Rent-to-own

Rent just hit an all-time high… again

Rents just keep on climbing

October 31, 2018

With more and more renters feeling the affordability crunch, there seemed to be some light on the horizon recently with the steady rise in rents appearing to finally slow down over the last few months. Nevermind. As it turns out, rents are still going up and just hit an all-time high, again.

Rent-to-own innovator Divvy raises $30 million to fund growth

Funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz

October 9, 2018

Ben Lane

Divvy Homes, a real estate startup aiming to revolutionize rent-to-own and fractional ownership, just raised $30 million to help the company continue growing. Divvy officially launched earlier this year with $7 million in funding. But now, the company has $30 million more at its disposal.

NYDFS investigating whether rent-to-own is actually predatory lending

Issues warning on risks of rent-to-own contracts

April 16, 2018

Ben Lane

The New York Department of Financial Services revealed Monday that it is currently investigating whether alternative home purchase agreements, such as rent-to-own, lease-to-own or land installment contracts, currently being offered in New York are actually “unlicensed, predatory mortgage lending.”

Meet Divvy: Startup aims to revolutionize rent-to-own

Buyer selects property, Divvy buys home, rents it to resident while they build equity

January 25, 2018

Ben Lane

While rent-to-own is not a new concept in the housing market, a new real estate company is set to launch that aims to rebrand renting to own into a buyer-friendly proposition. Divvy Homes, which soft-launched two months ago, claims that its program offers consumers the flexibility of renting with the financial benefits of homeownership, all with the prospective homeowner in mind.

Rent-to-own operator Vision Property Management shut down in Wisconsin

Legal battle with state continues

October 11, 2017

Ben Lane

A Wisconsin state court effectively ended rent-to-own operator Vision Property Management’s ability to operate in the state, as the company’s battle with the state continues. Back in June, the Wisconsin Department of Justice sued VPM and its various affiliates for using “misleading and deceiving business practices to induce Wisconsin consumers to lease, rent, or purchase uninhabitable properties.”

Wisconsin accuses rent-to-own operator Vision Property Management of harming consumers

State sues VPM over its “misleading and deceiving business practices”

June 5, 2017

Ben Lane

The Wisconsin Department of Justice announced Monday that the state is suing Vision Property Management and its various affiliates for using “misleading and deceiving business practices to induce Wisconsin consumers to lease, rent, or purchase uninhabitable properties.” The lawsuit claims that VPM targeted low income consumers with predatory rent-to-own offers on “dilapidated” homes.

KBRA: Rent-to-own properties problematic arena for investors

Let’s tap the brakes on the whole 'future of housing' thing

January 18, 2016

Ben Lane

A recent report from Moody's highlighted the benefits for consumers and investors that stem from Home Partners of America’s rent-to-own program, but a new report from Kroll Bond Rating Agency throws a wet blanket onto anyone who posited that rent-to-own could be the “future of housing.”

Is rent-to-own the future of housing?

Home Partners of America’s first securitization offers glimpse at new buying option

January 14, 2016

Ben Lane

With rising rents making it more difficult for many to even save the 3% down payment they’d now need to buy a home, a new option is emerging as an avenue for consumers to live in the home they want and save money to buy it at the same time – rent-to-own.

Demand growing for rent-to-own homes

By investors and consumers

July 29, 2015

Brena Swanson

Rent-to-own programs are once again increasing in popularity after losing steam back in the 1990s. One perk of the program that’s appealing to consumers is that they aren’t forced to purchase the home.

Young, single demographic essential for housing providers

April 16, 2012

Kerri Ann Panchuk

Undeniably the world changes, and those who don't change with it end up stuck in the quicksand of history, wondering why they can't move ahead.For providers...