Top Realtor FAQs About Sale-Leasebacks

The top questions that realtor partners have, answered. Learn about sale-leasebacks so you can start offering them to your clients.

Partners
April 4, 2023
Top Realtor FAQs About Sale-Leasebacks

What is a sale-leaseback?

A sale-leaseback combines two common transactions into one: a home sale and a lease. We buy your client’s house and lease it right back to them. It's as simple as that.

What type of clients are the best candidates for a sale-leaseback?

Our sale-leaseback is a perfect solution for homeowners with a wide range of goals. 

  1. Homeowners who need cash for big purchases or to pay off debts
  2. Seniors wanting to age in place (i.e.stay at home for as long as possible)
  3. Buyers looking to fund new construction 
  4. Divorced couples dividing assets
  5. Homeowners actively looking for their new home 
  6. Anyone considering refinancing or a reverse mortgage 
  7. Parents navigating college financial planning who need to fund their children’s education 
  8. Movers in the process of upsizing or downsizing
  9. Market timers looking to capitalize on their home appreciation
  10. Homeowners financially planning for retirement

What types of homes does Truehold buy?

We take into account a variety of factors when determining a home’s eligibility. That said, we do have some general guidelines. We purchase only single-family homes, most of which are between $100K-$280K, have at least 2 bedrooms, have lot sizes between 750 sq ft and one acre. You can request a full detailed buy-box by entering your client’s information here or becoming a Truehold certified partner.

What cities does Truehold buy in? 

Our team is constantly growing and expanding our national presence. Right now, Truehold mainly operates in the midwest. To view our full list of locations, visit our website.

How much can I earn?

If you’re a real estate agent representing a seller, you make your full sale-side commission just like any other residential transaction. If you're not a real estate agent, we’ll give you a generous referral bonus.

What is the minimum lease length my clients need to sign?

Residents typically sign a one-year lease term with the ability to cancel after 6 or 9 months (depending on the lease) with 60-days' notice.

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Why should I work with Truehold?

Working with Truehold has many benefits. On the financial front, Truehold provides you with an additional revenue stream and an opportunity to make more money than would be the case if you didn’t partner with Truehold. On the broader business front, working with Truehold allows you to differentiate yourself from colleagues who have the same playbook and offerings, and helps you attract new clients who are interested in out-of-the-box options. Perhaps most importantly, partnering with Truehold offers you a tangible and meaningful way to help your clients access their home equity and gain financial security without leaving the homes that mean so much to them.

 Is the sale-leaseback process complicated?

No! The sale-leaseback process is quick and simple. You identify someone who would be a good fit for Truehold and submit their home details to your local market manager for review. If the home fits our criteria, you will receive an offer within 24-36 hours. You’ll work with your client to submit a verbal offer to Truehold, and then your client will receive a formal offer from our team. While we schedule and conduct an official home inspection, you'll assist your client in completing a tenant qualification application. Once all is complete and approved, we’ll schedule a closing date, at which time you will receive your commission. 

How does Truehold calculate monthly rent for my clients?

Just like our home valuation process, we use local comparable rentals to set a market rent for your client’s house. 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. Starting in the sixth lease year, the rent may increase up to the prevailing local market rent.

How quickly can I expect an offer for a client’s home from Truehold?

If the submitted home information meets our criteria, we can turn the offer around within 24-36 hours for realtors. 

What fees are involved in a sale-leaseback?

Unlike most other sale-leaseback companies and financing options that charge customers a variety of vague and onerous fees, the only fee that Truehold charges is a typical real estate commission of up to 6% of the home’s value. 

Does Truehold have a minimum credit score requirement?

Generally speaking, we require our residents to have a minimum FICO score of 600 and a 3x income/rent ratio. Prospective tenants who do not meet these qualifications will be considered with additional security deposit or prepaid rent reserves.

Does Truehold work with people who are in bankruptcy?

No, Truehold does not work with people who are facing bankruptcy. 

How does Truehold compare to refinancing or a reverse mortgage?

A sale-leaseback, refinancing, and a reverse mortgage are all ways to access home equity. But in comparison to reverse mortgages and REFIs, sale-leasebacks unlock more equity, minimize ongoing costs, remove the burdens of homeownership, and offer many more financial and lifestyle benefits. 

How involved will I be after I refer my client to Truehold?

Once you refer your client to Truehold, you can have as much, or as little, involvement in the sales process as you would like. The choice is entirely up to you, and we will cater to whatever arrangement you and your client desire.

Do other realtors like working with Truehold? 

Yes! Our realtor partners have had great experiences working with us. Doing so has allowed them to more meaningfully help clients in a wide variety of situations, differentiate themselves from other realtors, and solidify an additional, and stable, revenue stream for their business. Importantly, they’ve also very much enjoyed working alongside our sales and real estate teams, which they consider to be flexible, easy to work with, and human-centered. 

How can I get started?

To get started, fill out this form or email us at partners@truehold.com

Written by
Lucas Grohn
Senior Manager of Sales at Truehold - A Thought-Leader in Real Estate
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Lucas Grohn brings over a decade of real estate expertise to his role, where he guides a team dedicated to innovative sales strategies. Known for his thought leadership and diverse experience, from managing brokerage operations to training agents at top firms, Lucas covers a broad span of real estate content for Truehold.
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Truehold's blog is committed to delivering timely and pertinent insights in real estate and finance, purely for educational and informational purposes. Crafted by experts, our content is thoroughly reviewed to guarantee its accuracy and dependability. Although designed to enlighten and engage, our articles are not intended as financial advice and should not be the sole basis for financial decisions. Our stringent editorial practices ensure the integrity of our content, empowering our readers with valuable knowledge.

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