Your Path to Homeownership:
Rent-to-Own with Only 3.5% Down!

Rent-to-own programs can be an excellent "bridge" for people who are currently excluded from the traditional mortgage market but have the income to support a home.

It essentially allows you to move into your future home now while you spend 1–3 years getting your financial "house" in order. Here are the types of people who benefit most and the specific reasons why these programs work:

  • Poor Credit OK

  • Bank Statement deposits as Income OK

  • Zelle deposits as income OK

  • No enough tradelines OK

  • BK, Foreclosure OK

  • Seller Concessions to pay closings cost OK

  • Gift money OK (parents or sibblings) OK

  • Buyers Agents get your full commission !!!


Who Is This Good For?


Those with a Recent Bankruptcy or Foreclosure: Standard lenders (FHA, Conventional) usually require a "waiting period" of 2 to 7 years after a major credit event. Rent-to-own allows you to occupy the home during that waiting period.

Credit Builders: If your score is currently too low for a competitive interest rate, the 12–36 month lease term gives you a structured window to pay down debt and boost your score before applying for a loan.

The "Down Payment Challenged": For those who have the monthly income but haven't saved $30k–$60k for a down payment, these programs often "forced save" a portion of your rent toward your future equity.

The Self-Employed: Business owners often have difficulty proving stable income to traditional banks. A rent-to-own period provides time to document consistent earnings or wait until they have two years of tax returns that meet lender requirements.


Why It’s a Good Option

1. Lock in the Purchase Price

In a rising market, you can often freeze the purchase price at today’s value. If the home appreciates over the next two years, you gain that equity before you even officially own the property.


2. The "Test Drive"

Unlike a standard purchase where you are stuck after closing, rent-to-own lets you live in the house and neighborhood first. If you discover the foundation is cracked or the neighbors are a nightmare, you can often walk away at the end of the lease (though you may lose your option fee).

3. Built-in Savings (Rent Credits)

Many contracts include "rent premiums." If market rent is $2,000 but you pay $2,300, that extra $300 is often credited toward your down payment at the end. It turns a monthly expense into a small investment.

4. Stability

For families, this avoids the "double move." You can settle into the home, get the kids into the local school system, and start making it your own immediately, rather than moving into a temporary rental while you wait for your credit to heal.

5. Lower Barrier to Entry

While a bank might demand a 640+ score and a huge paper trail, many rent-to-own investors or companies are more flexible. They care more about your current income and rental history than what happened on your credit report three years ago.

Unlock Your Dream Home!

Introducing Generation Mortgage Associates LLC's leading Rent-to-Own program. We specialize in Bridging the Gap for individuals and families who are ready for homeownership but traditional financing isn't quite ready for them. Stop sending rent to a landlord and start building equity and your future today.

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Low Down Payment

Start your ownership journey with only 3.5% down, the first month’s payment, inspection and appraisal fee.

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Flexible Verification

We accept non-traditional income: W2s OR Paystubs OR 1099s OR 3 Months of Bank Statements.

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Alternative Credit

Pre-qualify with a 580+ Credit Score (Only 1 active tradeline required, or we can consider alternate credit).
NOTE: Even with under 580 we can do some exceptions)

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Inclusive Eligibility

We welcome ALL statuses: US Citizens, Permanent & Non-Permanent Resident Aliens (including ITIN and DACA).

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Real Estate Agents: Partner with Us!

Bring us your Rent-to-Own clients! This program is fully agent-friendly. Real Estate Agents receive standard commissions from the real estate sale side of the transaction when the home is purchased.

STEP 2: Get A Loan Estimate

DREAMBUILDER PROGRAM

Frequently Asked Questions

Any other questions? Call (727) 642-1166

How much Do I need?

3.5% Down Payment
1st Month Rent
Inspection Report
Appraisal Report

How long it takes the process?

Purchase Contract must allow 45 days, may be faster as long the borrower provides docs fast.

I am a Real Estate Agent... What about commissions?

As any standard purchase transaction, you will received your commission as agreed with the seller party.

I am a Real Estate Agent... 6% Seller Concessions?

Yes, is required to allow the seller to come with a small amount of money at closing.
In many cases we have seen negotiations that even exceed the original asking price, but had included 6% seller concessions.

I am a Real Estate Agent... About Title

We work with all major title companies, please, be sure to use one of this list:
Allegiance Title LLC, Alliant National Insurance Company, Alliant National Title Agency, American Home Title & Escrow Company, American Security Title Insurance Company, American Title Company of Houston, ANTIC - Agents National Title Ins. Co, Apirra Abstract & Title, Axxis Title Agency, LTD, Canyon Title, Capital Title, Capital Title of Texas, LLC, CATIC& CATIC TITLE, Central Title & Escrow Inc, Core Title Company, DHI Title Agency *Will not have anything to do w/ signing Closing Agreements, DOMA Title Insurance Company, Equity Title Company, A California Corp, Escrow Results, Inc, Essent Title Insurance, Inc, First American Title Insurance Company, First Integrity Title Company, First National Title Insurance Agency, First National Title Insurance Company, Great American Title Agency, Inc, Hollingshead Title & Escrow, Investors Title Insurance Company, Lake Area Title Services, Inc., Landmark Title Assurance Agency, Lendmark Title Agency, Lonestar Title Company, Maryland First Title, Mason Title & Escrow Company, Maverick Title of Texas, LLC dba Texas Title, Merit Title, LLC, ORNTIC - Old Republic National Title Co, OS National LLC, Panorama Mortgage Group, LLC, Parkway Title LLC, a Georgia Limited Liability Company, Perrie & Associates, LLC, Placer Title, Platinum Title, Priority Settlement Group of Texas, Providence Title Company, Provident Title Company, REALtech Title, LLC, Saturn Title LLC, Secured Title of Texas, Security 1st Title, Superior Title & Escrow, LLC, TEEMA Title & Escrow Agency, Texas National Title (TNT), Title Resource Guaranty Company, Tricor Title, Trinity Title of Texas, LLC, Upward Title & Closing Texas LLC, Velox Title & Escrow, Inc, Westcor Land Title Insurance Co, WFG National Title Insurance Company, Worth National Title Insurance Company, WTJB, PLLC dba Byers and Taylor

Can the seller help with closing cost?

This program requires the seller to contribute with 6% as seller concessions to cover closing cost and prepaids. Many real estate agents as part of their negotiation services, they present an offer to include the 6% seller concessions, many times the price maybe higher of the original listing price, as the sellers may be receiving multiple offers.

I am self-employed and my taxes shows low income - can I use bank statements as income?

Yes, we will need the latest 3 months of bank statements, for income calculation.

I am non-permanent alien with work permit, do I qualify?

Yes, be sure your work permit is not expired.

I don have a Social Security Card but I have an ITIN

Yes, we will need a copy of the letter with the ITIN from the IRS.

My Middle Credit Score is below 580

In a case-by-case we accept middle credit score below 580, we will ask for a letter of explanation.

You MUST pull your credit report as we are not allowed to pull your credit, please, keep in mind the credit agency charge a fee for that, and has nothing to do with those fees.
Pull your credit report here:
https://credit.sarmamortgage.com/smartpay/SmartPay.aspx?uid=9db5d8ae-080c-449f-ba12-e1828665a53f#forward

Will the title of the property be under my name?

This is a rent-to-own, for as long you want, even for 30 years and will not be need to refinance... then the title will be under your name.
However, you can rent for as long you want, and as soon you want when you qualify for any other mortgage loan, then the title will be under your name.
The nice feature about the rent-to-own is that you own the equity of the property. So, if you decide to purchase the property you have the equity as credit.

Is this a HUD-approved program?

Yes! DreamBuilder is a unique Housing Empowerment Program in which a purchase transaction is facilitated by a HUD-approved non-profit government entity that allows prospective Homebuyers to enter a Structured Financing Agreement to ultimately transition to entering homeownership.

I have a bankruptcy, Foreclosure, deed-in-lieu, short sale... OK

Bankruptcy requirements:
- Chapter 7: Eligible if discharged at time of closing
- Chapter 13: Eligible if discharged OR if filed within 12 months of closing and documentation supports 0x30 payments since filing
Note: All bankruptcies must be recorded on the credit report
Foreclosure, Deed-in-Lieu, and Short Sale allowed if discharged or satisfied at least one (1) year prior to closing
Note: All events must be recorded in the credit report

Types of properties allowed

• Single Family (Attached and Detached)
• 2-Unit (Attached and Detached)
• Planned Unit Development
• Condominium (FHA approved only; spot approval ineligible)
• Manufactured Home (Multi-Wide only)
• Modular Home
• Townhome

I own other real estate properties...

A Homebuyer with additional real estate owned will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and allowed by exception only.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are acceptable provided the solar panels are included in the price of the home and financed as part of the mortgage. Leased solar panels may be acceptable on a case-by-case basis only.

Certified Home Warranty

A Certified Home Warranty must be obtained when a home inspection has been completed. This warranty is required for all properties where full inspections are performed.

Home Inspection

Inspections must be performed by a licensed home inspector prior to closing. Inspection requirements include: • All health and safety items must be addressed and/or repaired, as required by the inspection • All major systems must be inspected, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, appliances, siding, major fixtures, and flooring • Roof inspection (with a useful life expectancy of at least 10 years) • Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide systems must be tested and certified as operable per local building and health/safety codes • Septic systems must have separate septic inspections performed, and they must be pumped and inspected along with the drain field • If electrical tests are not performed, it must be confirmed that power meters are functioning and are not bypassed

Roof Expectancy Life

Roof inspection (with a useful life expectancy of at least 10 years)

Credit History

• One (1) tradeline with at least 12 months satisfactory history
• Alternative credit may be acceptable

Income

• FHA Full Documentation (one year) W2 & Tax Returns
• Asset Depletion
• Automated Cashflow Qualification
• 3 months Bank Statement Only Income
• P&L + 3 months Bank Statements
• 1099s + 3 months Bank Statements
• WVOE + 3 months Bank Statements

What is the Maximum Loan Amount?

This varies by county - please check: https://tinyurl.com/mtk6axb2

Why do I need to pull a credit report?

The credit report must be pull in this link:
https://credit.sarmamortgage.com/smartpay/SmartPay.aspx?uid=9db5d8ae-080c-449f-ba12-e1828665a53f#forward

This is connected to our underwriting system that allows the loan approvals.
We look at:
Credit Score
Late Payments
Minimum Monthly Payments

The minimum monthly payments is your monthly payment like credit cards, car payment, study loans, loans.

We use this total of minimum monthly payments and compare to your income, based on that the system calculates the mortgage loan amount for pre-approval.

Underwriting Guidelines Matrix

© Copyright 2026. All rights reserved by Generation Mortgage Associates LLC

Company NMLS#: 224585

1155 Pasadena Ave S - Suite H - South Pasadena, FL 33707

This website has not been reviewed, approved or issued by HUD, FHA or any governmental agency.