Knox Financial

Apache is functioning normally

[Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from the conclusions from the category product review series for the small landlord property management software sector. The full conclusions can be found here. Originally published in the Geek Estate Mastermind.]

the process of using technology to enhance the leasing and operation of real estate assets for owners for a fee

The property management software sector continues to capture my imagination as consolidation spawns (eg RealPage’s acquisition of Buildium, the REA acquisition of Managed, and CoStar acquisition of Cozy).

It’s obvious: As property management efficiency improves, the services marketplace grows, costs are driven down, and professional management becomes an increasingly appealing proposition. There are more property management options than ever before — and the options are better than ever before, too — that serve landlords in entirely new ways. A rent guarantee is the latest customer win, but it won’t stop there.

This is a sector poised for huge growth. Below are a few of the major players defining the category:

Doorstead: Full-service management that provides guaranteed rental income. Learn more.

Knox Financial: Helps sellers turn their current home into an investment property delivering passive income while empowering lifestyle freedom. Learn more.

Great Jones: With over $20 million in funding, it now operates in nine markets across Florida, the Carolinas, and the Midwest. Learn more.

Hemlane: An all-in-one rental management platform that operates in all 50 states. The company is the exclusive property management partner to the California Association of Realtors and partner to Roofstock. Founded in 2014. Learn more.

Loftium: Guarantees rent to the owner, and places a renter in the unit that agrees to oversee a mother-in-law unit or apartment as a short-term rental in exchange for a discounted rent. Learn more.

Mynd: The firm manages a portfolio of over 9,000 units and closed a $20 million Series B in 2018. Learn more.

Onerent: Managing more than 9,000 doors, they recently launched Onerent 360—home warranty, maintenance, and improvements all within one monthly management fee. Learn more. (Geek Estate Mastermind member)

Source: geekestateblog.com

Apache is functioning normally

Boston fintech firm Knox Financial plans to expand its lending business and loan products with $50 million in funding it received from a real estate advisory firm. 

New York-headquartered Saluda Grade provided the funding in forward flow capital which Knox will use to expand its lending business into Georgia, Knox representatives said Wednesday. The fintech also will offer additional loan products, including home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), new purchase loans and cash-out refinancings. 

“A homeowner’s best investment is the home they live in — far better than the returns we’ve seen from the stock market in 2022, and a great hedge against record-high inflation,” said David Friedman, co-founder and CEO of Knox Financial. 

Established in 2018, Knox aims to help manage residential rentals with its algorithm-based platform. Its rental pricing and projection model also calculates the rate of return an investment property is expected to produce over time. When a property is enrolled in the platform, Knox automates and oversees the property’s finances and taxes, insurance, leasing, banking and bill pay, according to the company’s website. 

The funding comes shortly after Knox launched its first mortgage product, dubbed the Knox equity access program (KEAP), in April. KEAP loans give homeowners access to capital, based on the equity in the home, to turn it into an investment property with Knox. Homeowners can then use their KEAP loan to fund a downpayment on their next home and to pay for repairs on their investment property.

In return, Knox charges an origination fee and third-party costs to the borrower. Knox also keeps 10% of the rental income generated from properties listed on its platform. 

Prioritizing home equity solutions in a rising rate environment

The 2022 housing market has been underscored by interest rate spikes and refi decline and lenders are working hard to adjust to new borrower trends. HousingWire recently spoke with Barry Coffin, managing director of home equity title/close at ServiceLink, about the ways lenders can capitalize on these trends by revving up their home equity solutions.

Presented by: ServiceLink

Knox’s expansion comes amid a shrinking mortgage origination market. As mortgage rates began increasing this year, lenders, mortgage tech firms and real estate brokerages started laying off employees, often citing rapidly declining market conditions. 

With rising mortgage rates, company representatives said Knox has seen growing interest in second lien products such as home equity loans or HELOCs from borrowers who have tappable equity but don’t want to refinance. 

“As mortgage rates have risen, more inventory will become available at more competitive pricing,” said Matt Marra, chief growth officer at Knox.

Knox Financial raised $10 million in Series A funding in April 2021, led by G20 Ventures, following a $3 million seed round in January 2020. The largest markets for Knox are metropolitan areas of Boston, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas and Austin, Texas. According to Marra, Knox oversees a portfolio of $150 million in combined value.

Source: housingwire.com