Owner financing rent-to-own deals, or lease-option purchase agreements, offer an alternative route to buy a home. These arrangements are valuable for buyers and sellers but come with unique issues.

This post will explore what you need to know about these purchase agreements.

West Knoxville Real Estate Market Watch

The median list price of homes for sale in West Knoxville during August 2023 was $530,000. However, trends and data can change over time. Contact The Big Orange Press for help buying and selling homes in the West Knoxville area.

Decoding Owner Financing Rent-to-Own Deals

How Rent-to-Own Deals Work

Owner financing rent-to-own deals are a hybrid between renting and buying a home. Read on to learn about some of the important points to know.

Agreement

The buyer and seller enter into a contract outlining the deal’s terms.

Option Fee

Typically, the purchaser pays a non-refundable option fee to the seller at the outset. This fee grants the buyer the exclusive option to purchase the property at a predetermined price within a specified period.

Monthly Rent

In addition to the option fee, the buyer pays monthly rent to the seller. This rent is typically higher than the market rent for similar properties.

Purchase Price

The purchase price is agreed upon upfront and is often slightly higher than the property’s current market value.

Maintenance and Repairs

Like a homeowner, the buyer is responsible for maintaining and repairing the property during the lease period.

Financing

There is no immediate need for the buyer to secure a loan from a bank or mortgage lender during the lease period.

Exit Strategies

Rent-to-own agreements include provisions if the buyer decides not to purchase the property at the end of the lease term.

Benefits for Buyers

The following are some of the benefits of rent-to-own deals for buyers:

• Credit Improvement: These deals can help buyers improve their credit during the lease, making it easier to get a mortgage loan.
• Locking in Price: Buyers can lock in the purchase price upfront, protecting them from potential price increases in the real estate market.
• Flexibility: It offers flexibility for buyers who may not qualify for a traditional mortgage.

Benefits for Sellers

Sellers can benefit from these deals in the following ways:

• Higher Rent: Sellers can charge higher-than-market rent, increasing cash flow.
• Reduce Time on Market: It may help sellers find a buyer quickly, as it attracts individuals who may not qualify for a traditional mortgage.
• Sale Price: Sellers can typically sell the house for higher than the market price with a rent-to-own deal.

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