18 Florida Rent-to-Own Programs That Help You Buy Without a Down Payment

Dreaming of owning a home in Florida but don’t have a down payment saved up?

Rent-to-own programs offer a flexible path to homeownership by letting you move in now and buy later—often while building credit and saving along the way.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today

This guide covers 18 rent-to-own options across Florida that are especially helpful for first-time buyers looking to skip the upfront costs.

What You’ll Typically Need to Qualify

While each rent-to-own program has its own rules, most share a few common requirements. Here’s what you can generally expect:

• Steady income: Proof of reliable income is usually required to show you can afford monthly payments.

• Minimum credit score: Many programs accept credit scores as low as 500–580, but stronger credit can unlock better options.

• Upfront payment: Most programs require an initial option fee or deposit, often between 1%–3% of the home’s value.

• Savings: Some programs may ask for proof of savings to ensure you're on track for a future mortgage.

• Clean rental history: A record of on-time rent payments can boost your approval odds.

Meeting these basics will help you qualify for most rent-to-own opportunities across Florida.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today

Divvy Homes

How it works:
Divvy buys a home you choose and rents it to you. You contribute 1%–2% upfront, and part of your rent builds savings toward buying the home within 3 years.

Requirements:

• Credit score of at least 550

• 1%–2% upfront contribution

• Available in Florida and other select states

Best for:
Buyers with stable income and low savings who need time to build credit.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today

Dream America

How it works:
Dream America buys your selected home and leases it to you for 12 months. You can buy at any time during the lease, with the price increasing over time.

Requirements:

• Credit score of at least 500

• $4,000+ monthly income

• $8,000+ in savings

Best for:
Buyers with moderate income and some savings who need a short-term rental bridge to ownership.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today

Landis

How it works:
Landis buys a home for you to rent while you build credit and savings. You’re paired with a Homeownership Coach and can buy the home later with Landis’ support.

Requirements:

• Credit and income review during application

• 2%–3% upfront deposit

• Available in Florida and seven other states

Best for:
Renters who want coaching and support while preparing for a mortgage.

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Pathway Homes (Rent+ Program)

How it works:
Pathway leases brand new homes with the option to buy. Renters receive support to become mortgage-ready and may save compared to traditional mortgage payments.

Requirements:

• Online application

• Approval does not affect credit score

• Focused on new construction homes

Best for:
First-time buyers wanting a new home with flexibility and ownership support.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today

Verbhouse

How it works:
Verbhouse buys a home of your choice and locks in a five-year lease with a future purchase price. You build equity and keep any appreciation in value.

Requirements:

• Available in San Francisco Bay Area

• Financial approval process

• Equity contribution built into lease

Best for:
Buyers in high-cost markets who want equity and flexibility before buying.

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Home Partners of America

How it works:
Choose a qualifying home, then lease it for 1–5 years with the right to buy at a preset price. Rent and purchase terms are established at the start.

Requirements:

• Minimum household income around $40,000

• Background check

• No active bankruptcies

Best for:
Families who want price certainty and flexibility to buy later.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today

NACA – One-Dollar Homeownership Program

How it works:
Buyers acquire vacant homes for $1 through local partnerships. NACA provides no-down-payment financing for renovations or construction.

Requirements:

• Owner-occupancy required

• Must qualify under NACA guidelines

• Includes deed restrictions to maintain affordability

Best for:
Low-income buyers in underserved areas seeking long-term affordable ownership.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today

NACA – HOT-PHA Program

How it works:
Combines Housing Choice Vouchers with NACA’s mortgage program to help low-income renters buy homes without a down payment or credit score consideration.

Requirements:

• Must receive HCV (Section 8) assistance

• Participation in NACA’s counseling and programs

• Meet income and residency criteria

Best for:
HCV recipients ready to transition from renting to owning with comprehensive support.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today

HomeFree USA

How it works:
HomeFree USA provides financial education, housing counseling, and support through affiliated organizations. It may connect renters with rent-to-own pathways as part of a broader homeownership plan.

Requirements:

• Participation in counseling or education programs

• Varies by local affiliate and program

Best for:
Renters seeking long-term financial stability and education on homeownership.

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TRIO

How it works:
TRIO leases you a home with the option to buy, excluding a few Florida markets. You must qualify based on income, credit, and payment history.

Requirements:

• Minimum credit score of 580

• $36,000+ annual income

• 12-month history of on-time payments

Best for:
Moderate-income buyers seeking lease-to-own flexibility with a structured approval process.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today

Rent Solutions (Tampa)

How it works:
Offers a “Homeowner in Training” and Lease Option program to help renters work toward homeownership while building credit and saving.

Requirements:

• Credit repair and savings plan participation

• Local program criteria apply

Best for:
Renters in Tampa looking to improve credit and buy locally.

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Alexa Buys Houses (Central Florida)

How it works:
Provides lease option arrangements to help renters transition into ownership of investment properties in Central Florida.

Requirements:

• Available inventory and approval by Alexa Buys Houses

• Income and credit review

Best for:
Buyers open to investor-sold homes in the Central Florida area.

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Little Pink Houses of America (Jacksonville)

How it works:
Offers various flexible options like lease-to-own, lease purchase, and owner financing tailored to individual buyers.

Requirements:

• Approval based on income and home selection

• Available in the Jacksonville metro area

Best for:
Buyers seeking customized rent-to-own options in Northeast Florida.

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Melanie Helps Owners (Miami)

How it works:
Connects buyers with rent-to-own and creative financing opportunities in the Miami area, including lease-purchase and seller-financing deals.

Requirements:

• Miami-based applicants

• Individualized program terms

Best for:
Buyers needing flexible solutions in the South Florida market.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today

Florida Future Realty (Cape Coral/Fort Myers)

How it works:
Local real estate team offering guidance on lease option and rent-to-own programs in Southwest Florida.

Requirements:

• Program availability based on listings

• Applicant qualification based on income and credit

Best for:
Southwest Florida buyers seeking expert help navigating rent-to-own paths.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today

HUD – Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program

How it works:
Eligible voucher holders (Section 8) can apply their rental assistance toward homeownership costs like mortgage payments, taxes, and insurance. Participants must complete counseling and work with a participating Public Housing Authority.

Requirements:

• Must be a current HCV (Section 8) recipient

• First-time homebuyer status

• Meet income, credit, and savings guidelines set by local PHAs

Best for:
Low-income families seeking long-term stability and homeownership through existing housing assistance.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today

HUD – Dollar Homes Initiative

How it works:
Local governments can acquire HUD-owned homes for $1 and work with nonprofits to renovate and resell to low- to moderate-income families.

Requirements:

• Local government and nonprofit involvement

• Property must be HUD-owned, under $25,000, and unsold for 6+ months

• Buyer must meet local affordability guidelines

Best for:
Low-income families in communities with access to HUD home revitalization programs.

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USDA – Single Family Housing Programs

How it works:
Provides direct and guaranteed loans for purchasing or building homes in eligible rural areas, with no down payment required.

Requirements:

• Home must be in a USDA-eligible rural area

• Income limits based on household size and region

• Must meet creditworthiness and affordability criteria

Best for:
Low- to moderate-income families seeking affordable ownership in rural Florida or similar regions.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today

Ready to Take the First Step?

Rent-to-own programs in Florida offer a flexible path to homeownership—especially for first-time buyers who may not be mortgage-ready just yet. Whether you're working on your credit, saving for a down payment, or simply want to try out a neighborhood before you commit, these programs can help bridge the gap between renting and owning.

With so many options available across the state, the right program for you is out there.

See If You Qualify for a Florida Rent-to-Own Home Today