What is a “Renter by Choice”, and how do you know if you might be one? For many of us, the ultimate goal has always been to buy a home and stop renting. After all, home buying is the right choice… isn’t it? Ideas about homeownership are beginning to change, and many people are finding that renting an apartment is not merely an affordable option on the way to homeownership – some of us actually prefer renting! Many renters have evolved beyond the notion of renting as a step toward the purchase of a home and are becoming Renters by Choice!
Modern renters are no longer enamored with the romantic notion of the pretty little yard and the white picket fence – that yard will have to be mown and the fence will need to be painted, and who wants to spend their free time on chores like these? Instead of shelling out big bucks for a yard and home that requires constant maintenance, many are opting to rent and leave the chores to a property management service instead.
Furthermore, current lifestyles often involve amenities that can be expensive and space-consuming for homeowners. Paying for the extra square footage to include a workout space in a home can be costly and inefficient. Not only does a homeowner need to pay for extra space and equipment, but that equipment must be maintained, cleaned, and serviced regularly. The result is a lot of effort and expense for square footage that you may only use about 1 hour daily.
Meanwhile, renters can take advantage of workout rooms, yoga studios, tennis courts, coffee stations, movie theaters, playgrounds and so much more without the requirement to buy or maintain anything. The convenience of these amenities in your own community and the ability to enjoy them without effort or excessive expense allow renters to create a lifestyle that would be nearly impossible for most of us to attain if we must be responsible for building and maintaining such amenities ourselves.
Likewise, many apartment communities include a “clubhouse”, a place where you can throw a party for family and friends without creating a giant space in your own home or apartment. Rather than spending money for a formal dining room and a large living room (that may not be used very much most of the time), renters can enjoy the luxury of a space where family and friends can gather comfortably. Many clubhouses also include a “kitchen” or “bar” where you can cook up a feast without messing up your personal space, allowing renters to relax and enjoy their guests rather than worrying about cleaning and moving furniture to accommodate your company.
Renters By Choice are often looking for convenience and a higher quality of living. Modern apartment communities cater to this type of resident by offering services such as Valet Trash or providing a Concierge. In addition to saying goodbye to tiresome home maintenance, 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, it is an outdated notion that apartments are small and not as comfortable as a traditional residential home. Modern apartment communities cater to renters’ preferences by offering a variety of floor plans, including larger apartment plans that provide as much space as a traditional home. Renters can choose the amount of space that fits their personal lifestyle without sacrificing location, rather than being forced to choose a 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!
