A new start-up is looking to help homeowners who need cash from having to sell their homes. EasyKnock will buy a house, pay off the mortgage, and essentially lease it back to the previous owner at the market rate. CEO Jarred Kessler said the company's new round of financing will help it buy more homes and expand its marketing efforts.

*By Bridgette Webb*

Real estate start-up EasyKnock recently closed a $3.5 million dollar funding round. 

Founder and CEO Jarred Kessler said Monday in an interview on Cheddar knows what he'll do with that cash.

"We are looking to increase our marketing and our head count and our technology offerings," Kessler said.

The company is also planning to partner with mortgage lenders to pay a referral fee for rejected customers.

EasyKnock buys homes and leases them back to the previous owner at the market rate. That way, a customer can refinance or liquidate, and the company has a reliable tenant ー and a source of revenue. The homeowner maintains the option to purchase his or her home back.

The company currently operates in five states: Texas, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina. 

For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/easyknock-lands-3-5-million). 