Interviews
Meet Camilla De Cesare, Founder at hntr: Helping UK Homebuyers Feel More In Control
Dana Leigh
November 20, 2025
hntrapp is reshaping the home-buying process to give first-time buyers the confidence they deserve.
Tell us about hntrapp
hntrapp is a free home-buying assistant app for first-time buyers in the UK. The idea is simple: buying your first home is overwhelming, and there’s no single place that brings all the practical steps together in a way that feels clear and supportive. With hntr, you can organise your property viewings, track your budget, get reminders on what to ask or do at each stage, and access recommended suppliers when you need them. It’s like having a friend who’s been through it before (one who’s available 24/7 and never forgets the details).
I launched hntrapp because I want people to feel more confident, informed and in control during one of the biggest decisions of their lives. And at the same time, I wanted to build something that gives back: 10% of any revenue we make from supplier bookings goes directly to Centrepoint, a charity supporting youth homelessness. The goal is to have a full-circle model, where helping people into homes, also helps those without one.
How did you come up with the idea for the company?
I was recently a first-time buyer and I found the process much more stressful and overwhelming than I expected. I didn’t know what questions to ask at viewings, I underestimated certain costs, and I spent hours piecing together checklists and spreadsheets from different corners of the internet.
As my friends started to buy their first homes, they asked me for advice. I ended up sharing a big Excel document I had created for myself, which included questions, budgets, and reminders. That’s when I realised: if my friends found this useful, maybe there was a way to turn it into something more accessible and scalable. That was the spark for hntrapp.
Tell us about your core product or service
The app is built around the full home-buying journey:
- Property Profiles & Viewings – A template to save and compare properties you’re considering, complete with space to upload your own photos, videos, and notes. It also includes prompts on what to look for and what questions to ask.
- Comparison Tool – Because choosing between two flats or houses is rarely straightforward, the app lets you compare properties side by side, factoring in your priorities.
- Budgeting – A clear template that outlines the true costs of buying a home, from mortgage fees to surveys, to moving costs, so buyers can avoid unexpected expenses.
- Step-by-Step Checklist – Guidance through each stage, from viewing to exchange, so no detail gets missed.
- Supplier Recommendations – Mortgage brokers, surveyors, solicitors, insurance providers — all vetted and available at the right stage in the journey.
hntrapp is an organisational tool and supportive guide throughout the process. And because it’s free, it’s accessible to anyone starting their home-buying journey.
What most excites you about the property industry?
The property industry has traditionally been slow to innovate, but that’s exactly what makes it exciting right now. There’s so much room to build tools that genuinely put the buyer first. In the UK, buying a home is often described as one of the most stressful life events, yet the technology supporting buyers has lagged behind.
I’m excited about creating digital tools that simplify complexity, reduce stress, and empower people with knowledge. That’s where I think Proptech can really evolve: addressing both the practical and emotional sides of the journey.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome along the way?
The biggest challenge has been building and launching the app as a solo founder, self-funded. I don’t have a big team or venture backing; instead, I’ve worked closely with a freelance developer and designer to bring the idea to life. That means every decision, from the product roadmap to the marketing strategy, has been mine to make, and I make every decision based on what will be best for the user.
There have been moments of doubt, wondering if people would actually download it, or if I was too ambitious trying to create something from scratch without external funding. But then I look at the feedback from users, or I see someone downloading the app after finding it on TikTok, and it reminds me why I started. Those moments keep me going.
What is your number one piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Start small but start! It’s easy to get stuck in the trap of thinking you need the perfect idea, the perfect plan, or significant funding before you can begin. In reality, most ideas evolve through testing, feedback, and iteration.
hntrapp started as a spreadsheet. It wasn’t flashy, but it worked. That was enough to prove the concept before I invested in turning it into an app. So my advice is: don’t be afraid to put out a version one that feels scrappy. That’s how you learn, and that’s how you build the resilience to keep going.
What can we hope to see from hntrapp in the future?
My vision for hntrapp is to keep making the homebuying process easier and less intimidating. I want first-time buyers to feel like they’re part of a community where they have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to make decisions. For so many people, buying a home can feel isolating and overwhelming. I want hntrapp to be the trusted companion that helps them feel in control every step of the way.
If the app continues to grow, one of my bigger dreams is to set up a “hntr Home Fund.” The idea would be to run giveaways or initiatives that directly support first-time buyers with some of the upfront costs, whether that’s covering fees, contributing to deposits, or easing those unexpected expenses that add up quickly.
At its core, hntr’s mission is to help as many people as possible on their journey into homeownership. That means not just building smart tools, but also creating a sense of community and support that extends beyond the app itself.
