Opendoor and Birdie Address Home Buying Stress with New Cash Registry

The platform offers flexible funds for down payments, renovations, and more to ease financial burdens for home buyers

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Opendoor, the largest digital platform for residential real estate, and Birdie, industry-leading cash gifting platform, have launched the Opendoor Cash Registry: A way for homebuyers to create home cash funds for a variety of life transitions and moving needs.

Opendoor data reveals that 81% of current and prospective homeowners cite buying a home as their most stressful financial burden, and 32% of first-time homebuyers say they're delaying their home purchase until interest rates go down. Whether the home purchase motivations are internal or external, it's clear that buying a home is increasingly difficult. As a result, a rising number of Americans are turning to alternative venues like cash registries for major life milestones — including home payment assistance.

Developed in partnership with Birdie, the Opendoor Cash Registry allows consumers to request home cash funds to support with major home financial needs — from buying a first home to upsizing to accommodate a growing family. At launch, the four cash registries for homeowners include:

• First Home Fund: For first-time homebuyers navigating limited housing inventory, rising interest rates, and increased competition, asking for financial support on a down payment can make the process just a bit easier.
• Home Improvement Fund: Opendoor data shows buyers are most impressed by updated kitchens and bathrooms. For those looking to make upgrades in their own homes, Opendoor encourages them to ask for help using this fund.
• Room to Grow Fund: As families prepare to welcome new additions, many find their current homes no longer fit their growing needs. This fund is ideal for anyone looking to upgrade to a bigger space, create a nursery, childproof a home, or even upgrade to a bigger yard for pet needs.
• Work from Home Fund: For those working remotely or in hybrid work set-ups, turning part of their home into an office can feel like a major financial hurdle. This fund can help take the pressure off.

To use the Opendoor Cash Registry, users can select pre-set milestone registries or create their own in minutes, and then send their personalized registry link out to friends and loved ones. Registries are commonly linked on wedding invitations and are user-friendly for giftees. Registry owners can seamlessly transfer their cash gifts directly into their bank accounts via ACH.

"At Opendoor, we're all about simplifying consumers' lives," says Lauren West, Head of Creative Marketing at Opendoor. "By using technology to modernize the real estate process, we can help more consumers achieve their homeownership aspirations. Our Opendoor Cash Registry, created in partnership with the registry experts at Birdie, helps empower buyers to ask for financial support — whether they're expanding their family and looking to upsize or purchasing their very first home. Home cash funds and registries are here to stay."

The Opendoor Cash Registry is part of our broader strategy to build a fully integrated, tech‑enabled platform that supports customers at every stage of their home journey — from planning and financing to buying, selling, and beyond — helping us reach more buyers and keep them engaged with Opendoor over time.

"We're excited to partner with Opendoor to help bring their bold vision to life," said Candace and Andrew Ravan, Co-Founders of Birdie. "The data is clear—today's consumers overwhelmingly prefer cash gifts to fund major life goals like buying a home. Opendoor is a category leader with a track record of innovation, and we're proud to power this next-generation registry experience alongside them."

Those looking to make their next move can visit the Opendoor Cash Registry to learn more.

About Opendoor:
Opendoor's purpose is to power life's progress, one move at a time. Since 2014, Opendoor has provided people across the U.S. with a simple way to buy and sell a home. Opendoor currently operates in a growing number of markets nationwide. Visit opendoor.com for more information.

About Birdie:
Birdie is a financial technology company that partners with iconic brands and platforms to provide bespoke, integrated cash gifting experiences. As the leader in cash gifting solutions, Birdie enables users to send cash gifts and create personalized cash registries for life's major milestones—weddings, birthdays, baby showers, and more. Whether it's funding a honeymoon, supporting a dream project, or celebrating a loved one with a thoughtful gift, Birdie makes gifting meaningful and simple.

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SOURCE Opendoor