Overview
This project started as a roommate-matching app for post-college young adults moving into their first apartments. The original idea focused on lifestyle compatibility, verified profiles, and safer roommate discovery. But after interviewing users and going deeper into the design process, I realized the bigger problem was not just finding a roommate — it was trusting the entire rental process. That insight led me to pivot from roommate matching to Common Ground, a platform focused on rental verification and escrow-protected payments.
TIME
3 Weeks
YEAR
2026
ROLE
Developed initial concept
conducted user interviews
built prototype website for Common Ground
CLICK HERE FOR PROTOTYPE !!!!
Common Ground is a renter-side trust platform that helps people safely rent apartments they have not seen in person. It verifies landlords and listings, protects deposits through escrow, and only releases money once move-in is confirmed.
The trend it addresses is the rise of remote renting, rental scams, and the growing need for trust in online housing marketplaces. The mission is simple: no one should have to gamble on where they live or who they send money to.
What
Why + Who
Common Ground is compelling now because more renters are searching remotely, moving for jobs, and making housing decisions through online listings, DMs, and digital payments. Existing platforms mostly protect landlords by screening renters, but renters still need protection from fake listings, unverified landlords, and risky deposit payments.
Through interviews, I found that users wanted speed, safety, and confidence. The final concept became stronger because it moved beyond convenience and addressed a higher-stakes trust problem in the rental market.
The customer is a young renter, especially a recent college graduate or early-career professional moving to a new city. These renters often lack a local network, are under time pressure, and may be asked to send deposits before seeing a place in person.
Investor Feedback
I presented this project to judges who were venture capitalists, business owners, and investors. Their feedback pushed me to sharpen the business model, clarify the wedge, and explain why Common Ground could be defensible even if larger housing platforms entered the space. This helped reposition the idea from a general roommate app into a focused trust-and-payments layer for remote renting.
