realestate

JD Vance's Firm Facilitates US Property Sales to International Buyers

Ohio Senator Invests in AcreTrader Venture Capital Fund

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n October 2024, social media accounts supporting Vice President Kamala Harris shared a meme claiming that Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance had a financial interest in an app called AcreTrader, which allows foreigners to invest in US real estate deals. The meme stated that Vance's investment was through Narya Capital, an Ohio-based venture capital fund he founded in 2020.

    AcreTrader is a farmland real estate investment company that offers low-minimum, passive farm investments. It allows people to purchase shares in real estate investment trusts (REITs) as a form of passive income. The company purchases land from farmers and transfers ownership to a private limited liability company, which then sells shares to the public.

    Foreigners can invest with AcreTrader if they meet the US Securities and Exchange Commission's definition of an accredited investor, which requires sufficient wealth or experience to handle investment risk. However, this does not mean foreigners own the land itself; instead, they have ownership in an entity that holds legal title to the land.

    JD Vance provided early funding for AcreTrader through Narya Capital in 2022, investing up to $65,000. Although he is no longer listed as a partner at Narya Capital, his 2023 financial disclosure shows that he appears to still be invested in the firm or its related entities. The exact level of his current investment in AcreTrader remains unclear.

    Vance's involvement with AcreTrader has raised concerns about his potential conflict of interest and whether he would prioritize foreign investors' interests over those of US citizens. While Vance's present level of investment is uncertain, it is clear that he has a financial stake in the company through Narya Capital.

JD Vance's company facilitates US property sales to international buyers nationwide.