Why I built Veto
“I built Veto because buying or renting a home is one of the most expensive things most of us ever do, and we do it with half the picture.”
Before I started, I didn't even know what information existed. Building this taught me that there's a huge amount out there that matters when you're choosing a home, and most people have no idea they can get hold of it. It's spread across lots of different places, it's slow to find, and on its own it doesn't tell you much.
That's the whole idea. A collection of facts isn't useful. What's useful is one clear report that pulls it together, sets it against your household and your life, and tells you what it means. Veto is built to be readable, to be understandable, and to give you something you can act on. Nobody wants buyer's remorse on a house.
It matters most when you're moving a long way, for work, for family or for university, and can't just pop round and look. You want to know what's under the hood.
I should say something about estate agents, because they're not the villains here. They do a great job, and we all rely on them. An agent works for the seller, and their job is to sell the property. It isn't their job to tell you the local school's Ofsted rating or how far the nearest GP is. Veto fills that gap for the buyer, so you can decide with your eyes open.
The same gap exists for agents, and I think Veto can help them too. A report gives an agent solid answers when a seller asks about the area, and better material for a listing. It also helps them steer a buyer to the right home: “This one suits you better. There's a doctor and a bus route close by, and the schools are better rated.” A buyer who is matched well is a buyer who completes. There's room here to help both sides of the deal.
It's not a substitute for standing on the street and looking around. Nothing is. But it should give you the confidence that you've done your research before you commit.
I kept the price low on purpose. There are other tools out there, and I'm happy to talk about them, but I think we explain things better: clearly, and in a way that relates to you.
I hope you enjoy it, and I hope it's useful. If it helps one person make a better choice on one of the biggest commitments of their life, I'll call that a job well done.
Lee Walker
