Foyer Home Savings Review: The 401(k) For Home Ownership

Foyer Home Savings is a new savings platform that is trying to help people save for a down payment on a home. If you’re like many young adults, you’re probably wondering how on earth you’ll ever be able to save up enough money, and Foyer helps with that.

Dubbed the ‘401(k) for homeownership’, Foyer Home Savings offers a high-yield savings account for you to park your cash in as you save up for a down payment on your first home. Just like a retirement 401(k), Foyer Home Savings offers savers a match on their savings to encourage them to save more.

This article will dive into what Foyer Home Savings is, how you can use it if you’re a first-time home buyer, and whether or not it’s the right tool for you.

What Is Foyer Home Savings?

Foyer Home Savings is an app-based high-yield savings account designed to help first-time homebuyers save up to purchase their first home. The First Time Homebuyer Savings Account offers customers a 4.51% APY and a 2% match on deposits up to $10,000 per year.  

The company was founded by Landy Liu in 2022. The idea behind the app is to help homebuyers achieve their dream of owning a home as housing affordability continues to be a crisis for young people. This came from Liu’s own experience trying to purchase a home when rising interest rates kept making it feel like it was impossible to do so.

One feature that sets Foyer Home Savings apart from other savings platforms is that it treats saving for a home like other major financial goals, such as saving for retirement. Foyer offers users a 2% match on deposits up to the first $10,000 each year. Its accounts also come with tax benefits in eligible states.

Foyer also provides educational resources to help first-time homebuyers budget for costs associated with home ownership. This includes other expenses that accompany the down payment – like closing costs – and understanding how a mortgage works.

What Does It Offer?

Foyer Home Savings offers a high-yield savings account with 4.51% APY that’s designed for first-time homebuyers. It also provides a match, which is unheard of in a savings account. Foyer will give you a 2% match on deposits up to $10,000 per year.

It also offers educational resources to help homebuyers develop a budget and plan to navigate the homebuying process.

First Time Homebuyer Savings Account

The First Time Homebuyer Savings Account is Foyer’s flagship account offering. It comes with 4.51% APY and is designed to help customers save up to buy their first home. Foyer provides savers with a 2% match on deposits up to $10,000 per year.

The account comes with some tax benefits in eligible states including opportunities for deductions and tax-free growth, depending on where you’re located. Accounts can be used for a number of expenses related to purchasing a home such as the down payment or a home inspection.

Note: Tax benefits are currently only available in Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, and Virginia. 

In addition to the ability to save for a down payment much faster than a traditional savings account, First Time Homebuyer Savings Account holders are connected with real estate experts and local agents to help them through the home buying process. This is designed to reduce some of the friction – and unexpected costs – that can come with buying your first home.

Foyer’s accounts are FDIC insured up to $250,000 through Pacific West Bank.

Related: Mortgage Calculator: How Much House Can I Afford?

Partnerships With Real Estate Companies

Given that Foyer is geared towards homebuyers, they have unique integrations with real estate partners that also provide additional savings, including:

• Discounts on closing costs
• Better mortgage rates
• Lower cost agent fees

For example, Foyer has partnered with Rocket Mortgage and all account holders receive a $1,500 credit towards their future home mortgage. That also have 20+ national and local real estate brands that offer exclusive deals to Foyer customers!

Are There Any Fees?

Foyer does not have a monthly service fee. They do charge a $10 outbound wire fee, similar to most banks. 

How Does Foyer Home Savings Compare?

Foyer Home Savings is a high-yield savings platform designed for first-time homebuyers. It can be a good option if you need support buying your first home or are looking to benefit from Foyer’s match.

Its APY is competitive, but it isn’t the highest available. See how Foyer compares to the top online savings accounts here.

How Do I Open An Account?

There is no minimum deposit required to open an account with Foyer Home Savings. Go to the Foyer Home Savings website and click ‘Get Started’ to set up an account. Provide your email address, phone number, and create a password to log in.

Once you’ve set up your login, you may be required to verify your identity with a government-issued ID. You may also need to connect an external bank account to fund your Foyer Home Savings account.

Related: First Time Home Buying 101

Is It Safe And Secure?

Foyer Home Savings is FDIC-insured through Pacific West Bank. In the event of insolvency, the FDIC will step in and cover your account up to $250,000.

How Do I Contact Foyer Home Savings?

Foyer Home Savings doesn’t provide a customer service number or contact information on their website. The best way to contact them is through a direct message via their app or on one of their social media channels.

Non-members can reach out to [email protected] or through any of their social media accounts. 

Customer Service

The Foyer Home Savings app has a 5-star review on both Apple and the Google Play Store.

Is It Worth It?

Foyer Home Savings might be worth it for those in a specific situation, especially if you’re struggling to save enough money to purchase your first home. The savings match, possibility of receiving tax benefits, and access to real estate professionals can help streamline the homebuying process. But you don't necessarily need this account to receive any of those benefits.

However, if you're shopping for a savings account on interest rate alone, you would be better off using a traditional high-yield savings account. You can earn a higher interest rate that what Foyer offers.

Foyer Home Savings Features