Renting vs Buying: Jeff’s Story
When you’re deciding whether renting vs buying is better, sometimes it helps to see the thought process of someone else who’s in the same situation.
Take Jeff for example.
Jeff is a recently divorced father of two teenaged girls, who has a big decision to make. Where are he and his girls going to live now?
Watch this video and see what Jeff decides is the right choice for his family.
The search for finding the right home can be stressful. Let’s break down the process Jeff used to decide if he should rent vs buy.
Know What You Need in a Home
It’s hard to figure out the right home option if you haven’t made your list of absolute necessities. Take a moment to write down what you’d ideally want in your new home and then separate it into a “Needs” and a “Wants” column.
Narrow Down Your Search to a Few Options
Jeff knew that he would probably end up in a home that matched one of the following situations:
- Buying a house
- Leasing a condo
- Renting an apartment
Maybe you’re just deciding between owning a home (whether a house or a condo) or renting one (in either a house, condo, or apartment). No matter what, just make sure you know what your options are before you start touring potential homes.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Jeff wasn’t completely sold on the home ownership option. While he’s got the credit score and down payment covered, he’s not sure he wants to do things like mowing the lawn, dealing with plumbing issues, and generally performing the upkeep that is inevitable with an owned home.
What Jeff does like about the buying option? The conveniences, like a private attached garage for his classic muscle car on top of his daily driver.
But what about that condo option? Depending on the location, those can either have a rent or buy option. For Jeff, the space actually seems to work out. But the big drawback is a lack of garage space for Jeff’s beloved hobby car. On Jeff’s list of wants and needs, that garage space is something he just can’t compromise on.
While Jeff is looking for homes in the suburbs, he found a lot of apartments, but none that felt like a true family home. That’s when Jeff discovered a new option: renting a Redwood Apartment Home.
The single-story, open floor plans provide all the space Jeff and his girls need, with a large, 2-car attached garage available with any floor plan. Plus, when the girls get the puppy they’ve been asking for, there will be a space for him too.
Tour in Person to Get a Feel for the Homes
Jeff’s deciding factor for renting vs buying was taking a tour of each home. When he walked through the Redwood Apartment Home, everything seemed to click. Plus, taking an in-person tour allowed for questions with the leasing team.
If you’re ready to explore the rental options at Redwood Apartment Neighborhoods, take a look at the neighborhoods near you.
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