Purplebricks’ US boss seeks UK backing for new online agency

Former Purplebricks US chief executive officer Eric Eckardt is seeking some £6m in funding from across the world for his latest online agency project. 

It is Dwellowner, a licensed real estate brokerage in California, New York state, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Florida.

Dwellowner was started by Eckardt in 2012 but he then took time out to work on Purplebricks and other projects; he has now returned to Dwellowner.

An online description of it says: “At Dwellowner, we provide a full service multi-listing service offering for a total commission as low as 2% - great value and service, providing a viable alternative. By not having traditional brick and mortar expense (think Amazon. . .) we can pass significant cost savings on to you, the consumer while streamlining some of the processes with a local real estate professional.” 

On an investor section of its website it says: "Dwellowner is a tech-enabled full service licensed real estate brokerage that provides consumers with a viable alternative to sell their home, saving thousands in commission versus a traditional model. We are creating a one stop shop for all services home buyers and sellers need while making the process more transparent, efficient and cost effective."

Sources from the US have told Estate Agent Today that a number of former Purplebricks US leadership team individuals have joined with Eckardt, who is listed as founder and chief executive of the new service.

The new investment is being sought via Blockchain-enabled tokens which can be purchased worldwide in different currencies, with Eckardt hoping for UK and other international investors to participate. 

Dwellowner says: "Up to $7m tokens offered divided into 7,000,000 units with a nominal value of $1 each. The dwellowner token will represents preferred stock in Dwellowner Inc., a New York corporation. 1 token = 1 class B share.  These digitally formatted securities are backed by equity."  

The additional funding is sought to allow the service to expand into Arizona and New Jersey.

On the Dwellowner site Eckardt is described thus: “In 2019, he exited his role from a UK influenced brokerage to assemble a world-class team and relaunch dwellowner in the US with complete autonomy to drive innovation with a commitment to building a more convenient, transparent and cost effective real estate solution for the consumer.”

You can see more about Dwellowner here and details of its Blockchain investment approach here.