Kevin Bennett, former founder of Caribou, has launched Further, an innovative fintech that simplifies the home buying process. Aimed particularly at first-time buyers, this platform guides users through the financial aspects of real estate purchases, offering a calculator that assesses what they can afford based on real-time interest rates. Further doesn’t just provide figures; it offers personalized advice on the types of loans to consider based on the user’s financial profile. Currently free, the platform will be monetized with future product developments. Bennett hopes to fill the gap in the market and bring confidence and peace of mind to future homeowners. The launch was facilitated by a preliminary fundraising of $4.1 million from investors experienced in the sector.
An innovative tool for home buyers
Kevin Bennett, former co-founder of Caribou, has unveiled his latest project: a fintech platform named Further, dedicated to simplifying real estate purchases. This initiative stems from an observation: buyers, particularly those embarking on their first home acquisition, are often discouraged by the complexity of financial transactions. With this new platform, the approach is to guide users through the financial process, with a sophisticated calculator that reveals not only what they can afford but also how to manage expenses such as monthly mortgage payments and closing costs. Moreover, Further stands out by offering recommendations on the best time to buy or the types of loans to consider based on the user’s financial profile.
The motivations behind Further
Bennett turned to real estate after his experience at Caribou, attracted by the challenges and opportunities in the sector. With a family active in real estate, his personal interest could only grow. He found that too often, new buyers are lost, relying on makeshift spreadsheets to estimate their budget. His own journey, marked by a mishap where he lost $30,000 by not optimizing his home improvement, reinforced this vision.
A vision for the future of home buying
Further is not just a simple calculator. It is a companion that aims to bridge market gaps and make home buying as seamless as possible. By raising $4.1 million, Bennett has managed to attract not only traditional investors but also angel investors with proven expertise in the real estate market. More than a tool, Further aspires to be a driving force in the fintech world, uniting the expertise of financial technology with a deep understanding of the imperatives of property ownership. Following a similar path to startups like Vasco, which aids in financing renovations, and Upgrade, which offers home loans, Further leverages real-time data to optimize every decision.
