Divvy Homes vs. Landis vs. Home Partners: Which Is Best for You?
By Walter Jones | Updated May 2026
This article is for educational purposes only. Program terms and availability change — verify current details with each company before applying.
Divvy, Landis, and Home Partners of America are the three most widely available rent-to-own programs in the country. They each serve buyers who can’t get a traditional mortgage right now — but they work very differently, cost different amounts, and are designed for different buyer profiles.
This comparison cuts through the marketing and shows exactly how each program works side by side, so you can make the choice based on your actual situation.
The Core Difference in One Sentence
- Divvy gives you the most credit score flexibility and the most transparent equity savings model, but charges above-market rent.
- Home Partners lets you pick any home on the market and gives you up to 5 years, but the purchase price steps up annually and there are no rent credits.
- Landis is the only one that actively coaches you toward mortgage qualification — but it requires you to be relatively close to ready and operates in fewer markets.
Head-to-Head: The Key Criteria
1. Credit Score Requirements
| Program | Minimum FICO | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Divvy | ~550 | Lowest bar; income and DTI also assessed |
| Home Partners | ~580 | Firmer floor; recent derogatory items can cause denial even above 580 |
| Landis | ~580 (soft) | Holistic review; more important that your issues are fixable |
Winner for low credit: Divvy
If your score is below 580, Divvy is likely your only option among the three. If you’re at 580–620, all three are worth applying to.
2. Home Selection
| Program | How You Pick Your Home |
|---|---|
| Divvy | Choose from Divvy’s available inventory OR submit a home for them to purchase |
| Home Partners | Choose any home on the open market that meets program criteria |
| Landis | Choose from Landis’s inventory or approved homes |
Winner for selection flexibility: Home Partners
Home Partners’ model is uniquely powerful here. You work with a regular real estate agent, find any home listed on the MLS that fits their criteria, and they buy it with cash. You’re essentially getting cash-buyer access to any home — not just what a company’s inventory allows.
3. Monthly Cost vs. Renting Independently
This is where the programs diverge most significantly.
Divvy: Rent is typically 10–20% above market rate. On a $2,000/month market rent home, you might pay $2,200–$2,400. The premium goes partly toward equity savings and partly to Divvy’s margin.
Home Partners: Rent is typically 5–15% above market. Lower premium than Divvy, but none of it goes toward a down payment — you’re paying for the purchase option and program overhead.
Landis: Rent is typically at or near market rate. Their revenue model differs — they make money on the eventual home sale margin. Lower monthly cost premium than Divvy or Home Partners.
Winner on monthly cost: Landis (if you qualify)
Real example on a $350,000 home over 2 years:
| Program | Monthly rent | 2-year total | vs. $2,100 market rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market rent | $2,100 | $50,400 | — |
| Home Partners | $2,250 | $54,000 | +$3,600 |
| Divvy | $2,400 | $57,600 | +$7,200 |
| Landis | $2,100 | $50,400 | $0 |
4. Down Payment / Equity Accumulation
| Program | Do You Accumulate Toward Down Payment? | How |
|---|---|---|
| Divvy | Yes | ~25% of monthly payment goes to savings account |
| Home Partners | No | No rent credit mechanism; you save independently |
| Landis | Varies | Some programs include savings components; confirm with Landis |
Winner for down payment building: Divvy
Divvy’s equity savings feature means you’re accumulating toward your down payment with every monthly payment — even if the rent is above market. Home Partners gives you no such accumulation, so you must build your down payment savings independently during the lease period.
5. Lease Term and Flexibility
| Program | Maximum term | Can you exit early? |
|---|---|---|
| Divvy | 3 years | Yes, with equity savings returned (minus fees) |
| Home Partners | 5 years | Yes, but no equity to return — you walk away |
| Landis | 1–2 years (typical) | Yes, structure varies by agreement |
Winner for timeline flexibility: Home Partners
The 5-year term gives you the most runway to qualify for a mortgage. If you’re at 580 with significant credit work to do, Divvy’s 3-year window may not be enough. Home Partners’ longer term gives you more breathing room — though the annual price step-up costs you on the purchase side.
6. Credit Coaching and Mortgage Support
| Program | Active credit support? |
|---|---|
| Divvy | No dedicated coaching |
| Home Partners | No dedicated coaching |
| Landis | Yes — dedicated mortgage readiness advisor |
Winner for buyer support: Landis (not close)
This is Landis’s defining advantage. If you need more than just a roof over your head while you wait — if you need someone to tell you specifically what to do to improve your credit month by month — Landis is the only program that provides this. Divvy and Home Partners expect you to handle credit improvement on your own.
7. Market Coverage
| Program | Number of markets |
|---|---|
| Divvy | 20+ metros |
| Home Partners | 150+ markets (near-nationwide) |
| Landis | 10+ metros (growing) |
Winner for availability: Home Partners
Home Partners is available in significantly more markets than either competitor. If you’re in a mid-size city that Divvy and Landis don’t serve, Home Partners may be your only structured option.
Total Cost Comparison Over 3 Years
On a $300,000 home with a 3-year lease:
| Divvy | Home Partners | Landis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option/program fee | $4,500 (1.5%) | None | ~$3,000–$6,000 |
| Monthly rent premium | +$350/mo | +$150/mo | $0 |
| 3-year rent premium | $12,600 | $5,400 | $0 |
| Down payment built | ~$16,200 | $0 | Varies |
| Net premium paid | -$3,600 (savings exceed premium) | +$5,400 | Depends |
Note: These are estimates. Use the Rent-to-Own Calculator to model your specific home price and market.
Which Program Is Right for You?
Choose Divvy if:
– Your credit is below 580
– You want down payment equity building baked into your payments
– You’re okay paying above-market rent in exchange for structured savings
– You’re in one of their 20+ markets
Choose Home Partners if:
– You want to pick any home from the open market
– You need a 4–5 year timeline to qualify
– Your credit is 580+ with good income
– You’re in a market Divvy doesn’t serve
Choose Landis if:
– Your credit is 580–640 with specific, fixable issues
– You want a structured coaching plan alongside the lease
– You can qualify within 12–24 months
– You’re in one of their markets
None of the above fits? See our Best Rent-to-Own Companies guide for Dream America, Verbhouse, and private agreement alternatives.
Program details change. Verify current terms with Divvy, Home Partners, and Landis before applying. This comparison is based on publicly available program information as of May 2026.