M.J. Newell Homes rent-to-own lets you move into a new construction home in LaBelle or Lehigh Acres with $0 down and $0 closing costs. You rent at a fixed monthly rate while a portion of what you pay is credited toward the down payment and closing costs when you buy. The purchase price is locked at the start. You do not need a bank loan to get the keys.
That is a builder program. It is not a USDA loan, not a VA loan, and not a claim that every bank will finance you at $0 down later. Buyers moving from New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas, California, and elsewhere use it when the down payment, the credit file, or the timing of the move is the obstacle — not the desire to own.
Last updated October 29, 2026.
What is $0 down rent-to-own here?
Rent-to-own at M.J. Newell Homes is a path from resident to owner on a specific new home.
- To move in: $0 down payment and $0 closing costs.
- While you live there: a fixed monthly rate. Part of that payment is saved and credited back to you at purchase, toward down payment and closing costs.
- The price: locked from day one, so a later jump in asking prices does not reset your number.
- The houses: new construction in LaBelle (Hendry County) and Lehigh Acres (Lee County), not a scattered set of older rentals.
Published monthly figures on the model pages, as of this article, run from $2,700 a month for the Langdon in LaBelle to $3,400 a month for the Viana and Louisiana in LaBelle. Lehigh Acres Langdon is listed at $2,750 a month. Confirm the live number on models before you apply. The Lehigh Acres duplex is for purchase, not this program.
Why people outside Florida use it
A relocation often fails in one of three places:
- The down payment was spent on the move. Security deposits, two rents, a truck, and time off work can erase the 3.5% to 20% a mortgage wants.
- Credit is fine, but it is not "Florida" yet. A new job, a self-employed year, or a short time at the new address can make a lender wait. Rent-to-own does not require a bank loan to start.
- You want the house before you want the mortgage. You can see whether LaBelle or Lehigh Acres fits, while the price stays locked and credits accumulate.
If you already qualify for a mortgage, buying outright can be simpler and can start homestead sooner. New homes for sale are listed for that path. Rent-to-own is the flexible path, not a requirement.
What you do not get on day one
Be precise about taxes. The advantages people move to Florida for — no state income tax, homestead, Save Our Homes, and the 4% November discount — are owner rules or residency rules.
| Benefit | When it applies |
|---|---|
| $0 down to move in | When your rent-to-own application is approved and you take occupancy |
| Locked purchase price and rent credits | During the rent-to-own term, credited at purchase |
| Florida personal income tax of zero | When you are a Florida resident, under the state constitution. A house helps. A CPA confirms the year you leave the old state |
| Homestead exemption and Save Our Homes | After you take title, own the home on January 1, and the property appraiser approves you |
| 4% property-tax discount | When you are paying the owner's tax bill in November |
During the rental period you are not filing homestead on a home you do not own. Budget the monthly rent-to-own payment, insurance requirements in your agreement, and utilities. Add owner taxes after closing, not before.
Read the tax side in the moving checklist. If a lender's zero-down mortgage is the better fit, compare it with USDA and VA versus rent-to-own.
How to start from another state
- Choose a community. LaBelle is quieter, inland, Hendry County, and our homes there have no HOA. Lehigh Acres is in Lee County, nearer Fort Myers. Maps and photos: LaBelle, Lehigh Acres.
- Pick a model you can actually live in. Bedrooms and garage size matter more than a tax table. Langdon is the entry single-family plan at 1,900 square feet.
- Apply with income documents. We typically ask for proof of income, bank statements, and ID. Out-of-state documents are normal. The application is on the rent-to-own page.
- Visit before you ship the furniture. Schedule the appointment around a trip. Photos are not the same as standing in the kitchen.
- Ask, in writing, what is credited and when you can purchase. The public description is a locked price and credits toward down payment and closing costs. Your agreement is the document that controls the dollars.
Frequently asked questions
Is $0 down the same as a zero-down mortgage?
No. $0 down rent-to-own means you do not bring a down payment to move in. You are renting with a contracted path to buy. A zero-down mortgage would put you on title at closing with lender approval. Some buyers use USDA or VA for that. Many are not eligible. We do not want those products confused.
Will my old state's credit history count?
We review the application you submit, including income and identity. We are not a bank pulling a conventional mortgage approval on day one. If your plan is to purchase with a lender later, that lender will use its own credit rules at that time. Keeping the rent-to-own payments current is part of the file you will have.
Can I choose the house from my phone and never come to Florida?
You can apply from out of state. You should see the home. Southwest Florida light, lot size, and the drive to work do not come through on a listing photo. We would rather you visit once than move twice.
Sources and program terms
Program terms in this article match the description published on our site: $0 down and $0 closing costs to move in, fixed monthly rent, price locked, and credits toward down payment and closing costs at purchase. Read the agreement before you sign. Tax rules cited across this cluster come from the Florida Constitution, the Florida Statutes, and the Florida Department of Revenue, and they are linked from the tax checklist.
Next: questions out-of-state buyers ask, or apply for rent-to-own.
