What is a “Renter by Choice”? How do you know if you might want to be one? Many of us have been led to believe that the ultimate goal is to buy a home and stop renting. After all, home buying is the most practical choice… right? For many people, ideas about homeownership have begun to change. Lots of us are finding that apartment rental is not only an affordable option on the way to homeownership – we actually prefer renting! Many renters have evolved past the idea that renting is a step toward the purchase of a home and are proud Renters by Choice!
Modern renters are less enthralled with the romantic notion of the tidy little yard and the white picket fence – after all, that yard will have to be mown and the fence will need to be painted, and who wants to spend what little free time we have on home maintenance? Instead of spending big bucks for a yard and home that will soon become your main preoccupation, many people are opting to rent and allow a property management service to take care of such details instead.
Furthermore, modern lifestyles require amenities that can be expensive and unrealistic for homeowners. Renters understand that investing in extra square footage to include a workout space in a home can be inefficient. Not only does a homeowner have to carefully select and pay for extra space and equipment, but that equipment must be maintained, cleaned, and serviced regularly. Homeowners often have to choose just one piece of exercise equipment, creating a potential for boredom and apathy about fitness. The result is a lot of effort and expense for a part of your home that you may only use about 1 hour a day.
Renters can enjoy workout rooms, yoga studios, tennis courts, playgrounds, movie theaters, coffee stations and so much more without the need to buy or maintain anything. The convenience of amenities like these in your own apartment community and the ability to enjoy them without effort or additional expenses allow renters to enjoy a lifestyle that might be impossible for most of us to obtain if we were responsible for building and maintaining these features ourselves.
Many apartment communities include a “clubhouse”, a space where you can entertain family and friends without paying for a giant space in your own home or apartment. Rather than spending money on a formal dining room and a large living room that is often used only for guests (and used very little otherwise) renters can enjoy a clubhouse that is large enough for family and friends to gather comfortably. Many clubhouses also include a “kitchen” or bar area where you can entertain without messing up your personal space, giving renters the ability to relax with their guests rather than worrying about cleaning your home or moving furniture.
Renters By Choice often look for convenience and a higher quality of living. Modern apartment communities tend to cater to this type of resident by offering services such as Valet Trash or a Concierge. Not only can you say goodbye to tiresome home maintenance, but you can say hello to services a traditional home could never offer! Your Concierge can make reservations for you, suggest places to shop for specific items and help you learn about your community.
Finally, the antiquated idea that apartments are small and not as comfortable as a suburban residential home is no longer typical. Modern apartment communities cater to renters’ preferences by offering a variety of floor plans, including larger apartments that provide as much space as a traditional home. Renters can choose the amount of space that fits them in the location they prefer, rather than being forced to choose a specific neighborhood based on the size of the home they want.
Are you thinking about becoming a Renter by Choice? Contact us for a tour to find out what renting can do for you!