Rent to Own Homes in NYC

If you’re hoping to become a homeowner in NYC, you’ll need a mortgage. However, getting one on good terms requires a high credit score and a sizeable down payment, two things many people have difficulty grasping. The rent-to-own program is one way around this that’s becoming more widely available. This is where you rent a home for a certain amount of time with the option to buy before the lease expires. There aren’t many rental buildings in NYC that offer this program. However, that may change in the year ahead.

There’s a lot to unpack here on how this program works as they are somewhat complicated. Before deciding if this program is right for you, you must consider some pros and cons. The following article will give you a rundown on those to help you determine what’s best for your future.

What Does Rent To Own Mean?

Each building that runs this program will have its unique approach, with no two being the same. It works by allowing a portion of a tenant’s monthly rent to go towards the unit’s purchase price. Depending on the terms of the agreement, the tenant will have either the option or obligation to purchase the unit at the end of their lease. The rental period will also depend on the contract terms, but the average is about 1-3 years.

It’s meant to give renters who love the building a chance to buy. They can take occupancy right away and purchase once they’re ready. Before the pandemic, rent-to-own was very rare in NYC. But since then, developers have started looking for new ways to get buyers to sign on the dotted line. The current glut in luxury condos has also spurred developers to find more creative ways to move inventory.

Rent-to-own programs come in two types, lease options and lease-purchase contracts.

Lease Option Contract

This is when the tenant can buy the property at the end of their lease term, usually at the home’s current market value when you first signed the lease. The monthly rent will typically be higher than the market rate in these leases. They may also include an option premium for the right to purchase the unit. Depending on negotiations, the rental and options premiums may go towards closing costs or the down payment if the tenant decides to buy. But if the tenant chooses not to buy, the owner gets to keep all the rental income plus the premiums.

Lease-Purchase Contract

With a lease-purchase contract, the tenant will be obligated to purchase at the end of their lease. How these contracts are structured will vary significantly in complexity and length. The negotiations will determine how much the tenant’s monthly rent can go towards the down payment. Once the lease term is up, the tenant will be obligated to buy at a predetermined price. This price could be based on the market value at the start of the lease term, how much it appraises for at the end of the lease, or another metric. If based on the market value at the lease signing, the seller will likely demand an option premium.

What Sort of Renters Fit this Program?

It doesn’t take an expert to know that almost every renter in NYC wants to be a homeowner. But with high rents and other living expenses, it’s challenging for most people to save for a down payment. Rent-to-own programs provide an easy option for those with large incomes who don’t have much savings. Anyone who’s still building their credit score will also see the appeal. They can move in immediately, start paying towards their down payment and build their credit simultaneously. Additionally, they may be able to lock in the price they’ll pay for the home at a future date.

Rent-to-own is also sure to appeal to those who don’t qualify for a non-conforming jumbo loan. The high real estate costs in NYC mean that many people must turn to jumbo loans to receive financing. However, the stricter underwriting requirements of these loans make it harder for certain people to qualify. Those who are self-employed, contract workers or don’t have a U.S. credit history (i.e., foreign nationals) can’t be eligible for these loans, despite having sound financials.

Downsides of Rent-to-Own

While rent-to-own can be a great concept, it also has several pitfalls and downsides that you need to be aware of.

• Higher attorney fees – Due to the complexity of these transactions, which usually involve multiple contracts and prolonged negotiations, attorney fees tend to be higher. The normal flat-rate attorney fee for a regular transaction can cost $2,000-$3,000. With a rent-to-own transaction, the costs can be twice that or more.
• Higher rent than average – Most sellers will demand a higher-than-average rent for the privilege of buying at the end of the lease. In the case of a lease option contract, if you choose not to buy, you’ll have paid a higher rent for nothing.
• Not many buildings offer this – Even now, only a handful of NYC buildings provide this program. Most of them are large buildings that still have a lot of unsold units. The following year, more developers may turn to this option to move stalled inventory, but it isn’t very sure to take off in a big way.

Final Thoughts

At first glance, rent-to-own sounds like a superb idea. But once you get into the details, they start to look a lot less appealing. These transactions’ additional fees and complexity can make you question whether it’s even worth it in the long run. Our advice is to look at other options first and see if you can’t just continue saving for a regular transaction in the future. For instance, if this is your first home purchase, there are plenty of first-time buyer programs that may fit you better. You can always raise the topic with your buyer’s agent, who can provide an up-to-date assessment of the current market and whether this approach could work for you.