Help the Byrd's Revolutionize Home Buying

TL;DR:

Zanago, the social impact tech company founded by Louis and Arlene Byrd, seeks support to overcome financial challenges as they strive to revolutionize the home buying process with its platform, Kataba. Join their fundraising campaign to help them empower first-time homebuyers and bring transparency to the real estate industry.

Hey everyone, I'm Louis Byrd, Founder, and Chief Visionary Officer of Zanago !

Let me share a personal story with you...

We fell in love with a stunning 125-year-old brick property in the vibrant Key Coalition neighborhood of Midtown Kansas City. The house had undergone an impressive renovation, boasting updated electrical, new plumbing, a revamped kitchen, fresh paint, and even a brand-new HVAC system and roof. We were captivated by its natural light and old-fashioned charm and excitedly made an offer. Surprisingly, the seller accepted, and we were thrilled!

(Image of our house and description of the property from Redfin)

We took every step responsible home buyers should take…walk the house, review the seller's disclosure, check county records, and invest in multiple inspections. Even HUD came out and inspected because we got an FHA loan. Everything checked out!

Little did we know that two weeks after closing, a small bathroom leak would quickly spiral into a major problem.

(The crack in the galvanized waste line))

(The damage created by the crack in the galvanized waste line)

In just four months of owning our dream home, we drowned in over $10,000.00 of debt, depleting our cash reserves. We later learned that everyone the seller hired to work on the property was unlicensed. Sadly, we soon discovered that our experience was not unique.

After talking with other homeowners and real estate investors, we heard all types of horror stories about so-called 'lemon houses.'

Oh…did I mention, this was our second-ever home purchase!

We often hear that “Homeownership is the American Dream,” but we faced a series of challenges that turned our “dream” into a nightmare.

Our experiences in the real estate world, from buying our first home to dealing with predatory lending practices and mishandled escrow by loan servicers (currently tangled in a lawsuit with PennyMac Loan Servicing), were riddled with costly renovations, unreliable contractors, inspections, warranty issues, insurance claims, encounters with both good and bad realtors, lawsuits, lien disputes, and the simultaneous buying and selling of properties.

We faced every possible obstacle!

Through this chaotic process, we realized the harsh truth: the real estate industry lacks proper safeguards for newcomers like us. As a family, we endured immense stress and trauma during our first and second home experiences. However, amidst the chaos, we discovered not only a purpose but our purpose. We are determined to prevent other families from enduring the same hardships we faced.

Now, we are at a pivotal moment, ready to reshape the real estate industry. Fueled by our hardened experience and a burning passion, together with my amazing wife, Arlene Byrd, we founded Zanago , a social impact tech company with a mission to make homebuying more equitable and transparent.

Our flagship product, Kataba , is a groundbreaking platform that empowers first-time homebuyers to steer clear of those costly hidden repairs that can turn a dream home into a financial nightmare. Imagine Carfax but for Houses!

Our mission goes beyond personal gain; it is driven by a sincere desire to create a brighter future for everyone aspiring to own a home.

From the depths of this frustrating and financially draining ordeal, the Kataba platform was born. We are not merely a group of individuals with an idea; we are a husband and wife who deeply care for our two young boys and wish we had something in place that would have protected us from the goblins and ghouls running rampant in real estate.

Our determination to shield other families from enduring the same hardships we faced drives us forward. However, our journey doesn't end there. To continue making a difference, we rely on the support of our community.

Even though many venture capital investors have told us this is a great idea and unique use case in real estate, our venture is too early, and we don’t have enough traction for their investment at this time; well, at least, that’s what many have told us...

(The look Arlene and I give each other when a VC investor says they love our idea, but can't invest because we are too early)

That said, we've poured everything into this business because we know it is needed, but we are currently financially maxed.

I admit that it is tough for us to ask for support from our community in this manner, but in times like these, my good friend reminded me there is no shame in asking for help. So here we are, reaching out to our incredible community for support.

We need your help!

Our ambitious goal is to raise $55,547.00, a crucial stepping stone for the next four months of our journey to complete Kataba.

While this amount represents only a fraction of the total funding needed for our venture, it holds tremendous significance. With this funding, we can accomplish key milestones, such as finishing our minimum viable product (MVP), launching the platform into the market, and gaining the traction necessary to secure additional funding.

The Funds received will go towards the following:

By supporting us with these funds, you will provide the operating capital that is essential for us to remain dedicated to developing and delivering this transformative application.

Let's pave the way for a future where the home-buying process is transparent, secure, and empowering.

A donation of $20 will go a long way, but any amount you are willing to contribute will be helpful. If you can't contribute monetarily, sharing this GoFundMe with your network is just as important and impactful!

Join us on this exciting journey and be a catalyst for positive change in the real estate industry!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

Louis, Arlene, Quinn, and Zailand, better known as THE BYRD FAMILY a.k.a TEAM ZANAGO!