Step 1: Set Your Budget (The Most Important Filter)
Before you swipe a single property, take 60 seconds to set your real budget. This isn’t about what you wish you could afford—it’s about what feels comfortable month to month.Log In or Create Your Account
Head to your OwnerFi dashboard. If you haven’t created an account yet, sign up (it’s free) so you can save properties and track your preferences.
Open Budget Settings
Navigate to Settings > Budget Preferences or look for the “Set My Budget” prompt on the homepage.
Enter Your Monthly Payment Comfort Zone
What’s the maximum you’re comfortable paying each month for your mortgage? Be honest—this includes principal and interest, but remember: taxes, insurance, and HOA are usually separate.
Why This Matters
Setting your budget first means you only see homes you can actually afford. No more falling in love with a 250k.
You Can Change It Anytime
Your budget isn’t locked. Changed your down payment? Got a raise? Reset your budget in seconds and watch the listings update.
Step 2: Configure Your Property Preferences
Now that your budget is set, fine-tune what kind of home you’re looking for.Available Filters:
Location & Geography
Location & Geography
- State & City: Focus on specific metros or expand nationwide
- Neighborhood: Drill into specific zip codes or areas
- Commute Distance: Filter by proximity to work or schools (if supported)
Property Type
Property Type
- Single-family homes
- Townhomes
- Condos
- Multi-family (duplexes, triplexes)
Size & Layout
Size & Layout
- Number of bedrooms (2+, 3+, 4+)
- Number of bathrooms (1+, 2+, 3+)
- Square footage range
Financing Type
Financing Type
- Seller financing
- Subject-to
- Contract for deed
- Lease-to-own
- Flexible (show me everything)
Price Range
Price Range
Even with monthly budget set, you can add a hard cap on total purchase price if you have a specific limit.
Step 3: Start Swiping
This is where it gets fun. OwnerFi’s swipe interface shows you one property at a time so you can focus, not feel overwhelmed.How Swiping Works:
See the Property Card
Each card shows the home’s primary photo, address, price, estimated monthly payment (based on your budget settings), bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage.
Swipe Right (or Tap ❤️) to Save
If you like it, swipe right or tap the heart icon. The property is saved to your Favorites list for later review.
Swipe Left (or Tap ✖️) to Pass
Not your style? Swipe left or tap the X. It’s gone—no clutter, no judgment.
Speed Mode
Swipe quickly through dozens of properties based on photos and price. Perfect for first-pass exploration.
Deep Dive Mode
Tap each card to see full photo galleries, seller notes, financing details, and estimated payment breakdowns.
Your swiping history is saved. You can always go back to your Passed list if you change your mind about a property.
Step 4: Save Your Favorites
Every property you swipe right on lands in your Favorites list—a personal collection you can review, organize, and share.What You Can Do With Favorites:
Review Side-by-Side
Review Side-by-Side
Open multiple favorites at once to compare price, terms, location, and features. Perfect for narrowing down your top 3–5 contenders.
Add Notes
Add Notes
Jot down thoughts: “Love the kitchen but needs new roof” or “Great for kids—near schools.” Your notes stay private and help you remember why you saved it.
Organize by Priority
Organize by Priority
Star or flag your top picks. Some users create mental tiers: “Must See,” “Maybe,” and “Backup Options.”
Remove Anytime
Remove Anytime
Changed your mind? Remove properties from Favorites with one tap. No commitment, no pressure.
Step 5: Generate & Share Payment Estimates
OwnerFi’s Estimate Tool helps you see exactly what each home would cost per month based on different down payment and term scenarios.How Estimates Work:
Open a Property
From your Favorites or the main swipe feed, tap a property card to open the full details page.
Tap 'View Payment Estimate'
This opens an interactive calculator showing estimated monthly payment based on the property price, your saved down payment preference, and estimated interest rate.
Adjust Variables
Play with the sliders:
- Down Payment: See how a bigger or smaller down changes your monthly cost
- Interest Rate: Adjust if the seller has indicated a specific rate
- Loan Term: Compare 15-year vs. 30-year scenarios
What’s Included in the Estimate:
| Component | Included in Estimate? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Principal & Interest | ✅ Yes | Based on purchase price, down payment, rate, and term |
| Property Taxes | ⚠️ Estimate shown separately | Varies by county—verify with seller or county records |
| Homeowners Insurance | ⚠️ Estimate shown separately | Depends on home age, location, and coverage—get real quotes |
| HOA Fees | ⚠️ Shown if applicable | Some properties have HOA; others don’t—always ask |
Step 6: Share Estimates With Co-Buyers or Advisors
Buying a home is rarely a solo decision. OwnerFi makes it easy to share your favorites and estimates with partners, family, or trusted advisors.Sharing Options:
Select Properties to Share
From your Favorites list, check the properties you want to share (or share your entire list).
Generate a Shareable Link
Tap Share and OwnerFi creates a unique, private link. Anyone with the link can view the properties and your saved estimates—no login required.
Send via Text, Email, or Messaging App
Copy the link and send it however you prefer: text, email, WhatsApp, Slack, etc.
Share With Your Partner
Let your spouse or co-buyer review properties on their own time and mark their favorites.
Share With Your Agent or Attorney
Get professional feedback on your shortlist before reaching out to sellers.
Share With Family
Sometimes parents, siblings, or close friends want to weigh in—share the link and get their input.
Step 7: Reset or Refine Your Preferences Anytime
Your situation might change as you search. Maybe you get a raise, save more for a down payment, or decide to expand your search to a new city.How to Reset or Refine:
Adjust Your Budget
Adjust Your Budget
Go to Settings > Budget Preferences and update your monthly payment max or down payment amount. The feed updates instantly to match your new budget.
Change Location or Property Type
Change Location or Property Type
Tap Filters at the top of the swipe feed and adjust location, bedroom count, property type, or financing structure. Saved favorites stay untouched.
Start Fresh (Soft Reset)
Start Fresh (Soft Reset)
Want to clear your Passed history and see properties again? Tap Reset Swiping History in Settings. Your Favorites stay saved.
Full Reset (Clean Slate)
Full Reset (Clean Slate)
Starting completely over? Clear all Favorites, reset budget, and start swiping from scratch. Use this if your search criteria fundamentally change.
Pro Tips for Power Users
Want to maximize your search? Here’s how the most successful OwnerFi users find their homes:Swipe Daily
New properties are added regularly. Spend 5–10 minutes a day swiping to catch fresh listings before they’re snatched up.
Save More Than You Think
Save 15–20 properties early on, then narrow down to your top 5. It’s easier to eliminate than to remember “that one house.”
Use Notes Religiously
Write quick thoughts on each favorite: “Great yard,” “Needs new HVAC,” “Close to work.” Future-you will thank you.
Compare Estimates Side-by-Side
Open 3–4 favorites, generate estimates for each, and compare monthly costs. Sometimes a slightly more expensive home has lower taxes or no HOA, making it cheaper overall.
What Happens After You Find “The One”?
Once you’ve narrowed down your favorites to 1–3 serious contenders, it’s time to move from browsing to action.Contact the Seller or Agent
Tap Contact on the property page to send your interest. Share your down payment readiness, estimated move-in timeline, and any questions.
Request More Details
Ask about exact financing terms, property condition, inspection history, and seller flexibility on price or terms.
Bring in Professionals
Share your top picks with a real estate attorney, agent, or financial advisor. Get their take on the deal before you move forward.
OwnerFi helps you find and explore—but the deal happens between you and the seller. Always verify terms, inspect the property, and involve professionals before signing anything.
Quick Reference: Swiping & Saving Workflow
| Action | Where to Do It | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Set your budget | Settings > Budget Preferences | Filters properties to match your affordability |
| Configure property preferences | Filters (top of swipe feed) | Narrows results by location, size, type, and financing structure |
| Swipe right to save | Main swipe feed | Adds property to your Favorites list |
| Swipe left to pass | Main swipe feed | Hides property (can be undone via Passed list) |
| View full property details | Tap any property card | Opens photos, terms, seller notes, and neighborhood info |
| Generate payment estimate | Property page > View Estimate | Shows monthly cost based on down payment, rate, and term |
| Save estimate to property | Estimate tool > Save | Locks in your preferred scenario for later comparison |
| Share favorites with others | Favorites > Share | Creates private link for co-buyers, agents, or family |
| Add notes to favorites | Favorites > Select property | Keeps private thoughts and comparisons organized |
| Reset preferences or history | Settings > Reset | Clears Passed list or starts fresh without losing saved favorites |
Next Steps
Ready to dive deeper into the buying process?- Understanding Deal Terms (Interest, Down, Balloon) — Learn what to negotiate once you find your home
- Connecting With Sellers — How to reach out and start the conversation
- Risks & Protections for Buyers — Understand what to verify before making an offer
Support: Having trouble with swiping, saving, or sharing? Reach out to support@ownerfi.ai and we’ll walk you through it.