HOME & REAL ESTATE

Rent with Perks

Bilt Mastercard

COST: $0

Credit card companies typically ofer points on purchases like gas and groceries, but the biggest expense for those who rent an apartment or home—the monthly rent payment—has historically been exempt. Bilt allows you to earn points on yours, up to $50,000 a year, which you can use toward flights, hotels, even SoulCycle classes. If you live in a city with high housing costs, those points can add up fast. (And you can redeem them for a plane ticket away from your overpriced studio.) Landlord won’t accept a credit card? Bilt can generate a check for you.

WHY IT’S A WINNER: The housing market is tough right now, with many people renting instead of buying, and rents are increasing. “This card came out at the perfect time to give money you’re already spending a second life,” Dahlby says.

Be Your Neighbor’s Self-Storage Neighbor

COST: 4.9 PERCENT FEE PLUS 30 CENTS PER RESERVATION FOR HOSTS; VARYING SERVICE FEE FOR RENTERS

Neighbor is a middleman app that helps people with too much stuf pay a small fee to other people who have unused space in spots like their basements, attics, or garages. Search by your location to see photos of spaces available near you, along with square footage and other details. Neighbor provides hosts with liability insurance, and renters can opt for a protection plan.

WHY IT’S A WINNER: One neighbor gets afordable storage; the other makes some cash. Everyone wins! And excuse us for being sentimental, but we love the potential for getting to know someone in your community. “It’s like Airbnb for your stuf,” Skye Kelly says.

Speed Up the Home-Buying Business

Opendoor Complete

COST: 5 PERCENT PER SALE

Moving is a slog for several reasons—and a big one is how stressful the process of home buying can be. Opendoor gives you an estimated value of your house and ofers to buy it on the spot (if it qualifies), enabling you to browse other houses (also on the app) while knowing your exact budget. When you want to make an ofer, Oppgp endoor again steps in as a financial backer, making your bid a more competitive, all-cash version, as long as you’re preapproved by your bank. (If there’s a problem after your ofer is accepted, Opendoor will buy the home and sell it back to you at the same price when you’re ready.) The goal is a seamless transition, with close dates that work for you.

WHY IT’S A WINNER: Opendoor, only available in 16 cities so far, is truly innovative in a business that can be slow and confusing. “When you’re buying a home, all the money moving around is anxietyinducing and overwhelming. This lessens that and makes it an easier process,” Weir says. Adds Tsoir: “It’s so helpful to have a support system when you’re buying and selling. This app may mean not having to live with your in-laws for weeks!”

Own a Vacation Home Without the Responsibility

Pacaso

COST: $0

Consider this an upgraded version of your grandparents’ time-share. Pacaso ofers co-ownership of second homes in swoon-worthy locations, like Nantucket,

Maui, and Aspen. You buy a share of a property along with other buyers as part of an LLC, and Pacaso manages it and sets parameters for high season and holidays, so you never have to duke it out with your co-owners over who stays when. After a year, if you aren’t happy, you can sell your share

WHY IT’S A WINNER: Pacaso is like owning a lake house with 17 of your cousins, if you never had to fight with them. “This is a game-changing idea that’s already starting to revolutionize the vacation home market,” Sabatier says. “Fractional home ownership is the future.”

Get Rewarded for Paying Rent on Time

Piñata

COST: $0

Would you occasionally like a gold star for adulting? Pay your rent on time every month, and you get points to spend with Piñata’s partners, including Amazon, Task Rabbit, Starbucks, and the Container Store. How does Piñata know if you hit the mark? You set the due date in the app and link your bank account to verify that the payment was made. What’s more: You can choose to have your payments reported to a credit bureau to boost your credit score. And as if that weren’t enough: Piñata donates a meal to someone in need for every rent payment made.

WHY IT’S A WINNER: “If you have trouble remembering to pay your rent on time or are a first-time renter getting the hang of it, this is a very cool idea. It’s a win-win for renters and landlords,” Dahlby says.