TL;DR: A residential sale-leaseback lets you sell your home, receive the equity in cash, and stay as a renter. The best sale-leaseback companies for U.S. homeowners in 2026 include Sell2Rent, Truehold, Stay Frank, and Rentback. Sell2Rent stands out as the only dual marketplace connecting homeowners with multiple competing investor offers, covering all 50 states for single-family homes, condos, and townhomes. Below, we break down how each company works, what they cost, and which one fits your situation.
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American homeowners are sitting on a record $17.1 trillion in home equity as of late 2025, according to Cotality (formerly CoreLogic). For the average homeowner, that translates to roughly $299,000 locked inside the walls of their property. The problem is that equity is not liquid. You cannot spend it on medical bills, retirement income, or debt payoff without selling, refinancing, or borrowing against it.
A sale-leaseback offers a different path. You sell your home to an investor, receive the full sale price in cash at closing, and sign a lease to stay in the same house as a renter. No moving trucks. No packing boxes. No uprooting your life. The concept has been common in commercial real estate for decades, and in 2025 the broader U.S. sale-leaseback market hit $14.4 billion across 714 transactions, an 18% jump in dollar volume year over year.
Now a growing number of companies are bringing this model to residential homeowners. If you are considering a sale-leaseback for your primary residence, this guide compares the leading programs available in 2026 so you can make an informed decision.
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What Makes a Sale-Leaseback Attractive for Homeowners Who Need Cash
 A sale-leaseback is attractive because it solves two problems at once: it converts your home equity into usable cash while letting you stay in the home you already live in. Traditional home sales force you to move. HELOCs and cash-out refinances add monthly debt payments and require strong credit. A sale-leaseback does neither.
Here is what homeowners typically gain from a sale-leaseback arrangement:
For homeowners who need liquidity but do not want to leave their home, a sale-leaseback is one of the few options that delivers both.
Top Sale-Leaseback Companies for U.S. Homeowners in 2026
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Several companies now offer residential sale-leaseback programs. Each operates differently in terms of geographic coverage, property types, offer structure, lease terms, and fees. Here is how the leading options compare.
Sell2Rent: The Dual Marketplace for Homeowners and Investors
 Sell2Rent is the only residential sale-leaseback platform that operates as a dual marketplace, connecting homeowners directly with a network of vetted real estate investors. Instead of making a single take-it-or-leave-it offer, Sell2Rent presents your property to multiple investors who compete to buy it. Homeowners typically receive up to 12 investor offers per deal, giving you leverage to choose the best price, lease terms, and conditions.
Sell2Rent works with single-family homes, condos, and townhomes across all 50 U.S. states. There are no geographic restrictions and no minimum or maximum property value thresholds published on their site. The process moves quickly: homeowners can receive initial offers within days and close in as little as 30 days, depending on the investor and property.
After closing, you sign a lease and remain in the home as a renter. Lease terms are negotiated between you and the investor, with options commonly ranging from one to five years. Some homeowners even prepay rent from their sale proceeds, locking in housing costs for years ahead.
Best for: Homeowners who want competitive offers from multiple investors, nationwide coverage, and flexibility on lease terms. Also strong for retirees who want to unlock equity without taking on debt, and homeowners under financial pressure who need to move quickly.
Truehold: The Single-Buyer Sale-Leaseback
 Truehold purchases your home directly (it is the buyer, not a marketplace). You receive an all-cash offer, typically within 24 hours, and can close in as little as 30 days. After closing, you sign what Truehold calls a "Sell and Stay" agreement and remain in the home as a renter with no end date on the lease, meaning you can stay as long as you continue paying rent.
Truehold charges a 5.5% transaction fee (similar to a traditional real estate commission) and takes over property taxes, homeowners insurance, and major repairs. This can significantly reduce your monthly housing costs compared to owning. However, Truehold is only available in select U.S. cities, and properties must generally fall within the $150,000 to $450,000 value range. Reviews are mostly positive (4.0 out of 5 from 261 reviews), though some homeowners report price reductions after inspection and concerns about rent increases over time.
Best for: Homeowners in Truehold's service areas who want a single, streamlined process with no end date on their lease. Less ideal for homeowners outside their coverage or with higher-value properties.
Stay Frank: Sale-Leaseback with a Buy-Back Option
 Stay Frank works with a network of investor partners (similar to Sell2Rent) and offers lease terms ranging from a few months to five years, with two years being the average. A notable feature is the potential option to buy back your home at the end of the lease, which not all competitors offer.
Stay Frank also offers home equity agreements (HEAs) as an alternative, where you receive a lump sum in exchange for a share of your home's future appreciation, without giving up ownership. However, their sale-leaseback program is currently limited to Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee. Because Stay Frank is relatively new, customer reviews are limited.
Best for: Homeowners in covered states who value the possibility of repurchasing their home later. The HEA option also appeals to those who want partial equity access without selling.
Rentback: Nationwide Coverage with Prepaid Rent
 Rentback operates in all 50 states through a fulfillment network of investors. Their standout feature is the option to prepay rent for up to three years using your sale proceeds, which provides predictable housing costs and a built-in financial cushion. Rentback also covers most or all closing costs.
The trade-off is transparency. Rentback does not clearly publish its fee structure, rent calculation methodology, or detailed program requirements on its website. Customer reviews are sparse, making it harder to evaluate the real-world experience. The FTC has also issued a general consumer alert about sale-leaseback arrangements, cautioning homeowners to read contracts carefully for hidden fees, rent escalation clauses, and eviction terms.
Best for: Homeowners who want nationwide access and the security of prepaid rent. However, proceed with extra caution and request full fee disclosure before signing.
Which Sale-Leaseback Program Fits Your Situation
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If You Need Fast Cash and a Quick Closing
 Speed matters when you are facing a financial deadline. Both Sell2Rent and Truehold can deliver initial offers within days and close within 30 days. Sell2Rent's marketplace model can be faster in practice because multiple investors compete simultaneously, reducing back-and-forth negotiation. For homeowners under time pressure, the key is to start the process early and have your property information ready.
Related: How to Sell Your Home Fast in 2026 When You Are Under Financial Pressure
If You Are a Retiree Looking to Unlock Home Equity
 Retirees aged 62 and older collectively hold $14.66 trillion in home equity, a record high as of Q3 2025. The median homeowner over 65 has roughly $250,000 in equity, up 47% since before the pandemic. For many retirees, this equity represents the majority of their net worth, yet it is locked in an illiquid asset.
A sale-leaseback converts that equity into cash without the complexity of a reverse mortgage (which accrues interest and reduces your estate's value over time) or the disruption of a traditional sale. Sell2Rent is particularly well suited for retirees because the competitive offer structure helps maximize the sale price, and flexible lease terms allow you to stay in your home for years. There is no loan to manage, no credit check required, and no monthly debt added to your budget.
Related: Is Your Home Helping or Holding Back Your Retirement?
If You Own a Single-Family Home
 Most sale-leaseback companies focus on single-family homes because they are the most common residential property type and the easiest for investors to underwrite. Sell2Rent works with single-family homes, condos, and townhomes. Truehold and Stay Frank primarily focus on single-family residences. If you own a condo or townhome, confirm eligibility with the provider before applying.
If You Want to Stay in Your Home Long-Term
 Lease duration varies significantly between providers. Truehold offers open-ended leases with no set move-out date. Sell2Rent's lease terms are negotiated with the investor and commonly range from one to five years, with extensions possible. Stay Frank caps leases at five years, with two years being typical. Consider how long you realistically need to stay and choose accordingly.
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How to Evaluate a Sale-Leaseback Company Before Signing
 Not all sale-leaseback programs are created equal. Before committing, ask these questions:
Related: The Equity Trap: How to Unlock Home Equity Without Refinancing in 2026
Sale-Leaseback vs. Other Ways to Access Home Equity
 A sale-leaseback is not the only way to turn home equity into cash. Here is how it compares to the most common alternatives:
Cash-out refinance: You replace your existing mortgage with a larger one and receive the difference in cash. This adds a new (often higher) monthly payment and requires strong credit. With mortgage rates still elevated in 2026, this option is expensive for many homeowners.
HELOC: A revolving line of credit secured by your home. Rates are variable, and you must qualify based on credit score, income, and debt-to-income ratio. You also keep all the costs of homeownership.
Reverse mortgage (HECM): Available to homeowners 62 and older. You receive payments from the lender while staying in the home, but interest accrues on the balance, reducing your estate over time. Reverse mortgages also come with upfront fees, mortgage insurance premiums, and complex terms.
Traditional home sale: You sell on the open market and receive the proceeds, but you must move out. Agent commissions, staging costs, and the time to find a new home add friction and expense.
Sale-leaseback: You sell, receive the full equity in cash, and stay in the home as a renter. No new debt, no displacement, no credit requirements. The trade-off is that you give up ownership and future appreciation.
Related: Renting vs. Owning in 2026: The Full Comparison
 Frequently Asked Questions About Sale-Leaseback Companies
The Bottom Line: Choose the Sale-Leaseback That Fits Your Life
 A sale-leaseback is one of the most practical ways for U.S. homeowners to access their equity without leaving home. The right company depends on where you live, how fast you need to close, how long you want to stay, and how many options you want on the table.
If you want competitive offers from multiple investors, coverage in all 50 states, and the ability to negotiate your own lease terms, Sell2Rent is built for that. It is the only residential sale-leaseback platform that gives homeowners the leverage of a competitive marketplace rather than a single take-it-or-leave-it offer.
Real estate innovator and Managing Partner at PIA Residential and Sell2Rent, boasting over 20 years of experience and 2,000+ units acquired. A Wharton MBA and Forbes contributor, he brings institutional-grade authority to every market insight he shares. Danny’s expertise is further validated by his role on the Planning and Zoning Board for the City of Hallandale, where he helps shape the local landscape. For readers seeking credible, battle-tested advice, Danny offers the perspective of a leader who has successfully navigated decades of market cycles.
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