When purchasing a home, one occasionally hears about the possibility of “renting with an option to buy”. This arrangement can take various forms, but a common one is that the renter simply pays rent and may purchase the house at an agreed-upon price.  Rental payments typically are not applied toward purchase.  The owner is not permitted to sell the house to another buyer unless the renter/option holder waives the right to purchase.  The duration of the option may or may not be specified.  Supposed that a buyer is considering whether to purchase a house outright or rent it with an option to buy.  Under what circumstances would renting with an option be a dominated alternative?