Real Estate Platform Comparison· Updated July 15, 2026

DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

A side-by-side breakdown of returns, liquidity, fees, and trustworthiness to help you decide where to invest your money.

1.5

DiversyFund marketed a $500-minimum, non-accredited growth REIT that reinvested all cash flow instead of paying regular dividends. The product you may remember no longer exists for new investors: the SEC permanently suspended the second fund's Regulation A exemption in June 2023 (a settled order with no fines and no admission of wrongdoing), the original fund's SEC filings show mounting losses and minimal distributions ($11,822 paid to all investors in the first half of 2025), and a shareholder lawsuit continues with three surviving claims after a June 2025 ruling. The company now markets a separate accredited-only fund. Existing investors are effectively waiting on asset sales with no redemption option.

★ Our Pick EquityMultiple logo

3.5

EquityMultiple is one of the more credible commercial real estate platforms for accredited investors: a selective deal pipeline (roughly 5% of proposed deals accepted), a reported double-digit net IRR on realized equity deals, and genuinely useful short-term Alpine Notes paying 6–7.35% fixed with no investor-level fees. The trade-offs are steep: accreditation is mandatory, most deals require $10,000–$30,000, fees vary deal-by-deal (0.5–1.5% plus origination and admin fees), most investments are illiquid for years, and the platform's customer-service reputation (delayed K-1s, poor communication) is a recurring complaint. Best for accredited investors building a CRE sleeve, not for beginners or income-focused investors.

At a Glance

DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple, Key Stats

$500 (historical, closed)Minimum$5,000 (accredited only)

Indefinite: no redemption program, investors wait for asset salesHolding Period3–9 months for Alpine Notes; typically 3–5+ years for equity and debt deals

N/A: there has never been an early withdrawal optionEarly WithdrawalNo early exit on most deals; capital is committed for the project term

Minimal (SEC filings show $525,872 paid in all of 2024 and $11,822 in H1 2025 across the entire investor base)Rent PayoutDeal-dependent (monthly or quarterly interest on debt; equity distributions as projects perform)

N/A for new investors; REIT I reported a $7.9M net loss in 2024 and a $2.4M net loss in H1 2025 per SEC filingsAvg. ReturnsAlpine Notes 6.0–7.35% fixed APY; realized equity deals have reported low-to-mid-teens net IRR (deal outcomes vary widely)

Pros & Cons

What each platform does well and poorly

Real multifamily assets in the portfolio
DF Growth REIT's SEC filings show roughly $66.8 million in rental real estate (net of depreciation) and $97.9 million in total assets as of June 30, 2025. Unlike some failed platforms, there is a real, reported portfolio behind investor shares.
Current SEC reporting
DiversyFund's funds still file semiannual and annual reports with the SEC, so investors can track the portfolio, cash position, and litigation status through primary sources rather than marketing updates.
Low minimum brought new investors into real estate
The original $500 minimum with no accreditation requirement made private multifamily investing accessible to people who had never had access before, and helped prove demand for low-minimum real estate products.
SEC matter resolved without fines or fraud findings
The SEC's June 2023 order permanently suspended REIT II's Regulation A exemption, but the settlement imposed no fines or penalties, and in August 2023 the SEC closed its investigation without recommending enforcement action against the company, its funds, or its principals.
The original product is closed and there is no way in or out
REIT II's offering ended in 2022 and its Regulation A exemption was permanently suspended in June 2023. The original growth REITs never offered a redemption program, so existing investors cannot withdraw; they are waiting on property sales that have not yet returned meaningful capital.
Mounting losses and a thin cash position
Per the fund's own SEC filing for the first half of 2025, DF Growth REIT reported a $2.38 million net loss for the period (after a $7.9 million net loss in 2024), an accumulated deficit of $26.3 million, and cash of $305,385, down from $1.95 million at the end of 2024.
Ongoing shareholder litigation
A shareholder suit filed in December 2022 against the funds, DiversyFund, Inc., and its principals was largely dismissed in April 2024, but after an amended complaint, a June 2025 ruling allowed three claims to proceed. The company disputes the claims and says it will contest them; the parties were preparing for discovery as of the fund's most recent filing.
Pivot to a high-minimum accredited fund
While original investors wait, DiversyFund now markets a separate fund for accredited investors with dramatically higher minimums. The $500-minimum retail product that built the brand is not available to new investors.

Institutional-quality CRE deal flow
EquityMultiple accepts roughly 5% of the deals it screens and offers equity, preferred equity, and senior debt positions in professionally managed commercial projects, exposure most retail platforms simply don't carry.
Strong realized track record
The platform reports a double-digit net IRR across realized equity investments since its Investment Committee was formed in 2019, with published target ranges per deal type so investors can benchmark expectations.
Alpine Notes for short-term fixed yield
Alpine Notes pay 6.0–7.35% fixed APY on 3, 6, and 9-month terms with no investor-level fees, EquityMultiple takes a first-loss position, and the company reports every maturing note has been repaid on time.
Clear product framework
Investments are organized into Keep (short-term notes), Earn (income-focused debt and preferred equity), and Grow (appreciation-focused equity), which makes it easier to match deals to a goal than scrolling an undifferentiated marketplace.
Accredited investors only, with high practical minimums
Every offering requires accredited status, and while the advertised minimum is $5,000, most individual deals require $10,000–$30,000. This platform is structurally out of reach for most retail investors.
Multi-year illiquidity on most deals
Outside Alpine Notes, capital is committed for the life of the project, typically 3–5+ years, with no secondary market and no guaranteed early exit. Distressed deals can extend well past their target hold.
Complex, deal-by-deal fees
Annual asset management fees run roughly 0.5–1.5% depending on the investment, plus origination fees on some deals, a $30–$70 annual administrative fee, and a promote (profit share) on many equity deals. True all-in cost takes work to calculate per deal.
Recurring customer-service and reporting complaints
Independent review sites and investor forums document weak trust scores for EquityMultiple, with recurring complaints about delayed K-1 tax documents, slow communication on troubled deals, and opaque updates when projects underperform.

Deep Dive

Detailed comparison

What You're Investing In

Nothing, at the original entry point. The $500-minimum growth REITs are closed. The current DiversyFund offering is accredited-only with a much higher minimum.

Individual CRE deals (equity, preferred equity, senior debt), Alpine Notes (3/6/9-month terms), and periodic income funds. Deal flow is curated but finite, at any given time only a handful of offerings may be open.

Property Locations

Value-add multifamily properties in various U.S. markets, held directly and through joint ventures.

Commercial projects across U.S. markets: multifamily, industrial, office, hospitality, and specialty assets, with deal-by-deal geographic disclosure in each offering's documents.

Expected Returns

For existing growth REIT investors, returns depend on eventual asset sales. The funds reinvested cash flow by design, so there was never meaningful income along the way, and recent filings show losses: a $7.9 million net loss in 2024 and a $2.4 million net loss in the first half of 2025 for DF Growth REIT, with an accumulated deficit of $26.3 million. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Varies by product: Alpine Notes pay 6.0–7.35% fixed APY, debt and preferred equity deals target roughly 8–14% annualized income, and common equity deals target higher total returns with commensurate risk. The platform reports a double-digit net IRR across realized equity deals since 2019, but individual deal outcomes range from strong exits to principal impairment. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Fees

The funds paid management and other fees to affiliates of the sponsor, detailed in offering circulars and annual reports. The SEC's 2023 order cited inaccurate statements about fees on the DiversyFund website relative to REIT II's offering documents.

Roughly 0.5–1.5% annual asset management fee depending on the deal, plus origination fees on some offerings, a $30–$70 annual administrative fee per investment, and a promote (carried interest) on many equity deals. Alpine Notes carry no investor-level fees.

Liquidity

Indefinite. The growth REITs never had a redemption program, and the eventual liquidation has not yet returned meaningful capital to investors.

Alpine Notes: 3, 6, or 9 months with early redemption after 30 days if rolled into another EquityMultiple offering. Everything else: the life of the deal, typically 3–5+ years with extension risk.

Who Can Invest

No one, for the original product: the growth REITs are closed to new investment. The company's current offering is limited to accredited investors at much higher minimums.

Accredited investors only (income of $200K+/$300K joint, or $1M+ net worth excluding primary residence). Individual, joint, entity, trust, and self-directed IRA accounts are supported. This requirement is structural, not a marketing choice, offerings rely on SEC exemptions limited to accredited investors.

The Verdict

Which is better, DiversyFund or EquityMultiple?

1.5

DiversyFund is not an option for new retail investors, and that is the most important fact about it: the $500-minimum product that made the brand famous is closed, and its successor fund is accredited-only. Existing growth REIT investors hold shares in funds whose own filings show mounting losses, minimal distributions, thin cash, and unresolved litigation, with no redemption mechanism while they wait. Investors drawn to low-minimum real estate should study the structural lesson here before choosing any platform: products that defer all returns to a sponsor-controlled liquidation leave you with no income and no exit if the plan slips. Platforms with investor-controlled liquidity and regular distributions, such as Lofty, Fundrise, or Arrived, put structurally more control in investors' hands, though each has its own trade-offs worth comparing.

Full DiversyFund review →

★ Our Pick

3.5

For accredited investors who want curated commercial real estate deals and can genuinely lock up five-figure sums for years, EquityMultiple is one of the stronger platforms in its class: selective underwriting, a credible realized track record, and Alpine Notes that are legitimately competitive for short-term cash. It loses points for complex fees, multi-year illiquidity, and persistent customer-service complaints. Non-accredited investors can't use it at all, and even accredited investors who value liquidity and steady income may prefer per-property fractional platforms. See how Lofty compares: $50 minimums, no accreditation requirement, daily rent payouts, and a 24/7 secondary marketplace.

Full EquityMultiple review →

Bottom Line

EquityMultiple scores higher (3.5/5) and edges out DiversyFund on our investment quality criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple FAQ

Which is better, DiversyFund or EquityMultiple?

Based on our scoring criteria, returns, fees, liquidity, transparency, minimums, and track record, EquityMultiple (3.5/5) scores higher than DiversyFund (1.5/5). EquityMultiple is one of the more credible commercial real estate platforms for accredited investors: a selective deal pipeline (roughly 5% of proposed deals accepted), a reported double-digit net IRR on realized equity deals, and genuinely useful short-term Alpine Notes paying 6–7.35% fixed with no investor-level fees. The trade-offs are steep: accreditation is mandatory, most deals require $10,000–$30,000, fees vary deal-by-deal (0.5–1.5% plus origination and admin fees), most investments are illiquid for years, and the platform's customer-service reputation (delayed K-1s, poor communication) is a recurring complaint. Best for accredited investors building a CRE sleeve, not for beginners or income-focused investors.

What is the minimum investment for DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple?

DiversyFund's minimum investment is $500 (historical, closed). EquityMultiple's minimum investment is $5,000 (accredited only).

How do DiversyFund and EquityMultiple compare on liquidity?

DiversyFund: Indefinite. The growth REITs never had a redemption program, and the eventual liquidation has not yet returned meaningful capital to investors. EquityMultiple: Alpine Notes: 3, 6, or 9 months with early redemption after 30 days if rolled into another EquityMultiple offering. Everything else: the life of the deal, typically 3–5+ years with extension risk.

What returns can investors expect from DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple?

DiversyFund reports average yearly returns of N/A for new investors; REIT I reported a $7.9M net loss in 2024 and a $2.4M net loss in H1 2025 per SEC filings. EquityMultiple reports average yearly returns of Alpine Notes 6.0–7.35% fixed APY; realized equity deals have reported low-to-mid-teens net IRR (deal outcomes vary widely). Past performance does not guarantee future results.

One of the most flexible ways to invest in real estate

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Real Estate Platform Comparison· Updated July 15, 2026

DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

A side-by-side breakdown of returns, liquidity, fees, and trustworthiness to help you decide where to invest your money.

1.5

★ Our Pick EquityMultiple logo

3.5

At a Glance

DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple, Key Stats

$500 (historical, closed)Minimum$5,000 (accredited only)

Indefinite: no redemption program, investors wait for asset salesHolding Period3–9 months for Alpine Notes; typically 3–5+ years for equity and debt deals

N/A: there has never been an early withdrawal optionEarly WithdrawalNo early exit on most deals; capital is committed for the project term

Pros & Cons

What each platform does well and poorly

Real multifamily assets in the portfolio
DF Growth REIT's SEC filings show roughly $66.8 million in rental real estate (net of depreciation) and $97.9 million in total assets as of June 30, 2025. Unlike some failed platforms, there is a real, reported portfolio behind investor shares.
Current SEC reporting
DiversyFund's funds still file semiannual and annual reports with the SEC, so investors can track the portfolio, cash position, and litigation status through primary sources rather than marketing updates.
Low minimum brought new investors into real estate
The original $500 minimum with no accreditation requirement made private multifamily investing accessible to people who had never had access before, and helped prove demand for low-minimum real estate products.
SEC matter resolved without fines or fraud findings
The SEC's June 2023 order permanently suspended REIT II's Regulation A exemption, but the settlement imposed no fines or penalties, and in August 2023 the SEC closed its investigation without recommending enforcement action against the company, its funds, or its principals.
The original product is closed and there is no way in or out
REIT II's offering ended in 2022 and its Regulation A exemption was permanently suspended in June 2023. The original growth REITs never offered a redemption program, so existing investors cannot withdraw; they are waiting on property sales that have not yet returned meaningful capital.
Mounting losses and a thin cash position
Per the fund's own SEC filing for the first half of 2025, DF Growth REIT reported a $2.38 million net loss for the period (after a $7.9 million net loss in 2024), an accumulated deficit of $26.3 million, and cash of $305,385, down from $1.95 million at the end of 2024.
Ongoing shareholder litigation
A shareholder suit filed in December 2022 against the funds, DiversyFund, Inc., and its principals was largely dismissed in April 2024, but after an amended complaint, a June 2025 ruling allowed three claims to proceed. The company disputes the claims and says it will contest them; the parties were preparing for discovery as of the fund's most recent filing.
Pivot to a high-minimum accredited fund
While original investors wait, DiversyFund now markets a separate fund for accredited investors with dramatically higher minimums. The $500-minimum retail product that built the brand is not available to new investors.

Institutional-quality CRE deal flow
EquityMultiple accepts roughly 5% of the deals it screens and offers equity, preferred equity, and senior debt positions in professionally managed commercial projects, exposure most retail platforms simply don't carry.
Strong realized track record
The platform reports a double-digit net IRR across realized equity investments since its Investment Committee was formed in 2019, with published target ranges per deal type so investors can benchmark expectations.
Alpine Notes for short-term fixed yield
Alpine Notes pay 6.0–7.35% fixed APY on 3, 6, and 9-month terms with no investor-level fees, EquityMultiple takes a first-loss position, and the company reports every maturing note has been repaid on time.
Clear product framework
Investments are organized into Keep (short-term notes), Earn (income-focused debt and preferred equity), and Grow (appreciation-focused equity), which makes it easier to match deals to a goal than scrolling an undifferentiated marketplace.
Accredited investors only, with high practical minimums
Every offering requires accredited status, and while the advertised minimum is $5,000, most individual deals require $10,000–$30,000. This platform is structurally out of reach for most retail investors.
Multi-year illiquidity on most deals
Outside Alpine Notes, capital is committed for the life of the project, typically 3–5+ years, with no secondary market and no guaranteed early exit. Distressed deals can extend well past their target hold.
Complex, deal-by-deal fees
Annual asset management fees run roughly 0.5–1.5% depending on the investment, plus origination fees on some deals, a $30–$70 annual administrative fee, and a promote (profit share) on many equity deals. True all-in cost takes work to calculate per deal.
Recurring customer-service and reporting complaints
Independent review sites and investor forums document weak trust scores for EquityMultiple, with recurring complaints about delayed K-1 tax documents, slow communication on troubled deals, and opaque updates when projects underperform.

Deep Dive

Detailed comparison

What You're Investing In

Nothing, at the original entry point. The $500-minimum growth REITs are closed. The current DiversyFund offering is accredited-only with a much higher minimum.

Property Locations

Value-add multifamily properties in various U.S. markets, held directly and through joint ventures.

Commercial projects across U.S. markets: multifamily, industrial, office, hospitality, and specialty assets, with deal-by-deal geographic disclosure in each offering's documents.

Expected Returns

Fees

Liquidity

Indefinite. The growth REITs never had a redemption program, and the eventual liquidation has not yet returned meaningful capital to investors.

Alpine Notes: 3, 6, or 9 months with early redemption after 30 days if rolled into another EquityMultiple offering. Everything else: the life of the deal, typically 3–5+ years with extension risk.

Who Can Invest

No one, for the original product: the growth REITs are closed to new investment. The company's current offering is limited to accredited investors at much higher minimums.

The Verdict

Which is better, DiversyFund or EquityMultiple?

1.5

Full DiversyFund review →

★ Our Pick

3.5

Full EquityMultiple review →

Bottom Line

EquityMultiple scores higher (3.5/5) and edges out DiversyFund on our investment quality criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple FAQ

Which is better, DiversyFund or EquityMultiple?

What is the minimum investment for DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple?

DiversyFund's minimum investment is $500 (historical, closed). EquityMultiple's minimum investment is $5,000 (accredited only).

How do DiversyFund and EquityMultiple compare on liquidity?

What returns can investors expect from DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple?

One of the most flexible ways to invest in real estate

Start building generational wealth with Lofty

$50 minimums · Daily rent payouts · No lock-up periods · 24/7 exchange

View Properties

About Lofty

DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple, Key Stats

What each platform does well and poorly

Detailed comparison

Which is better, DiversyFund or EquityMultiple?

DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple FAQ

Start building generational wealth with Lofty

DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple, Key Stats

What each platform does well and poorly

Detailed comparison

Which is better, DiversyFund or EquityMultiple?

DiversyFund vs. EquityMultiple FAQ

Start building generational wealth with Lofty