Qualifications & Helpful Information

On this page of our website, we will refer to:

• Leonard R Terry, Broker / Certified "HPA" Agent / REALTOR®, Doing Business As (DBA) Rent 2 Own Central Florida Services as "R2O"
• Home Partners of America, LLC as "HPA".

"HPA" has minimum criteria for their program:

• Household must have a combined annual income of $45,000.00
• A FICO credit score of 600 for the highest wage earner in the family in the Orlando Market. A FICO credit score of 580 for the highest wage earner in the family for Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Volusia, and Polk County Markets
• Must have stable employment
• Must allow us 5 weeks from time of application to occupancy to purchase the chosen home and make it ready to lease.
• No history of eviction or a pending bankruptcy
• Past bankruptcy okay but must be discharged at time of application
• Everyone in the household will be subject to a criminal background check

Every member of your household who is 18 years of age or older must complete the Pre-Qualification Application and the Full Application. The Full Application requires certain information including:

• Residence and employment history, for each member of the household 
• Must provide income verification of household members whose income is to be considered in determining the rent approval amount in order for the application to be considered complete
• If applicant(s) are moving from a state outside of Florida or starting a new job, we will need confirmation of the new job and income. Two check stubs from a Florida employer are required prior to applying.
• Self-employment is acceptable. Prior year federal tax return and two most current monthly bank statements are required

"HPA" takes several factors into consideration when reviewing an application, which include:

• Household income
• Rent-to-income ratios
• Debt-to-income ratios
• Rental and housing history
• Employment history
• Criminal history
• FICO® scores.

"HPA" will usually make a decision on your application within 1 to 3 business days of receiving all required information.

• Start the process, by filling out our FREE Pre-Qualification Application that checks key qualifying factors. 
• If the Pre-Qualification Application is approved, you can proceed to the Full Application which will include a full credit and background check. You will be asked to pay a one-time Application Fee of $75.00, which covers all members in the household that are on the application. This fee is charged to reduce our costs of credit check fees and background check fees to third parties as well as our administrative expenses. This fee is non-refundable.

Coordinate with our Certified Agent, Rent 2 Own Central Florida, a Licensed Florida REALTOR® ("US") to search for homes that meet Home Partners of America, LLC's ("HPA") purchasing criteria. 

Generally, this means that the home should be:

• Located in an approved community (home is displayed on https://Rent2Own-CentralFL.com or www.homepartners.com (all homes on "R2O's" website are also on "HP's" site) and is not adjacent to features that may negatively impair value);
• Listed for between $100,000 and $400,000
• Located on a lot no more than two acres
• A minimum of two bedrooms
• A single family home or fee-simple town-home; condo associations, condo interests, commercial and multi-family properties are not eligible for the Rent to Own (RTP) Program
• A traditional sale; short sales, auctions, and REOs are not eligible for the RTP Program
• Free from material deficiencies and defects
• No guest houses or in-law suites with separate entrances
• Swimming pools okay but tenant(s) will be responsible to reimburse "HPA" for regular cleaning
• Once the home is approved by the prospective tenant(s), "R2O" will submit the home for final approval

"HPA" takes several factors into consideration when reviewing an application, which include household income, rent-to-income, and debt-to-income ratio, rental and housing history, employment history, criminal history, and FICO® score. We consider the profile of the entire household when reviewing an application. If your application is denied, you will receive notification in writing. 

No. The homes shown on our websites are listed for sale in the markets in which we operate. This list of homes automatically feeds into our website from a listing service and is updated on a regular basis. However, we cannot filter for certain criteria such as whether a town-home is or is not fee-simple so there is a possibility that a home shown on our website does not meet our minimum eligibility criteria. The information on available homes shown on our website is for informational purposes only and cannot be guaranteed by Home Partners. 

Generally, "HPA" requires a deposit equal to two months’ rent. This deposit is not applied towards your rent. If you decide to leave the home at the end of any one-year lease term and you have been in compliance with the terms of the lease and return the home in the same condition it was in when you moved in (normal wear and tear excepted), the full deposit will be returned to you or credited to the purchase price if you buy the home. The full deposit (less any outstanding charges owed to Home Partners) is also returned to you if you exercise your Right to Purchase the home. 

 On average, it takes approximately five to six weeks from the time we enter into a purchase agreement for a home until the day the prospective tenant(s) are able to move in. There are a number of variables that may affect the move-in time frame, including the length of negotiation with the seller leading up to when "HPA" enter into a purchase agreement, what the home inspection reveals with respect to required repairs, and the renovations you request. "HPA" will keep the prospective tenant(s) informed throughout the entire purchase and renovation process so that you are aware of this timing. 

Many times selecting a vacant home will require less time for the process because:

• Home inspection is quicker and easier with no furniture
• The owners of the home do not need time to move 

The tenant(s) are "HPA's" tenant, and "HPA" is the tenant(s) landlord. The tenant(s) have entered into a lease agreement with "HPA" for one year whereby both parties are bound to the terms of that lease agreement. "HPA" will collect monthly rents and perform any necessary repairs that are their responsibility after you move in. 

No. Monthly rent payments are not applied to the purchase price of the home. If you decide to exercise your Right to Purchase, you must pay the full predetermined price as set forth in the Right to Purchase Agreement executed prior to the tenant(s) occupying the property. 

You may notify "HPA" at any time that the Lease is in effect that you would like to exercise your Right to Purchase. However, you must provide "HPA" with that notice in writing at least 60 days before you want to complete the purchase. Once you notify "HPA" that you want to exercise your Right to Purchase, "HPA" will contact you to get the process started. 

You can exercise your Right to Purchase at any time during your Lease. However, you must provide "HPA" with written notice of your intent to exercise at least 60 days before you want the sale to close. In addition, the closing date must occur before the end of the applicable Lease term. 

"R2O" or "HPA" are not a mortgage company and we will not provide or arrange a mortgage loan for you. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to obtain a mortgage loan if and when you wish to exercise the Right to Purchase. 

"HPA's" residents are allowed a maximum number of three (3) pets (cats or dogs) weighing less than 180 pounds in total combined weight. "HPA" expressly prohibits the following dog breeds (including partial mixes of same): Doberman, Pit-bull, Rottweiler or Mastiff. Further, livestock/farm animal pets such as pigs, horses, chickens and goats, aquariums over 20 gallons, and exotic, venomous and verminous pets, are not allowed. In most states, there is a $300 nonrefundable per pet fee, refundable upon purchase of the home. Please note that although assistance animals are excluded from Home Partners’ pet policy requirements, supporting documentation is required to qualify as such.