Additionally, rent to own homes refer to regular houses that are on the real estate market. Under most rent to own home programs, the company will work to buy houses for sale from individual sellers. How does rent to own work? In many rent to own programs, the company works with you to find a house you like and then they buy it outright. Rent-to-Own Programs in Tampa Bay. With 3-5% down as an Option-to-Buy Fee you can qualify for our 'Homeowner in Training' Program giving you time to improve your credit and build up your necessary down payment. You can earn a fixed monthly credit toward your future down payment. The rent to own program is the solution for many renters wanting to purchase a home in the future. If you're a renter and need a little time to improve your credit score or save for a down payment, we have an option for you. Learn more about renting and HUD rental assistance programs. Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) - find your own place and use the voucher to pay for all or part of the rent. Contact a housing counseling agency or call toll-free (800) 569-4287. Your Rights and Responsibilities. A rent to own program is a unique financing agreement wherein a lessor agrees to collect monthly rent payments from a lessee for a specified period of time, after which the lessor transfers the. Rent to Own Homes. Rent to own or rent to own homes - it doesn't matter how you say it, the same principle applies in all instances. House hunters today want the best of both worlds, feeling out homes in specific neighborhoods without committing 100 percent to buying them.
Written by David Ingram; Updated July 18, 2017Related Articles
- 1 The Responsibilities of Buyers in Rent-to-Buy Houses
- 2 Lease Option Vs. Land Contract
- 3 What Does Rent-to-Own Mean?
- 4 How Rent-to-Own Works
A rent to own program is a unique financing agreement wherein a lessor agrees to collect monthly rent payments from a lessee for a specified period of time, after which the lessor transfers the title to the property to the lessee. These agreements are popular in the world of real estate, especially with low-income families who may have difficulty securing a traditional mortgage. As with any unique investment, however, renters must consider the advantages and disadvantages of rent to own programs before entering into an agreement.
Significance for Those With Credit Issues
Rent to own programs can be a boon to consumers with poor credit or financial struggles seeking to buy a house. Individuals and families who may not be able to secure mortgages from traditional lenders can take advantage of rent to own programs to buy a home and furnish it with the necessities of modern living.
Features of Rent-to-Own
Rent to own programs are structured much the same way as traditional rental agreements, with the catch being that the lessor agrees to transfer title of the house to the lessee at the end of the rental period. Real estate rent to own agreements are structured over a longer period than other rent to own programs, allowing borrowers to make affordable payments.
In return for the convenience of rent to own agreements for lessees, lessors charge a higher interest rate than traditional loans, and ultimately charge far more than they would for an up-front transaction.
Considerations
Rent to own programs are not technically scams, but the end-of-the-day cost of a house under these agreements can be enough to make borrowers think twice. The higher interest rates of rent to own agreements coupled with the length of the rental period can cause borrowers to pay more than double the normal price of the house. Monthly payment amounts are often structured to be quite manageable on a low budget, but the ultimate cost of the transaction dwarfs the cost of paying up front.
Advantages
Rent to own agreements offer distinct advantages to both lessees and lessors. Lessees in a real estate rent to own program receive the benefit of holding the landlord responsible for normal repairs and contracting, just as in a rental agreement, until the title is transferred.
Lessors benefit by the increase in total revenue that these agreements provide. In addition to this, lessors retain the right to repossess property in the case of default, allowing them to keep all previous payments and sell the property under a new rent to own agreement.
Preparation for Purchase
Rent to own programs are well suited for certain homebuyers, but these deals are not for everyone. Calculate and consider the total cost of the program as well as the length of time you will be making payments. Ask the lessor to discuss your right to exit the agreement or request changes in the terms of the program in the future. Also, give some serious thought to your ability to save up enough money and build a good enough credit reputation to eventually obtain a mortgage, allowing you to purchase the property outright and reduce the overall cost of the house.
References (2)
About the Author
David Ingram has written for multiple publications since 2009, including 'The Houston Chronicle' and online at Business.com. As a small-business owner, Ingram regularly confronts modern issues in management, marketing, finance and business law. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts in management from Walsh University.
Photo Credits
Free Rent-to-own Programs In Georgia
- couch and fire image by Charles Jacques from Fotolia.com