Two phases. Every step documented. From your first signal of interest — through every payment, review, and signature — to the day you hold the title to a home that's legally yours.
A program with a purpose
Our Rent-to-Own model is divided into two core phases: [1] Foundations – getting you set up for success, and finding your home; and [2] Momentum – a structured pathway to stabilize your credit, amass your savings, and carry you all the way to homeownership.
01
Complete our Expression of Interest form – a brief questionnaire to capture details about your current situation and goals. No credit pull. No fees. Nothing locked in. This is exploration; a way for us to learn about you and decide together whether a deeper conversation makes sense.
At This Stage
Share your basic info & goals
No credit pull, no payment
Walk away any time
02
File Review & Discovery Call
We review your file, then we talk.
An advisor reviews your interest form within one business day. If there’s a fit, we schedule a 30-minute discovery call to walk through your situation, answer your questions, and confirm – together – if the program is right for you. Still no commitment or fees at this stage.
At This Stage
Internal file review (1 business day)
No-pressure discovery call
Formal application invitation if fit
03
Pre-Approval & Onboarding
Commitment Deposit. Program begins.
If we both agree it's a good fit and you'd like to move forward, you receive a pre-approval letter documenting your approved budget. You then fund a $3,000 Commitment Deposit — partially credited toward your purchase at the end. Your financial coaching begins, and you're paired with your dedicated advisor.
At This Stage
Pre-approval letter issued
$3K deposit funded
Program onboarding begins
04
Home Search
You choose. Within your approved budget.
Work with your own real estate agent — or one we recommend — to find a home you actually want. Tour at your pace. Submit listings to Upstream for review. Tenant-first by design: we don't push inventory at you.
At This Stage
Tour homes within budget
Real estate agent of your choice
No pressure on timing
05
Offer & Due Diligence
Inspection. Insurability. Comparables.
Once you've found a home, Upstream submits the offer and runs full due diligence: home inspection, insurability check, market comparables, and structural review. We only move forward on homes that meet program criteria — protecting your future ownership.
At This Stage
Independent home inspection
Insurability & comp review
Conditional offer accepted
06
Legal document review and home deposit provided
Independent legal advice. Initial Option Consideration funded. Agreement signed.
Review our rent-to-own agreements with your own lawyer. Upon approval, and before we close on the property, you fund the initial home deposit (Initial Option Consideration) of 5% of the home’s purchase price, or $20,000 (whichever is greater); 100% of this goes towards your future down payment.
At This Stage
Legal review
Home Deposit Funded
100% credited to your down payment
07
Close & Move In
Upstream closes. You move in. Price locked.
Upstream completes the purchase as the legal owner. The locked purchase price is set on this day — and held firm for the entire term, regardless of what the market does. You take possession and move in.
At This Stage
Upstream closes the purchase
Your purchase price locked
Keys in hand — move in
From Moving In To Ownership
Phase 2: Momentum
The purchase is complete. The agreement is signed. Your home deposit is credited toward your purchase. You're living in a home with a legally documented path to ownership.
08
Your monthly financial coaching continues throughout your program. Each session focuses on credit building, debt reduction, savings habits, and mortgage qualification preparation — all structured around getting you ready to graduate into a mortgage.
At This Stage
Monthly educational content
Credit score tracking
Quarterly progress reviews
09
Monthly Payments
Rent. Save. Build equity simultaneously.
Each month you contribute an occupancy (rent) payment. In addition, you make a savings credit payment that accrues toward your down payment. The price you’ll buy the property for stays locked. Your progress is reviewed every quarter.
At This Stage
Rent + savings credit each month
Locked purchase price held
Quarterly statements issued
10
Mortgage Readiness
Mortgage readiness check.
As you approach the end of your program, your mortgage broker (who's been involved from the beginning) confirms your readiness for mortgage qualification. Your improved credit, accumulated savings, and locked-in purchase price all come together to put you in the strongest position to qualify.
At This Stage
Credit score target: 680+
Down payment savings confirmed
11
Exercise Your Option
You buy. The home becomes yours.
At the end of your program, you purchase the home at the price we locked in on Day 1. Your savings contributions become your down payment. Your mortgage closes. The home title transfers into your name.
At This Stage
Exercise option at locked price
IOC + credits → down payment
Title transferred to your name
Final Milestone — After Step 11
🎉 You own your home.
The title is yours. The purchase price as agreed on Day 1. Your home deposit and savings credits counted. This is what the whole program was built toward: Your home ownership.
Start Your Journey
Ready to see if Upstream is right for your family?
