What if buying was actually within reach?
There's a way for family to contribute toward your home and share in its future value, instead of just giving a gift.
Why This Helps Buyers
Most first-time buyers don't struggle because of income. They struggle because the down payment limits their options.
Familybacked helps buyers lower their loan amount and strengthen their mortgage application.
Lower monthly payments
More buying power
Faster approvals
More flexibility
Build equity sooner
When buyers need more
Many buyers already have family help, but still can't compete.
Asking for a larger gift is often a non-starter. Shared ownership can change the conversation.
How This Works
Three simple steps to unlock your home buying potential with family support
See what you qualify for
Get pre-approved and see how family support could change your buying power.
Make an offer
Once your offer is accepted, you and your parent align on how support and ownership will work.
Home Ownership Agreement
A private agreement between you and your parents that defines ownership. It's separate from your mortgage and does not involve co-signing.
Close and move-in
Your parent signs a standard gift letter for the purchase and wires funds directly to escrow. You complete a standard mortgage in your own name and move into the home.
"Many parents want to help their kids buy a home. FamilyBacked was built to offer a more thoughtful way to do it."
Stephen Lane
Co-Founder & CEO
A Better Way for Parents to Help
Today, most parents who help with a home purchase do so through a gift. FamilyBacked gives families another way to think about that help.
Parents can provide gift funds for the purchase and agree with their child on how ownership in the home is shared.
That means:
The buyer lives in and controls the home
The buyer makes the mortgage payments
Ownership between parent and child is clearly defined
Ownership is passive and only matters if the home is sold
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our platform and services
Is this a gift or a loan?
It is neither. It is shared ownership. For your mortgage lender, the funds are documented as a gift so you can qualify for a standard mortgage. Privately, you and your parents sign a Home Ownership Agreement that defines their specific ownership stake in the home. There are no monthly interest payments and no debt to pay back. Your parents simply own a piece of the home and share in the proceeds when it is sold.
Does this hurt my parents' credit?
No. This is one of the biggest benefits of FamilyBacked. Unlike co-signing, your parents are not borrowers on your mortgage. Their credit is never pulled and they are not responsible for your monthly payments. Because they are not on the loan, your mortgage activity never appears on their credit report.
This is my house. I don't want my parents to be owners.
You are the exclusive occupant and the only person on the mortgage. You have total control over the home, from the paint colors to major renovations. Your parents’ ownership is purely an economic stake in the future value. Think of them as a silent partner who helps you get the keys today.
Does this affect my mortgage approval?
Yes, it makes it stronger. By using FamilyBacked to increase your down payment, you lower your loan to value ratio. Since there is no loan to pay back to your parents, it does not add to your monthly debt. This makes you a much more attractive borrower to the bank.
What happens if home values go down?
FamilyBacked is built on shared stakes. This means sharing both the upside and the downside. If the home value decreases, your parents’ stake value decreases along with yours. Unlike a loan where you would still owe the full amount regardless of the home's value, this structure means your family is truly in this together.
Is this available everywhere?
We are currently launching in select states. Because real estate laws vary by state, we are rolling out carefully to ensure every FamilyBacked agreement is fully compliant with local regulations. Start your pre-qualification today to see if we are currently serving your area.
See what family support could make possible. No co-signing. No obligation. Just clarity.