Why just rent when you can rent to own? We partner with an investment company that buys homes to keep as rental properties. If you get approved for their rent to own program, you will be able to choose a home that meets your needs, they will buy it, and you will sign a 12-month lease with them. This is a huge benefit to you! Rather than scouring the web for rental properties that lease within a day or two of going on the market and having to pay an application fee for each one, you apply one time at the beginning. Then you get to choose from lots of homes that are in good condition and in good school districts. It takes a few weeks longer this way but you end up with a better quality home, and you have the option of buying it someday (if you so choose) with their rent to own option. Rents start as low as $1250/month for a house or townhouse. Here are the details as stated on their web site:
The Lease with a Right to Purchase Program (the “RTP Program”) allows you to find a home that you want to rent from us initially, but may perhaps also like to buy in the next three to five years. We believe that there are many households who may be thinking about buying a home but for whatever reason would like to rent at the current time. You can lease the home for up to five years and you may purchase the home from us at any time at a predetermined price in accordance with the Right to Purchase agreement.
We have certain minimum criteria for our program. Your household must have an annual income of $50,000. You must have stable employment. We cannot accept you into our program if you or anyone in your household has a history of eviction or a pending bankruptcy. Everyone in your household will be subject to a criminal background check.
Every member of your household who is 18 years of age or older must complete the Pre-Qualification Application and the Full Application. The Full Application requires certain information, including residence and employment history, for each member of the household. You also must provide income and asset verification for each member of the household whose income is to be considered in determining the rent approval amount in order for your application to be considered complete.If you are moving from a different state or starting a new job, we will need confirmation of your new job and income.
We take several factors into consideration when reviewing an application, which include household income, rent-to-income and debt-to-income ratios, rental and housing history, employment history, criminal history, and FICO® scores.
We will usually process your application within 1 to 2 business days of receiving all required information.
We have a one-time Application Fee of $75 per household that must be paid online as part of the application process. This Application Fee covers all applicants in the household and is nonrefundable.
Generally, we require a deposit equal to two months’ rent. This deposit is not applied towards your rent. If you decide to leave the home at the end of any one-year lease term and you have been in compliance with the terms of the lease and return the home in the same condition it was in when you moved in (normal wear and tear excepted), the full deposit will be returned to you or credited to the purchase price if you buy the home. The full deposit (less any outstanding charges owed to Home Partners) is also returned to you if you exercise your Right to Purchase the home. You may choose to use this toward your down payment.
We do allow up to three pets (cats or dogs) with a max weight limit of 180 pounds total. For dogs, you must not have a Doberman, Pitbull, Rottweiler or Mastiff. We do not allow for other animals such as pigs, horses, chickens, goats, etc. There is a $300 per pet fee in most states. This fee is due with the required deposit and is refundable in the event you purchase the home. Otherwise, it is not refundable.
There really is no downside to this program, other than it takes a few extra weeks to find the house, acquire the house, and get it ready for you to move into. It’s the same process as renting (pay a security deposit, sign a lease, move out at the end of the lease (or renew it for another year) and get your security deposit back as long as you’ve met the terms of the lease) only this way you get the option of buying it from the landlord at any point during the lease. If you just LOVE the house that you rent and want to own it someday it’s great to find that house now, move in now, and get a loan for it later when you’re in a better financial position. When it’s time to qualify for a home loan you are free to choose any lender you like. I work with several terrific lenders in the Atlanta area and I’d be happy to give you some names and phone numbers when the time comes.
Ready to get started? Tell me a little about where you’re looking to rent to own and what your ideal rent payment would be and I’ll give you the info you need.
