Crib Equity helps make homeownership more affordable and accessible by contributing to your down payment. We can match the funds you have for a down payment, and in some cases even a bit more. This allows you to purchase with a lower down payment, lower your monthly mortgage payments and even avoid the need for mortgage insurance. It adds up to helping you afford more home for less. Because our contribution is an investment in your home—not a loan—you won’t have any additional debt or monthly payments. When you decide to sell or repurchase our share, the home’s equity is split based on the percentages everyone invested at purchase. In a way, it’s like buying a home that helps pay for itself.

Crib Equity offers several unique advantages to homebuyers, tailored to meet individual needs. Some of these key benefits include: Achieving Homeownership Sooner With Crib Equity contributing to your down payment, you can become a homeowner faster. This allows you to start building equity and investing in your future, instead of continuing to pay rent. With historical home price appreciation, achieving your down payment savings and buying in half the time, results in almost 250% greater home equity. Lower Monthly Mortgage Costs Crib Equity reduces your loan amount and monthly payments. When helping you to reach a 20% down payment, we cal also eliminate the need for mortgage insurance. Combined, this can lower your monthly payments by as much as 25%, freeing up more budget for other financial goals. Increase Your Buying Power Crib Equity's co-investment reduces borrowing costs, which can expand your overall budget. This enables you to afford a more expensive home, while keeping monthly payments manageable for your budget. Diversify Your Investments Even if you have sufficient down payment funds, it may not makes sense to tie up all your cash or investments in one asset. Crib Equity allows you to retain cash and keep a diversified investment portfolio, giving you financial flexibility while still enjoying the benefits of homeownership.

Ownership share is determined at the time of purchase, based on each party's contribution to the total down payment and approved closing costs. The share of the home's equity for both you and the investor is directly in proportion to the total down payment and closing costs contributed by each party. You are able to choose the amount of Crib Equity's investment, up to the limit stated in your commitment letter. To help you explore different options, you can use our pricing calculator to see how Crib Equity's investment impacts the home price you can afford, your monthly payments, and your potential returns when you sell.

Buyers who are pre-approved for a mortgage by one of our lending partners, or another accredited lender, are eligible for co-investment through Crib Equity. We’re currently operating in California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida, making our program available to buyers in these markets who meet standard mortgage qualifications.

No, there are no income limits to participate in Crib Equity's program. Homeownership challenges exist across both high and low-cost markets, so we do not set minimum or maximum income requirements. Any homebuyer purchasing a primary residence or personal use property in one of our active markets can apply to partner with Crib Equity.

Crib Equity can contribute up to 50% of your total down payment and approved closing costs, typically covering up to 30% of the home's total value. There’s no specific limit on the home’s purchase price or our contribution. This co-investment helps you afford the home you want, avoid mortgage insurance, and lower your monthly payments.

Yes! You’re welcome to use your own real estate agent. We also have a preferred network of experienced agents familiar with Crib Equity's program if you’d like a recommendation. If you choose to work with your own agent, simply introduce them to us so we can ensure they’re ready to submit offers using Crib Equity’s co-investment program.

Possibly. Crib Equity requires your lender to approve us as a co-owner in your home, and while we can’t guarantee every lender will meet our program’s criteria, we’re happy to connect with your lender to explore compatibility. To ensure a smooth process, we also offer a network of approved lending partners who are familiar with Crib Equity. They can provide you with competitive rates and help structure a more attractive offer that works seamlessly with our co-investment program.

Crib Equity generates revenue through two primary channels: Origination For arranging the equity contribution and managing the transaction between homebuyers and investors, we receive an origination fee at the time of purchase. This fee is typically $2,000 or 0.5% of the home's purchase value, capped at $5,000. Deferred commission To reduce upfront costs for homebuyers, we defer other fees until the expiration of your agreement. Crib Equity's deferred commission for ongoing management of the shared ownership relationship and future transaction management is only paid when home is sold, or one party's equity is repurchased. The deferred commission is paid by both investors and homebuyers and varies depending on the initial equity contributions and how long the home is owned before sale or repurchase. By structuring fees this way, we're able to make homeownership more accessible while aligning our success with the success of both homebuyers and investors.

Crib Equity is available to homebuyers in Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas. If you’re interested in our program but looking to purchase in another state, please reach out for more information on when we’ll be expanding to your area.

Not necessarily. The property must be for personal use, though, and not for rental purposes. In most cases, we can co-invest in second homes. We understand that co-owning with Crib Equity can be more appealing than traditional co-buying arrangements where multiple owners share rights to the property. Feel free to contact us to explore how we can assist with your specific needs.

There are no monthly costs or payments required for Crib Equity’s contribution, meaning you can enjoy the benefits of co-investment without the burden of additional loan repayments. This allows you to save more each month, maintain flexibility in your budget, and focus on building equity in your home without the pressure of managing more debt. You’ll repay Crib Equity’s co-investment when you choose to sell, refinance, or repurchase our share of the home’s equity. The timing of this repayment is entirely flexible, and it's up to you to decide—up until the expiration of the typical 10-year co-ownership agreement.

As the resident co-owner, you’ll be responsible for all typical homeowner expenses, including the mortgage, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and routine maintenance. This also means you have the freedom to manage and update the home as desired, allowing you full flexibility to make it your own while living in it.

Absolutely! As the owner living in the home, you have full flexibility to make updates or renovations, just as you would with sole ownership. For improvements that significantly increase the home's value, you can even request an adjustment to the equity share based on the new value created by those changes.

Yes, but only for short-term rentals, such as while you're away on vacation. However, you’ll need to ensure you have notified Crib Equity and carry adequate and appropriate homeowner’s insurance for the rental use. Long-term rentals or lease agreements are not permitted under our program.

When you're ready to sell, simply let us know. Crib Equity will help you maximize your home's value and minimize transaction costs. Our network of partners can assist in preparing your home for sale, ensuring you get the best price with a smooth transaction. You’re in control of the sale—whether it’s the offer price, timing, or other factors. And, as a co-owner, the investor shares in the agent commission and listing fees. After covering selling costs and repaying the mortgage, the remaining proceeds are divided according to your ownership percentages.

Yes, you can refinance at any time. The only requirements are that the new lender acknowledges Crib Equity's co-investment terms, and no additional principal is added unless you're repaying part of Crib Equity's contribution or you've reached an agreement with the investor to adjust the ownership share. This ensures that your equity distribution remains in line with the original agreement.

Borrowers must meet your loan requirements and be pre-approved for an accompanying mortgage loan. Once pre-approved, Crib Equity can provide a co-investment commitment that matches the borrower’s available down payment. There may be additional criteria, including minimum FICO scores and down payment requirements, which vary based on the property’s location and desired home price. Properties must be for personal use, and Crib Equity currently operates in Arizona, California, Texas, and Florida. We do not impose income limits, focusing instead on meeting the borrower’s specific financing needs and ensuring compliance with lender standards.

By increasing the down payment, Crib Equity reduces the overall loan amount, lowering the borrower’s monthly mortgage payments and improving their debt-to-income ratio. In many cases, a Crib Equity co-investment can help borrowers reach a 20% down payment and avoid the added costs of private mortgage insurance. The borrower benefits from reduced borrowing costs while maintaining greater liquidity for other financial priorities.

Crib Equity's co-investment can be integrated with a variety of loan programs. Our flexible model is designed to complement mortgage products, enabling you to offer enhanced financing solutions to a broader range of clients. We work closely with our lending partners to ensure the best loan offerings.

Partnering with Crib Equity can streamline the loan approval process for your clients. By providing additional equity, we help borrowers meet down payment requirements and improve debt-to-income (DTI) loan-to-value (LTV) ratios. This can strengthen their loan applications and potentially lead to better loan terms. Our involvement is structured to align seamlessly with your underwriting processes, minimizing any disruptions or delays.

Crib Equity's co-investment model underwrites to existing investor guidelines, ensuring there are no impacts on loan servicing. In fact, by improving debt-to-income (DTI) and loan-to-value (LTV) ratio through our co-investment, borrowers who may have been previously denied or postponed could now meet creditworthiness requirements. This allows lenders to approve more qualified buyers without adjusting their traditional underwriting processes.

We do not interfere with the borrower's mortgage payments or the lender's servicing processes. Our co-investment agreement outlines our rights and responsibilities, which are separate from the lender's interests. Even better, Crib Equity may support homeowners by performing to cure default circumstances or avoid foreclosure altogether.

Crib Equity collaborates closely with lenders and borrowers during the loan closing process. Our dedicated team manages funding coordinates, documentation, and all required disclosures to ensure a smooth and efficient transaction. Importantly, our co-investment underwrites to existing investor guidelines, with no servicing impacts. We are available to address any questions or concerns promptly, with a commitment to supporting a timely and successful closing process.

We offer comprehensive support to our lending partners, including: Dedicated Account Managers: Personalized assistance to address your specific needs and inquiries. Training and Education: Resources and workshops to help your team understand our co-investment model. Marketing Materials: Co-branded materials to help you share the Crib Equity opportunity with your clients. Operational Support: Though not required, we can assist with integration into your existing processes and systems. Our commitment is to build a collaborative partnership that enhances your service offerings and contributes to your clients' success.

Getting started with Crib Equity is simple. Contact our team to begin the onboarding process. Our dedicated account managers will guide you through implementation, ensuring Crib Equity aligns with your existing lending guidelines and helping you understand how our co-investment model can enhance your clients' buying power. We'll also provide training and marketing materials to help you introduce Crib Equity to your clients.

To qualify, your clients need to be buying or selling a property in a region where Crib Equity operates—currently Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas. For buyers, they must have a pre-approval from a qualified lender, which determines how much Crib Equity can contribute to their purchase. They must also be purchasing the property for personal use and not as a rental property. For sellers, simply provide us with the property address, and we'll quickly confirm our ability to co-invest in the home alongside interested buyers. Connecting your clients with us early ensures we can assess their eligibility promptly and assist in making the transaction as smooth as possible.

Crib Equity currently operates in Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas. We are actively expanding our services to new regions across the country. If you're located in a different state, we encourage you to reach out to us. Your interest helps us prioritize new markets based on demand, and we look forward to assisting you as we grow.

The process of purchasing with Crib Equity is straightforward. Here's how it works: Client Introduction: Introduce your clients to Crib Equity by sharing our contact information or directing them to our website. Mortgage Pre-approval: Your clients obtain a mortgage pre-approval from a participating lender. This helps us determine how much financial support we can offer. Commitment: We assess their pre-approval and down payment funds, then provide a commitment letter outlining our contribution. Offer and close: You continue working with your clients to find the home they love—we don't get involved in home selection or offer negotiations. Throughout this process, we collaborate closely with you to ensure a smooth pre-approval and an efficient closing, enhancing your clients' ability to secure their desired home.

There are no fees or costs for real estate agents to offer Crib Equity's program to their clients. Our focus is on providing value to you and your clients without adding any financial burden. Any fees associated with our co-investment are transparent and are part of the agreement with the homebuyer and investor. We're committed to supporting your business and enhancing your clients' buying experience.

Crib Equity offers robust support to amplify your marketing initiatives and serve your clients: Co-Branded Marketing Materials: We provide brochures, flyers, and digital content tailored to your brand to help you share our co-investment solutions. Training and Workshops: Our team offers training sessions to help you understand and effectively communicate the benefits of our program. Joint Events: We collaborate on seminars and webinars to educate potential homebuyers about our partnership and how it benefits them. By leveraging these resources, you can attract more clients and differentiate yourself in the market.

Crib Equity works collaboratively with you, your clients, and all involved parties to ensure a seamless closing process: Coordination: We coordinate funding and documentation directly with the title company and lender. Documentation: All necessary disclosures and agreements related to our co-investment are prepared and provided promptly. Communication: We keep you included in open lines of communication to address any questions or concerns quickly. Our goal is to facilitate a smooth transaction, allowing your clients to close on their new home with our added support.

Our co-investment program supports clients purchasing properties they will personally use, whether as a primary residence or a second home. We do not offer co-investment options for properties intended solely for investment or rental income purposes.

Crib Equity does not determine which lending partner your clients choose, as long as the lender is within our network of approved lenders. If your in-house lender is already an approved partner, your clients can proceed with them seamlessly. If they're not yet part of our network, we'd welcome an introduction so we can work to include them among our preferred lending options. Our co-investment model is designed to integrate smoothly with various lending institutions, ensuring that the financing process is as straightforward and efficient as possible for your clients.

Crib Equity offers significant advantages for both your buyers and sellers. For Buyers: Our co-investment program increases your clients' purchasing power, enabling them to afford homes that might otherwise be out of reach. By contributing equity, we help lower their monthly mortgage payments, reduce down payment requirements, and potentially avoid private mortgage insurance, ultimately easing their financial burden. Additionally, with Crib Equity's backing, buyers can make stronger, more competitive offers, enhancing their chances of securing their desired home. For Sellers: When we approve a seller's home, we expand the pool of qualified buyers who can afford to purchase their property. This increased interest can lead to more offers and a quicker sale, helping your seller clients achieve their goals more efficiently.

As long as the offer terms align with the commitment letter Crib Equity has provided to your client, Crib Equity doesn't need to be involved in the offer process. We don’t dictate the terms of the offer. Once the offer is accepted, simply notify us so we can confirm our co-investment commitment and work seamlessly with you through the closing process.

To begin, reach out to our team, and we’ll ensure you have everything needed to become a Crib Equity Certified Agent in order to serve your clients and receive Crib Equity leads. This includes all the necessary information and materials to help you understand how Crib Equity can enhance your clients' purchasing power and guide them through the home buying process. We also offer support with training, marketing resources, and a dedicated contact for seamless client communication.