Truehold offers a unique way to access home equity without moving by letting you sell your home and continue living in it as a renter. It may work best for homeowners who want quick access to cash and fewer ownership responsibilities but are comfortable giving up future home appreciation.
Sell and Rent Agreement
- Access your home equity without moving
- Get a cash offer within 24 hours
- Stay in your home as long as you pay rent
- No repairs, property taxes, or HOA fees to manage
- Skip showings, staging, and listing your home
- Fast closing (often within 30 days)
- Predictable housing without needing to relocate
- Give up future home appreciation
- No option to buy your home back
- Monthly rent payments required
- Rent could increase over time
- Limited availability in select cities
- Not ideal if you want to keep building equity
| Closing time | 30 days or less |
| Terms | 6–24 months (but flexible to extend) |
| Fees | 5.5% transaction fee |
| Home value range | $150,000 – $450,000 |
| Eligible property types | Single-family homes |
| Eligible markets | Select cities in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas |
| Option to repurchase? | No |
| Customer ratings | 4.0/5 out of 244 reviews on Google BBB accredited, A+ rating |
What is Truehold?
Truehold is a real estate company that buys homes from homeowners who want to access their equity but continue living in the property. Instead of listing your home on the open market and moving out after closing, you sell the home to Truehold and then rent it back so you can remain in the home.
This option can appeal to homeowners who want to unlock cash from their home without relocating immediately. Some people use it to supplement retirement income, pay off debt, or reduce the costs and responsibilities of homeownership.
Founded in 2021, Truehold real estate services are available in select cities across several states, including Atlanta, St. Louis, and Cincinnati. The company has completed more than 1,000 transactions and focuses on helping homeowners convert their home equity into cash while staying in their homes.
Who is Truehold best for?
Truehold may be a good fit for homeowners who want to unlock their home equity but aren’t ready to move. Instead of borrowing against your home, you sell the property to Truehold and remain in it as a renter.
This option may work best for:
- Retirees who want to access home equity while staying in their home
- Homeowners who need a lump sum of cash quickly without taking out a loan
- People who want to eliminate ownership costs, such as property taxes, insurance, and major repairs
- Homeowners who plan to stay in their home for a while but want fewer responsibilities
Truehold may not be a good fit for:
- Homeowners who want to keep building equity or benefit from future home appreciation
- People who want the option to repurchase their home later (Truehold does not offer a buyback option)
- Homeowners looking for a loan, such as a HELOC or reverse mortgage, where you keep ownership of the property
- People living outside the cities where Truehold operates
Before moving forward, it’s worth comparing Truehold with other ways to access home equity to make sure selling your home and renting it back aligns with your long-term financial goals.
How does Truehold work?
Truehold offers a straightforward process for homeowners looking to sell their property and continue living in it, providing flexibility and peace of mind during transitions.
Am I eligible for a Truehold sell and stay agreement?
If you live in an area where Truehold operates, you must own a single-family home valued between $150,000 – $450,000 with eligible home values varying by city. You’ll also need one of the following:
- Sufficient equity in your home to cover at least three years of rent payments
- A high credit score to prove you’re responsible enough to make rent payments
Where is Truehold available?
- Arizona: Phoenix
- Florida: Tampa, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Orlando
- Ohio: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Akron, Dayton
- Georgia: Atlanta
- Indiana: Indianapolis
- Kentucky: Louisville, Lexington
- Missouri: St. Louis, Kansas City
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa
- New Mexico: Albuquerque
- North Carolina: Charlotte
- Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh
- Tennessee: Nashville, Memphis
- Texas: Dallas
As of March 13, 2026
If you’re located outside of one of the cities that Truehold operates in, you may be better suited with home equity investments (coverage in 25 to 30 states) or HELOCs (typically nationwide).
Home purchase and lease agreement
Once it determines you’re eligible, Truehold executes your home purchase in as little as 30 days. The lease agreement begins right after you close on the sale of your home.
Maintenance and updates
Like a traditional lease agreement, Truehold manages essential home repairs, and you may make small cosmetic updates. You can expect small annual rent increases but you’re not obligated to leave your home after a set time.
How Truehold calculates your sale and rent
Truehold calculates the sale of your home and your rent using comparable rentals in your area, the square footage of your home, and amenities. You’ll get market value for your home and pay market value for your rent.
Truehold fees
You’re responsible for a 5.5% transaction fee on the home sale.
Pros and cons of a Truehold sell and rent
Pros
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Quick access to cash
You’ll get an immediate payout for the equity you have in your home (minus the transaction fee), and your only financial obligation is ongoing lease (rental) monthly payments and utilities.
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Minimal fees
Aside from the 5.5% commission, Truehold charges no other fees for a leaseback.
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Removal of expensive home costs
You’re no longer on the hook for home repairs, homeowners’ insurance, property tax, and similar costs.
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Rent as long as you’d like
As long as you can continue making monthly rent payments, you can stay in your home as long as you want. You can also choose to move out in as little as six months after your sale-leaseback agreement is signed.
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Fast closing time
Because there’s no public listing, you won’t need to prepare your home for staging, pictures, open hours, or private viewings. The time from offer to close is as little as 30 days, and you can get an all-cash offer on your home in 24 hours.
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Speak with real people
When you contact Truehold, you’ll always speak with real people, not an AI chatbot. It employs real estate agents and experts to help you determine whether a sale-leaseback fits your needs.
Cons
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Lose access to appreciation
You’ll get your home’s full value minus what you still owe at the sale, but you won’t have the chance to build up further equity once you sell.
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No more tax breaks
As a renter, you won’t qualify for state or federal tax credits or deductions for homeowners.
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Potentially high rent payments
If you live in an area with a high cost of living, your rent payments will often reflect the average rate for your home size and neighborhood. Rent payments could price you out of your leaseback.
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Only available in select cities
See the list above.
If you’re unsure whether Truehold is right for your home equity needs, check out our full list of home equity companies we’ve reviewed.
Is Truehold legit? Customer reviews and complaints
Truehold has a profile with the Better Business Bureau and customer reviews across several platforms, including Google and Trustpilot. Overall feedback is mixed but leans positive, with many reviewers highlighting the company’s communication and the convenience of accessing home equity without immediately moving.
| Source | Rating | Number of reviews |
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) | 3.48/5 | 21 |
| 4.0/5 | 244 | |
| Trustpilot | 3.3/5 | 10 |
Truehold also responds to some customer reviews online, which can indicate that the company actively monitors feedback and attempts to address customer concerns.
Positive Truehold reviews
Many positive reviews focus on the company’s communication and the ability to access home equity without immediately moving.
One Google reviewer, a real estate professional, said the company has been helpful for clients looking to sell their homes while staying in place.
“Truehold has been an amazing resource for our clients looking to sell their home. We’ve done a lot of transactions with them over the past 3 years, and the whole team is amazing.”
Another reviewer praised the team’s transparency during the process:
“This professional team makes everything easy and very clear, transparency is their best quality.”
One BBB reviewer said the program helped them compete in a difficult housing market:
“It was a hectic buyer’s market, and after many offers out to buy a home, I was getting over bid by cash buyers. By selling my home to TrueHold, I was able to pounce to buy a new home with my cash in hand and move when it was right for me. I realize this product is not right for everyone, but it worked well for me.”
Truehold complaints
Not all customer feedback is positive. Some reviewers say the company’s offer process or final pricing didn’t match their expectations.
For example, one Google reviewer said:
“If you are looking for a serious buyer look somewhere else. They make an offer that is higher than what they are willing to pay, which is going to be well under what you can get by selling your home outright through a realtor.”
Some Trustpilot users also mention concerns about the company’s marketing outreach.
One reviewer wrote:
“Constant bombardment of mail, texts, calls.”
Overall, Truehold reviews suggest many customers appreciate the speed and flexibility of the process. However, as with any home sale or lease agreement, it’s important to carefully review the offer and lease terms to determine whether the arrangement makes financial sense for your situation.
How to apply with Truehold
Truehold designed its application process to be straightforward and user-friendly. Follow these steps to get started.
Where to go for help
Truehold customer service is available by phone and email.
- When you call 314-353-9757, you can speak to a Truehold advisor. The advisor will review the set qualifications criteria, including ensuring your address is in an eligible coverage area, and your home is within range to sell. If you’re working with Truehold, you’ll get a dedicated service number to speak to a representative about your pending sale.
- You can also email [email protected] any time, and someone will contact you.
Truehold sell and stay alternatives
We do consider Truehold the best home sale-leaseback company if it’s available in your area. If not, here are some alternatives.
Availability
Select cities in 13 states
All 50 states
All 50 states
fees
5.5% transaction fee
6% ($11,500 minimum), plus closing costs
Vary
lease flexibility
No set maximum; you can stay as long as rent is paid
Lease terms negotiated with investor
Typically 1–5 year lease terms
You might also consider other ways to tap your home equity:
- Home equity investment. These investments allow you to sell a portion of your home’s future value in exchange for a lump-sum payment today with no monthly payments. One of the top-rated selections is Hometap, where you can remain in your home during the term without being required to sell.
- Reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage is when you borrow money from your home’s equity to secure a loan. Your home is collateral to secure the loan, and you’ll repay it when you move. This is only available to homeowners who are 62 years and older.
- HELOC. A home equity line of credit (HELOC) allows you to borrow money based on a percentage of how much equity you have in your home. During the draw period, where you take out money against your limit, you must make minimum payments over a set time, often 10 years. Then the repayment period kicks in, which is also a fixed term for a set number of years.
- Home equity loan. A home equity loan is a lump-sum loan where you can borrow based on your home’s equity. You’ll start immediate repayment and make fixed payments over several years.
Home equity loans and lines of credit use your home as collateral.
Before you get into a home sale-leaseback, ensure you’re eligible, and it’s the right move for you. Compare it to other options and make the best choice for you and your family.
FAQ
Is Truehold a scam?
There’s no evidence that Truehold is a scam. It’s a real estate company that buys homes from owners and allows them to continue living in the property as renters. However, the model can be confusing because homeowners give up ownership and future home appreciation in exchange for a lump-sum payout and the ability to stay in the home.
Is Truehold the same as a reverse mortgage?
No, Truehold is not the same as a reverse mortgage. With Truehold, you sell your home to the company and then rent it back, meaning you no longer own the property after the sale. In exchange, you receive a lump-sum payment for your home’s value (minus any fees and remaining mortgage balance).
A reverse mortgage works differently. Instead of selling your home, you borrow against your home equity while continuing to own the property. The loan is typically repaid when you move out, sell the home, or pass away.
Both options allow homeowners to access equity without immediately leaving their home, but they come with different trade-offs. Truehold involves giving up ownership, while a reverse mortgage lets you keep the home but adds a loan balance that accrues interest over time.
How we rated Truehold
LendEDU’s editorial rating system is designed to help readers find companies that offer the best home sale-leasebacks. Our system awards higher ratings to companies with affordable solutions, positive customer reviews, and online transparency of benefits and terms.
We compared Truehold to several home sale-leaseback companies, using hundreds of data points from company websites, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives. We weighted, scored, and combined each factor to produce a final editorial rating. This rating is expressed on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score. Our take is represented in our rating and best-for designation, recapped below.
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About our contributors
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Written by Dori ZinnDori is a personal finance journalist with more than a decade of experience covering credit, debt, college affordability, budgeting, borrowing, investing, and more.
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Edited by Amanda HankelAmanda Hankel is a managing editor at LendEDU. She has more than seven years of experience covering various finance-related topics and has worked for more than 15 years overall in writing, editing, and publishing.