Frequently Asked Questions
General questions about our company, service, and properties we offer:
- What does “Rent to Own” actually mean?
- What is the Rent to Own process?
- Do appliances or furniture come with a Rent to Own home?
- What if I have poor credit? Can I still get a Rent to Own home?
- Is there a down payment on a Rent to Own home?
- What are the benefits of a Rent to Own home?
- What are the requirements of a Rent to Own arrangement?
What does Rent to Own actually mean?
In most cases, a Rent to Own agreement is a contract on a property that works like a lease and leads to a purchase. It’s often called a lease with an option to purchase – or a lease option agreement, for short.
The lease portion is a standard rental agreement that includes monthly rent, length of term, and other typical rental terms.
The option in the contract gives you the right to purchase the property during a set time period – usually around 2 or 3 years. This gives you the ability to save money towards a down payment, repair credit, increase your income, or otherwise improve your ability to qualify for a mortgage.
Most of the time people use a traditional mortgage loan to purchase the property prior to the expiration of the option period, but there are other options if your financial situation has unique needs.
We help lots of folks like you to purchase the home of their dreams.
Fill out the form below to get started on your way to home ownership!
What is the Rent to Own Process?
The Rent to Own process is actually pretty simple.
After you’ve view one of our Rent to Own homes and you decide you want it, we’ll give you a simple lease application to fill out. Don’t worry – we help people with all kinds of credit and financial situations, and if you can afford to rent the property, we can probably help you to own it!
After you’re approved for the home, just sign the lease, pay the required option deposit and first month’s rent, and then move on in!
Your Rent to Own agreement (also known as the lease option contract) will spell out the length of time that you have to complete the purchase of the home – typically 2 to 3 years, but in certain circumstances you may extend the option term if you need more time.
The purchase of your home usually takes place with a traditional mortgage, title and escrow company, but there are other ways to complete the purchase, depending on your finances.
That’s basically all there is to the process!
After you’ve been approved for the mortgage loan and close escrow, you’re done – now you own your own home!
The first step right now – sign up to get access to our great Rent to Own homes in Southern California just by competing the form – you’ll get immediate access to all of our available Rent to Own homes.
Do appliances or furniture come with a Rent to Own home?
Generally, most appliances are included – stove, oven, dishwasher and sometimes extras, like a refrigerator and washer and a dryer. Items in a home that are installed or attached – like the heating system and air conditioning – are definitely included.
Sometimes, we’ll offer a home that includes some furnishings. Most buyers want to bring their own stuff with them from their previous home, and that’s why furniture is usually sold separately.
There are many companies out there that provide a rent to own service for furniture or extra appliances, and you’ll get lots of choices on styles and types. But be careful! Even though Rent to Own real estate can be a great deal, some furniture companies will charge you large amounts to rent to own furniture. You might end up paying twice as much for these items than if you bought them outright.
Plus, furniture and appliances usually go down in value – unlike real estate, which usually goes up in value over the long term.
What if I have poor credit? Can I still get a Rent to Own home?
Yes you can! Many people with poor credit can still get one of our Rent to Own homes.
Every situation is different, but we specialize in helping people who have been through some tough circumstances (or made some mistakes in the past). You will have plenty of time to repair your credit and get started on the path to a great financial future.
So, even if your credit is poor, you can still own a home!
One of the major benefits of getting a Rent to Own home is that it gives you the time you need to repair your credit and improve your financial situation. You’ll have many of the benefits of home ownership while you’re rebuilding your credit and saving money towards the purchase.
So fill out the form at the bottom of this page now and get your piece of the American dream!
What are the benefits of a Rent to Own home?
There are a lot of benefits of a Rent to Own agreement!
In the Southern California area, lots of smart, informed people are using Rent to Own agreements as a way to get their ideal home without having to qualify for a bank loan right away.
In the past few years, banks have been very tight on their lending criteria. Most people who use a Rent to Own agreement want a few years to get ready to qualify.
Here are a few more reasons to use a Rent to Own agreement:
- Try before you buy! You get to live in your home before you actually purchase it, allowing you to make sure it’s actually your ideal home. If you ultimately decide that you don’t want to buy the home, you are not obligated to complete the purchase.
- “Own” without good credit right now. You can feel like a homeowner while saving money and improving your credit.
- Privacy. You’re not listed as the buyer on any public records until the closing takes place.
- Move in fast. Since you don’t have to wait for a mortgage loan and closing escrow, you can usually move in right away – and get started living a new life in the home of your choice!
So don’t wait! Get started now by filling out the form at the bottom of this page.
Is there a down payment on a Rent to Own home?
You don’t have a typical down payment until you exercise your option to buy – anytime during the next thee years or more, depending on the terms. However, there is an amount due upon move-in, which is called an option deposit. It will be applied 100% towards the purchase of the home. The option deposit is usually around 3 to 5 percent of the price of the home, depending on the terms.
Just like any other lease agreement, you’ll have to pay rent each month. And, for every on-time rent payment you will get a credit back of $200 per month or more (sometimes as much as $500 per month), depending on the terms of the agreement. Your accumulated rent credits can be used towards the purchase of the home when you exercise your option to buy.
We can help you to structure the perfect scenario to meet your needs. We’ll show you the Rent to Own formula that we use when we prepare your agreement, and help you figure out what’s best for you.
So don’t wait! Get started now by filling out the form at the bottom of this page.
What are the requirements of a Rent to Own arrangement?
We know that every person, family and situation is different.
We will do our best to help find creative solutions to help you own the home of your dreams.
Once you’ve had a chance to view the home and decide that you want it, you simply fill out our lease application which asks for information on everyone who will be living in the home.
We’ll conduct a credit check and verify income for everyone who will be on the lease, to confirm that you’ll be able to comfortably handle the monthly lease payment.
People with poor credit, no credit, limited cash available, and other financial situations have been able to lease then purchase their ideal home.
We’ll also speak with your references and previous landlords, because relationships matter to us more than just scores assigned by a computer.
We love helping great folks to reach their dreams, so don’t be afraid – fill out the form below to get started!