In this blog, all photos were taken by Matthew Garsky (@matthewgarsky).
Have you ever been told that you’re just throwing away your money by renting? Ever felt pressured to buy out of a feeling that you can never really enter true adulthood until you own property? These myths and many others leave renters living in guilt. At Lykens, we believe that renting provides unbelievable perks. In 2018, feel good about renting. Here are just a few reasons why.
Flexibility
People and their situations are in a state of constant change. For almost everyone, a house is the biggest purchase in life. Despite the upsides in such an investment, it is important to recognize that it adds inflexibility to your life. If you prefer your life to remain fluid and open to potential changes in employment, education, or family situation that might require changes in locales, renting is the preferable option.
Maintenance
The garbage disposal starts spewing. The heater goes out on a cold winter day. The roof leaks after a rainstorm. If you’re like me, being a handyman doesn’t come easily. Moreover, the thought of finding, choosing, trusting, and paying someone to repair my home sounds overwhelming. With most repairs, you’re facing at least $200 just to get someone to come out and check out these malfunctions. Oh, the joys of owning a home.
We can’t speak for every landlord, but as a Lykens renter, you’ll get access to our incredible maintenance staff. At Lykens, we offer our tenants a fleet of dedicated, trustworthy workmen who fix problems as quickly as they come up. We don’t make you jump through hoops either. Check out our website for how easy it is to make a maintenance request. Within 24 hours, your issue will be addressed. The best part? The service is included in your monthly rent.
A Taste Test
As kids, we all had a friend who knew what they wanted to be as an adult and actually ended up becoming it, but most of us don’t know what we want. Usually, people try something out before deciding to fully commit to it. The same goes with housing. What do you value in a home? Large closets over a prime location? Would you choose a garage over a great kitchen? Would you sacrifice a bedroom for a place with a huge living room? These questions are hard to answer. We can think we know the answer, but when we actually get into the situation, it turns out that we never cook and didn’t need that extra counter space after all. Meanwhile, we always end up circling the block for parking, regretting that we didn’t go with that two-car garage home.
Renting allows you to try out different features of a house before committing years (and a lot of money) to it. Try an apartment with an open concept and see if it’s a must-have for the future. Renting is experimentation.
Minimal Upfront Commitment
When buying a home, expect to pay no less than 20% on a house. Even with help from family, a down payment is daunting at best. You might even end up compromising on the house you want for one you can more easily afford. What if you could live in a great place and save money for down payment at the same time? Hello, renting.
Other than a security deposit, renting allows you to experience financial freedom while you save for what is likely the biggest purchase of your life. Saving money alongside your rent payment each month can add up in a big way so you’re ready to act when you do find a home worth buying.
Nicer Places Now
Let’s face it. It takes time to afford a great home. Even if you’ve landed your dream job at a young age, you need time to build credit and save money until you can buy your ideal house. In the meantime, you don’t have to suffer. Renting doesn’t mean compromising on quality. Not with Lykens at least. We put time and money into our units so that each one can stand alone as something we’re proud of.
In our renovated apartments, tenants will always experience premium kitchens, highest grade granite countertops, incredible bathrooms, and much more. Rent with us and experience the luxury you want now. Let’s get rid of the notion that a rental can’t feel like home.
Live Where You Want
It’s no surprise, the best neighborhoods have the highest prices and the fewest availabilities when it comes to buying. If you really really want to live in a certain neighborhood, then do it! While you might not be able to buy in the most booming area, chances are that you’ll be able to rent. At Lykens, we know that the location of a home matters just as much as its interior. That’s why we’re one of the biggest property owners in Columbus’s premier Arts District: The Short North. In fact, you’ll find a Lykens unit in nearly every great neighborhood that Columbus offers. Renting gives you a chance to live where you couldn’t otherwise. Why not take advantage of that?
Convinced Yet?
Renting is nothing to be ashamed of. As we’ve covered, there tons of reasons why it’s smarter to rent than to buy. If you’re in a situation where renting makes the most sense, then why not check out our available rentals to see if they meet your needs?
In this blog, all photos were taken by Matthew Garsky (@matthewgarsky).
