You pay for the right to buy the house later. If you change your mind, you can walk away at the end of the term, though you’ll lose any extra money you’ve paid.

The story begins with two people—a tenant (the buyer) and a landlord (the seller)—signing a contract that blends a standard lease with a future sale. There are two main ways this is structured:

During the lease term—typically —you live in the home as a tenant. However, your monthly payments are often higher than the local market rate. What to Know About Rent-to-Own | MilitaryByOwner

On a $250,000 home, you might pay $5,000 to $17,500 upfront.

For many, "rent-to-own" is a bridge between the flexibility of renting and the stability of homeownership. This path is often chosen by those who have the income for a home but need time to repair a credit score or save for a full down payment.