After all, why allow a tenant to use a portion of his rent to act as a down payment on a house or to cover closing costs? The reason is because most renters leave to buy a home anyway, so there's no point in trying to fight that trend.

The RE/MAX program is different from others in that the multifamily owner doesn't have to participate in the program. It's open to anyrenter in any apartment complex across the country.

"This is the first nationwide program which offers all renters a genuine opportunity for homeownership," Liniger, RE/MAX International co-founder and chairman of the board, told about 6,000 agents attending the 2005 RE/MAX International Convention in Orlando, FL. The program is called "RE/MAX Heading Home."

Liniger is well aware that large multifamily owners have offered these programs in the past. "Although it is not the first program of its kind, RE/MAX Heading Home is the first that is available in all 50 states to any person or family currently renting and who has hoped to fulfill the American dream of owning a home," Liniger says. "Even though homeownership in the US is at an all-time high of 69%, we believe there are large numbers of deserving people, such as military personnel, minorities and immigrants, who have the desire but not the resources or a plan to realize the benefits of owning their home. Now, there is a very simple way."

RE/MAX Heading Home is a "membership" program which allows renters to earn "credits" based on current monthly rental payments. Mortgage lenders participating in the program will assist prospective homeowners with mortgage qualification and ultimately apply "earned credits" at loan closing. Under the program, 15% of monthly rent can be accrued (not to exceed $4,000 total) as a credit against a maximum of 1% of mortgage loan closing costs. And, when the renter member is ready to find a home, a "matched" RE/MAX real estate agent will be assigned to assist in the search.

People in the program also must use Bank of America as the lender, as well as a RE/MAX agent. Membership in RE/MAX Heading Home requires a one-time only fee of $49.95 and an annual fee of $9.95 until the member purchases a home or drops out of the program.