StayFrank Review 2026: Honest Pros, Cons, and How It Compares to Truehold and Sell2Rent

‍QUICK SUMMARY: StayFrank at a Glance

• What it is: Sale-leaseback and home equity agreement (HEA) provider
• Model: Direct buyer + investor partner network
• Coverage: 10 states (AZ, NV, CO, FL, GA, NC, OH, OK, TX, TN)
• Timeline: ~4–8 weeks to close
• Fee: Not publicly disclosed (lower than typical 5–6% realtor commission)
• Lease term: Few months to 5 years (average 2 years)
• Buyback option: Yes — available during lease term
• Property types: Single-family homes only
• Credit check: No (not credit-based)

Not available in your state? Sell2Rent operates in all 50 states → Read our Sell2Rent review

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StayFrank promises you can sell your house and stay in it. But is the frank truth actually… frank? We investigated.

StayFrank is one of the newer players in the residential sale-leaseback space, and they’re doing something interesting: offering both a sale-leaseback AND a home equity agreement under one roof. That’s a combination nobody else in the space is doing right now.

But newer also means fewer reviews, less track record, and some unanswered questions. Let’s break down what we know, what we don’t, and how StayFrank stacks up against the competition.

➤ Compare all leaseback programs side-by-side

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How StayFrank Works

StayFrank offers three programs. Most competitors offer one. That’s worth noting:

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Program 1: Sell & Stay (Sale-Leaseback)

You sell your home to StayFrank or one of their investor partners at fair market value. You sign a lease and stay in the home as a renter for up to 5 years (average 2 years). You receive your equity as cash minus closing costs. No credit check required.

Program 2: Home Equity Agreement (HEA)

You keep ownership but sell a portion of your home’s future appreciation to StayFrank in exchange for a lump sum now. No monthly payments. You repay when you sell, refinance, or at the end of the term. Requires 580+ credit score.

Program 3: Sell & Move (Home Equity Plus)

A more traditional cash sale where you sell and move on. You access your equity upfront and receive the remaining ~20% when the home is eventually sold by the investor.

The dual leaseback + HEA offering is StayFrank’s real differentiator. If you’re not sure whether you want to sell or keep ownership, StayFrank can help you compare both paths under one roof. No other leaseback company does this.

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What StayFrank Does Well

• Buyback option: Unlike Truehold and Sell2Rent, StayFrank offers the option to repurchase your home during the lease term. If your financial situation improves, you can buy it back. That’s a meaningful safety net.
• Dual product offering: Sale-leaseback AND home equity agreement. If you don’t want to give up ownership, the HEA lets you access equity while staying on the deed.
• No credit check for leaseback: The sale-leaseback program is not credit-based. If banks have said no, StayFrank may still say yes.
• Rent flexibility: Three rent payment options—prepay in full, partial prepay, or monthly—give you control over cash flow.
• Fair market value offers: StayFrank aims to match what you’d get selling through a realtor, and without the 5–6% agent commission.
• No repairs or staging: Sell as-is. No showings, no open houses, no fixing the kitchen faucet.
• Appreciation retention on leaseback: StayFrank states you retain appreciation value during your lease term—a claim worth verifying in the contract.

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Where StayFrank Falls Short

• Limited to 10 states: AZ, NV, CO, FL, GA, NC, OH, OK, TX, TN. If you’re outside these states, StayFrank isn’t an option. Sell2Rent covers all 50 states and may be a better fit.
• Fee transparency: StayFrank does not publicly disclose its fee structure for the leaseback program. Truehold clearly states 5.5%. Sell2Rent clearly states up to 6%. StayFrank’s silence on this point is the biggest red flag in this review.
• Newer company, limited reviews: StayFrank has fewer customer reviews than Truehold (1,000+ transactions). It’s harder to assess consistency and customer experience at scale.
• Lease term is temporary: Maximum 5 years, average 2 years. You will eventually need to move. Truehold offers indefinite lease extensions—as long as you pay rent, you can stay forever.
• Single-family homes only: No condos, townhomes, or multi-family. If your property isn’t a single-family home, look elsewhere.
• Timeline: StayFrank’s own site says “get your money within 2 months.” Truehold closes in ~30 days. Sell2Rent in 30–45 days. StayFrank’s 4–8 week range is competitive but not the fastest.

The fee transparency issue is worth emphasizing. When a company doesn’t disclose fees publicly, it doesn’t necessarily mean the fees are high—but it does mean you need to ask very specific questions before signing anything. Read every line of the contract.

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How StayFrank Compares: 4-Company Head-to-Head

This is the comparison we wish existed when we started researching these companies:

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Who StayFrank Is Best For

StayFrank is a strong option if you check these boxes:

• You live in one of StayFrank’s 10 states (AZ, NV, CO, FL, GA, NC, OH, OK, TX, TN)
• You want the option to buy your home back — this is StayFrank’s killer feature that Truehold and Sell2Rent don’t offer
• You’re not sure if you want to sell or keep ownership — the dual leaseback + HEA offering lets you compare both under one roof
• You need flexibility in rent payments (prepay, partial prepay, or monthly)
• You own a single-family home with meaningful equity
• Banks have said no to refinancing or HELOCs and you need an alternative path to your equity

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Who Should Look Elsewhere

StayFrank isn’t the right fit for everyone. Here’s when you should explore alternatives:

• You’re outside StayFrank’s 10 states: Sell2Rent operates in all 50 states with a marketplace model that connects you with multiple investors. If geography is your issue, Sell2Rent is the answer.
• You want to stay indefinitely: StayFrank’s average lease is 2 years, max 5. Truehold offers indefinite lease extensions—as long as you pay rent, you stay. For retirees who want to age in place, Truehold’s model is better suited.
• Fee transparency matters to you: If you want to know exactly what you’ll pay before you start the process, Truehold’s 5.5% is clearly published. StayFrank’s lack of public fee disclosure is a legitimate concern.
• You own a condo or townhome: StayFrank only serves single-family homes. Sell2Rent accepts a broader range of property types.
• You want maximum investor competition: Sell2Rent’s marketplace model lets multiple investors bid on your property, potentially driving up your sale price. StayFrank uses a direct-buyer + partner model with less competitive tension.

🔗 Not in StayFrank’s service area? Sell2Rent covers all 50 states

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5 Questions to Ask StayFrank Before Signing

Because StayFrank doesn’t disclose everything publicly, here are the exact questions you should ask:

• 1. What is the total transaction fee? Get the exact percentage or dollar amount in writing before you commit.
• 2. What are the buyback terms? At what price can you repurchase? Is it fixed or tied to future market value? Are there additional fees?
• 3. What happens at the end of the lease? If you don’t buy back, how much notice do you get? Can you extend?
• 4. How is rent determined and can it increase? Get the formula in writing. Annual increases? Caps? What happens if you can’t pay?
• 5. What’s the appreciation retention clause? StayFrank claims you retain appreciation during the lease. Get this in the contract.

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The Bottom Line

StayFrank is a legitimate leaseback company with some genuinely differentiated features—the buyback option and dual leaseback/HEA offering set it apart from the competition. For homeowners in its 10-state service area who want flexibility and the possibility of repurchasing their home, it’s worth a serious look.

But the lack of publicly disclosed fees is a real concern. And the temporary lease structure (max 5 years) means this isn’t a permanent housing solution—it’s a bridge. Make sure you have a plan for what comes after.

If StayFrank doesn’t operate in your state, Sell2Rent is the closest alternative with nationwide coverage. If you want to stay forever, Truehold’s indefinite lease is the better model.

The smartest move? Compare all three. That’s literally what Leaseback.com was built for.

➤ Compare StayFrank, Truehold, Sell2Rent, and more side-by-side

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FAQ: StayFrank Review

Q: Is StayFrank legit?

A: Yes. StayFrank is a legitimate residential sale-leaseback and home equity agreement provider founded by Andy Griffin and operating in 10 U.S. states. However, it’s a newer company with limited customer reviews compared to competitors like Truehold (1,000+ transactions). Always read the full contract before signing.

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Q: How long does StayFrank take to close?

A: StayFrank’s website says you can receive funds within approximately 2 months of initiating the process (4–8 weeks). This is slightly slower than Truehold (~30 days) and comparable to Sell2Rent (30–45 days).

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Q: What are StayFrank’s fees?

A: StayFrank does not publicly disclose its fee structure for the sale-leaseback program. Truehold charges 5.5% and Sell2Rent charges up to 6%. Ask StayFrank for the exact fee in writing before committing.

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Q: Can I buy my house back from StayFrank?

A: Yes. StayFrank offers a buyback option during the lease term—a feature that Truehold and Sell2Rent do not offer. Ask for the specific buyback terms, including price, timeline, and any additional fees.

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Q: What states does StayFrank operate in?

A: As of 2026, StayFrank operates in Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee. If you’re outside these states, Sell2Rent covers all 50 states. Compare at leaseback.com/comparisons.

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Q: StayFrank vs. Truehold vs. Sell2Rent: which is best?

A: StayFrank is best for buyers who want a buyback option and are in its 10 states. Truehold is best for homeowners who want to stay indefinitely with transparent fees (5.5%). Sell2Rent is best for homeowners outside both service areas (all 50 states) or who want multiple investor bids. Compare all three at leaseback.com/comparisons.

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