Having seen success in Canada, where it has supported over 250 homebuyers and facilitated more than $300million in real estate transactions, Zown, the tech-powered real estate platform, has now expanded into the US.
Homebuyers, sellers and real estate agents across California will now have access to Zown’s services. For buyers, this includes giving users a personalised consultation to assess financial readiness and homeownership goals. Additionally, buyers can get pre-approved through their preferred lender or via Zown’s in-house system, which delivers approvals in under five minutes.
The tailored experience continues with a dedicated account manager. Each buyer is paired with a licensed agent who uses Zown’s AI-driven tools to find budget-matched homes, share real-time comparables, and predict winning offers while handling negotiations and paperwork to ensure a smooth transaction.
Arguably the biggest benefit though comes in the shape of the low agent commissions. Instead of pocketing the standard 2.5 to three per cent buyer’s agent commission, Zown retains just one per cent and returns the rest to the buyer as an upfront down payment boost that saves thousands of dollars on their transaction or can be used to buy down mortgage rates and lower monthly payments.
The service is incredibly helpful in housing markets, like California’s, which are becoming more challenging to navigate.
“California’s housing market poses steep challenges for first-time and budget-conscious buyers. Sky-high prices and fierce competition make it hard for even well-qualified buyers to break in,” said Afraj Gill, president of Zown.
“In cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, average down payments have soared by 86 per cent in under two decades. Some buyers now face a 20-year uphill battle just to save enough to get started. That’s simply unsustainable. Zown’s model puts real cash back in buyers’ hands so they can compete and win in today’s market.”
Behind the idea
Zown was born out of co-founder and CEO Rishard Rameez’s own frustrating experience as a home seller, an experience echoed by thousands of households navigating the traditional real estate process. After sharing his journey on Reddit and finding widespread resonance, Rameez set out to transform how people buy and sell homes by removing the pain points and financial roadblocks that hold many back.
At the core of Zown’s model is a restructured commission system that offers buyers an upfront down payment boost — up to two per cent of the home purchase price — to help overcome financial barriers and compete in high-cost markets.
“In today’s market, the biggest barrier to homeownership isn’t the mortgage, it’s the down payment,” said Rameez. “Most middle-income earners are stuck paying someone else’s mortgage via monthly rent. At the same time, they earn too much to qualify for traditional assistance programs, but not enough to save for a down payment as home prices climb.
“That’s where Zown steps in. We’re setting a new standard for the industry by providing upfront, tangible support where buyers need it most, at the start of their journey. Our mission is to level the playing field with greater transparency, real financial help, and smarter tools, while delivering a seamless experience that’s empowering and unforgettable. Everyone deserves the opportunity to own a home, and Zown’s here to make that a reality.”
Benefits for all
From both a buyer’s and agent’s perspective, Zown is helping remove delays common with traditional one-agent models through its on-demand showing agents. Its statewide network of ‘showing agents’ provides flexible, on-demand home tours.
Further benefits for agents include the removal of the typical commission pressure that can rush clients through a transaction. Instead, agents are empowered to prioritise service over sales, providing honest, consistent support at every stage of the homebuying journey. Whether a client is ready to make an offer or just starting their search, Zown’s agents are incentivized to act as trusted partners, not salespeople.
“Buying a home is one of life’s biggest milestones, and you deserve an agent who sees you as more than just a transaction,” said Lisa Touney, lead real estate agent for Zown in California. “Zown’s technology was built to ensure fast, reliable, and human support every step of the way, so while Zown buyers of course praise the savings, just as regarded is the service they receive and the support they feel throughout the process. It’s proof that great service still matters, especially in a process as personal and complex as homebuying.”
Zown also provides agents a competitive advantage with proprietary, industry-leading tools. Its comprehensive listing platform goes beyond commonly used databases, consolidating data on commute times, school ratings, crime rates, and more, ultimately increasing the market insights and value agents deliver to clients. Moreover, with built-in access to real-time comparables, Zown agents are equipped to guide buyers and sellers through each transaction with confidence.
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