: Have a real estate attorney review the contract to confirm if it is a "lease option" or "lease purchase" and to check for unfair clauses.

Rent-to-own contracts involve unique financial layers beyond standard monthly rent.

The 2026 housing market is expected to reach a "normalization" phase, characterized by:

: Verify the seller actually owns the property through public records to avoid common rental scams. Lease-Option Purchases - National Association of REALTORS®

: This gives the tenant the right but not the obligation to buy the home when the lease expires. If the tenant chooses not to buy, they can move out, though they usually forfeit any fees paid.

: Tenants often pay an amount above fair market rent . This "premium" is usually held in an escrow account and credited toward the purchase price or down payment at the end of the lease.

: As mortgage rates stabilize near 6% , monthly payments may slightly decline for the first time since 2020, making the eventual purchase more feasible.