Turning Renters into Homeowners, One Key at a Time.
If the bank has said no, we say let's find another way. Bad credit, self-employed, new to Canada - everyone deserves a path to homeownership.
We're Here For You If…
Traditional banks say no to many people who are absolutely ready to own a home. We see what they miss.
Self-Employed
Stable income but can't prove it on paper? We understand non-traditional income and build a path that fits.
Bank Said No
Rejected for a mortgage? That's not the end. We specialize in finding the alternative route to ownership.
Rebuilding Credit
Working through past financial challenges? We provide a structured plan and coach you throughout your term.
Low Down Payment
Not enough saved yet? Your Monthly Option Consideration - paid on top of rent each month - accumulates toward your down payment throughout the program.
New to Canada
No Canadian credit history yet? We help newcomers plant roots and build toward owning their first home.
Life Transition
Divorce or a fresh start? We've helped many people navigate major life changes into stable homeownership.
How Rent-to-Own Works
Four clear steps from where you are today to holding the keys to your own home.
Apply & Qualify
Tell us about your situation. We review your income, savings and goals - no judgment, just solutions.
Choose Your Home
Work with our team to find a home you love in your budget across Alberta.
Move In & Build
Live in your future home while we coach your credit and financial profile each month.
Own It
At the end of your term, exercise your option to buy. The keys are yours - for good.
See What Your Program Could Look Like
Use our calculator to get an instant estimate of your monthly payments, required deposit, and Option Consideration payments based on your target home price.
Rent-to-Own Calculator
The TOC is what you accumulate by the end of the program. A higher TOC = a stronger mortgage application.
*Estimates only. Your exact figures are confirmed during your free consultation with Bernhard or Miranda.
Get My Personalized Estimate →How We Compare
See how rent-to-own stacks up against traditional renting and getting a bank mortgage.
| Feature | Traditional Renting | Bank Mortgage | 🔑 Rent-to-Own |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build equity monthly | ✗ None - landlord keeps it | ✓ Yes, immediately | ✓ Yes - from day one |
| Bad credit accepted | ~ Sometimes | ✗ No - min. 620+ score | ✓ Yes - we help you rebuild |
| Self-employed welcome | ✓ Yes | ✗ Very difficult to qualify | ✓ Yes - we specialize in this |
| New to Canada welcome | ✓ Yes | ✗ No Canadian credit history | ✓ Yes - no history needed |
| Minimum down payment | ✓ None required | ✗ 5–20% upfront required | ~ 4–10% option deposit |
| Purchase price locked in | ✗ N/A | ✗ Market rate at time of purchase | ✓ Fixed from day one |
| Credit coaching included | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Yes - throughout the term |
| You choose the home | ✗ Limited options | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes - any home in your budget |
| Pet friendly | ✗ Often restricted | ✓ Yes - it's your home | ✓ Yes 🐾 |
| Path to full ownership | ✗ Never | ✓ Immediate ownership | ✓ 2–4 year structured path |
Families We've Helped
"It is a pleasure to work with Miranda and Ben. They have been so helpful to us during the house finding process. From the moment we contacted them, we received all the information we needed and they have been guiding us on how to fix our current financial situation in order to qualify within 3 years to own the home we are living in now. If you are tired of being asked to move every year or two by landlords and would like to find your own place and keep your family settled while having time to fix your financial situation, you must contact Miranda and Ben to get the proper information and make your dream come true."
Built by Bernhard & Miranda
Founded on personal experience with resilience and financial rebuilding, Rent The Key To Own was created because we saw families being turned away by banks who didn't see the full picture.
We walk alongside every client - from the first conversation to the day you hold your keys. Based in Spruce Grove, Alberta, we serve families across the province.
Serving Families Across Alberta
We work with families throughout Alberta. Here are some of the communities we serve:
Don't see your city? Contact us - we likely serve your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rent-to-own lets you move into your future home today while you prepare financially to purchase it. Every month you make two payments: rent at fair market value, and a Monthly Option Consideration that accumulates toward your down payment. At the end of your term (2–4 years), you buy at the price locked in from day one.
Yes. Many of our clients come to us with credit challenges. Credit improvement is a core part of our program - we build a personalized plan from day one to get you mortgage-ready by the end of your term.
You'll need an option consideration of 4–5% of the home's purchase price. This is not a fee - it is fully credited toward your final purchase, giving you instant equity from day one.
Absolutely. We specialize in helping self-employed individuals who may struggle to qualify for traditional mortgages. We help you structure your finances to be mortgage-ready by program end.
If you have stable employment and can save for the initial deposit, we can help you build a Canadian credit history and work toward homeownership - no long credit track record needed.
Ready to Turn the Key?
Apply today and find out how Rent The Key To Own can help you achieve homeownership - no matter where you're starting from.