That’s a common misconception! While Rent-to-Own can be more flexible than traditional mortgages, you do need a down payment to get started—typically around 5% of the home price.

Here’s why: Your down payment becomes your initial equity in the home and is part of what helps you qualify for a mortgage at the end of the program. It shows you’re serious, committed, and ready to invest in your future. The good news? Every dollar you put in is working for you—not for a landlord.

Unlike a traditional rental where the money is gone, your down payment plus a portion of each monthly payment gets credited back to you at the end of the program when you successfully purchase your home, building toward your full down payment.

So yes, you do need some savings to get started—but we help make that money grow faster than it would sitting in a savings account.