Failed 2024

    EasyKnock

    Sale-leaseback for homeowners sounds innovative but faces consumer protection scrutiny and housing market volatility.

    Founded → Closed

    2016 → 2024

    Funding Raised

    $455M

    Industry

    Real Estate/Fintech

    Country

    USA

    IdeaProof AI Failure Score

    70/100
    Market Fit RiskBurn Rate RiskFounder Risk
    Market Fit Risk
    45
    Burn Rate Risk
    80
    Founder Risk
    35

    Full Analysis

    EasyKnock offered homeowners a sale-leaseback arrangement: sell your home to EasyKnock, stay as a renter, and buy it back later. As interest rates spiked in 2022-2023, the model collapsed. Home values in some markets declined, reducing EasyKnock's collateral value. Consumer advocates raised concerns about predatory practices. The company shut down in 2024 after burning through $455M.

    Could This Failure Have Been Prevented?

    IdeaProof's AI validates market demand, competitive positioning, and business model viability in minutes — catching the exact issues that sank EasyKnock.