Blog: Expert Tips on Purchasing a Home

Are Lease to Own Homes Legit? 7 Intelligent Questions to Ask Before You Sign Anything

Tamera Nielsen February 24, 2026

If you’re researching lease to own homes in Raleigh, Greensboro, or Charlotte, you’ve likely encountered two extremes: glowing promises or dramatic warnings. Neither tells the full story. Lease to own often becomes relevant for specific life seasons—self-employed professionals navigating complex tax returns, families relocating and selling a current home, buyers re-entering homeownership after a setback, or first-time buyers who need a structured pathway rather than a rushed mortgage decision. Lease to own is a structured pathway to homeownership. When built with attorney oversight, licensed Buyer’s Agent representation, and transparent terms, it becomes a financially-sound housing strategy. Before signing any agreement, ask these seven intelligent questions. The answers will tell you whether the structure protects you—or exposes you. 1. Who Is

Is Lease to Own a Scam — or Is It a Solution to the Housing Affordability Crisis?

Tamera Nielsen February 17, 2026

If you’ve searched “Is lease to own a scam?” you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions people now ask Google—and increasingly, AI platforms. And depending on where you look, the answers range from cautious to outright alarming. Some of that concern is understandable. Over the years, poorly structured rent-to-own agreements have left families frustrated. Online forums highlight worst-case scenarios. And outdated business models are often blended into current conversations without distinction. But the real question isn’t whether lease to own is a scam. The real question is: How is it structured—and who is guiding it? Why So Many People Think Lease to Own Is a Scam Historically, some rent-to-own arrangements lacked transparency. Contracts were vague. Maintenance responsibilities

Lease to Own Homes Create a Bridge for Buyers the Mortgage System Leaves Behind

Tamera Nielsen February 10, 2026

Lease to own homes aren’t a workaround—they’re a viable, structured pathway for qualified buyers who are locked out of traditional mortgage financing. At Burson Home Advisors, we serve families across North Carolina who are self-employed, relocating, credit-rebuilding, or simply navigating the kind of financial timing that traditional lenders don’t accommodate. We’ve helped more than 100 buyers access lease to own homes with a strategy that’s sound, protected, and built for real life. This isn’t about avoiding the mortgage process. It’s about preparing for it—on your terms. What’s Standing in Buyers’ Way Isn’t the Market—It’s the Mortgage According to the National Association of Home Builders, 57% of U.S. households can’t qualify for a mortgage. Not because they’re irresponsible—but because the system

Burson Home Advisors Offers Stability as Homebuyers Cancel Contracts at Record Rates

Tamera Nielsen February 3, 2026

Burson Home Advisors is helping buyers regain clarity and confidence at a time when traditional deals are falling apart. In December 2025 alone, 16.3% of pending home sales were canceled—the highest percentage ever recorded, according to Redfin. To put that in perspective, this cancellation rate even surpassed the chaos of March 2020, when the world went into lockdown. Over 40,000 buyers backed out of contracts in a single month. With high mortgage rates, rising inventory, and uncertain sellers, many buyers are getting cold feet—or walking away entirely. But that’s where Burson Home Advisors steps in. Our team provides an alternative path to homeownership that supports flexibility, protects your investment, and builds equity from day one. When others are backing out,

How a Lease to Own Greensboro Home Helped Dustin & Manny Find More Than Just a Place to Live

Tamera Nielsen January 13, 2026

When Mortgage Approval Says No, Lease to Own Greensboro Says “We’ve Got You” If you’ve ever been told “not right now” by a mortgage lender, you’re not alone. Every week, we hear from families with great credit, solid income, and a dream of homeownership—yet banks won’t approve them. But that doesn’t mean the dream is gone. It just means it’s time for a smarter way forward. At Burson Home Advisors, we specialize in helping families who are near-bank-ready but overlooked by traditional lenders. Our partners’ lease to own Greensboro home programs offer a bridge to affordable homeownership in Greensboro—with clarity, care, and equity from day one. Enter Ellie, Dustin, and Manny… and One Very Memorable Red Carpet One & Done

From the Long Game to Their Forever Home: How Lease to Own Raleigh Homes Helped Julee and Bill Beat the Lending System

Tamera Nielsen January 7, 2026

When Traditional Lending Shuts You Out, Homeownership Isn’t Off the Table—You Just Need Another Way In Nearly 60% of U.S. households can’t qualify for a mortgage. That’s not a reflection of worthiness—it’s a reflection of a rigid system that stifles self-employed buyers, recently relocated families, and anyone who doesn’t fit the “perfect borrower” mold. But not fitting into a bank’s box doesn’t mean you have to give up on homeownership. And for Julee and Bill, it meant finding the right path. They had strong credit. Excellent income. A clear vision of where and how they wanted to live. But because they were self-employed, they were told they’d need to wait to qualify—until they discovered Burson Home Advisors and its partner’s

Affordable Homeownership in Greensboro: A Smarter Path Back for Prior Homeowners

Tamera Nielsen December 30, 2025

Affordable homeownership in Greensboro can feel out of reach when life takes an unexpected turn. You may have owned a home before. You may have built something stable, meaningful, and deeply personal. And then—divorce, relocation, medical hardship, or financial strain changed the trajectory you worked so hard to create. At Burson Home Advisors, we meet prior homeowners every day who believe they have no choice but to rent again, unsure how to reclaim affordable homeownership in Greensboro without rushing into another mortgage. The truth is, for many families, homeownership isn’t gone—it’s simply waiting for the right path forward. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking… “I can’t qualify for another mortgage right now.” “We still have to sell our old home

Why Lease to Own in Charlotte Is the Smarter Way to Buy in a City That’s Getting More Expensive by the Day

Tamera Nielsen December 10, 2025

Relocating to Charlotte should feel exciting. For many professionals and families making the move, it’s a chance to start fresh in a growing, opportunity-rich city that blends career momentum with Southern charm. But once the job offer is accepted and the search for housing begins, that excitement often gives way to a familiar frustration: “We’re not ready to buy—but we don’t want to waste money renting.” “We want to explore different areas before committing long-term.” “We can’t qualify for a new mortgage until our home back in Ohio sells.” If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. At Burson Home Advisors, we specialize in helping families just like yours relocate with confidence, even when

The Triad’s Best Kept Secret: How Lease to Own in Greensboro Helps You Build Wealth Without Rushing Into a Mortgage

Tamera Nielsen December 4, 2025

In a city like Greensboro—where square footage stretches farther than it does in Raleigh or Charlotte—homebuyers expect more. And they should. Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or dreaming of something new, Greensboro has long been a place where affordability meets comfort. But in today’s market, even the savviest buyers face the same wall: “We’re not ready to buy yet—but we don’t want to waste money renting.” “We want more home for our money—but we also want to build equity.” “We can’t qualify for a mortgage until our finances catch up with our goals.” If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. At Burson Home Advisors, we work with families who want more than a rental but aren’t

When Renting Felt Wrong and Buying Felt Rushed: How Lease to Own Raleigh Led to a Home That Far Exceeded Their Wildest Expectations

Tamera Nielsen November 26, 2025

When we first met John and Senetra on a Google Meet call in June, they were standing at the crossroads so many relocating families face—especially when they already own a home. They were excited about the possibilities ahead, yet cautious to ensure they made the right move. John had just accepted a new biosciences role in North Carolina’s growing Triangle region, a career step he had worked hard for and deeply deserved. But as we talked, it became clear that relocating—and considering a traditional rental in Raleigh—felt misaligned. What they truly needed was stability in a season where everything else was shifting beneath their feet. That’s where our lease to own Raleigh program quietly stepped into view: not as a

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