Home Equity FAQ: Selling, Leasing, & Living

General

What is Truehold?

We're a real estate and home services company with a mission of helping people live at home for longer. By integrating financial, real estate, technology, and care solutions, we provide better options for senior living for those who want to keep living at home.
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We are run by a diverse team that brings together years of experience in real estate, finance, senior living, law, technology, innovation, and customer experience. We’re financially backed by investors who believe in our mission and share our values.

How does Truehold make money?

Our business model is simple: We buy houses at market value, charge a small transaction fee, collect market rent, and then sell or rent the houses when tenants move out.

By owning many houses, we get better deals on financing and services than individuals can—which allows us to offer customer-friendly pricing while still keeping our lights on.

Does my home qualify for working with Truehold?

We typically work with owners of single-family homes who have enough equity and liquid savings to cover years of rent, or a high credit score. If you meet these general criteria—or just want to learn more—get in touch and we can work together to determine if we’re the right fit for you.

Sale-Leasebacks

How does a sale-leaseback work?

A sale-leaseback combines two common transactions into one: a home sale and a lease. We buy your house for full market value in cash and lease it right back to you for market rent. It's as simple as that.

Are sale-leasebacks a new concept?

No, sale-leasebacks are common in the commercial real estate industry, used mainly by large companies looking to improve liquidity and reduce their debt. We're bringing the concept to residential real estate so individuals might enjoy similar benefits, such as:

Turning home equity into debt-free cash
Protecting your wealth from exposure to fluctuations in home values
Diversifying investments into income-generating assets such as stocks and bonds

Is a sale-leaseback the same thing as a reverse mortgage?

No—many people confuse them but they are actually entirely different products. A reverse mortgage is a complex debt instrument that only unlocks a fraction of your home equity and requires you maintain your home physically and financially.

Our Sale-Leaseback is a simple, debt-free transaction that unlocks all your equity and provides freedom from things like property tax, home insurance, maintenance and repairs.

Selling

How does Truehold calculate my home's value?

We use recent sale prices of similar homes in your area to calculate an initial estimate. Then, we verify that estimate with an unbiased third-party to ensure our valuation is fair.

In our offer letter for your home, we'll share the details of the comparable properties with you so you can see exactly how we arrived at the valuation. You can request a quote on your home by calling 314-353-9757 or filling out the form HERE.

Are there any fees on the sale?

At the time of the sale, you will pay a 5% total transaction fee (less than a typical home sale) to cover legal fees, brokerage costs and closing costs. After the initial transaction, there are no fees to work with us.

Do I have to move out of my home?

No! You keep living in your home uninterrupted. Unlike a traditional sale, when you work with us there is no listing, showing, packing, moving, or waiting on the buyer to get approved for funding. We complete the purchase of your home in under 30 days, and your lease begins immediately upon closing.

Do I have to pay taxes on the sale?

In general, if you are an individual who has owned and lived in your home for at least two out of the past five years, you do not have to pay taxes on the first $250,000 of profit on your home sale. For married couples filing jointly, you do not have to pay taxes on the first $500,000 of profit.

Everyone’s situation is unique, however, so you should consult with a tax advisor. Truehold makes no representation or warranty concerning your tax treatment.

What can I use the money for?

It's yours to save or spend as you like! People typically use cash proceeds from a sale-leaseback to:

Diversify their investments
Pay off debts
Travel and go out to eat more
Buy or renovate another home
Cover unexpected financial or healthcare costs
Hire in-home assistance
Build a financial legacy for their children

Leasing

How does Truehold calculate my rent?

Just like our home valuation process, we use local comparable rentals to set a reasonable market rent. As part of your offer letter, we’ll share the properties we used so you can see exactly how we calculated your rent.

Will my rent ever increase?

For the first five years of leasing, there will be a small annual rent increase for the greater of 2.5% or the Consumer Price Index. This is below industry standards and covers inflation and increases in cost of living. Beginning in the sixth lease year, the rent may increase up to the prevailing local market rent.

What happens if I can't pay rent?

We proactively aim to prevent this by only working with customers who have enough savings and equity in their homes to make a sale-leaseback financially worthwhile and sustainable.

However, we understand that circumstances change, so if you do encounter an unexpected challenge, we'll work with you to identify a positive solution that addresses your unique situation. We’re in this with you and will always push to get what's best for you.

Are there any limits on how long I can lease my home?

No! You have the contractual right to stay in your home as long as you’d like, provided you continue paying rent. Some consider us a long-term option while others see us as a temporary solution before their next step.

Living

What type of maintenance does Truehold cover?

We handle and pay for all of it! Once your lease starts, we’ll deal with everything from regular wear and tear to larger repairs like roof damage and HVAC issues.

Can I make changes or updates to my home?

Cosmetic enhancements like painting, hanging pictures, and moving furniture are completely welcome. For larger projects like remodels, demolition, structural changes, and appliance replacement, we ask that you work with us to find the right solution to meet your needs.

How can I get in touch if I need help with something?

You will get a dedicated service number, and a real human—not a recording—will be one call or message away to assist. Whether it’s home repairs, maintenance requests or just a general question, we’re happy to help!