Real Estate Platform Comparison· Updated July 15, 2026

EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock 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.

★ 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.

3.0

Roofstock is the dominant marketplace for buying whole single-family rental homes online, with deep listings, vetted property data, and a property management network. It's a fit for investors who want to own a full rental at scale, but if you want fractional shares with $50–$100 minimums, Lofty or Arrived are better matches.

At a Glance

EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock, Key Stats

$5,000 (accredited only)MinimumWhole-home purchase price (typically $80,000–$400,000+); Roofstock One discontinued for new investors

3–9 months for Alpine Notes; typically 3–5+ years for equity and debt dealsHolding PeriodInvestor-controlled, sell whenever you choose

No early exit on most deals; capital is committed for the project termEarly WithdrawalStandard real estate transaction costs (~5–8% to sell)

Deal-dependent (monthly or quarterly interest on debt; equity distributions as projects perform)Rent PayoutMonthly (paid by tenant or property manager)

Alpine Notes 6.0–7.35% fixed APY; realized equity deals have reported low-to-mid-teens net IRR (deal outcomes vary widely)Avg. ReturnsTypical SFR cap rates 5–8%; total return depends on appreciation and leverage

Pros & Cons

What each platform does well and poorly

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.

Real, full ownership
Buying through Roofstock means you actually own the property: title in your name, full control over rent setting, maintenance decisions, refinance, and sale. No platform sits between you and your asset.
Deep, vetted listings
Roofstock's marketplace contains thousands of single-family rental homes across the U.S., each with inspection reports, rent history, neighborhood ratings, and a Roofstock Estimate of expected return.
Property management built in
Roofstock's preferred property manager network covers most listed markets, so investors can buy a tenanted home in another state and hand off management on day one.
Use leverage to amplify returns
Because Roofstock investors buy whole homes, they can use traditional mortgage financing. That leverage is unavailable on most fractional crowdfunding platforms.
Investor-controlled liquidity
You decide when to sell. Roofstock has its own marketplace for tenanted homes, or you can list traditionally, either way, the exit timing is yours.
Whole-home minimums
Roofstock's main product is buying a full rental property. Even with leverage, that typically requires $20,000–$80,000+ in down payment plus closing costs, putting it out of reach for entry-level investors.
Roofstock One is closed to new investors
Roofstock One, the platform's accredited-only fractional product offering Tracking Stocks in single-family rentals, announced it was winding down in August 2023 and stopped accepting new capital contributions. The current marketplace is effectively a whole-home brokerage.
Transaction-style fees
Roofstock charges a 0.5% buyer fee or $500 minimum, plus standard closing costs and ongoing property management fees (typically 8–10% of gross rent). Sellers pay 3% or $2,500.
Headline cap rates can be optimistic
Roofstock's listed gross yields don't fully account for vacancy, maintenance, capex reserve, or local taxes. Real net returns are typically 1–3 percentage points lower than the headline number.
More work than passive
Even with property management, owning a rental home creates real work: financing, taxes, insurance, capex decisions, and tenant edge cases. It is not as hands-off as a REIT or fractional platform.

Deep Dive

Detailed comparison

What You're Investing In

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.

Whole single-family rental homes, typically tenanted, sometimes vacant: from individual sellers, builders, and institutional sources. Multi-property portfolios are also occasionally listed.

Property Locations

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

Strong coverage across the Sun Belt: Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, Alabama, Arizona, Ohio, and select Midwest and East Coast markets. Each listing's market has a published neighborhood and school rating.

Expected Returns

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.

Typical SFR cap rates on Roofstock listings range 5–8% gross. Real net returns after vacancy, maintenance, capex, and management fees are typically 1–3 percentage points lower. Total return depends heavily on whether the investor uses leverage, holds for appreciation, and selects strong markets.

Fees

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.

Roofstock charges 0.5% of purchase price (or $500 minimum) on the buyer side and 3% (or $2,500 minimum) on the seller side. Property management fees through partner managers typically run 8–10% of gross rent. Standard closing costs and lender fees apply to financed purchases.

Liquidity

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.

Investor-controlled. Owners can hold indefinitely, refinance, or sell whenever they choose.

Who Can Invest

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.

Open to all investors, no accreditation required. Standard mortgage financing is available with typical lender requirements (credit score, down payment, debt-to-income).

The Verdict

Which is better, EquityMultiple or Roofstock?

★ 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 →

3.0

Roofstock is the gold-standard marketplace for investors who want to buy whole single-family rental homes online. Vetted listings, leverage availability, real ownership, and a property manager network make it a serious tool for portfolio scaling. But it isn't a fractional platform, Roofstock One has been closed to new investors and the core product requires whole-home capital. Investors who want low-minimum, hands-off fractional real estate exposure should look at Lofty or Arrived instead.

Full Roofstock review →

Bottom Line

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

Frequently Asked Questions

EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock FAQ

Which is better, EquityMultiple or Roofstock?

Based on our scoring criteria, returns, fees, liquidity, transparency, minimums, and track record, EquityMultiple (3.5/5) scores higher than Roofstock (3.0/5). 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 EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock?

EquityMultiple's minimum investment is $5,000 (accredited only). Roofstock's minimum investment is Whole-home purchase price (typically $80,000–$400,000+); Roofstock One discontinued for new investors.

How do EquityMultiple and Roofstock compare on liquidity?

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. Roofstock: Investor-controlled. Owners can hold indefinitely, refinance, or sell whenever they choose.

What returns can investors expect from EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock?

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). Roofstock reports average yearly returns of Typical SFR cap rates 5–8%; total return depends on appreciation and leverage. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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

Real Estate Platform Comparison· Updated July 15, 2026

EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock 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.

★ Our Pick EquityMultiple logo

3.5

3.0

At a Glance

EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock, Key Stats

$5,000 (accredited only)MinimumWhole-home purchase price (typically $80,000–$400,000+); Roofstock One discontinued for new investors

3–9 months for Alpine Notes; typically 3–5+ years for equity and debt dealsHolding PeriodInvestor-controlled, sell whenever you choose

No early exit on most deals; capital is committed for the project termEarly WithdrawalStandard real estate transaction costs (~5–8% to sell)

Deal-dependent (monthly or quarterly interest on debt; equity distributions as projects perform)Rent PayoutMonthly (paid by tenant or property manager)

Pros & Cons

What each platform does well and poorly

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.

Real, full ownership
Buying through Roofstock means you actually own the property: title in your name, full control over rent setting, maintenance decisions, refinance, and sale. No platform sits between you and your asset.
Deep, vetted listings
Roofstock's marketplace contains thousands of single-family rental homes across the U.S., each with inspection reports, rent history, neighborhood ratings, and a Roofstock Estimate of expected return.
Property management built in
Roofstock's preferred property manager network covers most listed markets, so investors can buy a tenanted home in another state and hand off management on day one.
Use leverage to amplify returns
Because Roofstock investors buy whole homes, they can use traditional mortgage financing. That leverage is unavailable on most fractional crowdfunding platforms.
Investor-controlled liquidity
You decide when to sell. Roofstock has its own marketplace for tenanted homes, or you can list traditionally, either way, the exit timing is yours.
Whole-home minimums
Roofstock's main product is buying a full rental property. Even with leverage, that typically requires $20,000–$80,000+ in down payment plus closing costs, putting it out of reach for entry-level investors.
Roofstock One is closed to new investors
Roofstock One, the platform's accredited-only fractional product offering Tracking Stocks in single-family rentals, announced it was winding down in August 2023 and stopped accepting new capital contributions. The current marketplace is effectively a whole-home brokerage.
Transaction-style fees
Roofstock charges a 0.5% buyer fee or $500 minimum, plus standard closing costs and ongoing property management fees (typically 8–10% of gross rent). Sellers pay 3% or $2,500.
Headline cap rates can be optimistic
Roofstock's listed gross yields don't fully account for vacancy, maintenance, capex reserve, or local taxes. Real net returns are typically 1–3 percentage points lower than the headline number.
More work than passive
Even with property management, owning a rental home creates real work: financing, taxes, insurance, capex decisions, and tenant edge cases. It is not as hands-off as a REIT or fractional platform.

Deep Dive

Detailed comparison

What You're Investing In

Whole single-family rental homes, typically tenanted, sometimes vacant: from individual sellers, builders, and institutional sources. Multi-property portfolios are also occasionally listed.

Property Locations

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

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.

Investor-controlled. Owners can hold indefinitely, refinance, or sell whenever they choose.

Who Can Invest

Open to all investors, no accreditation required. Standard mortgage financing is available with typical lender requirements (credit score, down payment, debt-to-income).

The Verdict

Which is better, EquityMultiple or Roofstock?

★ Our Pick

3.5

Full EquityMultiple review →

3.0

Full Roofstock review →

Bottom Line

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

Frequently Asked Questions

EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock FAQ

Which is better, EquityMultiple or Roofstock?

What is the minimum investment for EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock?

How do EquityMultiple and Roofstock compare on liquidity?

What returns can investors expect from EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock?

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

EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock, Key Stats

What each platform does well and poorly

Detailed comparison

Which is better, EquityMultiple or Roofstock?

EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock FAQ

Start building generational wealth with Lofty

EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison

EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock, Key Stats

What each platform does well and poorly

Detailed comparison

Which is better, EquityMultiple or Roofstock?

EquityMultiple vs. Roofstock FAQ

Start building generational wealth with Lofty