A Signal from Investors to the Real Estate Development Financing Market: Clear Project Information and Lower Risk Are Becoming Key

The European crowdfunding market has grown rapidly in recent years. In 2024, platforms operating in the EU raised more than EUR 4 billion through crowdfunding, with loan-based financing accounting for the largest share of the market, according to data from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Lithuania is among the leading markets by capital raised. However, a recent investor survey conducted by the investment and financing platform SAVY reveals that some expectations of local investors in the real estate development loan segment remain unmet.

According to the survey, investments in real estate development projects are seen as an attractive alternative to traditional investment instruments. At the same time, investors assess this asset class more cautiously and expect higher quality standards.

Currently, 26% of respondents actively invest in real estate development loans through other platforms, while an additional 19% are considering this option but have not yet started investing. A further 14% say they plan to do so in the future. Meanwhile, more than one third (35%) state that they do not plan to invest in this segment at present, and 6% report having tried but becoming disappointed.

“Real estate development loans remain an attractive asset class for investors, but the survey results show that there is still untapped potential for new market players. Many investors are not opposed to this asset class itself – they simply expect more transparency, better project selection and more consistent communication from platforms,” says Natalja Kozikienė, Head of Real Estate Business Development at the investment and financing platform SAVY.

Investors Choose Project Quality and Lower Risk

he survey also reveals a clear investor attitude towards risk and return. As many as 34% of respondents say they prefer lower but more stable returns with lower risk, while another 38% indicate that their decision to invest primarily depends on the specific project. One fifth of respondents (20%) prioritize the shortest possible investment period, even if it means earning slightly less. Only 7% of investors seek higher returns even if it involves taking on greater risk.

“These figures reflect a fairly mature investor mindset. Investors are no longer chasing maximum returns alone – project fundamentals, risk assessment and the amount of available information are becoming increasingly important. Investors want to understand what they are investing in and to be able to follow the progress of a project,” says Kozikienė.

Clear Project Progress Builds the Most Trust

The survey also identified the factors that would most increase investor confidence in real estate development loans. The largest share of respondents (40%) said they want to see clear project progress and receive regular updates on development milestones. A further 35% highlighted supervision by the Bank of Lithuania as an important factor, 33% pointed to a low share of overdue loans, and 30% emphasized the platform’s long-term experience and reputation.

According to Kozikienė, these responses show that investors increasingly value not only return figures, but also project quality and consistent communication from the platform.

SAVY entered the real estate development financing segment last year. According to the company’s representative, the decision to expand into this area was driven precisely by the market’s demand for higher-quality and more transparent investment solutions.

“We see that today investors are not looking for more risk, but for more quality. That is why in this segment we aim to offer what the market often lacks – stricter project selection, clear communication about project progress and effective risk management,” says Kozikienė.

She notes that as the crowdfunding market continues to grow, competition is increasingly shifting away from headline returns towards trust and transparency.

“Investors are becoming more informed and more demanding. For platforms, it is therefore crucial not only to offer projects, but also to ensure clear analysis, continuous information updates and responsible risk management,” she adds.

The survey results also indicate strong confidence in the platform itself. A survey conducted in February showed that 8 out of 10 investors would recommend the SAVY platform to friends or acquaintances. This intention was expressed by respondents who rated the likelihood of recommendation at 8–10 points out of 10. Of these, 30% awarded the platform the highest score of 10, 26.2% gave 9 points, and 22.6% gave 8 points.

Additional community research also confirms external trust. A survey conducted by the crowdfunding investment community “Crowdfunding Lithuania” showed that SAVY ranks among the three highest-rated platforms in Lithuania.

The SAVY survey was conducted in January–February 2026 and included responses from 530 platform investors.