Local experts from The Keyes Company and startup Nestment launch full-service accelerator to guide first-
time buyers with hands-on support and tech-powered tools.
MIAMI, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As housing affordability hits generational lows and the average age of a first-time buyer reaches 38, Nestment and The Keyes Company (Keyes) are teaming up to bring a new solution to Florida. NestGen, a proven, free 5-week homebuying accelerator launched by Nestment, expands to the Sunshine State in its first-ever full-service regional partnership, with Keyes bringing its generations of local knowledge and entire Family of Services to help. As one of the fastest-growing consumer real estate start-ups, over 82% of Nestment customers are first-time homeowners, and 64% of Nestment customers come from communities of color or first-generation immigrants.
The program, now accepting applications, begins May 21 for first-time Florida buyers who have considered purchasing in the near future. Participants will gain a 360-degree education in the homebuying process, from how much they should budget to creative buying strategies. Keyes experts in insurance, mortgage, property management and title will be available to participants for personal guidance throughout, helping attendees navigate the process with clarity and confidence.
“Buying a home in Florida is more challenging than ever—especially for young and first-time buyers,” said Christina Pappas, President of The Keyes Company. “NestGen creates a space where buyers don’t have to figure it out alone, with partners who are dedicated to helping them get into a home that works for them to start building generational wealth. With our team having helped people navigate Florida real estate for nearly a century, and Nestment mission-driven to unlock ownership for more folks, participants will get honest answers, expert insight, and a personal path forward.”
The need for programs like NestGen is especially urgent in Florida, where housing costs have far outpaced wages. The median home price a typical Floridian could afford dropped from $267,600 in 2017 to $238,800 in 2021, even as prices continued to rise. Florida ranks 21st in housing affordability and has one of the lowest shares of home purchase loans taken out by millennials in the U.S. At the same time, cities like Miami and Orlando are among the top 10 fastest-growing real estate markets in the country, driven by strong employment, cultural appeal, and continued in-migration.
NestGen aims to meet buyers where they are, whether they’re exploring co-buying with family, using rental income to offset mortgage costs, or relocating to more affordable areas across the state.
How It Works
The NestGen Florida program features weekly sessions led by Keyes and Nestment experts. Participants will:
- Learn what they need to get pre-approved for a mortgage
- Learn how to build a trusted team of agents, lenders, and insurance providers
- Analyze real properties and financial projections
- Explore affordability strategies like house hacking, co-buying, and rentvesting
- Understand property management and long-term ownership responsibilities
Some participants will be eligible for up to $25k in support toward their home purchase.
“We’ve always believed in the power of homeownership to create generational wealth,” said Niles Lichtenstein, CEO of Nestment. “In Florida, where affordability is a daily challenge, this partnership with Keyes brings buyers the support they need—across every piece of the puzzle, and every neighborhood in the state.”
Applications for the Florida NestGen program are open until May 19, 2025. The program officially begins May 21.
About Nestment
Nestment is a real estate platform helping the next generation of Americans achieve homeownership through accessible, creative pathways and wealth-building strategies. Their platform and dedicated one-on-one guidance make it easy for first-time buyers to purchase real estate, and a thoughtful partner ecosystem augmented by extensive educational resources supports them along the way. Nestment was founded in 2021 by Niles Lichtenstein, Mark DeMitchell and Rob Zimmerman. Nestment is backed by leading venture investors, including Protofund, Derive Ventures, The MBA Fund, and mission-aligned funds such as Vamos Ventures, Westbound Equity, and IDEA Fund Partners. Read more about how Nestment is revolutionizing the future of homeownership at https://www.nestment.com/.
About The Keyes Company
Independently owned and operated since 1926, The Keyes Company is a leader in the real estate industry. The Keyes Family of Companies, along with its network of partner brokerages comprises 50 offices, more than 4,000 Associates and closed over $9.5 billion in annual real estate sales and services in 2024. Keyes’ offices are distributed throughout eight counties – Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Volusia, Sarasota, and Lee. Keyes expands our Associates’ reach globally as a Founding Member and Shareholder of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, the world’s largest network of independent brokerages, and Member of the exclusive Forbes Global Properties network. The Keyes Company offers a suite of resources to cover whatever needs arise while buying or selling a home. Mortgage, title, insurance and property management needs are all managed in-house, allowing Keyes Realtors® to close deals with speed and efficiency while giving clients valuable access to the professionals responsible for the specific service lines.
Press Contact:
Juliette Wheeler, The Key PR, nestment@thekeypr.com
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SOURCE Nestment
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