If you’re scrolling through homes for rent in Raleigh NC and feeling like buying a home is out of reach—you’re not alone.
A recent USA Today article featured a quote that struck a nerve with millions of Americans, especially millennials:
“I’ve always just thought I’m going to be a renter until I die… I think that’s the mindset of a lot of millennials. We’re just defeated.”
But what if we told you that you don’t need to buy a home outright—or even qualify for a traditional mortgage—to start building wealth through real estate?
At Burson Home Advisors, we help everyday people lease homes they love while building equity from day one. Thanks to our partners’ innovative lease-to-own programs, it’s now possible to move in with as little as 2% down and start creating a future that’s financially sound, flexible, and empowering. We serve the Triangle (Raleigh–Durham) and the Triad (Greensboro–Winston-Salem), with Atlanta coming next.
The Generational Divide: Who’s Winning in Real Estate?
According to the National Association of Realtors, Baby Boomers now represent 42% of homebuyers, outpacing millennials at just 29%. And nearly half of those older buyers are paying in cash.
Meanwhile, the average age of a first-time homebuyer has risen to 38, and only 24% of all home purchases are made by first-time buyers—a record low.
Add in record-high home prices, student loan debt, inflation, and rising interest rates, and it’s no surprise that younger generations are feeling shut out of the housing market.
Rent to Own Isn’t What It Used to Be
You may have heard horror stories about rent-to-own deals gone wrong—programs with hidden fees, vague contracts, or landlords who sold the property out from under tenants. That’s why we’re clear: our programs are different.
What we offer isn’t rent to own—it’s lease to own, legally protected, and equity-driven from day one.
Burson Home Advisors works closely with trusted private equity partners to help clients lease the home of their choice—from the MLS—and start building equity immediately.
You’re not stuck with a seller-chosen property. You’re not at the mercy of rising rents. And you’re never, ever locked into a purchase.
How Lease to Own Raleigh Works Through Our Partners
Here’s what makes the programs we facilitate so different—and powerful:
- Move in with as little as 2% down
- Monthly payments are lower than a mortgage and remain fixed year after year
- Build equity or wealth from day one
- No buyers’ closing costs if you purchase later
- No obligation to buy—you choose when (or if) to purchase
- Major repairs are included
- Your down payment is never lost—even if your plans change
- Legal protections (e.g., recorded memorandum of contract) ensure the home cannot be sold out from under you
In other words, you’re renting smarter—not throwing money away. If you’re in the Triad (Greensboro–Winston-Salem), these protections and benefits apply there too.
Kelly’s Story: From Uncertain to Empowered in 30 Days
Kelly is a millennial who had been saving for four years. She could qualify for a mortgage, but the costs—closing fees, agent commissions, and insurance—felt overwhelming.
She came to us unsure whether homeownership was within reach. Thirty days later, she had the keys to her new home in Durham, NC.
- Saved over $15,000 in upfront costs
- Locked in a monthly payment lower than a mortgage
- Started building equity from the day she moved in
- Chose her home from our curated One-and-Done Tour
- Enjoys full flexibility to buy when (or if) she’s ready
Stories like Kelly’s aren’t rare. They’re becoming our norm.
Homes for Rent in Raleigh Just Got Smarter
If you’ve been searching homes for rent Raleigh because buying felt out of reach, our message is simple: renting doesn’t have to mean starting over.
Whether you’re self-employed, relocating, navigating a life transition, or a first-time buyer priced out by rates—there’s a smarter way forward.
We agree with USA Today: access is a policy issue. But you don’t have to wait for policy to change. We’ve already helped 100+ families with fiscally-sound lease-to-own in Raleigh NC—and we can show you side-by-side comparisons of how this path often builds wealth faster than a mortgage.
See recent coverage of our programs: Fox2Now: The Vanishing First-Time Homebuyer
Let’s stop the cycle of waiting. Let’s explore whether lease to own in Raleigh is your next step toward financial growth in the Raleigh or the Greensboro.
We’ll walk you through what this could look like—home options, timelines, protections. No pressure. Just a smarter way forward.