According to listwithclever.com, real-estate prices are above average, and mortgage rates are rising in Hunstville, Al. It is, however, a buyer's market since the supply of homes is more than the demand.
This gives an opportunity for those hoping to purchase a home in today's competitive and uncertain real estate market. Purchasing a home by initially renting it is possible through a rent-to-own agreement.
To do it here is How Rent to Own Works in Huntsville, AL.
A rent-to-own agreement allows people to get into homeownership by renting a home first. At the end of your lease, you will have the opportunity to purchase the home at a set price.
A rent-to-own agreement gives tenants the option to "test drive" a home for a specified period of time before making a final decision on whether or not to purchase it. Meanwhile, the owner of the property can exercise the buy option to secure a sale price and attract a reliable tenant.
Some rental agreements allow you to put a portion of your monthly rent toward the buying price, whereby your rent payments serve as a down payment in a way. While different rules govern rent-to-own contracts in each state, most rent-to-own agreements are structured whichever the buyer/tenant and seller/landlord see fit.
When the sale is scheduled for several years down the road, it might be difficult to settle on a purchase price that pleases both sides. The seller may ask for an amount higher than the property's fair market value if, for instance, the local real estate market is trending upward.
An appraisal is, therefore, necessary in some situations whereby an appraiser establishes a home's value as part of the purchase agreement. If this is the case, the buyer or tenant should insist on being able to hire their own appraiser and on a process to settle any disagreements that may arise between the two estimates.
When signing the contract, the conditions of the sale should be specified, such as tenant and landlord responsibilities, as well as whether the buyer is buying the property "as is" or whether the seller is expected to make any necessary repairs or improvements. The state of Alabama has laws stating the relationship between tenants and landlords.
The option fee
The buyer/tenant signs a real estate purchase option contract with the seller where non-refundable option fees are paid. This is a contract that grants the buyer the only right to make a purchase of a specified piece of real estate.
The option fee is the price paid by the buyer to the seller for the right to acquire the property from the seller under the terms and conditions set forth in the option to purchase. The seller cannot sell the property to anyone else once an option has been granted to a buyer, as the buyer bears the cost of the option to buy this property.
The Option Fee is usually set at 1% to 5% of the property's sale price, though the two parties can negotiate this. During the term of this contract, the seller grants the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, to purchase specified property from the seller at a predetermined price and within a specified time frame.
The escrow account
During the agreement, you will most likely use an escrow account which has its pros. A financial instrument, typically an account maintained by a third party on behalf of two contracting parties, is known as "escrow."
The seller may suggest that their attorney oversee escrow, but it's safer to have a neutral third party like a bank or lender handle the funds and have both you and the seller sign any withdrawals. A third party acts as custodian of the funds in an escrow account until the terms of a contract are met.
This is a possible means of keeping the money safe.
During a rent-to-own arrangement, there are generally two options involved, the lease option and the lease-to-purchase option.
The lease's terms are normal, including the requirement that you pay a monthly fee in exchange for the right to use the property as your principal residence. Your rights and responsibilities as a tenant are spelled out in the lease for both options.
Lease-option
Lease-option agreements often include the tenant paying the owner a small monthly sum in exchange for the right to purchase the home at the conclusion of the lease period. It's basically renting out the home as a regular tenant with the possibility of purchasing the house, which you're not obliged to do.
If you aren't sure right off the bat whether or not you want to buy the house, this is a great method to proceed because you have the freedom to terminate the option and move on to other options. It will be specified in the lease agreement what percentage of the lease option or rent payment will be applied to the purchase price.
Keep in mind that the option price and the rent due each month are also negotiable. When your lease ends, you and the seller will negotiate a price for the property's purchase.
If you decide to purchase the home at the end of your lease, a percentage of your monthly rent payments may be used for the down payment.
Lease-purchase option
With the lease-to-purchase option, you can buy the house at any moment during or after your lease, and it details the timeframe for determining the home's purchase price and how rent may be allocated toward the purchase price.
You can either settle on a price before signing a lease, or you can agree on a date for a house appraisal and settle on a price once it is complete. If you don't buy the house, the seller can sue you for breaking the purchase agreement.
Under a lease-purchase arrangement, the lessee is obligated to acquire the property at the end of the lease term, meaning that if you don't get pre-approved for a mortgage during your lease, you'll lose the home and any rent credit you've built up when the lease expires.
Before signing the lease agreement, make sure to negotiate and talk about terms with which you would be okay during the lease period. Don't go into a lease without first considering your options, including a lease option and a lease purchase.
A lease-option agreement can be useful if you are on the fence about whether or not to make a purchase of the house, and both options should outline who is responsible for the landlord or tenant responsibilities earlier mentioned.
The state of Alabama requires a licensed attorney to prepare and draft all legal documents in a real estate transaction (Ala. Code § 34-3-6(c)). Consult a lawyer to review the contract when you're ready to move forward.
Since you're also purchasing the land on which the house sits, the state of Alabama needs a deed transfer and a bill of sale to be signed by the buyer and seller. The buyer also pays real-estate transfer tax according to state laws.
Before agreeing to the purchase price, have a house inspector look it over, and have the seller foot the bill for any repairs or maintenance needed. This is important, especially if you plan on buying the house as-is without any renovation.
You can have a renovation at the end of the lease period covered by the seller in the contract. This can be agreed upon by both parties and signed in the contract.
If there are severe problems with the house that will be expensive to fix later on, an inspector can find them, and if you don't buy, you won't have to worry about being sued for damages.
You're renting an apartment or house, but your lease may impose stricter regulations than those normally applied to tenants.
Before moving to the property, clearly read your contract so that you know the tenant's responsibilities as well as the landlord's responsibilities. Tenants may be required to take on the role of owner in some contracts by handling maintenance and repairs.
Depending on the terms of your rent-to-own agreement, you may be able to buy the house at the conclusion of your lease, or you may be contractually obligated to do so. Get the ball rolling on the mortgage application process as soon as possible.
In Huntsville, both the landlord and tenant have responsibilities and rights. Even if a rental agreement specifies otherwise, these rights still exist.
As a general rule, AL Code § 35-9A-204 governs a landlord's duty to provide a habitable dwelling in single and multi-family homes. Tenants' rights when repairs are not done in a timely manner are spelled forth in this law, which is also known as the "implied assurance of habitability."
The landlord has two weeks to conduct maintenance, and before entering the premises, they must give notice of at least two days' duration unless the situation is urgent.
Tenants have the legal obligation to pay rent as well as adhere to the terms of the contract. The landlord can evict tenants when they violate terms they signed during the agreement but not when they violate terms they did not sign or that were added later without their signature.
The percentage of the rent that will go toward the purchase of the home, whether or not the purchase is an option, and whether or not the appliances will be included in the sale are also important details to examine.
If you've decided that a rent-to-own home is your best fit, there are various sites that list
There are also other alternatives to rent-to-own. The rent-to-own model doesn't work for everyone as there are costs and hazards involved in a rent-to-own home purchase that you would not encounter in a more conventional transaction.
In most cases, the rent-to-own arrangement does not result in the eventual purchase of the property, and it can make you waste money that you could have invested into a house.
Buyers who know for sure they can get a mortgage and are willing to keep the lease term short may benefit from a rent-to-own arrangement, but if you're on pace to pay off other debt and improve your credit ratings, or if you need more time in your current job before you can qualify for a mortgage, can consider owner financing.
With owner financing, the buyer is exempt from having to get a mortgage, but instead, a promissory note and down payment are exchanged between the buyer and seller, promising to make monthly payments to the seller until the remaining balance of the home's purchase price is paid in full, plus interest. In essence, the seller is making a loan to the buyer.
The potential for the buyer to default on payments is a major risk for the seller. Both the buyer and the seller stand to suffer from foreclosure if the seller still owes money on the property's mortgage and defaults on their payments.
We asked for advice from other business experts to answer: What is a tip or piece of advice you would give someone that is about to enter a rent-to-own deal?
Here is what 8 thought leaders had to say:
I would recommend doing your research ahead of time and really understanding the terms of the contract. A rent-to-own deal is not the same as renting an apartment or house, and there can be a lot of fine print you may not be aware of.
For example, you may be responsible for repairs and maintenance on the property, even if it is outside of your control. You will also likely have to pay additional fees on top of your rent, so it is important to factor that into your budget.
Overall, rent-to-own deals can be a great way to get into a property that you may not otherwise be able to afford, but it is important to understand all the terms and conditions before signing on the dotted line.
Antreas Koutis, Administrative Manager, Financer
The key factor when considering a rent-to-own plan, whether it's furniture or a house, is to calculate your cost over time to see if it's still a good deal. You may pay $200 monthly, but that adds up over five years and the final cost could be twice the initial price of the item.
Another item to look out for is balloon payments.
Some contracts will give you a cheap rate and say "interest-free for 36 months." Yet, they want the final balance when that date hits, or they may charge you a significant interest rate after that date.
Another trick some companies use is they backdate all the interest for the past 36 months after that date for those who don't pay off the loan. Read the fine print and ask questions.
Baruch Labunski, CEO, Rank Secure
If you're looking for a rent-to-own deal, consider hiring a real estate agent. Their network of contacts will probably turn what you expected to be a month or two search into a week or two affair.
They will know best which landlords aren't looking to sell, and which ones would be more willing to get a quick buck on their properties. Find an agent that operates in the area you're interested in for a longer time, and you will quickly find the right deal for you.
Natalia Brzezinska, Marketing & Outreach Manager, US Visa Photo
The first house we purchased was actually under a rent-to-own agreement with my wife’s uncle. We did a 24-month lease with him, with the option to purchase at the end. It worked out exceptionally well for us in a rising market, and it was our first home purchase.
However, if there is one bit of advice I could share with prospective rent-to-owners, it would be to treat the home like you already own it. Under our rent-to-own agreement, my wife’s uncle (our landlord) was responsible for major repairs. The problem though was that I didn’t look for underlying defects and issues until it was too late, and we already owned the home.
I had the typical renter mindset of “if something breaks, I'll call him to fix it,” rather than being proactive in searching out issues. Had I maintained more of a homeowner mindset and done proper maintenance and servicing, I would have seen the HVAC was about to go out. Instead, I got stuck with the bill just 6 months after we bought the place.
John Ross, CEO, Test Prep Insight
There will always be two sides to the coin in every transaction. Go over the terms stipulated in the contract first. Usually, there will be a fixed sale price. The cost may be a little higher than the current market value. The owner might use this as a hedge for the years that will pass by before they complete the sale.
Often, the monthly payments are higher than the average rental market. It is because of interest that will be incurred. The longer the term, the higher the extra costs will be.
There will also be concerns about maintenance. Ask about this early on so you can add them to your monthly payables. The bottom line is you are still a tenant and will remain so until you complete the payment. Make sure to weigh up all the pros and cons before entering this type of agreement.
Laura Martinez, Consultant & Content Writer, PersonalityMax
Hello. The best advice I can give is to get a lawyer. I know it's expensive, but it's so worth it. There are so many things that can go wrong in a rent-to-own situation, and you don't want to be the one who has to deal with them.
If you don't have the money for a lawyer, at least find someone who knows what they're doing. Maybe ask your friends or family if they know anyone who has been through a rent-to-own deal before and could help you out.
Also, make sure you read every single word of your contract! The last thing you want is to sign something that says you owe more money than what's written on paper—it can be really easy to miss something like that when you're rushing through everything else.
Benjamin Basic, Content Writer, Fast Food Menu Prices
It is an outright bad idea to do a rent-to-own deal unless you know the people who own the property.
In most cases, you make the deal out of the excitement of the opportunity of owning a home. When making this deal, have the property owner put all the information on the table to make the agreement clear and with no confusion for any future hurdles.
It is always best to protect yourself against these types of arrangements. The best move is to work on your credit status and talk to your legal and protected programs in acquiring property. It always is advisable to get clarifications on any issues from the lender before putting pen to paper. Always do your research, and prepare for your future.
Yongming Song, CEO, Live Poll for Slides
While rent-to-own agreements provide a way for renters to purchase property without a down payment, they come with several pitfalls. You need to pay attention to details such as the length of the lease, the starting purchase price, and the terms of the rent-to-own agreement. Be sure to get everything in writing so there's no confusion later on. Luciano Colos, Founder & CEO, PitchGrade
If you're just starting out in life and don't have the best credit, rent-to-own may be a nice choice to explore. There are no restrictions on rent-to-own in the United States. However, the specifics vary by state.
A rent-to-own agreement can help you get into a home sooner, even if you don't yet meet the requirements for a mortgage. For information on rent-to-own property regulations in your area, it's a good idea to contact your municipal government or consult a local real estate professional.
Renting with the option to purchase is a win-win situation for some people. People who would like to buy a home but are currently unable to financially may benefit from renting with the option to buy.
In particular, people who want to settle down in the long run, those who are not quite there yet, but getting closer to being able to make a down payment, and if you presently do not qualify for a mortgage since your credit score is too low.
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