Rent With Option To Buy

Definition of "Rent with option to buy"

Joe  Ravida real estate agent

Written by

Joe Ravidaelite badge icon

Keller Williams

Sometimes a landlord agrees to implement within the rent contract the possibility of the tenant buying the house at a certain price, by a certain date. It’s what’s called in the real estate world as a Rent with Option to Buy or a Rent to Own.

A rent with option to buy is a lease with a purchase option - not obligation. So it’s a great opportunity for the tenants, who can make a “test drive” of the house getting a feel for the neighborhood, its community and services before making a big financial commitment. It also warrants them time to save more money and get rid of certain impediments that could make a house sale go south.

Also, and super important in volatile markets, a rent with option to buy stipulates the selling price at the beginning of the relationship. When time comes to exercise the option, if the prices went up… too bad for the landlord. Tenant’s paying exactly what was agreed early on. But hey; if prices went down: tough luck, Tenant. Landlord gets the money!

Rent with option to buy is good for landlords as well, since they are earning rent money throughout the relationship and, in the end, might even sell the house.

 

Real Estate Tips:

Take a look at our blog further explaining Rent to Own Properties.

Discover more real estate terms in our Glossary!

And if you’re looking for an agent, try The OFFICIAL Real Estate Agent Directory®.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

An administrator appointed by the government or the courts to administer the laws relating to a government agency or court. A commissioner is a part of a government or court commission. ...

Effective Age is the counterpart to a property’s Actual Age. While the former refers to the date a property was built, the latter is more of a sensorial depiction of its age; the age ...

Organizational governing group. Either an appointed or elected body overseeing the management of an organization and rendering advice on current issues. Members are legally responsible for ...

Also called real property. Anything permanently affixed to the land, such as buildings, walls, fences, and shrubs, as well as the rights to own or use them. It is distinguished from ...

Materials that are inherently noncombustible, are widely used in constructing exterior surfaces and include brick, aluminum siding, cement, and asbestos shingles. ...

Commercial building having several different uses blending together. For example, retail shops are on the first floor, professional offices are on floors two through ten, and a restaurant ...

Capital appreciation financial goals set by a company or an individual over an extended period of time. Long-term capital goals establish a method for achieving the capital goal outcome ...

An apartment complex providing tenants access to a lawn area. ...

The portion of property income due to the ground value itself. It is used in a few states whereby an individual can own a structure and rent the ground to occupy a plot of land. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions