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Independent Analysis on Real Estate, Alternative Investments, and the Macro Picture
This section shows the latest news and analysis from a sophisticated investor's perspective — written by Ian Ippolito, an investor and serial entrepreneur who has been covering real estate crowdfunding and alternative investments since 2017.
Coverage spans deal-by-deal portfolio disclosure, tax strategy, the macro and AI-era investing picture, and accredited investor and qualified-purchaser-level access to private funds.
No sponsor money accepted, by binding policy — every item here is from the perspective of what an independent investor would actually do, not what an affiliate site is paid to suggest.
Inside My Alternative Portfolio — Part II: Deal-by-Deal Results (2026 Update)
In Part 1 I explained the strategy, allocations, and overall performance of my alternative portfolio. Here in Part 2, I go deeper into the individual investments — including real estate, GP stakes, litigation finance, music royalties, private equity, search funds and more— along with income, distributions, lessons learned, and future plans. And I also discuss cash management, taxes and what I'm looking at going forward.
Ian Ippolito
Mar 823 min read
Part II: Warning Signs in a Deal That Later Collapsed
Real estate's long-term track record is excellent (comparable to stocks in raw returns and often superior on an after-tax basis). So why do I see so many real-estate investors end up with massive holes in their portfolios which they never recover from … and then conclude that “real estate investing doesn’t work”? This Part II does a deep-dive into a real-world example of an egregiously aggressive deal that imploded. It also explains the warning signs that were visible from da
Ian Ippolito
Mar 29 min read
"Lies, Damnable Lies" and Marketing: MG Capital tells a marketing whopper on Real Crowd
By Ian Ippolito · Last updated May 26, 2026 · Code of Ethics The impossible claim that investor capital is "fully protected from loss" has not yet been removed by the sponsor or the platform. Original article was posted in late 2017. Fraud confirmation by the SEC and state of New York were added in 2022. The news about the shut-down of the RealCrowd portal was added in 2023. (Usual disclaimer: I'm just an investor expressing my personal opinion and am not an attorney, accoun
Ian Ippolito
Jul 17, 20237 min read
Deep-dive into my Seven Figure Alternative Investment (and Real Estate) Portfolio: 2023 Q2 Update
Deep-dive into my Seven Figure Alternative Investment (and Real Estate) Portfolio: 2023 Q2 Update
Ian Ippolito
Feb 21, 202323 min read
Deep-dive into my Seven Figure Alternative Investment (and Real Estate) Portfolio: 2022 Q2 Update
My defensive portfolio enjoyed an exceptional year (returning 49.58% including 7.37% in income). In comparison the stock market dropped -3.3
Ian Ippolito
May 16, 202223 min read
Deep-dive Into My Seven Figure Alternative Investment (and Real Estate) Portfolio: 2020 Q3 Update
By Ian Ippolito · Last updated May 26, 2026 · Code of Ethics Despite the surprise of a global pandemic and the sharpest downturn in U.S. recorded history, my defensive, boring-by-design portfolio returned about 11.58% (including a decent 6.77% in income). Here's an in-depth look at my portfolio strategy, allocations, deal by deal performance, tax considerations and future strategy. Note: this is an older version of this article series and there is another, newer update now a
Ian Ippolito
Oct 19, 202036 min read
How will Covid-19/Coronavirus Affect my Alternative Investment Portfolio? Part 11: May 10th
By Ian Ippolito · Last updated May 26, 2026 · Code of Ethics U.S. continues slow progress against virus, but shows disturbing signs of stalling; More states exit lockdown, including 11 that fail minimum White House guidelines; 78% of Americans uncomfortable eating at restaurants and majority don't want other businesses open yet either; U.S. takes another economic punch with millions more laid off; Watchdog says SBA bungled stimulus rules, leaving hundreds of thousands of desp
Ian Ippolito
May 9, 202019 min read
The Real Estate Crowdfunding Review February 2020 Update
By Ian Ippolito · Last updated May 26, 2026 · Code of Ethics Investor lawsuits fly against Realty Shares and MG Capital; New CrowdStreet "Offer Lottery" feature; Private Investor Club welcomes 3,500th member; 4 newest specials; 5 club feeders on-boarding; (Usual disclaimer: I'm just an investor expressing my personal opinion and not a registered financial advisor, attorney or accountant. Consult your own financial professionals before making any financial decisions. Code of
Ian Ippolito
Feb 13, 20206 min read
Deep-dive Into My 7 Figure Alternative Investments / Real-estate Portfolio: 2019 Q4 Update
By Ian Ippolito · Last updated May 26, 2026 · Code of Ethics My boring-by-design portfolio cranked out a nice 8%+ in income (not counting price appreciation). And I've added 3 difficult-to-find uncorrelated asset classes that should not only harden the portfolio against the next downturn but also boost returns. Note: this is an older version of this article series and there is another, newer update now available. Click here to view the master index which contains a link to
Ian Ippolito
Dec 1, 201917 min read
The Real Estate Crowdfunding Review November 2019 Update
By Ian Ippolito · Last updated May 26, 2026 · Code of Ethics Comprehensive review of Roofstock One; Four club feeders onboarding; "How to evaluate sponsor compensation"; SEC clamps down on iFunding and KPMG for fraud; and more... (Usual disclaimer: I'm just an investor expressing my personal opinion and not a registered financial advisor, attorney or accountant. Consult your own financial professionals before making any financial decisions. Code of Ethics: We do not accept
Ian Ippolito
Nov 24, 20194 min read
The Real Estate Crowdfunding Review March 2019 Update
By Ian Ippolito · Last updated May 26, 2026 · Code of Ethics New deep-dive reviews of asset-based lender YieldStreet and distressed debt AHP Servicing. The private club hits 2,000 members and $2.1 billion. Tons of club-only specials including 3 new reduced fund minimums, free qualified-purchaser / accredited-investor verification, free self-directed IRA pilot and 2 new club feeders. Plus the latest news. (Usual disclaimer: I'm just an investor expressing my personal opinio
Ian Ippolito
Mar 13, 20194 min read
A Peek Inside My 7 Figure Real-Estate Portfolio: 2019 Quarter 1 Update
By Ian Ippolito · Last updated May 26, 2026 · Code of Ethics 2018 wasn't a fun year for traditional investors in public stock markets. But my real-estate portfolio happily hummed along with a healthy 8.76%+ return. Note: this is an older version of this article series and there is another, newer update now available. Click here to view the master index which contains a link to the latest and greatest update (as well as all of the older updates). (Usual disclaimer: I'm ju
Ian Ippolito
Jan 17, 201910 min read
Conservative Investor's Guide to Picking Real Estate Investments: Part 1 - Portfolio Strategies
By Ian Ippolito · Last updated May 26, 2026 · Code of Ethics Preserving principal and reducing risk with a deliberate portfolio-matching strategy. (Usual disclaimer: I'm just an investor expressing my personal opinion and am not an attorney, accountant nor your financial advisor. Consult your own financial professionals before making any financial decisions. Code of Ethics: To remove conflicts of interest that are rife on other sites, I/we do not accept ANY money from outside
Ian Ippolito
Apr 29, 20187 min read
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