We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sara Cunningham a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
As a single parent to a special needs child, the traditional 40-hour work week was never an option for me. This severely limited my ability to qualify for a home loan on a single income. For years, I held onto the hope that marriage might eventually pave the way to homeownership. However, after 15 years of waiting, reality set in—I needed to carve out my own path to buying a home.
Motivated by both necessity and challenge, I acquired my real estate license. My initial idea was simple: immerse myself in the industry and overcome my own hurdles to homeownership. However, as I delved deeper into the transactional processes of real estate, I encountered systemic flaws. Why does the real estate process operate as it does in Colorado? For instance, why are buyers forced to go under contract on homes before conducting inspections? Why are appraisals only revealed at the end of a transaction? These practices, I realized, were not just procedural but manipulative, exploiting clients during their most vulnerable, stress-induced states. Those without disposable income are particularly disadvantaged, often unable to cover the shortfall if a property fails to appraise or leverage equity to address costs revealed through inspections.
The idea for Yoürs came to me as I watched the dream of homeownership slip further out of reach for so many in my community due to rising costs and a financially competitive market. The concept of co-buying has always intrigued me because it offers a practical solution for diverse groups of people—unmarried couples, friends, single parents, and the elderly seeking alternatives to institutionalized care. However, I also recognized that the average person might find the process of co-buying daunting. Questions like “How do I find the right property?”, “Who would I share a home with?”, “What’s the legal process?”, and “How can I protect my financial investment?”
That’s when it hit me—I could create a platform that addresses all these concerns in one place. I envisioned an AI-driven app that would leverage advanced technology to simplify the entire real estate transaction process, with a focus on co-buying. The goal was to make it easy for users to find suitable properties, connect with co-buyers and sellers, navigate the legalities, and ensure their investments are protected. By integrating AI assistants, blockchain smart contracts, and advanced natural language processing models, I aim to eliminate income discrimination and cognitive biases in the housing industry. This technology-driven strategy democratizes property buying, ensuring a fairer and more transparent process for everyone.
Recent policy changes in Colorado also show the need for creative housing solutions. New laws are making Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) more accessible, allowing homeowners to build additional units on their properties. Colorado has also eliminated discriminatory occupancy limits, expanding housing opportunities and allowing for more flexible living arrangements (KUSA.com) (The Colorado Sun) (Colorado.gov). These changes aim to increase housing density and affordability without requiring new infrastructure. The housing market is exploring innovative ways to enhance how we live and develop real estate. I aspire for Yoürs to become a pivotal community resource in this unprecedented market.
Working as a contractor at Google greatly influenced Yoürs to become an integrated business model, offering both real estate transactions and redevelopment. I was inspired by their co-working office designs, which foster collaboration and community. By merging these elements—advancements in AI, the practical solution of co-buying, and innovative redevelopment of living spaces—Yoürs aims to revolutionize this sector of the real estate market.
Sara, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My role as an Admin further developed my management skills and gave me the confidence to lead a team of developers in the creation of Yoürs.
I prioritize staying educated on the newest software innovations and AI models, following trends led by PropTech innovators. This commitment to constant learning has been invaluable in enhancing my ability to work cross-functionally and understand the intricacies of app design. Yoürs will incorporate AI-driven technology to help eliminate biases while providing data-driven insights and processes. AI algorithms and machine learning provide objective property valuations based on historical data, current market trends, and property specifics. Smart contracts, play a crucial role in automating and securing real estate transactions. By standardizing data collection processes on an immutable blockchain, all parties have access to the same information. Yoürs is also developing a transparent offer process that I believe will set a new industry standard. By equipping consumers with advanced AI tools that guide them through the real estate process, explain their rights, and highlight available resources, we empower them to take control of their co-buying journey with confidence.
What sets me apart is my personal journey in homeownership. I purchased a house through the City of Boulder’s affordable housing program, and while my experience was positive, I recognized a significant gap. The demand for these programs is so high that many people wait years to win the housing lottery. My own experience with affordable housing programs in Boulder gives me a unique perspective and deep empathy for those struggling to find housing. I understand the challenges and the emotional toll it takes, which fuels my commitment to finding better solutions. This realization drove me to create a dedicated resource to help people look beyond government programs and tap into their immediate community for collaboration and empowerment. My goal is to educate those willing to seek unconventional solutions and provide pathways supported by innovative technology to achieve homeownership.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The most significant pivot in my career occurred earlier this year when my job at Google was offshored to Singapore. This change prompted me to focus on pursuing my vision for Yoürs, leveraging my administrative skills, understanding of the real estate market, and passion for helping people. This experience has fostered greater resilience and adaptability, teaching me that unexpected changes can often lead to incredible opportunities. My goal is to build something meaningful and impactful for my community.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One of the most defining stories of resilience in my journey involved overcoming a significant obstacle: my lack of experience in app development. I started by immersing myself in the fundamentals, dedicating countless hours to self-education through reading and online courses. I also consulted with real estate lawyers and engaged in in-depth conversations with industry professionals.
The first major challenge was assembling the right team to bring my vision to life. I interviewed numerous developers and tech professionals, seeking a team that possessed the necessary skills and shared my passion for the project. Eventually, I decided to partner with Inspiring Apps. Their experience in financial transactions for real estate, notably digitizing the title process for Fidelity with their innovative app Inhere, was precisely what I was looking for. They provided a collaborative environment that allowed me to grow my product management skill set. I collaborated closely with their marketing, UX, and UI teams, helping to create the brand messaging and wireframe for the Yoürs app. I am excited to collaborate with their engineering team on the next phase of Yoürs, focusing on iOS development and the implementation of advanced AI tools.
Today, Yoürs is more than just an app in progress; it stands as a testament to the power of resilience. It embodies the belief that with enough determination and hard work, we can transform our vision into reality.
I am now looking for my next pre-seed funding opportunity and partnership to develop Yoürs further. The wireframes are complete and I am ready for development. If you are interested in partnering or investing, I am particularly interested in collaborating with AI engineers, proptech experts, and real estate redevelopment firms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yoursapp.io/
- Instagram: yours.homeownership
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yo%C3%BCrs
