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

Uncertainties associated with real property including lack of insurance coverage in the event of fire or injury, high crime area, and environmental problems. This risk may be reduced ...

The definition of the term “demise” covers more spectrums than just real estate related. Most commonly the term demise is used to talk about someone’s death. It is also ...

Foreign-born individual not qualifying as a citizen of the country in which he or she resides. ...

Heating system generating heat through radiation as opposed to a convection heating system. For example, baseboard heating is a radiant heating system where the heat from circulating hot ...

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 ...

Land development planning model theorizing that an urban area grows in rings expanding out from the central business district. The second ring is a shifting area having manufacturing and ...

One of the many Inflation definitions can be put into these simple words: the result of the general increase in prices over a period expressed as a percentage. Inflation is controlled by ...

What a piece of property could be sold for on the market. ...

Value of a company's or person's name and reputation, As a result, the business will have a competitive edge, and generate better-than-typical future earnings. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions