Is buying a lease-to-own contract a good idea?

Is buying a lease-to-own contract a good idea?

Residential Real Estate Agent · Saratoga, CA · Member since 2009 · 71 posts · 9 votes

I am thinking about buying a property which is leased-to-own for the term of 6 years. The numbers look like this:
Purchase price : $15k
Rents: $450/mo after taxes & insurance
At the end of 6 years the tenant owns the house free & clear and I have received a 20% ROI.
Does anyone think this is a good deal? It does not feel right, because I won't own the house after the 6 yrs term.
Thanks for your help, Rolly

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  • Real Estate Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2008 · 456 posts · 42 votes
    17y

    A 20% return on $15K is $3000. Divide that by 6 yrs. and you're making $500/yr. on that $15K. I'd say that pretty much sucks.

  • Residential Real Estate Agent · Saratoga, CA · Member since 2009 · 71 posts · 9 votes
    17y

    Hi Karen,
    Thanks for your response, but it would be $3000 per year for 6 yrs. so $18K. Do you still think it's a bad deal?
    Thanks

  • Real Estate Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2008 · 456 posts · 42 votes
    17y
    Originally posted by Rolly Dupree:
    Hi Karen,
    Thanks for your response, but it would be $3000 per year for 6 yrs. so $18K. Do you still think it's a bad deal?
    Thanks


    No, I'd say more than doubling your money in 6 years is not a bad deal but your original statement said "at the end of 6 years." What difference does it make if you own the property in the end if the ROI is good? I would have an attorney review the contracts and make sure my position is protected from both the original owner and the tenant/buyer though.
  • Real Estate Investor · East Aurora, NY · Member since 2009 · 70 posts · 22 votes
    17y

    What recourse will you have if the tenant fails to pay? This feels more like a land contract then a lease to own.

  • Investor · Kalamazoo, MI · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 495 votes
    17y

    Lease options can be tricky if the buyers files bankrupcy. The court could say you have an un-recorded lein and try to take the property for the benefit of the buyers creditors. It would probably cost about $10k to try to defend in Federal Court and with such a small amount invested would most likely not be worth trying to defend on your end. I would check with your lawyer and see what he thinks would happen in this situation. I personally would not buy a lease option contract/note for this reason.

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