Rent to own Homes in San Rafael, CA

A healthy housing market with excellent properties for sale! Home value has increased over 13% since last year. You can't go wrong with a pad in San Rafael's Terra Linda and Loch Lomond areas. Rent to own houses remain an optimum way to start out in many of San Rafael's preferred neighborhoods.

San Rafael, CA is a great place for affordable rent-to-own homes! With a median household income of over $97,009 and a median rent of $2,037, the San Rafael, CA rent-to-own market is more affordable than the traditional housing market which has shown tremendous growth across the U.S. and with it, aggressive competition for home purchases. With the current housing shortage trend it can make it harder to become a homeowner, including in San Rafael, CA. This means higher than average down payments for homes and higher qualification standards for conventional home loans. With a rent-to-own property, tenants are also buyers. You can live in the house for a set amount of time before you purchase it, meaning that you get to know the house, your neighbors, and your community before making the final purchase. This enables you and your family to make the right choice based on both information and experience. Rent-to-own is also a great alternative way to get into a home if you have bad credit or don't have enough saved for a down payment.

Check out San Rafael, CA rent to own homes for sale, which may include auction properties, for sale by owner, and more.
Showing 1 - 44 of 176
555 Fulton St
Rent To Own
Hayes Valley
Townhouse/Condo
San Francisco, CA 94102
1
1
714 ft2
2020
1600 INGALLS ST
Rent To Own
Bayview
Single Family Home
San Francisco, CA 94124
4
2
1200 ft2
1944
Hot
81 TARRY LN
Rent To Own
Sleepy Hollow Area
Single Family Home
Orinda, CA 94563
3
2
1692 ft2
1951
1 MANDALAY PL #1506
Rent To Own
Paradise Valley
Townhouse/Condo
South San Francisco, CA 94080
2
2
1548 ft2
2004
967 JORDAN ST
Rent To Own
 
Single Family Home
Montara, CA 94037
4
4
3469 ft2
1981
711 PORTWALK PL
Rent To Own
Redwood Shores
Townhouse/Condo
Redwood City, CA 94065
3
2
1050 ft2
1987
601 Middle Rd APT 22
Rent To Own
Belmont
Single Family Home
Belmont, CA 94002
1
1
550 ft2
1907
14637 JOMARK LN
Rent To Own
 
Townhouse/Condo
Occidental, CA 95465
2
3
1560 ft2
2018
Baine Avenue Apartments, 6437 Baine Ave
Rent To Own
Newark
Single Family Home
Newark, CA 94560
2
1
670 ft2
117 BIRCH WAY
Rent to Own Eligible
Santa Venetia
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
4
2
1324 ft2
1951
Hot New
510 CENTER BLVD #C
Rent to Own Eligible
San Anselmo
Single Family Home
San Anselmo, CA 94960
2
2
1034 ft2
1986
New
719 VIA CASITAS
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Greenbrae, CA 94904
3
2
1130 ft2
1974
Hot New
100 THORNDALE DR #124
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
1
1
770 ft2
1985
495 S ELISEO DR #8
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Greenbrae, CA 94904
1
1
824 ft2
1973
New
17 SAILMAKER CT
Rent to Own Eligible
Smith Ranch
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
2
1
952 ft2
1984
New
83 CORTE MESA DR
Rent to Own Eligible
Domincan - Black Canyon
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94901
3
2
1592 ft2
1974
Hot
100 THORNDALE DR #434
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
1
2
1150 ft2
1985
98 STANFORD CT
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Sausalito, CA 94965
1
1
776 ft2
1981
Hot
100 THORNDALE DR #327
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
2
2
1096 ft2
1985
New
290 VIA CASITAS #303
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Greenbrae, CA 94904
3
2
1350 ft2
1962
4 Point San Pedro Rd
Rent to Own Eligible
Canal Waterfront
Townhouse/Condo
San Rafael, CA 94901
2
2
1205 ft2
1958
Hot New
100 THORNDALE DR #236
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
1
1
856 ft2
1985
Hot
100 THORNDALE DR #106
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
1
1
790 ft2
1985
Hot
100 THORNDALE DR #361
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
1
2
1030 ft2
1985
100 MARIN CENTER DR #5
Rent to Own Eligible
North San Rafael Commercial Center
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
2
2
1112 ft2
1974
Hot
100 THORNDALE DR #204
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
1
1
857 ft2
1985
New
37 PORTO BELLO DR
Rent to Own Eligible
Country Club
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94901
3
3
1560 ft2
1963
197 NOVATO ST
Rent to Own Eligible
Canal
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94901
3
2
1344 ft2
1966
Hot New
22 FAIRFAX ST #E
Rent to Own Eligible
Canal
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94901
1
1
646 ft2
1963
Hot New
100 THORNDALE DR #217
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
2
2
1310 ft2
1985
New
22 CORTE REAL
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Greenbrae, CA 94904
1
2
1082 ft2
1977
1 of 168 100 THORNDALE DR
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Townhouse/Condo
San Rafael, CA 94903
2
2
1030 ft2
1985
Hot
100 THORNDALE DR #146
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
1
1
660 ft2
1985
100 MARIN CENTER DR #9
Rent to Own Eligible
North San Rafael Commercial Center
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
2
2
1112 ft2
1974
Hot
100 THORNDALE DR #229
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
2
2
1300 ft2
1985
65 DOCKSIDE CIR
Rent to Own Eligible
Smith Ranch
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
2
1
932 ft2
1984
400 DEER VALLEY RD #5B
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
1
1
772 ft2
1991
New
1579 Lincoln Ave
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Townhouse/Condo
San Rafael, CA 94901
1
1
754 ft2
1973
Hot
100 THORNDALE DR #432
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
1
1
790 ft2
1985
New
70 SURREY LN
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
2
2
984 ft2
1963
621 VIA CASITAS
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Greenbrae, CA 94904
2
2
954 ft2
1974
100 MARIN CENTER DR #4
Rent to Own Eligible
North San Rafael Commercial Center
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
2
2
1112 ft2
1974
New
100 THORNDALE DR #332
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
2
2
1438 ft2
Hot
100 THORNDALE DR #243
Rent to Own Eligible
Terra Linda
Single Family Home
San Rafael, CA 94903
2
2
1096 ft2
1985
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Buying a Home in San Rafael, CA

San Rafael, CA is seeing rapid growth and San Rafael, CA's' housing market remains not optimal with an average home price that is 349% above the 2024 national average. San Rafael, CA is part of Marin county and taxes are an important factor to consider when purchasing a home whether through rent to own or a traditional purchase. The average tax rate as of 2024 for county Marin is 0.63% which is below the national average, which is 0.99%.

Median Home Price in San Rafael, CA

Median Rent in San Rafael, CA

Rent to own homes offer low monthly payments and flexible terms.

14 Great Reasons to Live in San Rafael

Take your pick! San Rafael has more than 20 neighborhoods to choose from, and a vacancy rate of 5.3% ensures you can find a place in any section of the city. Peacock Gap and Bayside Acres overlook San Rafael Bay and often have openings. Securing a rent to own property in an excellent community with jaw-dropping views is very possible!

Have a picnic in the park! San Rafael boasts 12 parks. Sun Valley Park requires a reservation for some facilities. It has a picnic area, basketball court, and volleyball court. Pickleweed Park, Santa Margarita Park, and Terra Linda Park are other popular local green spaces.

Choices for renters! Over 48% of the housing units in San Rafael are occupied by renters, which is higher than California's average. There are a fair amount of rental homes in scenic areas like Smith Ranch and Gerstle Park. Additionally, it only takes about 30 minutes to get to the San Francisco Bay Area, which means you can play in the big city when the mood strikes.

Rent to own great condos and houses! The average number of days on the market in communities like West End and Picnic Valley is 64, which is quite short, but still a bit longer than in San Francisco's demanding market. Options for rent to own homes in such areas take away the pressure of having to make a decision to purchase a pad so quickly. It also gives you a chance to explore and test out your neighborhood. The value of the average housing unit in San Rafael is now over $760,000, so the choice to purchase a unit should not be taken lightly.

Tour San Rafael's unique architecture! The Marin County Civic Center was the last commission taken by Frank Lloyd Wright and is a federal and state historic landmark. It was also nominated for UNESCO protected status. Another unique attraction is the Art Works Downtown, which features a 40,000 square foot historic structure in the heart of the city, three galleries, and 35 studios.

All sorts of house and apartment sizes! Floor plans range from just over 1,000 square feet to 4,000 square feet. Studios, for example, account for nearly 4% of the homes. Four-bedroom pads account for nearly 15% of homes. You can pretty much find anything you need. Amenities are close to many neighborhoods as well, like Lincoln at the center of San Rafael, which is adjacent to Downtown. Gallinas, which is near San Pablo Bay, has more space.

Pick your choice of cuisine! San Rafael features a myriad of cuisines. Notable establishments like Yet Wah Restaurant, Il Davide, and Sol Food are all worth a try.

Join the party! San Rafael has its share of places to let loose. San Rafael Joe's has been open since 1947 and features fine dining and live music. The Mayflower Pub, Trevor's Pub, and BJ's Restaurant and Brewery are other local favorites.

Sample some fresh fruits and vegetables! San Rafael's Certified Farmers' Market Festival has been named one of the top ten farmers' markets in the country. The festival occurs every Thursday beginning in April and ending after September. The other one to visit is the Marin Farmers' Market, which is open Sunday and Thursday year round.

Head to a festival! The Mill Valley Film Festival features 11 days of national and international films in October, and the Marin Shakespeare Festival takes place at Forest Meadows Amphitheater.

Dig a little deeper into the local history! There are five museums in San Rafael, and each one adds more insight into the exciting history of San Rafael. Two well-known museums are the Falkirk Cultural Center and the Marin History Museum.

Go golfing! Courses like Peacock Gap Golf Club and McInnis Park Golf Club allow you to test your skills any day of the year, and take a mulligan or two if you need.

Dust off the bicycle! Mountain biking has a long history in Marin County and the San Rafael area. Two of the more famous trails are the Mount Tamalpais trails and the bluffs of China Camp State Park.