STARTUP STORY
REVOLUTIONISING HOME OWNERSHIP THROUGH COMMUNITY
In an era where home ownership feels increasingly out of reach for many, innovative solutions are emerging to bridge the gap. We sat down with Vic Anderson, the Founder of House Hounds, a startup that's reimagining the path to property ownership through collaborative housing solutions.
What was the personal journey that led you to create House Hounds?
"My path to founding House Hounds was shaped by both personal experience and market observation," Vic explains. "As a business analyst in IT for over a decade, I've always been attuned to identifying systemic problems and creating solutions. When I bought my first apartment in 2018, I experienced firsthand the challenges that singles face in the housing market. More recently, I have been seeing headlines about people struggling with housing costs, cancelling essential insurance, and carrying student debt into retirement. It became clear that the traditional model of home ownership wasn't serving everyone equally."
"Having validation is one thing, but knowing how to move forward is another entirely. I realised I needed guidance from someone who had navigated these waters before."
How does House Hounds address these challenges?
"At its core, House Hounds is a community-driven platform that connects like-minded individuals who want to share the journey of home ownership. We're not just matching roommates; we're facilitating co-ownership opportunities. Our members can halve their housing-related expenses - from mortgages to utilities - while building equity in a property. It's about making home ownership accessible and sustainable. Like many founders, I started with market research. The response was encouraging - about 80% positive feedback. But that's when I hit my first roadblock. Having validation is one thing, but knowing how to move forward is another entirely. I realised I needed guidance from someone who had navigated these waters before."
Did this lead you to seek startup coaching?
"Absolutely. I reached out to Startup Aotearoa, which connected me with my coach, Joe from Creative HQ. It was a pivotal moment. We've had about four or five sessions, and each one has been invaluable. Joe doesn't just offer advice; he helps me think through challenges strategically. He even connected me with Jono, an accountant who understands startup finances. These connections are gold when you're building something new."
What have been some of the biggest hurdles in bringing House Hounds to life?
"Building partnerships has been challenging. We need relationships with mortgage advisors, building inspectors, and other service providers to create a comprehensive solution. Some potential partners have been hesitant, perhaps because our model is different from traditional real estate services.
We've also had to address misconceptions. Some people are naturally cautious about co-ownership with strangers. Others assumed we were trying to take a cut from house prices or manage properties directly. Clear communication about our model and values has been crucial."
What's next for House Hounds?
"We're currently developing our member portal, which will be the heart of our community. But beyond the technology, we're focused on building trust and understanding. Each successful co-ownership arrangement we facilitate will demonstrate the viability of our model.
Our vision extends beyond just connecting people. We want to transform how society thinks about home ownership. If we can help thousands of people save hundreds of thousands over the life of their home loans, that's not just a business success - it's a social impact."
"We want to transform how society thinks about home ownership. If we can help thousands of people save hundreds of thousands over the life of their home loans, that's not just a business success - it's a social impact."
What advice would you give to other founders starting their journey?
- "Seek guidance early. Even with market validation, having a mentor or coach can be the difference between an idea and a viable business."
- "Be prepared to educate your market. If your solution is innovative, you'll need to help people understand it."
- "Build a support network. From coaches to accountants, having the right people around you is crucial."
- "Stay focused on the problem you're solving. It's easy to get distracted by challenges, but remembering why you started helps maintain direction."