For most homebuyers, purchasing a house means taking on a mortgage that can last decades. For one Boston couple, their $1.32 million home purchase came with an unexpected perk: enough rewards points to help fund a luxury family vacation across the Seychelles, Kenya, and France.
Ngan, a registered nurse, and her husband Connor, a physician, used 880,000 RBN Rewards points earned through their real estate transaction to help pay for the trip. Their vacation included a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island, where the family enjoyed the secluded setting of the private island.
The couple had recently moved back to the Boston area after the birth of their son, hoping to be closer to family. Their plans to purchase a home became more urgent after a house fire accelerated their need to find a new property.
While researching ways to get additional value from the transaction, Connor discovered RBN Rewards, a real estate platform that allows buyers and sellers to earn points through qualifying property transactions.
The couple signed up online and were matched with vetted local real estate agents through the RBN network. They ultimately purchased a $1.32 million property in Stoneham, Massachusetts, generating 880,000 RBN Rewards points.
Those points helped transform the stressful process of buying a home into a family vacation. Their itinerary included the Seychelles as well as stopovers in Kenya and France.
At Desroches Island, the family spent several days exploring the private island, biking between remote beaches and visiting a tortoise sanctuary with their young son. The trip also coincided with his birthday, and the resort surprised him with a birthday cake.
The Seychelles proved to be a particular highlight for Ngan, who described the destination as a true paradise. The family also appreciated the privacy of the island and the opportunity to enjoy the surroundings together.
Beyond the travel rewards, Ngan said the real estate platform helped simplify another complicated part of purchasing a home: finding the right agent. RBN matched the couple with Guy Coltaldi, a participating agent ranked among the top 2% of real estate professionals worldwide.
RBN Rewards allows points earned through qualifying real estate transactions to be redeemed for travel, luxury experiences and other lifestyle benefits. The company also offers a concierge service for travel planning and booking.
The rewards can transfer at a 1:1 ratio to Virgin Red and provide access to a range of airline, hotel and travel partners.
For the Boston family, a major real estate investment ultimately opened the door to an experience far removed from the stress of moving: a luxury island escape with their son.