> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ownerfidocs.vetted.studio/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Find Your New Home

> Master OwnerFi's swipe-based discovery system. Set your budget, filter properties, save favorites, and share estimates with co-buyers.

Finding your home on OwnerFi feels more like **discovery than searching**. Instead of endless filters and overwhelming listings, you swipe through properties tailored to your budget and preferences—saving the ones that feel right and moving past the ones that don't.

<Tip>
  Think of this as the fun part. You're exploring possibilities, not committing to anything. Swipe freely, save liberally, and refine as you go.
</Tip>

***

## 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.

<Steps>
  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Budget Settings">
    Navigate to **Settings > Budget Preferences** or look for the "Set My Budget" prompt on the homepage.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Down Payment Range">
    How much cash can you realistically put down? This might be 5%, 10%, 15%, or more. The bigger your down payment, the lower your monthly payment and the more attractive you are to sellers.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Why This Matters" icon="bullseye">
    Setting your budget **first** means you only see homes you can actually afford. No more falling in love with a $400k house when your real max is $250k.
  </Card>

  <Card title="You Can Change It Anytime" icon="sliders">
    Your budget isn't locked. Changed your down payment? Got a raise? Reset your budget in seconds and watch the listings update.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  **Pro tip:** Leave a little breathing room in your monthly payment budget. Life happens—car repairs, medical bills, vet visits. Don't max out your budget to the last dollar.
</Tip>

***

## Step 2: Configure Your Property Preferences

Now that your budget is set, fine-tune what kind of home you're looking for.

### Available Filters:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="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)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Property Type">
    * Single-family homes
    * Townhomes
    * Condos
    * Multi-family (duplexes, triplexes)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Size & Layout">
    * Number of bedrooms (2+, 3+, 4+)
    * Number of bathrooms (1+, 2+, 3+)
    * Square footage range
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Financing Type">
    * Seller financing
    * Subject-to
    * Contract for deed
    * Lease-to-own
    * Flexible (show me everything)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Price Range">
    Even with monthly budget set, you can add a hard cap on total purchase price if you have a specific limit.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  Start **broad**, then narrow down. You can always add filters later, but starting too narrow might hide great options you hadn't considered.
</Tip>

***

## 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:

<Steps>
  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Swipe Left (or Tap ✖️) to Pass">
    Not your style? Swipe left or tap the X. It's gone—no clutter, no judgment.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Tap the Property for Full Details">
    Want to see more photos, exact terms, neighborhood info, or seller notes? Tap the card to open the full property page.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Speed Mode" icon="forward-fast">
    Swipe quickly through dozens of properties based on photos and price. Perfect for first-pass exploration.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Deep Dive Mode" icon="magnifying-glass-plus">
    Tap each card to see full photo galleries, seller notes, financing details, and estimated payment breakdowns.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  **Your swiping history is saved.** You can always go back to your **Passed** list if you change your mind about a property.
</Info>

***

## 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:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Organize by Priority">
    Star or flag your top picks. Some users create mental tiers: "Must See," "Maybe," and "Backup Options."
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Remove Anytime">
    Changed your mind? Remove properties from Favorites with one tap. No commitment, no pressure.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  Save more than you think you need early on. It's easier to narrow down from 20 favorites than to go back and hunt for "that one house I saw yesterday."
</Tip>

***

## 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:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open a Property">
    From your Favorites or the main swipe feed, tap a property card to open the full details page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Estimate">
    Lock in your preferred scenario and save it to the property. Perfect for comparing apples-to-apples across multiple homes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 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           |

<Tip>
  The estimates are **starting points**, not guarantees. Always confirm actual terms, interest rates, and fees directly with the seller before making an offer.
</Tip>

***

## 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:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Properties to Share">
    From your Favorites list, check the properties you want to share (or share your entire list).
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send via Text, Email, or Messaging App">
    Copy the link and send it however you prefer: text, email, WhatsApp, Slack, etc.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Collaborate in Real-Time">
    Your co-buyer can add their own notes, adjust estimates, and flag their top picks. Perfect for couples, business partners, or family decisions.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Share With Your Partner" icon="heart">
    Let your spouse or co-buyer review properties on their own time and mark their favorites.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Share With Your Agent or Attorney" icon="briefcase">
    Get professional feedback on your shortlist before reaching out to sellers.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Share With Family" icon="users">
    Sometimes parents, siblings, or close friends want to weigh in—share the link and get their input.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  The shareable link is **view-only** by default. Your original Favorites list stays private unless you specifically share it.
</Tip>

***

## 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:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Start Fresh (Soft Reset)">
    Want to clear your **Passed** history and see properties again? Tap **Reset Swiping History** in Settings. Your Favorites stay saved.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  Don't be afraid to reset and explore. Swiping is free, fast, and flexible—there's no penalty for changing your mind or trying a different approach.
</Tip>

***

## Pro Tips for Power Users

Want to maximize your search? Here's how the most successful OwnerFi users find their homes:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Swipe Daily" icon="calendar-check">
    New properties are added regularly. Spend 5–10 minutes a day swiping to catch fresh listings before they're snatched up.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Save More Than You Think" icon="bookmark">
    Save 15–20 properties early on, then narrow down to your top 5. It's easier to eliminate than to remember "that one house."
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use Notes Religiously" icon="note-sticky">
    Write quick thoughts on each favorite: "Great yard," "Needs new HVAC," "Close to work." Future-you will thank you.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Compare Estimates Side-by-Side" icon="chart-simple">
    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.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## 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.

<Steps>
  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Request More Details">
    Ask about exact financing terms, property condition, inspection history, and seller flexibility on price or terms.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make an Offer">
    Once you're confident, submit a written offer. Your agent or attorney can help draft it, and OwnerFi connects you directly to the seller for negotiation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  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.
</Info>

***

## 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)**](/buyers/deal-terms) — Learn what to negotiate once you find your home
* [**Connecting With Sellers**](/platform/connecting-sellers) — How to reach out and start the conversation
* [**Risks & Protections for Buyers**](/buyers/risks-protections) — Understand what to verify before making an offer

***

**Support:** Having trouble with swiping, saving, or sharing? Reach out to [support@ownerfi.ai](mailto:support@ownerfi.ai) and we'll walk you through it.