Landis

Landis operates a rent-to-own path-to-homeownership program for renters who do not currently qualify for a mortgage. Applicants apply for free (without affecting their credit score), and Landis's underwriting team verifies financial documents and issues an approved home budget. Working with a dedicated Client Advisor and a realtor of their choosing, the client selects a home within that budget that meets Landis's property criteria. Landis then makes an all-cash offer and purchases the home, covering closing costs and fees, while the client makes an initial deposit of 2-3% of the purchase price that is applied to their security deposit and down payment savings.

The client rents the home from Landis — reported as up to two years — with a monthly payment that varies by home purchase price and target market, and Landis publishes a payment estimator for prospective clients. During the rental period, a dedicated Homeownership Coach works with the client on credit score improvement and down payment savings so they can obtain a mortgage and repurchase the home from Landis at a pre-set buyback price. Landis positions the pre-set buyback price and personalized coaching as providing certainty on down payment targets in a volatile housing market. The company also offers an agent-facing channel, where real estate agents create partner accounts and invite clients to apply.

Landis frames its market rationale around the gap between renters and homeowners, citing a 40x wealth gap between the two groups, and states that the mortgage industry's strict criteria exclude many prospective buyers.