Rent to Own Homes in Minnesota, A Path Forward When Banks Say No
One Life Event Shouldn’t Cost You Homeownership.
A divorce, a business, a single rough year — banks see a score. We see your whole story. Our rent-to-own program is a structured path to homeownership for qualified buyers who are 12–24 months away from conventional financing.
How It Works
You Apply — We Review Your Full Picture
1
Fill out a short intake form. We look at income, assets, and your timeline — not just a credit score. Takes less than 5 minutes.
We Find the Home, Structure the Deal
2
If you qualify, we identify homes in your target area and bring in a private investor to purchase it. You move in with 10%+ down as your option consideration.
You Rent, Build Credit, and Get Mortgage-Ready
3
Your monthly lease payment gives you a stable home. While you live there, you work a financial plan — often with a CPA or mortgage broker — to clear the path to a conventional loan.
You Exercise Your Option and Close
4
When you’re ready to buy, you use your option to purchase at the pre-set price. Your down payment is already in place. You close like any other buyer — because you are one.
You’ve Worked Hard to Get Here. Let’s Make Sure It Counts.
Thousands of qualified buyers are stuck because of one event. If you have income, assets, and a real path forward — we want to talk. The first step takes 5 minutes.
You Might Qualify If…
✓ You had a divorce, bankruptcy, or medical event that hurt your credit
✓ You’re self-employed with strong income but hard-to-document financials
✓ Your credit score is 580–679 and you’re 12–24 months from qualifying
✓ You have 10%+ saved for a down payment but can’t get approved yet
Not a Rental. Not a Scam. A Real Path to Ownership.
No Bait-and-Switch
Your purchase price is locked in at the start. What you agree to on day one is what you pay when you close.
You Choose the Home
We don’t hand you a list of leftovers. We work your target area and find homes that fit your needs and budget.
We’re In It With You
While you’re renting, we stay involved — connecting you with a mortgage broker and CPA to keep your path to closing on track.
See If You Qualify — It Takes 5 Minutes
Tell us a little about your situation. We review every application personally and reach out within 24 hours.
Common Questions
Do I need good credit to apply?
No. We don’t screen on credit score alone. We look at your full picture — income, assets, employment, and how you got to where you are. Many of our best applicants have scores in the 580–679 range.
How much do I need for a down payment?
We typically require 10% or more as an option consideration payment. This goes toward your eventual purchase and is collected at move-in — not at closing.
What happens if I can’t buy at the end of the term?
We structure terms of 12–24 months and work with you proactively to get mortgage-ready. If circumstances change, we discuss options. We’re not trying to take your money — we’re trying to get you into a home.
Can I pick any home?
We work your target area to find available properties that fit your situation. You have input on the home — we’re not picking one for you blindly.
Is the purchase price locked in?
Yes. Your option price is set at the start of the agreement. If the market goes up, you still pay the agreed price — that’s part of the value of locking in now.
What areas do you work in?
We are based in Maple Grove, MN and work throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Reach out to ask about your specific market.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rent to Own in Minnesota
What is rent to own and how does it work?
Rent to own (also called a lease-option or lease-purchase) is an agreement where you rent a home for a set period, typically 1–3 years, with the option to buy it at a predetermined price before the lease ends. A portion of your monthly rent may apply toward your eventual purchase. It’s a way to get into a home now while you build credit, save a down payment, or stabilize your income.
Who is rent to own a good fit for?
Rent to own works well for buyers who have had a recent credit event (bankruptcy, foreclosure, divorce, medical debt), are self-employed with hard-to-document income, need time to save a larger down payment, or simply aren’t ready to commit to a mortgage but want to lock in a price in today’s market.
How is The Option Co. different from other rent to own programs?
We structure each deal individually based on your situation, we don’t run cookie-cutter programs. We work with both sellers who want to offer rent-to-own terms and buyers who are looking for homes available on those terms. Every agreement is reviewed by a real estate attorney before signing.
What happens if I decide not to buy at the end of the lease?
In a lease-option structure, you have the option but not the obligation to purchase. If you choose not to buy, your option fee (paid upfront) may be forfeited depending on the terms. We’re transparent about this from the start and make sure you fully understand the agreement before committing.
What areas does The Option Co. serve for rent to own?
We work primarily in the Twin Cities metro, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Blaine, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Eagan, and surrounding suburbs, as well as greater Minnesota.
Ready to Stop Renting for Good?
The application takes 5 minutes. We review it personally and reach out within 24 hours. No pressure, no obligation — just a real conversation about what’s possible.