- Real Estate
Harvest Returns Review
Harvest Returns is a Texas-based investment crowdfunding platform offering investments in various types of farmland and timberland. The founders are veterans, as is at least one of their advisory board members. Minimums are high and selection is limited, but may be worth a look for investors interested in agricultural and farmland as an asset class.
Harvest Returns
- Founded: 2016
- Investment Types: Real Estate
- Sectors: Agricultural Real Estate and Agriculture
- Minimum Investment: $5,000
- Advertised Returns: 8-40%
- Must be accredited
Pros
- Mix of income and appreciation
- Detailed offering listings
- Strong tax advantages for Opportunity Zone investments
Cons
- Relatively high minimum investments
- Limited selection as of this writing
- No information accessible for prior offerings
- Only open to accredited investors
Overview
This Harvest Returns Review will help you learn more about Harvest Returns's investment offerings, including how the alternative investments on Harvest Returns are structured, and what your potential returns might be. You can read more about the criteria we use to review investment platforms here.
Harvest Returns was founded in 2016 by Chris Rawley, a military veteran and former corporate executive. Rawley’s time deployed overseas led him to look at farmland investing, and Harvest Returns was launched as a way to leverage the 2012 JOBS Act to make farmland investments more accessible to everyday investors.
Types of investments Harvest Returns offers
Harvest Returns offers investments in agricultural farmland, ranchland, and timberland. Most investments are in the US, but some are overseas. Harvest Returns evaluates applications for financing from farmers, and then creates special purpose funds to invest in the farmland, acting as the managing partner of the investment vehicle (investors become limited partners). In addition to individual investment projects, Harvest Returns also offers “Opportunity Zone” funds that invest in multiple properties, and may offer significant tax advantages.
Notably investors may be able to personally visit the farm they have invested in.
What do you get when investing with Harvest Returns?
When you invest through , as with many real estate crowdfunding investment platforms, what you actually receive is a membership interest in what’s known as a special purpose entity, typically an LLC created specifically for the investment. The LLC in turn is what actually holds the equity, preferred equity, or debt interest in the property. For each investment you make with , you’ll receive a separate K1 at tax time to report your share of the income received by the LLC.
Potential returns and cashflow
The projected returns vary by investment, from 8% up to a 40% IRR. Typically a portion of that is paid annually from the proceeds of crop sales and the remainder coming when the property is sold or refinanced.
Breadth of offerings on Harvest Returns
As of this writing, there are 2 open projects raising on Harvest Returns. One is a Sustainable Agriculture Opportunity Zone fund, and the the other is a Cocoa farm located in Ghana.
Regulatory framework
Harvest Returns does not list any affiliation with a broker-dealer. Currently available projects are offered under SEC Reg D, and so are limited to accredited investors. There’s not much detail provided on their due diligence and vetting process beyond this entry in their FAQ:
Our number one listing criteria is the track record of the sponsor. Do they have experience raising or growing the specific crop or have they contracted with an experienced farm manager to do so? Our sponsors undergo bad actor checks typical with private placement deals. We also analyze each deal's financial and market potential, and in the case of offshore deals, geopolitical risk factors. Whenever possible, our due diligence team will visit with the sponsor and the actual farm in person and where those visits have occurred, they will be noted in the platform's offering summary.
This review was first published on 10 December 2020.
Our Rating
Very GoodShare this review:
Other Investment Opportunities
Featured Reviews
EquityMultiple
EquityMultiple stands out among real estate crowdfunding investment platforms because their main investors and senior leadership come from institutional real estate finance, rather than being VC-funded. Seed funding for the company was provided by Mission Capital (later acquired by Marcus & Millichap) and their co-founders and board of advisors come from the New York real estate finance and law community. They offer fewer investments than some other platforms, but that’s a deliberate choice to take a more curatorial approach to dealflow. Overall, EquityMultiple is a solid choice for accredited investors looking for a hands-off way to invest in commercial real estate.
"Gain exclusive access to high-yield commercial real estate deals"
Read more
First National Realty Partners
First National Realty Partners (FNRP) is a commercial real estate private equity firm that focuses on grocery-anchored commercial shopping centers, offering both investments in individual properties and an Opportunity Fund across all of their offerings.
"First National Realty Partners (FNRP) is a rapidly growing commercial real estate private equity firm that owns and operates real estate throughout the United States. FNRP focuses on expanding its portfolio by acquiring market-dominant, well-located commercial assets well below replacement cost. "
Read more
Percent
Percent aggregates private-credit investments from a range of originators offering small-business, crypto, venture loans, litigation finance and more, including international debt investments. Low minimums.
"Percent unlocks exclusive private credit investments for your portfolio. Access select alternative investments on the platform powering the future of private markets."
Read more