison:

  • Ark7: 12-month lockup per investor; property must be fully funded; liquidity is staggered and limited.
  • Realbricks: Peer-to-peer market 30 days after funding; no personal lockups; earlier, more synchronized liquidity.

5. Technology & Ease of Use

Both Ark7 and Realbricks offer iOS and Android apps as well as web platforms, making it easy for investors to browse properties, invest, and manage their portfolios from any device. Transactions on both platforms are handled in U.S. dollars, and neither requires crypto wallets or technical expertise.

Comparison:

  • Ark7: iOS, Android, and web access; simple to use.
  • Realbricks: iOS, Android, and web access; equally simple and accessible.

6. Trust, Regulation & Oversight

  • Ark7 operates with a combination of SEC-qualified offerings and internal restrictions, but investors must carefully understand each property’s rules before investing.
  • Realbricks is SEC-regulated from launch, with all offerings built on a clear, transparent legal framework. Investors benefit from straightforward compliance, consistent documentation, and debt-free properties that reduce risk.

Comparison:

  • Ark7: SEC-qualified but layered with restrictions and holding requirements.
  • Realbricks: Simple, transparent, and consistently SEC-regulated.

Bottom Line

Both Ark7 and Realbricks make it simple for investors to buy shares of rental properties, with iOS, Android, and web apps that use U.S. dollars and an easy investing experience. Where they diverge is in the details that matter most to investors.

Realbricks emphasizes debt-free properties, no personal lockup periods, and a structure that allows liquidity much sooner. On top of that, Realbricks’ dividend payouts have historically trended higher, putting more income back into investors’ hands.

For those weighing the options, both platforms are accessible and user-friendly — but Realbricks delivers more flexibility, historically stronger dividend returns, and a more reasonable path to liquidity that makes sense for all investors.

FAQ

Do both Ark7 and Realbricks allow non-accredited investors?

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Yes. Both platforms make their long-term rental offerings available to all U.S. investors. However, Ark7 requires each investor to hold shares for 12 months before reselling, while Realbricks does not impose lockups.

Are dividends guaranteed on either platform?

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No. Dividends on both Ark7 and Realbricks depend on rental income performance and property management. Ark7 pays monthly and averages ~4.5% annual yield in 2025. Realbricks estimates 6% but has recently paid closer to 8–9% annualized.

How do the secondary markets differ?

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Ark7 requires a 12-month holding period for each investor, even after a property is already trading on the secondary market. Realbricks allows all investors to list their shares 30 days after a property is fully funded, with no ongoing lockups.

Do either Ark7 or Realbricks use cryptocurrency?

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No. Both platforms use U.S. dollars only, and neither requires crypto wallets or blockchain technology to invest.

Are Realbricks properties really debt-free?

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Yes. Every property listed on Realbricks is purchased debt-free. Ark7 properties, by contrast, may be financed with mortgages, meaning investors share exposure to interest rate risks.

Which platform offers better liquidity?

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Realbricks provides earlier and more predictable liquidity by eliminating personal lockups once a property is funded and listed. Ark7’s per-investor 12-month lockups create a staggered, thinner trading market.

What is the minimum investment on each platform?

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Ark7 generally requires $20–$100 per share depending on the property. Realbricks’ primary market offers a consistent $10 per share, with a $100 minimum to start investing. There is no minimum investment on Realbricks’ secondary market.

Disclaimer: Investing in real estate involves risks, including the potential loss of capital. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Investors should perform their own research and consult with financial professionals before making investment decisions.