Becoming a homeowner in today’s market should not be reserved only for those who can participate in bidding wars and win with the largest amount of cash.
Yet, when we saw the trend of too many families struggling to break into the housing market and achieve the American Dream of homeownership, we knew it was time to act. At Ownify, we reimagined the path to homeownership, requiring only a 2% down payment and no mortgage debt, while turning first-time homebuyers into powerful cash buyers. We’re unlocking the homeownership dream for first-time buyers in the Triangle, and it wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of talented real estate professionals.
From guiding first-time buyers through the process of finding the perfect home to educating clients on this new homeownership option available in the Triangle, here’s what real estate professionals say about working with Ownify.
When speaking with local real estate professionals, one thing is clear – there was a missing piece in the Triangle housing market prior to Ownify. Now, Ownify is creating a new path for first-time homebuyers who have good credit but are locked out of the market by all-cash offers, stiff competition, and insurmountable savings requirements for down payments and other upfront costs of homeownership.
“It’s a missing piece and a welcome piece here in this market,” said Jeremiah Jackson, real estate attorney and founder of Jackson Law. Surprised that Ownify isn't a household name already, Jackson went on to explain how a partnership with Ownify can help first-time homebuyers stand out with an all-cash offer strong enough to compete with institutional buyers. When it comes to the legalities of becoming an Owni, a homeowner with the Ownify program, Jackson describes the ownership agreement between Ownify and the Owni as fantastic and strong, offering many benefits for homebuyers.
Recognizing that the current path to homeownership can be narrow and exclusive, real estate professionals agree that many have been locked out of the market. Bryant Lovette, team leader for Lovette Properties, explained how Ownify presents the opportunity of homeownership to those who may not have been able to buy before. “I tell realtors, Ownify is going to expand your client base,” said Lovette. “It’s taking people who were pushed to the sidelines, out of the market, and it’s putting them back in the market. But this is not something that’s just good for the realtor, it’s benefitting the consumer.”
So, what exactly is the missing piece? The answer is fractional ownership, an equity-sharing program where a buyer partners with an equity-sharing provider to build equity in their home over time, while enjoying the freedoms and comfort of living in a place that is truly theirs. “To the consumer, Ownify is the investor that they never had before to make their investment dreams come true,” said Lovette. “When you think about Ownify, you should be thinking of less rent-to-own or a bank and more of a partnership. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen come to the market.”
Fractional ownership not only paves the way for more first-time homebuyers, but it levels the playing field of homebuying and puts every buyer who can make the monthly payment on equal footing. “My buyers would have had to wait three to five years to buy a home the traditional way,” said Elise Helton, realtor with Costello Real Estate & Investments. “Because of Ownify, they were able to just put the 2% down, not worry about closing costs, repairs and maintenance, and get into the home sooner.”
Not only is fractional ownership a solution for first-time homebuyers, but it equips real estate agents with another resource to support their clients. Ownify works seamlessly with agents, allowing the brokers to manage the process and do what they do best with the addition of setting buyers up for success with a cash offer.
With this revolutionary path to homeownership, real estate agents can present new options to prospective buyers who may have delayed or stopped their home search, believing homeownership was out of reach financially. While ultimately helping families achieve the American Dream, agents can expand their pipeline and options for those buyers. Plus, real estate agents still receive full commission at closing.
“I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt, I would absolutely recommend Ownify to other realtors and to other clients,” said Trevor Burris, realtor with Lovette Properties. “I really wanted to make sure I trusted them through the process, and on the other side of it they lived up to every promise. They actually went above and beyond my expectations to help out my clients and truly put my clients’ needs above their own. Ownify is an absolute game-changer. It helps first-time buyers get into homeownership for the first time, at a low cost, and in a safe way."
From expanding the client base to bringing people from the sidelines back into the market, Ownify provides an invaluable resource for real estate agents. According to realtor Elise Helton: “I look forward to sharing with my clients another financing option and I’m excited for people to see that traditional lending isn’t the only way. Ownify provides the first-time homebuyer a unique opportunity to have a competitive offer in this market and can get them into a home much quicker than they originally thought.”
It’s time we get the word out that there is a different path to homeownership. If you’re a real estate professional who is passionate about helping first-time buyers achieve their dream of homeownership, we would be thrilled to partner with you. To see how Ownify works for first-time buyers and the real estate professionals who serve them, learn more about how to become an Ownify accredited agent. Let’s unlock the Triangle housing market for your clients and help more families achieve their American Dream.
©2023 Ownify, Inc. All rights reserved. Frank Rohde is CEO and Founder of Ownify, Inc.