My 3 Best Tips for Lease Options as an Investor
Aug 22, 2025
Hey there, fellow investor!
If you’re here, I’m guessing you’re curious about lease options and how they can help you build your real estate portfolio without needing a ton of cash or perfect credit. First off, let me tell you—you’re in the right place. Lease options are one of the most powerful tools in real estate investing, and they’ve completely changed the game for me.
But here’s the thing: not all lease option deals are created equal. If you want to succeed, you need to approach them with the right mindset and strategy. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot (sometimes the hard way), and today, I want to share my three best tips for crushing it with lease options. These are the same strategies I use in my own deals, and I know they’ll help you too.
So, let’s dive in!
1. Understand the Seller’s Situation
This is the golden rule of lease options: the seller’s situation determines the deal—not the property itself.
Let me explain. When you’re working on a lease option, your job isn’t just to find a house—it’s to solve a problem. And that problem is almost always tied to the seller’s situation. Are they moving out of state for a new job? Do they have a vacant home with a mortgage they can’t afford? Are they tired of being a landlord and just want out?
The more you understand their pain points, the better you can structure a deal that works for both of you. For example, if the seller is desperate to stop paying two mortgages, you can offer to take over their payments immediately. If they’re worried about getting a fair price for their home, you can lock in a higher sales price in exchange for better terms.
Here’s the bottom line: you’re not just buying a property—you’re solving a problem. And when you approach it that way, you’ll find that sellers are much more willing to work with you.
2. Work with Nice Homes in Nice Neighborhoods
Let me be real with you for a second: not every property is a good fit for a lease option. If you’re thinking about taking on a fixer-upper or a home in a less desirable area, let me stop you right there.
The best lease option deals are with nice homes in nice neighborhoods. Why? Because these homes are already in move-in condition. They don’t need major repairs, and they’re in areas where people actually want to live.
Here’s the thing: as an investor, you’re not buying the property—you’re controlling it. That means you don’t want to spend your hard-earned money fixing up a house you don’t even own. Sure, maybe the home could use some updates, but it should already be livable.
When you focus on well-maintained homes in good neighborhoods, you’ll attract high-quality tenant-buyers who are ready to move in and eventually purchase the property. And trust me, working with motivated, responsible tenant-buyers makes your life so much easier.
3. Create the Best Lease Option Offer
Now, this is where the magic happens. Once you understand the seller’s situation, you can craft an offer that’s a win-win for both of you.
Here’s the trick: figure out what’s most important to the seller. Are they dead set on getting a specific sales price? Are they more concerned about the down payment or monthly rent? Do they need a specific lease term to meet their goals?
For example, if the seller is firm on the sales price, you can negotiate a smaller down payment or lower monthly rent. On the other hand, if they’re flexible on price, you can offer more favorable terms. The key is to give them what they want most while still creating a deal that works for you.
Let me give you a quick example from one of my own deals. I once worked with a seller who was absolutely stuck on getting a high sales price for their home. At first, I thought the deal wouldn’t work, but then I realized I could offer them their price in exchange for a longer lease term and a smaller down payment. They were thrilled, and I walked away with a deal that gave me plenty of time to find the perfect tenant-buyer.
The point is, flexibility is your superpower. By understanding the seller’s priorities, you can structure a deal that meets their needs and sets you up for success.
Let’s Make It Happen
I know this might feel like a lot to take in, but trust me—once you get the hang of lease options, it’s a total game-changer. You’ll be able to control properties, solve problems for sellers, and build your portfolio without needing a ton of money or credit.
If you’re ready to take the next step, I’ve got something special for you. I’ve put together a FREE Lease Option Guide that walks you through everything you need to know to get started. It’s packed with tips, strategies, and real-world examples to help you hit the ground running.
Download your free guide today at www.reiremix.com and start learning how to control properties with little to no money or credit.
You’ve got this, and I’m here to help every step of the way. Let’s make some deals happen!