Rent-to-Own Contracts: The Details, Pros, and Cons

True or false: When you’re looking for a home, renting or buying are your two options for securing a space.

Believe it or not, this is false! There is another alternative that blends renting and buying, and we don’t talk about it nearly enough. It’s called a rent-to-own contract, and as buyers navigate through tough financial times, it’s emerging as a creative path to homeownership.

What Is a Rent-to-Own Contract?

A rent-to-own contract is an agreement between a renter and a landlord that allows the renter to purchase the home they are living in at a later time. Most rent-to-own contracts are structured so that a portion of the monthly rent goes toward the renter’s future down payment on the home.

Understanding Lease-Option and Lease Purchase Agreements

When it comes to rent-to-own arrangements, you have two choices: lease-option and lease-purchase agreements. They are similar for the most part, except for one major difference. In lease-option agreements, the renter has the choice to buy the home at the conclusion of the rental period. In lease-purchase agreements, the renter doesn’t have this choice. The renter is on the hook to purchase the property at the conclusion of the rental period. If they back out, they will face stiff financial penalties.

Advantages of Rent-to-Own Contracts

Rent-to-own agreements are a missed opportunity for the right homebuyer. Here are a few of the pros to committing to these arrangements:

• They make saving for a down payment a no-brainer.
  Since a portion of your monthly rent will go toward your down payment, this makes budgeting a breeze for this future expense.
• Some rent-to-own agreements are super-flexible.
  If you think you would like to stay in your rental but are not 100% sure, a lease-option agreement might buy you some time to consider your options.
• You’ll have time to boost your financial profile.
  If you find a home you adore but want to get into a better financial position before you apply for a mortgage, a rent-to-own agreement will let you live in the home while you’re working on things.

Rent-to-Own Agreements: Understanding the Downsides

Like anything, rent-to-own contracts aren’t the perfect solution for every homebuyer. Here are the disadvantages that you need to know:

• You might lose money.
  If you decide the home is no longer your cup of tea, you won’t get your down payment contributions back.
• Things change, including your financial situation.
  Nothing is guaranteed in life, including your job, credit score, and mortgage interest rates. If you can’t afford the home when it’s time to buy, you might need to back out of the deal, and you’ll still lose money!

Contact Us Today!

Are you teetering on the fence between renting and buying? A rent-to-own arrangement might be your solution. Contact MortgageDepot today to learn how a rent-to-own contract might help you become a homeowner.

Connect with one of our loan consultants to learn more.