Instead of a security deposit, you pay a non-refundable "option fee" (typically 1% to 5% of the home's value) to lock in your exclusive right to buy.
In Houston’s 2026 real estate market, rent-to-buy (or rent-to-own) agreements have emerged as a strategic "bridge" for residents navigating mid-6% mortgage rates and rising property values. This arrangement allows you to move into a home as a tenant with a legal pathway to purchase it within typically . How It Works in Houston (2026) rent to buy homes houston
You often pay slightly above market rent. A portion of this—known as a "rent credit"—is set aside in an escrow account to grow your future down payment. Instead of a security deposit, you pay a