A “Lease-Option” is when, in addition to signing a lease, a tenant also buys an option to purchase the house at some point in the future, usuallyduring the life of the lease.
Example: Harry Homeowner leases a house to Tammy Tenant for one year. Tammy also purchases an “option” to buy the house within the next year at a price to be determined by a neutral appraiser if and when Tammy exercises her option. This Option gives Tammy the right, but not the obligation, to purchase the house. If Tammy does exercise her Option, the amount she originally paid for the Option will typically be applied to the purchase price of the house. Also, assuming it is paid on time, a portion of her monthly rent will usually be applied to the eventual purchase price as well. Finally, Harry may also agree to give Tammy a split of the equity that grows through normal appreciation between the time Tammy signs the lease and when she exercises her Option.
Lease-Options are most popular with people who don't have enough funds for a down payment and closing costs and/or people with low credit scores. Instead of simply paying rent that is never recovered, tenants are able to share in the equity that is generated exercising their Option and purchasing the house below market value (appraised value minus Option purchase price, monthly rental credits, and/or equity split).
Example 1: Equity Chart Comparison

Note: Utilizing the CRESAZ Lease-Option Program with the same monthly payment as renting or owning, you have effectively doubled the amount of equity earnedas compared to owning, with roughly half as much money out of pocket up front.
Lease-Option: If you Lease-Option this home, assume you will put down a $3500 option deposit (credited 100% towards the purchase price of the home) plus first months rent of $1000. You will also receive a $125 (12.5%) rent credit eachmonth that will be credited towards the purchase price of the home.
Rent: If you were to rent this same home for $1000 per month, you would have to pay first and last month's rent plus, approximately, a $1000 security deposit(total up front out of pocket: $3000).
Purchase: Assume that you have very good credit so you are able to secure an 8% interest rate on a 30-year mortgage and a SMALL down payment of 5% of the sale price ($5000 down). Your mortgage payment would be approximately $735/month. Taxes, insurance and private mortgage insurance will run approximately $265 per month. This would put your monthly payment at about $1000/month. Closingcosts and pre-paid expenses typically cost about $3000 for a $100,000 home.
As you can see, using a Lease-Option instead of just renting creates a ‘win-win’ situation for everyone!
A Few Benefits of the Lease-Option Program in Arizona
· Faster Equity Growth - Equity can accumulate much faster than with conventional financing.
· Rent Credit - Money is working towards the purchase of the home each month that you pay rent on time and will be credited towards your down paymentor taken off the sales price.
· Option Consideration - This is credited towards the purchase of the home when you execute your option. This money is your vested interest in thehome and will be fully credited (100%) to your down payment.
· Minimum Cash Needed - When you purchase a home conventionally, you must pay closing costs, pre-paids and a down payment. With a lease option contract, you pay only the first month's rent and an option deposit. This will save youa lot of money.
· Closing Costs Are Delayed - Your closing costs will be delayed (not avoided) until you actually close on the home.· Profits from Appreciation – When you exercise your option, not only will you have equity from your option and rent credits but most houses come with an equity split, meaning you will also receive a percentage of theequity from appreciation in the property.
· Buying Power - Your buying power is drastically increased. You can get into a Lease-Option home for as little as the first month's rent and the Option fee. Compare that to a lender who requires 10-20% down plus closing costsand pre-pays.
· Credit Problems ok - Qualification restrictions are not as strict as conventional financing. You will be approved at the sole discretion of CompleteReal Estate Solutions, LLC.
· No Taxes, Less Liability - Since you do not own the home yet, you will not have to pay property taxes and your liability exposure will be drastically reduced.· Maximum Leverage - You are spending very little money to fulfill the American dream of home ownership and building equity in that American dream.
· Time before you actually buy the home - You will have time to repair your credit, find the best financing available, investigate the home and researchthe neighborhood.
· Quick Move In Time - Move in time is typically less than one week compared to conventional move in times of one to three months from the time the offer was made.August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006