Yesterday, a new study by Compare My Move revealed that moving house is ranked as one of life’s most stressful experiences, with some even saying it was more stressful than childbirth!
And the step before moving isn’t easy either. According to Gov.uk, it can take 5 months on average to buy and move house. And when it comes to the process, it’s not simple either, as buyers have to contend with chains, long legal processes, mortgages, surveys and more.
For renters, the process can be equally tricky! Especially in major cities where flats go like hotcakes. Finding the right place, pulling together references, deposits and locking in a tenancy can be a highly stressful experience.
Luckily, a number of startups have stepped in to help.
So beyond Rightmove and Zoopla, what startups and apps exist to help with a house hunt?
For Buyers
Jitty
Jitty is an AI-powered estate agent that allows users to find unique homes in areas they want to buy.
Their search feature allows browsers to search based on things that matter to them, whether it’s location, local schools or even having a downstairs toilet.
Then, their AI springs into action, allowing users to share notes and listings with family and friends. With Jitty, property searching takes out a lot of the guess work, helping people more easily find homes that they will love.
Habito
One of the most painful parts of buying a home is getting a mortgage locked in, especially for first-time buyers.
Habito makes the process easier by allowing people to apply online, manage their legal and survey work and be guided through the whole process – all in once place!
Habito is on a mission to make mortgages easier, so it’s one less admin headache in the house buying process.
Nested
Nested has completely changed the way people sell their homes. The startup estate agency manages everything, from listings to chains and compliance.
Nested’s model is unique in that its agents are not paid a salary, which means they are 100% commission driven, helping clients get the best price for their home.
Sprift
Buying can be a huge decision. Where your house is located can impact how much you pay in taxes, where you can send your children to school and even what its resale value is.
A software designed for estate agents, Sprift helps provide a full report around over 29 million UK properties.
With over 260 data points on each, it’s a great way to get the full picture when it comes to selling property.
For Renters
Keyzy
Renting can be a financial drain, especially if you are saving up for a house deposit.
Keyzy helps renters save for a home deposit by allowing them to put their rent towards it. Users can have a fixed rental period for 2 years and then the option to buy the home they are renting at a guaranteed price when they’re ready. It’s like a ‘try before you buy’ model, but for homes.
This way, it’s easier than ever to build up a cash deposit, especially in expensive cities like London.
Ideal Flatmate
Not everyone can afford to (or wants to!) live alone. Ideal Flatmate allows users to search thousands of rooms across the UK to find flatmates looking for room shares.
With 20 questions designed to match people with their ideal housemates, it’s a great platform for anyone looking to share the burden of rent with someone else.
Nesterly
Nesterly is a short-term rental app that allows people to rent out their spare rooms for short-term lets.
Nesterly handles vetting, leases, payments and support with full screening included too. Whether users want to rent for a month, a year or longer, they can let more flexibly, not only making it more flexible but more affordable too.
