(NYTIMES) - The housing market was maddening for first-time buyers even before the pandemic spurred a crush of sales last year. Now a number of companies ranging from billionaire-backed tech firms to nonprofit housing groups are competing in a small but quickly growing segment of the market with a shared pitch: Don't go it alone.

A wide mix of partnership models offers potential home buyers deals that lie somewhere between ownership and renting. One or more parties (besides the mortgage company) have a stake in your home.