Live Near Friends

Buy or build homes next to friends & family

Now the people you'd choose to be your neighbors can actually become them.

Turn the fantasy into reality

Seattle, WA

Triplex

Grandma gets the first floor. Mom gets the second. The third is all yours.

Oakland, CA

Side-by-side duplex

Your morning coffee: now served with a side of BFF on your front porch.

San Mateo, CA

Compound

The privacy of your own home. The shared backyard of your compound dreams.

Two paths to living near friends

Pick the one that fits your timeline and ambition.

Path 1

Move-in ready properties

Explore curated properties on our platform, then work with a Live Near Friends specialist agent to purchase. Our specialist agents handle the details others can't.

Effort level: Medium
Time required: 3-6 months
Available in: Bay Area, LA, Seattle

Path 2

Build a custom compound

Turn an underused lot into a custom-built compound. End-to-end assistance on site selection, zoning, finance, and design.

Effort level: High
Time required: 1-3 years
Available in: Bay Area

Coming soon: Austin, Washington, D.C.

The best way to get started

Book a free 15 minute consultation. A Live Near Friends expert can:

  1. Clarify your goals
  2. Explain common financing and legal options
  3. Share advice for getting friends and family on board

The inspiration: Radish in Oakland

Live Near Friends founder Phil Levin and his wife Kristen bought a property in 2018. What started as 7 friends has grown into 20 friends spread across 6 neighboring buildings and 8 kids.

How it works

Get inspired

Explore curated properties perfect for living next to friends & family

Book a 15-minute consultation

Chat with a Live Near Friends advisor to clarify your goals, budget, and next steps.

Find and buy your compound

Buy your home with a Live Near Friends specialist real estate agent.

Make your home your own

Use our end-to-end services to build additional homes or renovate existing ones.

We design the relationship, not just the buildings

What happens when one family wants to sell in 5 years? How do you split shared spaces? Who decides on renovations? We plan for all of this on day one — so your compound is built on solid ground, socially and legally.

Curated "multiplayer" housing

No digging required.

Our team handpicks ideal properties for friends-and-family living.

Ready-made properties

Properties for sale right now in our featured cities.

San Francisco, CA

Duplex: 5 bed / 3 bath

Bay Area, CA

3-unit compound: 6 bed / 5 bath

Seattle, WA

Duplex: 4 bed / 5 bath

Seattle, WA

Home with JDU: 4 bed / 5 bath

Custom-built

Properties with the right bones for a compound conversion.

El Cerrito, CA

3 homes · $3.6M

Burlingame, CA

6 homes · $8.2M

Mountain View, CA

5 homes · $6.6M

San Mateo, CA

4 homes · $6.5M

Success stories

Dive into the daily lives of folks who moved near their friends in our latest collection of case studies. Learn how they chose their homes and neighborhoods, and hear their stories of spontaneity and support.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to live near friends?

Living near friends means intentionally buying homes or units close to one another—often on the same property—so you can share daily life while maintaining private space.

What is a family compound?

A family compound is a property with multiple homes or units that allow extended family members to live independently while staying close together.

Can you get a mortgage with friends?

Yes. Many lenders allow multiple individuals on a mortgage, though they might be required to meet credit score, income, or other requirements.

How much does it cost to work with Live Near Friends?

Live Near Friends typically earns compensation through standard real estate transaction commissions, similar to traditional buyer representation.

What types of properties are best for living with friends?

The most common property types include:

Why choose Live Near Friends instead of a traditional real estate agent?

Traditional agents typically focus on one buyer or household at a time. Live Near Friends' network of expert real estate agents specializes in multi-party purchases and intentional proximity living.