Janese Scott with her home in Locust Grove, Georgia.
Divvy Homes

Buying a home may be the American Dream, but many first-time buyers lack the funds (or the credit score) to get a traditional mortgage. That’s where Divvy Homes comes in. Through its rent-to-buy program, aspiring homeowners can pay a 1% to 2% down payment, and Divvy will pay for the rest of the home. Clients then pay monthly rent to Divvy—but unlike with traditional renting, a portion of each payment goes toward building equity. About half of Divvy’s clients build enough equity to buy their homes within three years. “Our mission is to make homeownership accessible,” says CEO Adena Hefets.

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