Jessica Servais, Realtor (602) 882-8480 jessicaservais@ymail.com

Recently, (3/26/14), Trulia sent out an email titled “6 Ways Renting Beats Buying”

(to read this article, I pasted the link here for you. http://www.trulia.com/tips/2014/03/6-ways-renting-beats-

buying/?ecampaign=rnews&eurl=www.trulia.com%2Ftips%2F2014%2F03%2F6-ways-renting-beats-buying%2F)

I am actually not a columnist (which is probably why this article sounds like it’s written by a Realtor) and

I’d like to argue all 6 of the benefits this “expert” pointed out give my side of the story (something my

husband tells me I’m very good at).

The Not So Rosey Side of Renting:

1. “Low upfront costs” - The author explains you may need to cover 1st months rent and security

deposit but at least you don’t have to come up with a down payment.

My Side: Let me tell you that there are multiple lenders who offer amazing loan programs that allow you to

purchase a home for as little as ½% down! (if you’re interested in speaking with one of those lenders, I have

connections!)

Also, closing costs can always be negotiated to be paid by the seller! There’s always the cost of having an

inspection done, however, I would recommend you have an inspection done on a rental as well. Why?!

Because, if you spot something wrong/questionable or find something such as…. bed bugs, (blech!!) BEFORE

you move in, it’s the landlords’ issue. If you find an issue or bugs AFTER you move in, it’s YOUR issue.

2. “If it breaks, your landlord pays” – The author states here that if something like the air

conditioning or refrigerator breaks down, no money will come out of your pocket.

My Side: No money may come out of your pocket to fix the air conditioning per say. However, you’re at the

landlords mercy as to when it gets repaired (could get awfully hot waiting!). Also, in my experience, rarely is

the refrigerator included in the rental. I wouldn’t count on it. AND anything of yours affected by the

“breakdown” is still your issue. For example, if the refrigerator is covered and the motor breaks, the landlord

is most likely not going to buy you all new groceries to replace the ones that perished. That’s rotten.

3. “Wake up and smell the roses” – The author says when you rent, you don’t have to maintain any

landscaping, plant flowers etc.

My Side: Ok, well…….neither does the landlord! When renting, the landlord is certainly not obligated to

provide flowers, nice shrubbery or sod. This depends on the property. If you’re renting a house, the landlord

just may expect you to maintain what’s there. Or the landlord pays a landscaping service for maintenance,

which you can bet is included in your monthly rent. Botanical garden anyone?

Jessica Servais, Realtor (602) 882-8480 jessicaservais@ymail.com

4. “Low utility and insurance costs” – The author states that many rentals include the cost of heat

or water, so you can crank up the heat in the winter and not worry about a high utility bill and that

fire insurance in a rental is lower than homeowners insurance AND the author states your

landlords policy will cover the dwelling if lightning strikes or a tree crashes through the roof.

My Side: ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!! WHAT?! Well, thank goodness the dwelling is covered….what about your

personal belongings?! If a tree crashes into the garage and house and totals your car and a living room full

of furniture who pays for that replacement? Your personal belongings are still yours and are your

responsibility to cover. Again, I wouldn’t count on any landlords’ policy to cover you or your items. Insurance

is just a necessary part of life. As long as we’re on this topic, make sure your realtor has a good Insurance

affiliate they can refer you to for GOOD advice! ….as for the utilities, doesn’t it go without saying, you’re

going to need to pay for utilities…renting or owning.

5. “Got a gym?” – The author states that you can find a rental that also offers a community with a

pool, gym and even a party room and you can save on memberships this way.

My Side: You can also buy a home in a community that provides the same items. This one is a complete wash.

Nothing more to say about it.

6. “If you need to move, it won’t cost you much” – The author states that you typically get your

security deposit returned to you and when you go to sell your house, you have to pay a greater

amount to a real estate agent in commission.

My Side: I’m not going to lie, yes, if you sell a home, you’ll need to pay a Realtor their well deserved

commission. At least you’ll have some equity to show for all of those monthly payments you’ve been making.

That’s money in your pocket!

With a rental, you can’t personalize your space and there are many factors out of your control, such as noisy

or smelly neighbors. Or, how about the neighbor who can’t get a handle on their cockroach problem? I’ll take

owning my own home any day, for that reason alone!

PLUS! Check out these visuals:

Jessica Servais, Realtor (602) 882-8480 jessicaservais@ymail.com