industry spotlight
Residential & Multifamily
The residential & multifamily industry builds, owns, and finances places where people live—like single-family homes, apartment buildings, and condos.
Last updated: July, 2025
Contributors: Olena Petrosyuk
The industry’s market shows signs of resilience despite recent economic headwinds. This stability is driven by increasing demand for affordable housing, particularly among millennials and Gen Z.
The global residential and multifamily properties market is set to almost double by 2029.
Are still under construction in the US.
9/10
Renters use online reviews to research properties before making a decision.
40%
New multifamily developments in major US cities use sustainable design and green building practices.
6/10
Property managers plan to increase their investment in proptech solutions in 2025.
Industry trends to watch in 2025:
AI leasing bots now handle tenant chats and tour bookings.
Prefab construction shifts much of the build into a factory, cutting time and cost.
Green retrofits slash energy bills and tick new carbon boxes.
Fractional ownership lets many small investors buy in.
VENTURE LANDSCAPE
According to Waveup research, in 2023, the residential & multifamily VC funding reached $302M
Key verticals where funds flow:
- Single-family rentals (SFR)
- iBuyer platforms
- Real estate data and analytics
- Financial products for real estate
How to get multifamily financing for your startup?
These are the three key steps you need to take to secure multifamily financing:
1) prove a clear business model
2) back it with solid financials
3) present an investor-ready pitch deck
Here’s the playbook:
- Map out revenue streams, costs, and market demand.
- Build a pro-forma model that withstands due-diligence.
- Craft a concise deck showing strategy, traction, and capital needs.
- Match funding type (VC, debt, hybrid) to deal stage.
- Target investors in your niche and tailor outreach.
Need help finding the right investors?
Investors back startups that show what they’re building, how they make money, and why now is the right moment.
With our Waveup Copilot, you can research, find, and pitch to investors that match your stage and sector.
Why founders trust Waveup
We handle the heavy lifting—documents, investor lists, and deal support—so founders can focus on building.
Our core service #1: Fundraising
We help founders tell their business story—through pitch decks investors want to read, sharp financial forecasts, and positioning that’s grounded in real market data.
Our core service #2: M&A support
We can get you ready for a sale or partnership—with sharp, investor-level materials that show your business at its best.
FAQs
What is the difference between residential and multifamily?
“Residential” is a broad term for all types of housing. “Multifamily” is a type of residential property that has multiple separate units, like duplexes or apartment buildings. So, all multifamily is residential—but not all residential is multifamily.
Is multifamily residential or commercial?
Multifamily is considered residential if it has 2 to 4 units (like a duplex or fourplex). Once a property has 5 or more units, it’s classified as commercial real estate, even though people still live there. The financing rules change once it becomes commercial.
How can I raise money for multifamily?
You can raise money by pitching your project to real estate investors, private equity firms, or through crowdfunding. What they’ll look for: a clear business plan, financial model, and a strong pitch deck that makes them feel confident about your team and the deal.
What is the best financing for multi-family properties?
It depends on the type of project. For stable, income-producing properties, agency loans like Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac work best. For value-add or ground-up projects, investors often use bridge loans or mix debt with preferred equity.
How long does it take to create a pitch deck and financial model?
On average, we handle documentation in 2-3 weeks. But sometimes it might take around a month. Feel free to ask for more information.
Industries we work with
Leverage Waveup's unmatched expertise in fundraising, M&A advisory, and growth hacking to take your project to the next level. Share your email, and let's discuss how we can help!