The Benefits of Renting an Apartment Vs. Owning a House

The Benefits of Renting an Apartment

Summary: The benefits of renting an apartment vs. owning a home.

Because money for mortgage lending is tight and more people are becoming victims of foreclosures renting is becoming more popular. In fact, more people are not renting than purchasin homes, especially in urban and suburban areas.

Being in a situation where you are renting should not be viewed as a sign of failure. Many people prefer renting and there are actually some benefits to doing so.

Renting may actually represent a savings. Renters typically have fewer maintenance responsibilities and amenities are often included that might otherwise not be affordable. Admittedly, there are negative aspects to renting, but there are clearly a few benefits.

The monthly rent expense for an apartment is usually cheaper than a mortgage payment on a house. is usually considerably less expensive than the monthly mortgage on a home. A home is typically much larger and more expensive to heat, cool and maintain.

Many people go on to invest their money in a home after saving up money as a renter.

No Maintenance Properties

Apartments have the distinct advantage of require low or no maintenance of the renter. A renter may be responsible for changing light bulbs, but more extensive repairs like fixing plumbing lieaks are the responsibility of the landlord or maintenance department of the complex.

Amenities that Would Otherwise be Unaffordable

Often apartments offer amenities such as a swimming pool, an exercise room, computer labs and meeting rooms. These are usually offered at no extra charge. Most renters probably could not afford a home with such amenities, but they become affordable to renters.

These are the major advantages of renting. Another might be the fact that it is much easier to move from a rented apartment than it is to successfully put a home up for sale. Renters have greater opportunities for mobility than those who own their own homes.

* * *

Originally published under another pseudonym at a defunct content site September 6, 2009.