Rent then buy or rent to own is one of the marketing strategies being applied by real estate brokers these days. It is a very engaging strategy since it allows the renter of the unit to have the option to buy the property afterwards. This transaction is also sometimes referred to as lease to own or a lease purchase.
Rent then buy transactions are usually initiated by the renter the moment an option fee, usually amounting from 1 to 5 of the selling price of the house, has been paid. Afterwards, the renter of the unit pays for a certain amount of money representing the rent and an additional rent premium that is also charged to the purchase price. At the end of the term, the renter has the option to buy the property. If not, he loses the option fee and the additional rent premium that had been charged to the selling price of the unit.
The advantage of rent then buy transactions is that it allows for lower cash out in the beginning of the transaction. For some buyers, the purpose of entering into this kind of transaction is to have the exclusive right to buy the house without the presence of banks or other financial institutions upfront. It is usually cheaper to rent than to buy a home directly. The buyer also has greater flexibility to rent a property first before buying it, giving the buyer the choice to buy the property or not in the end. With the rent then buy set up, your monthly overhead remains the same and is not affected by interest rates. Also, the repairs and maintenance of the house will not be your burden. The most significant advantage that this transaction offers is that you could secure a home immediately even with bad credit. The rent then buy transaction allows you to repair your bad credit standing while building up a better one to obtain financing.
The disadvantage of a rent then buy transaction is mainly the financial risk. This arises in the event that the buyer decides not to exercise his right to purchase the property at the end of the lease period. The amount of purchase option as well as the additional rent premium will be forfeited upon the termination of the lease. Another disadvantage of this transaction is the unavailability of inventory to the buyer because most sellers need to liquidate immediately to purchase a new home.
The rent then buy transaction offers advantages and disadvantages at both sides. The best way to treat it is to weigh which is more applicable to you as a buyer. The rent then buy transaction is a fast becoming the trend in real estate markets because of the flexibility and convenience it offers when it comes to cheaper charges and the allowance to buy the property afterwards. More people are looking for alternatives to buy their own homes. The rent then buy transaction allows for buyers to secure a home without a perfect credit history thus making it a more viable choice. This method is usually utilized by those who do not have enough money to pay for the down payment of a house or to secure a house in the traditional manner. Still, proper precaution is very important when entering into these kinds of transaction.