If you’re a real estate agent juggling multiple listings, buyers with cold feet, and the constant back-and-forth of traditional deals, Rent-to-Own might just be your secret weapon. Keep reading to learn why.

Why Agents Should Love Rent-to-Own

Earn more. Work less. Create future revenue.

Every seasoned agent knows the highs and lows of traditional real estate. The weekend showings that turn into ghostings. The deals that fall through after weeks of paperwork. The rollercoaster of negotiations, inspections, and emotional buyers second-guessing everything.

But what if there was a way to secure commission not once, but twice—without the traditional chaos?

Enter: Rent-to-Own.

This lesser-tapped niche of real estate isn’t just for buyers who can’t quite qualify for a mortgage. It’s a strategic tool for agents who want to earn more, stress less, and build a predictable pipeline of future closings.

💰 Double the Commission, Half the Hustle

In a rent-to-own agreement, you’re often paid two commissions:

1. One at lease signing, when your client becomes a tenant-buyer.

2. Another at the time of purchase, once the lease term ends and they’re ready to buy.

That’s two paydays for one placement. And unlike a typical sale, you aren’t constantly re-listing, re-showing, or re-negotiating. You lock in your buyer once—and then the future payday is already in motion.

🧘‍♀️ Less Drama, More Stability

Let’s face it: the traditional buying process can be exhausting.
From surprise inspection hiccups to buyers pulling out the day before closing, every agent has a story (or five).

Rent-to-own reduces those wildcards:

• No endless weekend showings

• No switching buyers mid-negotiation

• No "let me think about it" walkaways after you’ve invested weeks

It’s a cleaner, calmer path to closing. You help match a motivated tenant-buyer with the right property and let the lease term give them the runway they need to buy.

📅 Build a Commission Pipeline (Yes, Really)

One of the biggest challenges agents face is income unpredictability.

Rent-to-own flips that script. By stacking these deals, you can create a future calendar of commissions—deals that you know will close months or years down the line. Think of it like setting up passive income for your future self.

And because many rent-to-own clients are people working toward ownership, you're building long-term relationships—and future referrals—at the same time.

📈 Expand Your Market & Client Base

Agents who offer rent-to-own are seen as problem-solvers. You’re not just helping buyers—you’re helping people build pathways to ownership they might not have found elsewhere.

This means:

• More leads

• More referrals

• More grateful clients who stick with you for the long haul

You also become a go-to agent for sellers looking for creative selling solutions, especially in slow markets.

⚠️ What About the Risks?

As with anything in real estate, it’s not all roses. Here are a few things to watch out for:

❌ The Buyer Walks Away

In lease-option deals, buyers aren’t obligated to purchase at the end of the lease. This means your second commission may not materialize. However, the seller usually retains the option fee—so the risk is mitigated on their end.

🧾 You Must Track the Timeline

Rent-to-own agreements have specific terms and dates. It’s important to stay on top of key milestones like the lease end date, purchase deadlines, and financing contingencies. Forgetting to remind your client to apply for financing could derail the sale.

🏚️ Property Condition Responsibility

In some contracts, the tenant-buyer assumes responsibility for maintenance. But if they don’t keep up the property, this can cause friction with the seller—so clear communication and strong contracts are essential.

🏦 Lender Challenges at Purchase Time

Not all tenant-buyers will qualify when the time comes. Financing may fall through, which is why it's smart to vet clients and guide them through credit repair or savings strategies during the lease term.

🤔 So, Is It Worth It?

For the smart, forward-thinking agent? Absolutely.

If you:

• Want to build passive revenue through a commission pipeline,

• Are tired of chasing flaky buyers and last-minute deal collapses,

• And love the idea of helping more people become homeowners...

Then Rent-to-Own should absolutely be in your toolkit.

🏁 Ready to Get Started?

Whether you're an experienced agent or new to the scene, Rentaly makes it easy to plug into the rent-to-own market.
With our tools and platform, you can list properties, match with qualified tenant-buyers, and manage the entire journey seamlessly.

👉 Create a free account now
👉 List a property or explore our agent resources like this RTO Readiness Guide
👉 Start building your commission pipeline today!