What you need to know about rent to own

by Jeff 1. September 2011

Renters who have long been in the renting scene have always wondered of a better way to stay rather than throwing away their investment in renting. Well there is indeed a better way with rent to buy. A couple of things that you need to know about rent to buy include the ability to purchase and own the place after a set period of time. Depending on your contract you may soon have the title and ownership to your dream home in no time compared to starting from scratch on a home that may cause you a fortune. With rent to buy you can choose from a wide selection of properties that are up for sale or lease to own terms.


Rent to own is basically just like your usual rent terms but the secret lies in the payments and deposit you put into the deal. A typical deposit ranges from $10,000 to $15,000 which includes any legal fees that are needed for the contract; while usual weekly repayments run from 200 to as much as 700 per week. With rent to buy, a percentage of the money is applied to the principal price of the property once you purchase it making for a substantial discount. With rent to buy you put your money to work by giving you the feeling that you get closer to owning the property everyday.

Rent to buy properties likewise give you the freedom for minor renovations without the hassle of your landlord asking you for an increase in value of the property (increasing your rent maybe?). Minor renovations involve minor paint work done in the interior or anything that doesn’t involve building an extension or the use of heavy equipment. Of course you’d need to ask permission from the owner before doing so and to make sure that the renovation you’re planning is feasible enough.

To get things started on a rent to buy property, take the time to shop around for properties that might interest you. Online house hunting is also a good suggestion as this gives you plenty of options at the comfort of your living room. Maybe make a couple of calls and ask around for information such as repayment, total price and years to pay and the deposit requirements. If you’re in a hurry to move in though, you may try inquiring about owner financing to make things easier on you. This involves the owner or property seller deciding to finance the home for you by buying the property’s total cost and in turn offering to rent it for you. Usually, this is when the seller needs to sell the property in the shortest possible time.

Understanding what you need to know about rent to own would definitely make things easier for people out on the hunt for affordable housing options or if you’re simply one who wants to get out of the renting scene. Getting your own place need not be expensive it’s just a matter of knowing your options and having the right motivation to take the first step.

 

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Tags: rent to own, owner finance

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