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How to Rent to Own a House..if you want to become a homebuyer and can't right now!

By
Real Estate Agent with ReMax 10

How to rent to own a house? How many times have Real Estate Agents received phone calls from "for sale" signs posted in front of their listings from renters or future homeowners....who cannot purchase right now.....but are quick to ask... "Hello...I was wondering if the seller of this beautiful home would be willing to rent to own?" A lot of the calls are coming because of the news media reporting...that homeowners are desperate to sell their homes and cannot because this is a buyers market.  Truth is...there are some sellers who would not mind doing rent to own if they could get a better price by doing so, particularly if days on the market is long (which usually translate into the home being overpriced in the first place).

Most Real Estate Agents get these calls all the time....and yes they can sometime be annoying....but here's how not to be annoying!

1. To Rent to Own....means that the house has to be in your income and credit limits......meaning if the house is for sale for $200,000.....you must be able to afford to pay that mortgage.......if you are just going by the way it look on the outside and like the neighborhood, but  can only afford a $150,000 mortgage...move on.

2.  Be Prepared......Contact a Mortgage Broker or bank to find out what qualifications you currently have to purchase. Many of the calls come from people who have no idea of their credit qualifications....and the first question a good agent will ask is "how's your credit?".  Could be you can purchase now and don't know it...or it could be that you won't be able to purchase for a very long time............and this is a turn off for any seller that may consider rent to own.

3. Do your homework.....most rent to owns require a non refundable down payment sometimes equal to a real down-payment if you were to purchase.......have the funds ready if you are serious.....

4. If you need to be in credit repair to purchase....then be in credit repair with a professional.....these documents will show how serious you are to purchase in the near future and you will be able to get an  real estate agent to listen to you and take your case to a seller.

5. If you find that right rent to purchase home, treat it like a purchase..do your home inspection....hire a Realtor to help you do it right!

Posted by

Corey Chase
Silvercreek Realty Group - Meridian, ID

Great advice for people to look and prepare if they are interested in the rent to own route.

Feb 13, 2010 06:04 AM
Wendy Rich-Soto, Realtor/Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, LA Harbor - San Pedro, CA
Getting you to your next with a zero failure rate!

Great information for those that want to try and position themselves for homeownership!

Feb 13, 2010 06:05 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

Good points - and yes, I have gotten those calls.  Usually, they think they can just approach it like a regular rental, which it is not.

Feb 13, 2010 06:18 AM