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Stricter credit requirements, rising home prices and stagnant wages can make it more difficult for families and individuals to qualify for a mortgage right now.
As a result, some consumers may want to consider a rent-to-own contract (otherwise known as a lease-option contract) in which they can apply their rent payment toward the purchase of their home. While there are advantages to this type of contract, there are also some significant risks.
How it Works
Rent-to-own contracts can vary, but generally they work like this:
- The renter agrees to lease the house for a set amount of time, usually one to three years.
- The renter pays an up-front fee (called an option fee), which is typically 1-5 percent of the home’s purchase price. The fee is usually nonrefundable, but part or all of it can be applied to the down payment.
- The renter may also pay a higher monthly rent, but a portion of the rent will go into a fund that is later used for a down payment.
- The contract locks in the purchase price of the home.
- The renter can purchase the home on or before the lease’s expiration date.
For more information on how rent-to-own agreements work, read this article on the National Association of Realtors website.
Advantages and Disadvantages
There are a couple of significant advantages to a rent-to-own contract.
- It gives renters the opportunity to build their credit and save for a down payment while also building home equity.
- It gives renters an escape plan if a family member loses their job or if the home’s value drops.
While this may seem like the ideal situation for many families not yet ready to become homeowners, there are risks involved with this type of financing. Below are some of the major disadvantages.
- If renters are not prepared to buy the home at the end of their lease, they may lose their option fee and portion of their rent set aside for their down payment.
- Renters will miss out on the current low interest rates for mortgages and may face higher interest rates at their end of their lease.
- Renters may be forced to pay a higher than market price for their home if the value of the home decreases during the lease period.
For more information on the pros and cons of rent-to-own, read this article published in Forbes. Anyone considering a rent-to-own agreement should also contact a real estate attorney for assistance.
Are you ready to purchase a home?
TSAHC can help. Our Homes for Texas Heroes and Home Sweet Texas Loan programs provide Texas families with up to 5% in down payment assistance that can be put towards your down payment and closing costs. TSAHC also offers a Mortgage Credit Certificate Program for first time home buyers that provides a tax credit that can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your home loan.
Take our Eligibility Quiz to see if you qualify for one or both assistance options. You can also compare assistance options by using our Program Comparison Calculator.
On the House blog posts are meant to provide general information on various housing-related issues, research and programs. We are not liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the information provided by blog sources. Furthermore, this blog is not legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney.
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