I wanted to know what our first home would really cost us.

When our first offer was accepted, my wife and I already knew the house needed new floors and some updating. So I asked what seemed like an obvious question: what would those projects cost, and what would we truly be paying for this home once renovations and the ongoing costs of owning it were included?

The answer was scattered across listings, rough guesses and conversations that never quite added up. That was the first idea behind HomeUnderstood — before anything went wrong.

The seller had disclosed a burst pipe in the primary bedroom. Our inspection found water damage well beyond what was disclosed, and we later learned a burst water heater had flooded the house. We withdrew.

Our second accepted offer came apart too, amid conflicting information about an oil tank, difficult communication, and the seller moving ahead with another offer. Each time we lost weeks, real emotional investment, and money on inspections and attorney fees — and we felt a lot of fear and uncertainty about what we were walking into.

I want first-time buyers to feel confident, informed and less afraid of the real costs of buying and owning a home. That means being honest about what is verified, what is estimated, and what is still unknown — so you know which questions to ask before you commit.

The long-term vision is one connected record: the research, renovation and cost planning, and the questions and decisions you make while buying carry straight into a Home Passport for ownership — records, maintenance and improvements in one place.

HomeUnderstood helps you research decisions. It isn't a licensed inspector, agent, attorney or financial advisor, its estimates aren't guarantees, and it can't stop a seller from backing out. Those professionals and conversations still matter.

— Kyle Hanft, Founder of HomeUnderstood

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