Updated
May 31, 2023 After doing all the research on leaseback agreements, we recommend starting with Sell2Rent first because the company is available in all 50 states.
3 best home-sale leaseback companies
Leaseback agreements allow homeowners to tap into their equity without taking out a home equity loan or line of credit (HELOC). A residential leaseback agreement involves selling the home and then leasing it from the new owner.
Home-sale leaseback companies can help homeowners interested in selling establish this type of arrangement. We’ve researched the best home-sale leaseback options based on overall user experience, resident perks, and nationwide coverage.
There are a few companies that offer leaseback options to homeowners. In creating our rating system, we evaluated companies on several factors (listed below).
Considering those factors, we identified three home-sale leaseback companies that stood out. If you’d like to skip ahead, click on the company name below to jump to that section of our review.
| Company | Best for | Our rating |
| EasyKnock | Best overall | 5.0 stars |
| Truehold | Best for resident perks | 4.6 stars |
| Sell2Rent | Best for nationwide coverage | 4.0 stars |
Best all-around: EasyKnock
Two programs to choose from
- Access up to 100% of your home’s value
- Ability to repurchase your home
- No minimum credit score or debt-to-income (DTI) requirements
EasyKnock ranks as the top home-sale leaseback company overall thanks to its flexible leaseback options, strong customer reviews, and ease of use. Homeowners have two leaseback options to choose from: Sell & Stay or MoveAbility.
Sell & Stay allows you to sell your home to EasyKnock and remain in the property as a renter for a 12-month term. You can receive up to 75% of your home’s appraised value in cash, with the option to renew your lease or direct EasyKnock to sell the property. If you choose the second option, you keep any appreciation value.
MoveAbility also offers a 12-month lease agreement but no option to renew. This type of leaseback is designed for homeowners who want to rent while looking for another property to buy. If the home appreciates during your lease term, get that value back once EasyKnock sells the property.
- How long can you remain in your home? 12 months, with the option to renew up to 5 years with Sell & Stay agreements
- Ability to repurchase the home? Yes, with Sell & Stay leaseback agreements
- Eligible homes: Single-family homes, townhomes, and eligible condos
- State availability: Available in most states but in limited areas
- Soft credit check? Yes
- Disclosed fees: 4.99% processing fee, closing costs, option fee, agent commissions
- Time to close: 4 – 6 weeks
Best resident perks: Truehold
Enjoy resident perks while you rent
- Remain in your home indefinitely
- Get cash in as little as 30 days
- Built-in benefits, including special discounts
Truehold offers a single leaseback option, but it includes plenty of flexibility for homeowners. You can sell your home to Truehold and remain as a renter for as long as you like. Funding is often available within 30 days, and you can use the money to cover basic living expenses, health care, or anything else you might need cash for.
It’s one of the best home-sale leaseback companies for perks. Renters can get special discounts on meal deliveries, groceries, transportation, and entertainment. Truehold offers professional property management that includes home concierge services and property upkeep, so you don’t have to worry about handling repairs.
As of April 2023, Truehold only operates in a handful of cities, but the company plans to expand its services. If you’re interested in discussing your leaseback options, contact Truehold by phone. There’s no option to apply online.
- How long can you remain in your home? Indefinitely
- Ability to repurchase the home? Not specified
- Eligible homes: Single-family homes
- State availability: Available in Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania
- Soft credit check? Not specified
- Disclosed fees: Real estate commissions up to 6% of the home’s value
- Time to close: 30 days or less
Best for nationwide coverage: Sell2Rent
Available in all 50 states
- Two programs to choose form
- Concentrates on homeowners dealing with tough financial situations
- Available in all 50 states
Sell2Rent is a technology company where many investors compete for your business. It gives homeowners two options for tapping into their equity. The Sell & Leaseback program allows you to draw cash from your home based on its fair market value and remain as a renter. With Sell and Move Out, you can get matched with a buyer, collect your equity cash at closing, and move out of the home.
The leaseback program allows you to remain in the home for one year, with the option to negotiate a longer contract. While in the home, you don’t have to worry about maintenance or paying other costs, such as HOA fees, property taxes, or homeowners insurance.
Home values are determined by investors who purchase homes through Sell2Rent. Values are based on the home’s condition, comparable homes in the area, and the overall condition of the market to ensure you get the most cash possible.
- How long can you remain in your home? Determined by you and the investor
- Ability to repurchase the home? No
- Eligible homes: Single-family homes and townhomes
- State availability: Available nationwide
- Soft credit check? Not by Sell2Rent. The investor/buyer may as part of the tenant approval process
- Disclosed fees: 6% of transaction costs
- Time to close: 30 to 45 days
How we chose the best home-sale leaseback companies
LendEDU has evaluated lenders since 2020 to help our readers find the best home-sale leasebacks. Our most recent evaluation consisted of four companies and 21 data points for each.
These data points fell under nine categories: eligibility requirements, transparency, lease terms, purchase price, fees, customer experience, company history, benefits, and closing time.
Pros and cons of home-sale leasebacks
Residential leaseback agreements can offer advantages and disadvantages, both of which are important to weigh when deciding whether it might be right for your needs.
Here are the main pros and cons to know about home-sale leasebacks.
Pros
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Leasebacks allow you to turn home equity into cash without taking on debt in the form of a home equity loan or HELOC.
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A leaseback option can allow you to stay in the home so you can maintain your current lifestyle or prepare for a move.
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Leaseback companies can take responsibility for homeowners insurance, property taxes, maintenance, and HOA fees, removing those expenses from your budget.
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Closing and funding may be much faster compared to selling the home on the open market.
Cons
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Some leaseback companies allow you to pocket appreciation value when the home is sold on the open market, but not all allow this.
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Similar to selling a home on the market, leaseback agreements may require you to pay closing costs or other fees.
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Depending on the conditions of the housing market in your area, your rent payments may be the same as your mortgage or even higher, negating savings.
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Since you rent rather than own, you’re no longer building equity through your monthly housing payments.
Is a home-sale leaseback my best option?
Home-sale leasebacks are not the only way to withdraw equity. There are other options you might consider, including:
The main difference between these options and a home-sale leaseback is that the first three alternatives require you to take on debt.
With a home equity loan, you borrow a lump sum in the form of a second mortgage you must repay with interest. A HELOC is a flexible revolving credit line. Cash-out refinancing replaces your current mortgage with a new one. All three are secured by your home.
Reverse mortgages, meanwhile, are designed for older homeowners who have paid off most or all of their mortgage debt. This type of arrangement can provide you with steady income for retirement, but there’s a catch: Your heirs may need to sell the home when you pass away to repay reverse mortgage debt.
If you’d rather avoid an extra debt payment or don’t qualify for a reverse mortgage yet, a home-sale leaseback could be the better option. Here are specific scenarios where a leaseback agreement could make sense.
| If you… | A leaseback could allow you to… |
| Want to downsize your home | Take your time to select the right property and get organized for a move at your own pace. |
| Need money to cover medical bills | Convert your equity to cash to pay for health care while potentially lowering your housing costs. |
| Are worried about a housing market downturn | Sell your home for top dollar while continuing to enjoy the benefits of living in it. |
| Need cash to pay for college | Cover higher education expenses while your kids get started in school with the option to stay in the home or downsize once they leave the nest. |
| Would like to create an additional stream of income for retirement | Withdraw your equity and continue building wealth without the need for a reverse mortgage. |
How to decide on a home-sale leaseback company
Finding the right home-sale leaseback company to work with can depend on your specific needs and situation. If you think a leaseback agreement could be right for you, researching your options is the next logical step.
Here are some of the key factors to consider when comparing home-sale leaseback companies:
- How are leaseback programs structured? Are they sell-and-rent agreements or sell-and-move-out?
- Do you have an option to buy the home back later? If so, what price would you pay?
- How much home value does the company allow you to withdraw in cash?
- If entering into a sell-and-rent leaseback, how long could you stay in the home? And would you be able to extend the term?
- What costs, if any, will you pay at closing? What ongoing costs are you responsible for, if any?
- How long does funding take?
- Is there an option to prequalify or compare offers without committing to a leaseback agreement or affecting your credit score?
- Are there any minimum credit score, income, or DTI requirements you must meet?
Reading reviews of the best home-sale leaseback companies (including this one) can be a smart way to supplement your research. You can also check consumer reviews online to see what customers say about individual companies.
When deciding which company to work with, remember to trust your instincts. If a company seems scammy or attempts to dodge answering questions about the agreement, those are red flags. You may want to look elsewhere to sell your home.
How to apply for a home-sale leaseback
The process of applying for a home-sale leaseback will vary by lender. If you’ve identified a lender you’d like to work with, the application process might look something like this.
- Get prequalified, if it’s an option. Leaseback companies may give you the option to go through an initial prequalification, either over the phone or online, to see what program or terms you may qualify for. That could be worth your time if you’d like to compare offers, but it’s important to note whether a hard credit check is required.
- Provide details about your home. The leaseback company may request information about your home, including your current mortgage balance, your home’s estimated value, and where it’s located.
- Submit the application. You may need to fill out specific documents to apply for a home-sale leaseback. The leaseback company may also perform a hard credit check, but it needs to request your permission first.
- Accept the offer. Once the leaseback company reviews the information you provided about your home and finances, you’ll get an offer. If the terms are agreeable, you can accept it and move ahead with closing.
- Get your cash and pay any necessary fees. The final step is signing off on the leaseback agreement. At this stage, you can get your cas. If you’re staying in the home, you’ll transition from owner to renter on the date of signing.
The leaseback company may require an appraisal to determine the home’s value. You won’t always need a real estate agent, you might consult with one if you have questions or want a second opinion on whether it’s the right move. If you’re working with an agent, let the leaseback company know upfront.
FAQ
What is a leaseback?
A leaseback is an arrangement in which a homeowner sells their hom and then rents it back from the buyer. Leasebacks allow the homeowner to pull equity out of the home in cash without having to move out of the property.
What does a residential leaseback agreement look like?
A residential leaseback agreement doesn’t look much different from any other type of rental agreement. Your agreement will specify how long you’re renting the home for, what you’ll pay in rent, and when rent payments are due. However, additional stipulations could apply that lay out resident perks, renter responsibilities, and buyback options, if applicable.
How do I initiate a sale leaseback on my home?
You can do a sale leaseback on your home by working with a reputable leaseback company. The leaseback company can evaluate the home to give you an idea of how much cash you can get and work with you to draft a rental agreement. You can work with a real estate agent during this process, but it’s not a requirement.
How does a home-sale leaseback differ from a reverse mortgage?
Home-sale leaseback agreements allow you to sell your home for cash but remain in the home. Reverse mortgages are designed for older homeowners who need supplemental cash for retirement but don’t want to sell the property. Once the homeowner passes away, the reverse mortgage debt becomes payable in full.
How long does it take to get funds from a home-sale leaseback?
The processing time for home-sale leaseback agreements can vary by company. A typical time frame is anywhere from 30 days to six weeks.
How does a home-sale leaseback compare to a home equity loan or line of credit?
A home-sale leaseback allows you to sell your home for cash and rent it from the buyer without creating debt. Home equity loans and HELOCs allow you to maintain ownership of the home and borrow against your equity. The loan or HELOC is secured by the home, and you must repay them with interest.