How Catamount Streamlines The Building Process And Reduces Cost, Risk For BTR Clients

Across the U.S., demand-driven build-to-rent construction is taking off in a big way.

From the first quarter of 2023 to Q2 2024, BTR housing stock increased by 55% nationally, from 36,000 to 56,000 total units. Sun Belt markets such as Charlotte and Dallas have flourished over the past couple of years, each respectively growing their BTR stock by 82% and 45% since early 2023. 

But what’s driving this heightened demand? 

In 2024, the average monthly mortgage payment is about 50% higher than the average monthly rent — making homeownership harder to reach. The issue of housing affordability rings true across almost every market in the country, as 90% of young renters under 45 say that they can’t afford a home. 

Driven by shifting lifestyles that prioritize convenience and amenity-rich living, the demand for BTR communities has surged across markets nationwide.

“There’s pent-up demand for the BTR product because it offers a rental option that feels more like a home than a traditional multifamily apartment unit,” said Jared Ford, president of BTR and multifamily at Catamount Constructors, Inc., a 100% employee-owned general contracting and construction management company. “Developers are starting to dive into the BTR sector, and they want to be able to scale these developments at a more efficient rate than they’re doing now.”

With offices in Colorado, Florida, Georgia and Texas and an extensive national portfolio, Catamount has successfully completed 20 BTR development projects, totaling 2,294 units valued at $371M across 2.4M SF, Ford said.

Ford added developers usually have one main question for Catamount: “We already have the land and financial support behind us, but how can we build these BTR communities quickly and efficiently?”

Bernida Chapman, vice president of BTR at Catamount, said the company is catering to this need in the market by developing its own BTR prototype platform. This trailblazing offering aims to simplify the project development life cycle, reducing cost and accelerating speed to market while reducing risk for clients and providing thoughtfully designed BTR units. 

“Our prototype is a design-build, vertical solution with one- to four-bedroom units," Chapman said. "These predesigned, engineered units come in one- and two-story, attached or detached options, with or without garages. Clients simply identify the unit mix and exterior elevations desired and select from three finish tiers, and we handle everything else — site work, amenity spaces and residential buildings." 

The Catamount team conducted extensive research in target markets, such as Denver, Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas, Austin and Central Florida, to see what was already being offered and understand the design and quality of those existing units. What they found was that BTR means entirely different things in different cities. 

For example, Chapman said, in Atlanta, it’s almost a non-negotiable that these units have integral garages. In Phoenix, however, this option isn’t in as high of demand for tenants. The same goes for unit sizes; units tend to be smaller in markets like Dallas and Phoenix than in Atlanta or Denver.

“We aim to balance efficiency and flexibility to capture a significant market share, ensuring this product becomes a major success for both our clients and our team,” she said. 

To make sure its pre-designed units not only meet but exceed expectations, Catamount partnered with multifamily design expert Dwell Design Studios for this prototype.

“We want to offer our clients a best-in-class product, and Dwell Design Studios has the reputation and experience to support this goal,” Chapman said.  

When the prototype is unveiled early next year, Catamount will host personalized meetings with clients to explore the three finish levels, guiding them through the options to find the perfect package that aligns with their unique needs and vision, Chapman said. This meeting will lock in vertical pricing for up to six months, offering stability and predictability. Plus, with the consistency of repeated builds, clients can count on superior construction quality and efficiency every time, she added.

“We’re going to be able to provide cost certainty for our clients during the predevelopment phase, which is a huge benefit,” she said. “Offered as a stipulated sum contract, the plan is for this concept to be a discount to traditional BTR construction, and we’re giving those savings to the client upfront.”

Chapman emphasized that another key factor — and what makes this prototype concept so valuable — is that predesigned and engineered building units allow Catamount to apply for building permits much faster than through traditional methods. 

“Acquiring building permits can be a lengthy process, but the prototype will streamline this process, allowing us to get right to work for our clients,” she said. 

Chapman also said that amenity buildings, such as clubhouses and community centers, are also a key element of these developments, playing a central role in shaping the community. Developers take pride in these spaces, using them as tools to attract and engage residents.

To enhance overall appeal, Catamount is developing a range of versatile amenity buildings core and shell sizes that seamlessly complement the residential units. With uniquely crafted designs, developers will have even more flexibility to choose the perfect fit to elevate their community, she said.

“We provide the option of Catamount developing the design of the amenity building’s interior, but they can also bring in their own design team if they feel so inclined,” she said. “We’re reducing risks for clients and giving them flexibility and cost-saving options for these structures.”

Even though this concept has yet to be unveiled, Chapman said Catamount has already seen excitement from BTR developers across the country. 

“We’re still stress testing the concept, but it’s exciting to see the desire for it from developers already in the space, as well as from developers who want to get into BTR,” she said. “We're thrilled for this concept to come to fruition.”

Catamount’s success in the BTR market stems from strong developer partnerships and the groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind prototype design that will accelerate speed to market and reduce costs for clients, she said.

"With a proven track record of innovation and efficiency, Catamount is poised to deliver exceptional results, making it the ideal partner for clients seeking high-quality, cost-effective BTR projects that set new industry standards," Chapman said.

This article was produced in collaboration between Catamount Constructors and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.