Re-lo — relocation real estate platform

Lease today, own tomorrow

Rent to own, decoded.

Move into your future home now. Lock in today’s purchase price. Build U.S. credit and accumulate down payment with every rent check. Exercise the option to buy when you’re ready.

How it works

Three steps to ownership —
without a mortgage on day one.

— Step I

Rent

Move in under a 12–36 month lease at market rent. The lease is a normal residential lease — your day-to-day looks identical to any other tenancy.

— Step II

Build credit

A portion of every monthly rent payment is credited toward your eventual down payment. Meanwhile, your time in the home seasons your U.S. credit file and stabilizes your income documentation.

— Step III

Buy

At any point during your option period, exercise your right to purchase at the pre-agreed strike price. Your accumulated option fee + rent credits reduce the cash you need at closing.

Available rent-to-own homes

2 homes currently structured rent-to-own.

Not seeing your market?
For Sale
Low risk
$329,000$2,317/mo
Riverside Heights Craftsman
807 W Floribraska Ave, Tampa, FL
Riverside Heights · Hillsborough County
3 Beds 2 Bath 1,310 sf
For Sale
Moderate
$295,000$2,078/mo
Conway Family Home
5018 Treebrook Dr, Orlando, FL
Conway · Orange County
4 Beds 2 Bath 1,830 sf
Common questions

Rent-to-own,
the way it should work.

Re-lo contracts are structured to avoid the predatory patterns that gave rent-to-own a bad reputation. Fair option fees, transparent rent credits, recorded options, and no mandatory purchase.

How long is a typical rent-to-own term?
Most Re-lo rent-to-own contracts run 12 to 36 months. 24 months is the median — long enough for Canadian relocators to season U.S. credit history, short enough that the strike price doesn't drift far from market value. The exact term is part of the listing's negotiated structure and is shown on every property page.
What is the option fee, and is it refundable?
The option fee is your upfront payment to lock in the right to purchase. On Re-lo listings, it's typically 2–7% of the purchase price ($15K–$25K is common on a $300K–$400K home) and is credited toward your down payment at closing if you exercise. If you choose not to exercise, the option fee is generally non-refundable — that's the price of the lock. We disclose the refundability terms on every listing before you sign.
How much of my rent counts toward the down payment?
Rent credit varies by listing — typically $200–$500 of each monthly payment is credited toward your down payment. On a 24-month lease at $400/mo credit, you've accumulated $9,600 in rent credit alone by the time you exercise — on top of your option fee. The exact monthly credit is shown on each property page.
Who qualifies for rent-to-own on Re-lo?
We focus on three buyer profiles: Canadian relocators arriving without U.S. credit history, self-employed buyers between business stabilization and lender approval, and buyers between life events (divorce, recent move, bankruptcy) who'll qualify for conventional financing in 18–24 months. Every applicant goes through a normal tenant screening — income, prior rental history, references — but the bar is lower than mortgage underwriting.
What happens if I can't qualify for a mortgage by the end of the option period?
Some Re-lo rent-to-own contracts allow a one-time extension at the seller's discretion. If extension isn't possible and you can't exercise, you walk away. You forfeit the option fee and accumulated rent credits, but you're under no obligation to buy — the option is a right, not a requirement. Lease-purchase (mandatory purchase) contracts are not what Re-lo lists.
Who pays for repairs, maintenance, and property taxes during the lease?
Standard structure: routine maintenance under a threshold (typically $250–$500 per repair) is the tenant's responsibility; everything above the threshold, plus property tax and insurance, stays with the landlord-seller until exercise. After exercise, you become the owner and assume all of it. The exact maintenance threshold and tax responsibility are spelled out in the option agreement.
Is the option recorded so the seller can't sell to someone else?
Yes — on Re-lo listings, we recommend (and most sellers agree to) recording a memorandum of option at the county clerk. This puts the public on notice that you have an enforceable right to purchase, blocking the seller from selling to a third party mid-option and protecting you if the seller's mortgage situation changes.
Ready to move in?

Let’s walk through your options.

An advisor will review your timeline, credit profile, and target market — then match you to the strongest rent-to-own structure in our inventory or open the search wider.