Selling a home is one of the most stressful life events, often compounded by existing financial strain and/or the financial pressure of needing to make pre-sale repairs. Many homeowners, especially those downsizing, relocating, or inheriting a property, are “asset rich but cash poor,” making them a target for lowball cash offers that force them to sacrifice tens of thousands in equity for the sake of a quick, “as-is” sale.
A new Southwest Michigan company, EZE (“Easy”), is challenging this predatory model with an innovative “white-glove” service designed to protect homeowners’ equity. By both funding and coordinating repairs, staging, and moving, EZE empowers homeowners to sell on the open market for top dollar. We spoke with Ryan Miersma, founder and president of EZE, to understand how this new “Home Sale Concierge” model works.
Q: Your service, EZE, was created to fix the traditional home sale model. What specific problems did you see in the market that inspired you to launch this company?
Ryan Miersma: After years in real estate, I noticed that too many good homeowners were getting squeezed by a system that wasn’t built to protect them. If you’re relocating, downsizing, or managing an inherited property, you’re often sitting on significant equity but can’t access it without selling first — and that’s exactly when cash buyers show up offering quick closings at steep discounts.
At EZE, we saw that what many homeowners really needed wasn’t a handout or a “fast cash” deal — they needed access to their equity and help finding and coordinating resources. We built a system to fund, manage, and streamline that process so sellers can move forward without sacrificing tens of thousands of dollars in equity.
Q: Many homeowners accept low-ball cash offers because they can’t afford pre-sale repairs. How does your “white-glove” service directly solve this “asset rich, cash poor” problem?
Ryan Miersma: That’s exactly the gap EZE fills. We step in as a partner — not a buyer — and front the costs for everything needed to get the home sold for full market value: repairs, painting, flooring, cleaning, landscaping, staging, even moving and storage. In fact, we go beyond that and can catch up a mortgage if the homeowner is behind on payments and/or facing foreclosure and cover monthly housing costs. We have even provided monthly cost of living support to cover needed expenses beyond housing where we have had clients who have experienced a temporary loss of income. Our team coordinates contractors and service providers, manages the timeline, and keeps the homeowner informed the entire way.
There’s no payment until closing, so the homeowner can move forward without taking on new debt or draining savings. It’s designed to remove the financial barrier that traps people in their homes or forces them into predatory cash deals.
Q: Can you walk us through the process for a client? What does the “Home Sale Concierge” actually manage, and when does the homeowner pay for the services?
Ryan Miersma: The process starts with a free consultation where we evaluate the home’s current condition as well as the homeowner’s situation and goals. If it’s a fit, we engage a realtor to obtain their opinion on needed project work along with a property evaluation. From there we create a view to the estimated range of outcomes for the homeowner based on the scope fo services we are providing — so that they can have a good idea as to what to expect when all is said and done. From there, we pay bills, providing funding, and coordinate everything from repairs and cleaning to curb appeal upgrades or staging.
Once ready, we work as a team with the homeowner and realtor to navigate the home sale and help address items that may come up such as a repair requirement during the inspection process. When the home sells on the open market, reimbursement along with our service fee are simply settled from the proceeds at closing. Until that point, the homeowner pays nothing out of pocket. It’s transparent, simple, and designed to keep the seller’s best interests front and center.
Q: The article mentions a “transparent and affordable fee structure”. How does this differ from a traditional 6% real estate commission, and how much equity are you helping clients preserve?
Ryan Miersma: Traditional commissions are based on a percentage of the sale price — often 6% split between agents — and that’s before factoring in repair costs, holding costs, and closing fees.
We charge a modest flat service fee starting around 3%, plus a small monthly operations fee during our service period. Because we fund the work up front and only get paid when the home sells, our incentives are fully aligned with the homeowner’s success.
In many cases, our clients walk away with $30,000 or more than they would have through an as-is cash sale — sometimes even more. Jody, as an example, was about one month away from losing her home and walking away with nothing. We provided immediate relief, helped her prepare her home for sale, and coordinated the sale with her and a wonderful realtor. At the closing she walked away with a check for over $70,000. We’re not buying homes at a discount; we’re helping homeowners unlock their full equity potential.
Q: You’re focusing specifically on Southwest Michigan homeowners in areas like Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Battle Creek. Why is this service so crucial for this community right now?
Ryan Miersma: Southwest Michigan has a high percentage of long-time homeowners and retirees who’ve built substantial equity but live on fixed incomes. Many also own older homes that need updates to attract today’s buyers — and that’s a tough position to be in without liquid cash.
At the same time, the local market has been flooded with investors and “cash-for-homes” companies preying on that very vulnerability. We’re here to offer an honest, local alternative — one that keeps profits in the community, employs local contractors, and helps residents transition to their next chapter with dignity and confidence.
EZE was founded here, serves here, and is committed to helping our neighbors protect their legacy — not sell it off for convenience.
The insights from Ryan Miersma point to a significant flaw in the traditional real estate market: a lack of support for homeowners in transition. By stepping in to fund and manage pre-sale preparations, EZE provides a powerful alternative to predatory cash buyers, allowing families to unlock the full financial potential of their greatest asset. This model not only saves homeowners from foreclosure or low-ball offers but has been shown to net them much more than they would have otherwise received.
EZE’s approach is a clear solution for those who need the speed of a cash sale but want the financial outcome of a market-ready listing. By providing a tailored-to-you , white-glove service, the company is providing a clear path for Southwest Michigan residents to sell their homes faster and with far more financial confidence.
To learn more, visit https://eze4u.net.
