Do you need financing?? If so, do you have any military background? Is your credit score good?? In your question you mention that you are looking for a "rent to own", HUD home or foreclosure. I am assuming you are looking for an inexpensive fixer upper. Most agents in most real estate brokerages have the ability to assist you with HUD or Foreclosure homes. Government and Bank foreclosures are mainly listed with real estate brokerages. Rent to owns are usually owner represented. In my experience -- a home is listed as a "rent to own" because it will not qualify for financing, or no one wants to buy it. With this method of purchase -- you will need to "buy" the property within a giving amount time -- few years usually. You agree on a monthly rental amount and a small percentage goes toward the "purchase" price and when the term (few years) ends -- that amount is applied to the remaining balance and that is what you will finance or pay in cash. There is usually a large nonrefundable downpayment required -- that way if you are unable to purchase at the end of the term or change your mind -- it, as well as the money applied to the purchase price is not refunded. Basically, you just lived there as a renter and the owner get the property back. Many times, an attorney will be involved to protect the parties. I would contact some of your local senior services to see if there are any special programs or assistance that you qualify for.
Rent to own is unfortunately not a very popular program any longer. Only tends to exist on any scale when the economy is in severe constraint.
Keith Jean-Pierre
Managing Principal
The Dapper Agents
Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA
Finding an agent experienced with HUD homes and foreclosures requires looking beyond general licensing and asking specifically about their transaction history with distressed asset types. In Inverness, Citrus County, Florida, distressed properties including HUD homes, bank-owned REOs, and short sales appear in the local MLS alongside traditional listings, and working with an agent who has closed several of these transactions means you avoid rookie mistakes on bidding timelines and required forms.
HUD homes in Florida are sold through a government portal called HUDHomeStore.gov, and only HUD-registered agents can submit bids on your behalf, so confirming that registration is your first filter. Bank-owned properties often come with their own purchase contracts, seller disclosure exemptions, and as-is clauses that require careful review before signing. An agent who has navigated these processes knows how to structure inspection contingencies, interpret title commitment exceptions, and set realistic expectations on repair allowances.
Experience with distressed properties is a specific skill set worth verifying before you commit to working with anyone.
Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells, Keller Williams Elite Partners
For HUD homes specifically, you need an agent who is registered on the HUD homestore system. Not every agent is. Go to hudhomestore.gov, search properties in your area, and the listing will show which agents are approved to submit offers. Any registered buyer's agent can represent you at no cost since HUD pays the commission.
For foreclosures, most experienced buyer's agents handle them regularly. Look for agents who mention REO or bank owned properties in their profile. Sites like Hubzu, Auction.com, and RealtyTrac also list foreclosures directly by area.
On the rent to own question, those deals are much harder to find and the terms vary widely. A HUD approved housing counselor can help you navigate all three options at no cost and they specifically work with seniors and first time buyers. Find one at hud.gov/housingcounseling or call 800-569-4287. They can also connect you with senior specific homebuying programs and down payment assistance that may be available in your area.
